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Fantasy football doesn't end just because the regular season is over. Wild-card weekend -- now with six games on Saturday and Sunday-- gives us the opportunity to flex our finely-tuned fantasy muscles with DFS contests. Making lineup picks from a slate featuring most of the NFL's top teams isn't easy, as very few matchups are 'favorable' and value sleepers seem few and far between, but below we do our best to craft a winning tournament lineup for DraftKings contests.
Play+ is the smarter way to access your money before you start to play. Just load your Play+ account with a bank card or checking account. With your Play+ account loaded, you're ready to play! Wild Card weekend brings two tripleheaders with it. I previously discussed my favorite options from the Saturday main slate at DraftKings. Below, the NFL’s leading rusher is joined by a four-man. To learn more about the fee structure, log onto draftkings.mycardplace.com and view the Terms and Conditions. Can my Play+ card be sent to a PO Box? No, cards must be sent to a physical residential address. How do I reset/change my PIN number? Your PIN can be reset using the IVR at 855-558-0043 (push 4 once card number is entered) or by logging. This card is issued by Bank of George MEMBER FDIC pursuant to a license from Discover Network. Discover® and the Discover Acceptance Mark are service marks used by Bank of George under license from Discover Financial Services.
Our picks might seem a bit more cash-game oriented at first, but it's important to remember that in the playoffs, teams often rely more than usual on their most trustworthy and consistent players. That doesn't mean there won't be random touchdowns (there are always random touchdowns), but it could mean even more touches than usual for a key RB or WR. We're keeping that in mind while doing our best to exploit what few favorable matchups there are.
MORE WILD CARD DFS: Best values Lineup Builder
Wild Card DraftKings Picks: NFL DFS cash lineup
QB Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers vs. Browns ($6,100). Big Ben wasn't asked to do much against the Browns in a 38-7 Steelers victory in Week 6, and he didn't play last week when the teams met for a second time. Backup Mason Rudolph threw for 315 yards and two scores, though, and that type of outing seems more than reasonable for the rested Roethlisberger. Cleveland finished the season slightly below average against fantasy QBs, but their final stats were helped by three bad-weather games and a favorable stretch over the final three weeks (Colts McCoy, Sam Darnold, Rudolph). This is still a favorable matchup, and getting Roethlisberger as the sixth highest-priced QB is good value.
RB Jonathan Taylor, Colts @ Bills ($7,900). Over the final six games of the season, Taylor averaged 19.8 carries and 123.5 rushing yards with eight total TDs. To be fair, he faced five horrible run defenses (Packers, Texans twice, Raiders, and Jaguars) in that span, but he managed 74 yards and two TDs against Pittsburgh, too, so he can put up numbers against anyone. It might be smarter to fade Taylor and pivot to Nyheim Hines on the thought that Indianapolis will fall behind early and be forced to throw more, but we'll stick with the Indy back more likely to score. Buffalo struggles against the run (4.6 yards per carry, 119.6 yards per game), so the Colts should try to pound Taylor early and often, and he's done enough as a receiver to give us hope he can produce even if Indianapolis falls behind in the first half.
Video: NFL Playoff Preview: Colts vs. Bills (Stadium)
RB J.D. McKissic, Washington vs. Buccaneers ($4,900). It's tough to feel great about a running back who had just six carries for 15 yards in the final two games of the regular season, but this pick is all about McKissic's pass-catching prowess. Over the final five games, he caught 34-of-42 targets for 251 yards and two scores. Antonio Gibson missed almost all of three of those games, but McKissic still shined the past two weeks, catching 13 passes for 107 yards and a score. In DraftKings full-point PPR scoring, McKissic has a good amount of upside, especially if you think Washington will be in catch-up mode most of the second half against the high-powered Buccaneers.
WR Stefon Diggs, Bills vs. Colts ($7,700). Diggs is one of those guys you almost have to have in your lineup. He'll be highly owned, but he provides a safe floor and sky-high ceiling. If he just posts something close to his season averages (7.9 catches, 95.9 yards, 0.5 TDs per game), he will pay off his price, and if he goes off like he did in Week 16 against New England (9-145-3), it will be tough to cash without him. Because of his oblique injury and Buffalo's multitude of other options, you could try to fade him, but we'll take the gauranteed production, especially since we're already fading Derrick Henry.
