Fan Duel Strategy NFL Playoffs: Best Picks for Divisional Round
With postseason bargains much harder to find, moving forward I will point out my favorite high-priced option at each position, and a strong bargain-priced alternative. And remember, scoring is IMPORTANT. Here is FanDuel’s scoring system.
Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson, Ravens ($9,400): Jackson is just the easiest call in fantasy these days. Unless you’re getting a major discount on a high-upside option (like Pat Mahomes on Draftkings) then there’s no reason to get cute. Even though his passing yardage is often below average, we’ve never seen a QB with such prolific rushing numbers in league history. Those rushing numbers are guaranteed at this point, and we’ve seen Jackson not only top 300 passing yards this year, but he’s typically efficient with throwing passing touchdowns. It’s hard to see him not finishing as the QB1, so suck it up, pay the big fee, and don’t start yourself behind the 8-ball on this platform.
Kirk Cousins, Vikings ($7,600): Maybe you don’t believe in paying for QBs, even on FanDuel. If that’s your philosophy, I think Cousins is a value as the cheapest QB this week. He hasn’t thrown for more than one touchdown in four straight weeks, but he’s surrounded by elite skill position talent, and the 49ers have been vulnerable to the air attack at times. This week I’d shy away from any QBs not names Lamar Jackson or Patrick Mahomes, but Cousins is the cheapest starter available.
Running Backs
Aaron Jones, Packers ($8,200): When options are limited, upside is king. Pair upside with ample opportunity, and you can’t miss. That’s where Aaron Jones is this week. The Seahawks finished the season ranked a lowly 26th vs. the run per Football Outsiders, while checking in at 11th vs. the pass. Despite having Aaron Rodgers at QB, the Packers are not afraid to lean heavily on the run game when it’s in their favor, and this week it sure is. Jones is a touchdown monster, scoring in 10 different games, and scoring multiple times in five games. He is my favorite RB of the week.
Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks ($6,000): Lynch is truly touchdown or bust, as he’s averaged just 2.2 yards per carry since coming out of retirement. Even though he’s expected to see his role further expanded, you are not firing up Lynch for the “Beast Mode” of old. You’re hoping for 40 yards at best, with two or three touchdowns. A multi-TD game is absolutely in play, which is not something you can usually find in this price range. The problem is that Lynch’s floor is incredibly low. Such is life, I still think he’s scoring at least once.
Gus Edwards, Ravens ($5,400): Edwards might end up being a must-start at this price. Mark Ingram is battling injury, and he hasn’t returned to the practice field yet. If he misses the game, Edwards is a must-play with extremely high upside. He filled in Week 17, and rumbled for 130 yards against the Steelers, in a game they needed and in which Baltimore was playing backups. When given work, Edwards puts up monster numbers; he’s just stuck behind Ingram. Edwards might be viable even if Ingram suits up, because Ingram is likely not at 100%. But if Ingram sits, forget about Lynch and get aboard the Edwards train.
Wide Receivers
Tyreek Hill, Chiefs ($7,900): Hill’s big games are crazy, and the Chiefs will match up with the worst pass defense remaining in the postseason when they take the field vs. Houston. While the Chiefs can burn you in many different ways, Hill and TE Travis Kelce are the mainstays if you want locked up volume. As the third-most expensive WR on the platform this week, I’d be surprised if he’s not the WR1 overall by the time the weekend is over.
Marquise Brown, Ravens ($5,300): Brown is high-risk; he hasn’t topped four receptions or 50 yards in his last five games, and managed to somehow register -2 receiving yards vs. the Bills. His floor is extremely low, bordering on subterranean. However, he does have high upside with Lamar Jackson throwing him the ball, and he qualifies as Baltimore’s most-targeted WR. That’s important, as the Titans ranked just 28th this year vs. No. 1 WRs, and they are now dealing with some banged up players in their secondary. The Ravens pass-catching options can be very tricky to rely on, but Brown could be a high-impact stack with Jackson.
Tight Ends
Mark Andrews, Ravens ($6,800): Speaking of stacking pass-catchers with Jackson, Andrews was the most-targeted pass-catcher this season in Baltimore. Andrews finished the season with 64 catches, 852 yards and 10 touchdowns on 98 targets. He also should benefit from facing the Titans, who ranked just 20th this season against opposing TEs. He has a low floor himself, but Andrews has consistently been at least okay, and sometimes downright awesome. If this becomes a statement game for Baltimore, Andrews will be a key factor.
Jacob Hollister, Seahawks ($5,700): The discount here isn’t big enough for me to get excited about Hollister, but the matchup with Green Bay is in his favor. Hollister hasn’t done much since taking over as the primary TE, but that’s a role that has produced big results at times and the Packers ranked just 24th against TEs. I don’t love him here, but he’s definitely playable.