NFL Wildcard Weekend is upon us so let’s get right our DFS Saturday 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 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 to build your lineups around 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 is just a two-game slate so it will be a tall task for us to be differentiated from the masses. The fantasy point-per-game averages referenced are those across FanDuel scoring rules.
DFS Quarterback
Justin Herbert ($6k DraftKings and $7.5k Fanduel)
Rostering Lamar Jackson is the obvious chalk, so we can pivot off him and use Justin Herbert. That will allow us to spend up at other spots and get exposure to Jackson elsewhere. Herbert finished the season as the overall QB11 and is coming off his best fantasy performance in week 18. Herbert went off for 346 yards, two touchdown passes, and 31.04 points.
This game features a short betting spread, indicating a competitive game script and the potential for good fantasy output on both sides. Herbert has elevated his play of late as well averaging 26.33 fantasy points across his last three games. At that pace, he will smash his DFS price tag.
Additional Options: C.J Stroud
DFS Running Back
Derrick Henry ($8.2k DraftKings and $9.8k Fanduel)
Rostering Herber at quarterback allows us to pay up at running back with Derrick Henry. The King finished as the overall fantasy RB4 and faces a Steeler’s defense he lit up for 162 yards and 22.9 fantasy points in week 16. Henry is on a roll of late averaging a robust 27.16 points in the last three games.
The Steelers have a history of success defending Jackson so we should see a good amount of Henry this week and the weather for this game is forecasted to be in the 20s Saturday night. The Ravens are also the largest betting favorite on the Wildcard Slate, indicating a potential positive game script for Derrick Henry.
Additional Options: J.K. Dobbins
DFS Wide Receiver
Rashod Bateman ($5k DraftKings and $6.1k Fanduel)
With Zay Flowers yet to practice this week, Rashod Bateman becomes a great option for us. He will be chalky no doubt but he was the direct beneficiary, in week 18, after Flowers departed. Bateman hauled in five catches on eight targets for 76 yards and a touchdown. The fact that Flowers is yet to practice indicates to us that even if he plays he will not be at 100%.
We also get Bateman priced as the team’s WR2, despite the chance to be Raven’s top wideout. Bateman, either way, gives us the coveted exposure to Lamar Jackson. The match-up is terrific for Bateman with the Steelers ranking 25th against the pass and 24th in fantasy points allowed to running backs.
Additional Options: Nico Collins, Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey
DFS Tight End
Pat Freiermuth ($4.4k DraftKings and $5.4k Fanduel)
Muth is the only Steelers player that we trust and his numbers bear us out. In week 18, Freirmuth had 11 targets, 8 catches for 85 yards and a touchdown. In the past two games, he has a 27.9 percent target share and finished the season the overall TE9. It gets lost that Freirmuth was a TE1 this season, but the proof is in the numbers.
Muth has a catch rate of over 80% catch rate and averages over 10 yards per catch. Oh yeah and by the way, when Fields or Wilson targeted Freiermuth, their passer rating was 126.1. Muth has a great opportunity to smash his DFS price tag versus the Ravens 31st 31st-ranked pass defense.
Additional Options: Mark Andrews
Defense/Special Teams
Pittsburgh Steelers ($2.2k DraftKings and $3.5k Fanduel)
We are punting at defense by rostering the Steelers despite the tough match-up. Pittsburgh has a legit pass rush and despite the recent slippage, finished as the overall fantasy DST4 this year. Last week they held Joe Burrow and the potent Bengals offense to 19 points. The Steelers also finished second in forced fumbles and fourth in interceptions.
DFS Tournament Stacks
Lamar Jackson-Derrick Henry-Zay Flowers or Rashod Bateman/ Justin Herbert-J.K. Dobbins-Quentin Johnston
Conclusion
If we spent up with our recommendation, we listed value plays for you to help balance out your DFS build. 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 Saturday’s kickoff.
