The fantasy season is over but there’s no reason why we can’t have some fun in the playoffs. Here are some DFS suggestions (and potential prop plays) that I have my eyes on for the Wild Card weekend.
Players to Target
QB Jayden Daniels $35
The Tampa Bay defense has been a funnel all year — it smothers the run and gets gouged by the pass. That puts the game in the hands of Daniels to start with, and he’s been a dynamic runner most of the year, with the brief exception of when a rib injury bothered him. Daniels had 88 rushing yards in the September matchup between these teams, and I expect another game of explosive running from the rookie star.
QB Bo Nix $25
The Broncos did not hide Nix during the regular season, as the Broncos ranked sixth in pass rate over expected. Nix’s rushing stats have been up and down, but he was a more proactive runner in his final four games. The weather forecast is also unseasonably mild for the Buffalo area, which gives Denver players some extra juice for one-and-done contests.
QB Sam Darnold $29
The cost is seven bucks higher than Matthew Stafford’s salary on Monday, but that’s a check I’m going to cut. Darnold was a breakout star for four months this year; I’m not going to throw that away because the Lions ate his lunch in Week 18. The Vikings already have tape on the Rams, Kevin O’Connell is a sharp coach that I trust and the LAR defense is probably the worst of the teams that made the playoffs.
RB Bucky Irving $32
It’s not a cheap ticket but it is eight bucks cheaper than Saquon Barkley’s too. Tampa Bay steered into Irving as its featured back after the bye week, and Washington has the worst run-defense DVOA (26th) of the playoff teams.
WR Khalil Shakir $25
Buffalo has struggled to find consistent play from its outside receivers this year, and it’s pretty clear someone will essentially be sacrificed to Patrick Surtain II, Denver’s cover ace, in this matchup. But the looks are usually clean for Shakir, who is the simplest read and the likely hot route when Allen needs to make a quick throw. Shakir is the one thing you can set your watch by in this passing offense.
WR Olamide Zaccheaus $16
Every DFS lineup needs a money-saver play somewhere, and Zaccheaus can be that guy. Note his role grew in the latter stages of the season: he had 51, 85 and 70 yards in his last three weeks. Skate to where the puck is headed.
WR Jalen McMillan $27
With Mike Evans likely matching up with Marshon Lattimore, McMillan’s role is likely to increase. And the Tampa rookie stepped up significantly down the stretch, scoring seven touchdowns in his last five games.
TE Tucker Kraft $16
The salary isn’t a giveaway but the Packers have a messy wide receiver room at the moment and they’re finding ways to spring Kraft most weeks. The athletic Kraft has a catch of 20 yards or longer in five straight weeks, showcasing nifty RAC ability and fitting well into Green Bay’s screen packages.
TE Isaiah Likely $11
Most weeks it’s tricky to squeeze Likely into your lineup, but with star WR Zay Flowers out of the picture, the Ravens are incentivized to find a hybrid role for the uber-athletic Likely. This is a punt play that has plausible upside.
Players to Fade
QB Russell Wilson $24
I get it, you see the inexpensive salary and you think about paying down at quarterback. I’m worried it’s a trap. Pittsburgh has the lowest expected team total of the weekend, and Wilson was stumbling down the stretch (four straight losses, and a 5.2 YPA over his last two games). And it’s not like there’s an obvious receiver to link with Wilson — George Pickens is in a funk, too, and someone I’ll fade even at a reasonable $20 tag.
QB Matthew Stafford $22
It hasn’t been a productive year for older quarterbacks, and that includes Stafford, who turns 37 in February, His final three weeks might have spooked you: 153 yards per game, just one touchdown, 5.6 YPA. Cooper Kupp is another Ram veteran I’m going to avoid.
WR A.J. Brown $35
It was almost like Brown was traded back to the Titans, averaging a modest 7.46 targets per game. The Eagles rank 30th in pass rate over expectation; this is an offense that runs to set up more running. And we know when Philadelphia gets in close, Jalen Hurts owns all the touchdowns. Brown’s salary is too pricey for my Sunday builds.
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