NFL Divisional Round Weekend is upon us so let’s get right our DFS Main Slate Preview. In creating a successful lineup, we research and find positional values to see where you can save money and players with projected low ownership who can pay 2x-2.5x of their listed DFS salary. The quarterback position is crucial within our lineup construction, we need a player that will give us the potential for a minimum of 20 points. The next big decision you have to make is whether or not you want to pay up a tight end, many players wish for some consistency, if that exists, at this position.
These recommendations are designed to provide a nucleus around which to build your lineups that have the potential to be less owned, have good value, and help you create a unique DFS build. We strive for a lineup different from the masses, most likely made with an optimizer. This article will deal with the four-game divisional round main slate contests, however, our additional options will be helpful for those playing both the Saturday and Sunday-only contests. The fantasy point-per-game averages referenced are those across FanDuel scoring rules.
DFS Quarterback
Josh Allen ($7.7k DraftKings and $9k Fanduel)
This may sound crazy but it is possible Josh Allen goes a bit unowned with Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts on the slate. We see no reason to veer from our staple play ay quarterback. Allen was in a mostly one-sided game last week versus the Broncos and still produced 25.48 fantasy points. Buffalo may rely more on Allen this week, as the Ravens defense ranks first in fantasy points allowed to running backs and 10th overall against the run. He has averaged 31.96 fantasy points across his last five games and the implied game total of 51.5 is the slate’s second highest.
Additional Options: Jayden Daniels, Jared Goff
DFS Running Back
Saquon Barkley ($8.2k DraftKings and $9.3k Fanduel)
As with Josh Allen, Saquon Barkley is another player with a chance to be less owned. Derrick Henry is the top chalk play at running back, and rightfully so, but the volume the Eagles running back sees is unrivaled. In the wildcard round versus Green Bay, he saw 27 touches for 121 total yards and gave us 16.3 fantasy points despite not hitting paydirt. The Ram’s defense is middle of the road ranking just 16th in fantasy points allowed to running backs. Two additional deciding factors for us in choosing Barkley over King Henry, the potential with the passing volume and saving some salary.
Additional Options: Joe Mixon, Kyren Williams
DFS Wide Receiver
Xavier Worthy ($5.2k DraftKings and $6.3k Fanduel)
Kansas City comes off the bye and the masses may forget about some of the lesser-priced DFS options such as Worthy. Worthy, in our opinion, is the WR1 for the Chiefs, he has amassed 31 targets in his last three games. He has 5 or more catches in his last five games and Andy Reid also schemes up ways to get him touches in the red zone. Kansas City offensive coordinator Matt Nagy spoke high praise of Worthy on how he has taken off similar to Rashee Rice last season. With us spending up at quarterback and running back, Worthy represents a terrific upside DFS value play.
Additional Options: A.J. Brown, Khalil Shakir, Jameson Williams, John Metchie
DFS Tight End
Dallas Goedert ($3.9k DraftKings and $6.1k Fanduel)
Dallas Goedert is another terrific value option and is in a smash spot against the Rams’ defense ranked 29th in fantasy points allowed to tight ends. In the wildcard round, the Eagles tight end saw a 29% target share, was targeted on 35% of routes run, and produced a 4-47-1 stat line. In rostering Goedert, we are afforded the flexibility to pay up for the coveted DFS studs. A tight-end punt play we like is Kansas City’s Noah Gray at $5k. He only needs a touchdown to smash his salary and has caught 5 on the season.
Additional Options: Sam LaPorta, Noah Gray
Defense/Special Teams
Los Angeles Rams ($2.5k DraftKings and $3.5k Fanduel)
If you followed us all season, you know that we always pay down at defense and things are no different this week. We certainly do not expect another 23-point explosion from the Ram’s defense, but they come in averaging 14.75 points in their last five games, with 20 sacks and 4 interceptions. This game features an implied game total in the low 40s and a low-volume Eagles passing offense. Jalen Hurts attempted just 21 passes last week and has topped 30 pass attempts once since mid-October.
Additional Options: Texans, Chiefs
DFS Tournament Stacks
Josh Allen-Khalil Shakir-Dalton Kincaid/ Jared Goff-Jahmyr Gibbs-Jameson Williams/ Jayden Daniels-Dyami Brown-Terry McClaurin/ Lamar Jackson-Derrick Henry
Conclusion
This week’s additional options section is twofold: for our normal recommended pivot plays and for those wanting recommendations for playing on the Saturday or Sunday-only slates. The pay line for FanDuel tends to be approximately 125 points, which equates to 2x per player. For example, a player with a $4500 salary needs 9 points.
DraftKings pay line is approximately 134 points, which is 2.5x per player. So, for a $4500 salary, that player would need 9.9 points. Again, we try to find player options projected for low ownership. Good luck with your DFS builds, please like and follow us on social media and check back for updated recommendations before kickoff.