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, Steelers vs. Browns ($5,500). Smith-Schuster has caught at least six passes in five of his past six games and nine of his past 11. In that 11-game stretch, he averaged 6.7 catches, 9.1 targets, and 57.9 yards with six total TDs. He's not really a 'high-ceiling' receiver at this point, as he failed to top 96 yards in any game and hasn't scored multiple TDs since Week 1, but he has a fairly high floor, especially in DraftKings full-point PPR format. His mid-tier pricing against a Browns defense allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game makes him a solid option.
WR Darnell Mooney, Bears @ Saints ($3,900). Mooney is dealing with an ankle injury, so we'll have to watch his status throughout the week, but if he plays, he's another solid-floor option in DraftKings full-point PPR scoring. Mooney is coming off his best game of the season where he caught 11-of-13 targets for 93 yards and a score. Prior to that, he hadn't broken 69 yards in any game, so he's not exactly a great candidate to really go off, but it's clear the Bears trust him, so that's a plus. They will likely be forced to throw more in the second half against the Saints, so Mooney could rack up cheap catches and yards at a bargain price.
TE Rob Gronkowski, Buccaneers @ Washington ($4,000). There are plenty of solid TEs to choose from this week, many who will catch more passes or have better matchups than Gronkowski, but when the chips are down in the playoffs, we expect Tom Brady to look for his old reliable in the red zone. Gronk caught seven TDs this year, including two in Week 16 against Detroit, and with Mike Evans (knee) iffy for this game, Tampa will need a big-bodied receiver to target near the goal line. Gronk gives us multi-TD upside that we don't really have with some of our other receivers/backs, and we'll hope he comes through at a decent price.
FLEX JK Dobbins, Ravens @ Titans ($6,600). Dobbins was a beast down the stretch for Baltimore, averaging 82.5 yards on just 12.8 carries over the final six games. More noteworthy is that he scored in every contest, including two TDs in Week 17. Tennessee allows the fifth-most fantasy points per game to RBs, so Dobbins could be a chalky pick, but he has the upside to really go off.
D/ST Seattle Seahawks vs. Rams ($2,700). Speaking of chalk picks, the Seahawks are almost too obvious against either a banged-up Jared Goff (thumb) or John Wolford, but sometimes you have to take the low-hanging fruit. We'll hope the Bucs D/ST ($3,400) is even more chalky in its highly favorable matchup against Washington, but we still prefer the surging Seahawks. They've had at least three sacks in nine of the past 10 games and allowed just 16 offensive points per game over their past eight contests. Consider them a steal at just $2,700.The 2020 NFL regular season has come to a close, and now things really start to get fun in DFS. With every game a nationally televised, must-win affair, these are the times when fantasy football studs truly distinguish themselves on the field, and as always, it’s imperative to pinpoint the sleepers and under-the-radar value plays on DraftKings, FanDuel, and Yahoo. By attaining valuable production at discount prices at one position, managers afford themselves proven weekly commodities in other roster spots.
My job, all 17 regular-season weeks and now into the postseason, is to scan the vast projections of RotoQL and pick my favorite sleepers and value picks. If you checked this column out last week, you would have benefited from our advice to plug in the following players (all Week 17 prices and fantasy points production via DraftKings):
- QB Kirk Cousins, MIN ($7,700): 40.3 fantasy points
- QB Derek Carr, LV ($5,700): 24.9
- QB Drew Brees, NO ($5,900): 20.04
- RB Melvin Gordon, DEN ($5,700): 21.0
- RB D'Andre Swift, DET ($6,300): 16.0
- RB Nyheim Hines, IND ($4,900): 12.7
- WR Marvin Jones Jr., DET ($5,100): 38.0
- WR Russell Gage, ATL ($5,100): 25.2
- WR Keke Coutee, HOU ($5,600): 15.0
- WR T.Y. Hilton, IND ($5,800): 13.7
These players all vastly outperformed their price tiers, with some even leading their positions for the week. By finding such great values at modest costs, DFS managers afforded themselves studs like Tom Brady, A.J. Brown, and Jonathan Taylor in other roster spots.
