The NFL common season could also be over, however that doesn’t imply fantasy soccer has to cease. There are a number of variations of playoff fantasy leagues, DFS leagues, and extra nonetheless out there on DraftKings for us to get in on.
Let’s check out the gamers we’re locking into our DFS Lineups for Wild Card Weekend.
DFS Technique: Bolting Up With Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey
Herbert is the primary Chargers quarterback to finish two-thirds of his passes with 280 yards and a number of scores by way of the air in three straight video games (earlier than him, it had been in consecutive video games 9 instances in franchise historical past). He’s peaking on the proper time, and that’s why Los Angeles is a highway favourite to kick off the postseason.
The Herbert/Jim Harbaugh tandem has discovered its stride, and I don’t see the Texans serving as a pace bump. Solely the Dallas Cowboys allowed touchdowns at a better fee when opponents bought into goal-to-go conditions this season than Houston, giving Herbert (a number of speeding TDs in 4 of 5 seasons) just a little extra upside than meets the attention.
Touchdown at 14th in PFN’s QB+ rankings, he ranks fourth over the past month of motion and has laid the inspiration for a productive January.
Even when an affordable speeding rating doesn’t happen, there’s a path to loads of upside. The New York Giants and Carolina Panthers are two passing defenses that struggled. The Baltimore Ravens and Washington Commanders are playoff groups with related flaws, proper?
The Texans permit extra yards per completion than all of them, making Herbert a risk to steer this slate in yards. I’ve guess him to go over 230.5 passing yards and below 0.5 interceptions in such a method {that a} cut up would break me even.
McConkey completed his rookie season with three straight video games north of 85 receiving yards. His six such video games match the franchise document for a rookie (2013 Keenan Allen) and this very a lot appears like solely the start for a receiver who already is displaying the kind of route-running chops of a participant 5 years his senior.
I like the flexibility we’ve seen from McConkey this season, although I nonetheless assume his means to shake free in a flash is his biggest asset. In six of the top-10 cross catcher performances in opposition to the Texans this season, the participant has posted a single-digit aDOT.
What I like most about Los Angeles’ WR1 is how his worth doesn’t hinge on the sport script. His quantity might take off ought to the Chargers fall behind, however with a 73.2% catch fee this season, he’s a security valve that can be utilized to assist ice the sport as nicely.
You’re not going to search out me fading McConkey a lot over the subsequent 5 years. I don’t plan on doing it this postseason, both.
Paying Up For King Henry
With a hefty price ticket of $8,200 comes a hefty workload for Derrick Henry. The Steelers’ vaunted protection could also be recognized for bottling up Lamar Jackson to a point, however not a lot for Henry.
Henry has produced 25.2% over expectations in opposition to the Steelers this season. Whereas he’s greater than able to doing that in opposition to any defensive construction, I discover it odd that Pittsburgh loaded the field on simply 38.5% of his rushes (the remainder of the NFL: 50.3%).
Henry has produced 40.3% over expectations in three profession postseason video games. Given the path of issues, operating by way of worn-down defenses may be normal over the subsequent month.
Weeks 1-11: 6% of carries gained 5+ yards (11.7% gained 10+ yards)
Weeks 12-18: 2% of carries gained 5+ yards (17.2% gained 10+ yards)
It shouldn’t be ignored that Baltimore’s bye got here 5 weeks after Pittsburgh’s. The Ravens are the extra gifted and bodily group with much less fatigue and a projected constructive sport script. There’s at all times the chance that this sport is an unpleasant AFC North battle like we’ve seen prior to now, however Henry is in a fantastic spot, even in opposition to a robust protection that has already seen him twice.
Nico Collins: Matchup-Proof
Get in, get out, get on with life. Collins performs in each sport and any scenario, regardless of who he’s dealing with or what’s on the road.
Collins made a cameo final week, enforced his will (4 catches for 32 yards and a landing), and began waiting for the postseason. We’re speaking about one of many highest pass-catchers within the sport. If his possession in weekly leagues doesn’t replicate that, I’ll be able to pounce.
The postseason-long drafts are just a little extra difficult, as many are choosing the Chargers to win this sport on the highway (together with yours really). That provides apparent danger to a profile that you’ll have to spend up early on, nevertheless it additionally creates a leverage spot, because the Charger items are coming off the board a contact sooner than you’d anticipate given the final optimism that they may make a run (they’re the AFC Packers).
By choosing Collins in a format like that, you not solely get his upside, however you get manufacturing that may come on the expense of the managers who go along with Justin Herbert, Ladd McConkey, or every other Bolt. From a sport principle viewpoint, I like the thought of drafting Collins at his value.
This group isn’t going anyplace with out him placing massive numbers on the board, so should you’re primarily betting on them to win a sport or two, rostering their star receiver is the suitable technique to play that.
A Observe On Isaiah Possible
With early experiences out on Ravens star WR Zay Flowers popping out unfavourable, we like More likely to step up a bit right here on this sport to fill Flowers’ sneakers.
The 24-year-old has caught seven of eight targets for 104 yards and a rating in opposition to Pittsburgh this season on simply 35 routes. That’s a tiny pattern, however Possible’s 56.9% snap share and 20.5% on-field goal share not less than have my curiosity on this particular matchup.
We all know the TE place has landing fairness given Andrews’ success, and I don’t assume the market is valuing Possible’s potential to stroll into an advantageous position correctly. Given Baltimore’s potential to win a number of video games, it is a path I’m fascinated by going for postseason-long codecs.