MORE WILD CARD DFS: Lineup Builder
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Let's break down our top Week 17 DFS value plays, and you can get an idea of why 100,000 DFS players trust RotoQL to build lineups. We constantly monitor pricing and provide the most up-to-date insight and analysis to maximize your lineup success. Optimize, find value plays, and increase your chances of cashing today!
Wild Card NFL DFS Picks: QB sleepers, values
Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans vs. Baltimore Ravens (DK: $6,600 FD: $8,200)
It sure feels tempting to go with the quarterback on the other side of this matchup given how Lamar Jackson has seemingly returned to his superstar form, but the glaring price differential between the 2019 Comeback Player of the Year and the '19 MVP probably won't be coupled with a substantial disparity in production. Tannehill put up 28.4 fantasy points against Houston in Week 17, and he almost hit Black Jack when these teams met in Baltimore back in Week 11. He's the safest bet with the highest ceiling in this price range.
Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints vs. Chicago Bears (DK: $5,700 FD: $7,800)
It's safe to say Brees has fully recovered from his punctured lung and 11 broken ribs just in time for a tough opening-round matchup with a solid Bears D. The 42-year-old future Hall-of-Fame QB has eclipsed 20 fantasy points in two of the past three weeks, and he scored 19.6 against the Bears in Chicago on Nov. 1. The upside may be limited with Brees against Khalil Mack and company, but you won't find a better floor for under $6K DK/$8K FD.
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns (DK: $6,100 FD: $7,500)
Remember when the Steelers were 11-0? After a nightmarish second half of the regular season, you can acquire most of Pittsburgh's skill-position players at discount rates. With Big Ben's penchant for turning the heat up in the playoffs and the fact that Cleveland ranks just 25th in fantasy points allowed to QBs, RotoQL's model really likes the the veteran signal-caller. Pittsburgh certainly won't be running its way to the second round.
Wild Card DraftKings, FanDuel Picks: RB sleepers, values
JK Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans (DK: $6,600 FD: $6,800)
From Week 11 on, Dobbins has been one of the better offensive talents, never mind rookies, in the NFL. He averaged 13.6 PPR points in Baltimore's five games between Nov. 22 and Dec. 27, then exploded for 28 points in the Ravens' thrashing of the Bengals last week. Tennessee ranks 26th against RBs in fantasy, so it's surprising to see the Ohio State product priced under $7,000.
Jonathan Taylor (DK: $7,900 FD: $8,800) and Nyheim Hines (DK: $4,700 FD: $5,600), Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills
Obviously, the top Colts back you want this week will be Taylor, who ran roughshod over the Jaguars last week with 253 yards and two scores. Taylor finished his debut regular season with 1,169 rushing yards and 12 total TDs (not to mention 36 catches on 39 targets for 299 yards). Grabbing Hines in one RB spot might afford you JT in the other, forming an Indy stack against a vulnerable Bills run defense. Buffalo ranks 22nd against RBs in fantasy and surrendered 140 ground yards in two of its past three games. Hines has been the security blanket for veteran Colts QB Philip Rivers, and there should be plenty of dump-offs and screens in Buffalo on Saturday. There's no shame in picking two members of the same backfield.
Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (DK: $6,700 FD: $7,700)
Since Chubb returned from injury in Week 10, he has been one of the most impactful running backs in football. He has averaged 17.6 PPR points per game in that span and put up 16.8 last week against these very Steelers. The second-year back seems matchup-proof at this point, and he's well worth these prices.
Wild Card FanDuel, DraftKings Picks: WR sleepers, values
Marquise Brown, Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans (DK: $5,400 FD: $6,300)
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‘Hollywood’ Brown had a brutal first half of the season, directly correlated with Lamar Jackson’s early struggles in his MVP encore, but the second-year wideout has finished strong, scoring six receiving touchdowns in Baltimore’s final six games. He averaged 15.9 PPR points in that span and will likely continue his torrid pace against a lowly Titans secondary that gave up the second-most fantasy points to receivers this season. RotoQL projects Brown to score 12.5 points but lists his ceiling at 33.7. Go Hollywood on your opponents and grab the dazzling speedster.
Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns (DK: $5,200 FD: $6,100)
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The antithesis of Brown, Claypool had an incredible first half but turned into a Lost Boy after Week 12. Big Ben backup Mason Rudolph must have traveled to Neverland to retrieve the rookie receiver because they connected on five catches for 101 yards and a touchdown against the Browns in Week 17. The Steelers get to play Cleveland again this week, but this time Roethlisberger will be back under center. Claypool caught all four of his targets when he and the veteran QB first played the Browns this season back in Week 6, and he finished with 81 total yards and a score. There’s a very good chance he finds paydirt for a third time against the Browns, so $5,200 seems like a great investment opportunity.
Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills vs. Indianapolis Colts (DK: $4,000 FD: $5,000)
Another promising rookie, Davis has formed a good connection with MVP candidate Josh Allen. His catch count and total yards from scrimmage may not turn heads, but his red-zone and per-catch numbers paint a more promising picture. He has a 15.4-percent red-zone target share, and has hauled in seven touchdowns in 12 red-zone opportunities (58 percent). He also averages 17.1 yards per catch, which ranks fourth in the NFL. The Colts have a strong secondary (and defensive unit in general), but things could get dicey if Indy cornerback Rock Ya-Sin misses a second straight game due to concussion. Veteran CBs Xavier Rhodes and Kenny Moore would likely be stuck with the unenviable tasks of covering Stefon Diggs and John “Blur” Brown. If Davis gets open for a long one, the third-year stud QB will find him, just like Buffalo QBs did for 107 yards and a TD last week.
Wild Card NFL DFS Picks: TE sleepers, values
Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (DK: $4,900 FD: $6,400)
The breakout tight end has made the most of his three nationally televised games this season. He caught all four targets in a win over Dallas on Thanksgiving. One week later, he grabbed all nine targets for 98 yards in a Monday evening upset over Pittsburgh. Last Sunday night, he grabbed three passes for 37 yards in a playoff-clinching win over the Eagles. He scored a touchdown in all three of those prime-time games, and he’s caught 20 combined passes in his past two home games. I would be surprised if Thomas registered anything less than 50 yards and a score against Tampa Bay, who rank 21st in fantasy points allowed to tight ends. Side note: Grab this dude in your fantasy drafts next season!
Jared Cook, New Orleans Saints vs. Chicago Bears (DK: $4,600 FD: $5,900)
Cook has quietly been the Saints’ most dependable receiver since Week 13, with 15 receptions on 23 targets for 219 yards and three touchdowns. He caught five-of-seven targets for 51 yards and a score when these teams first met in Chicago back in Week 8, and he should be busy again this week at home. He has a 10.9 PPR average over the past five games, and RotoQL lists his projected ceiling at 23.4 points. Cook at $4,600 looks like an absolute steal.
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Wild Card NFL DFS values: D/ST sleepers
Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams (DK: $2,700 FD: $3,600)
Color me shocked that DFS sites list Seattle in the bottom-half of the 12-team slate this wild-card weekend. The Seahawks have been a legitimate defense since their midseason acquisition of pass-rusher Carlos Dunlap, and they have logged nine or more fantasy points in five of the past six weeks. These teams just met in Week 16, and Seattle held LA to 216 passing yards and nine total points with Jared Goff. Now the Rams might be stuck starting John Wolford, who listed his LinkedIn industry as “Finance” up until his start in Goff’s place last week. It’s a great story -- and Wolford did get the Rams the win last week -- but he will surely make mistakes in a playoff game in Seattle if Goff still doesn’t get the thumbs-up. This is a layup of a value pick, in my humble opinion.