Eight teams and four intriguing matchups make up the NFL Divisional Round playoff slate this weekend. Combining star power, opportunity and under-the-radar potential, I’ve mapped out my ideal fantasy football DFS lineup within a $50K salary cap.
As always, hit me up with any questions on Twitter @AndyMc81 using #AskAndy.
QUARTERBACK
Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
Draft Kings salary: $5,300
Slotted seventh on the DFS quarterback salary scale, Baker Mayfield absolutely combines the most upside at the best price. The Browns-vs.-Chiefs showdown has the highest over/under point total (57.0) of any of the playoff games, and has all the makings of a shootout.
Since Week 12, Mayfield has made 29 or more pass attempts six times, and averaged 23.28 FPTs. That’s better fantasy output than Drew Brees and Jared Goff during that stretch, while not trailing Aaron Rodgers by much.
RUNNING BACK
Cam Akers (RB1), Los Angeles Rams
Draft Kings salary: $5,700
The health concerns of the Rams’ quarterbacks makes Cam Akers even more important to Los Angeles’s offence. Akers has thrived as the bell cow back the last quarter of the season. An impressive 4.7 yards per carry on 28 handoffs in the win against Seattle bodes well for a matchup against the 24th-ranked Packers run defence.
Kareem Hunt (RB2), Cleveland Browns
Draft Kings salary: $4,800
Kareem Hunt had a big day in Cleveland’s wild-card victory in Pittsburgh, and now squares off with a Chiefs franchise that cut him (for good reasons) in 2018.
In daily fantasy’s PPR format, Hunt is a dream. He balances toting the rock and catching out of the backfield to deliver chunk gains and totalled 13 touchdowns in 2020–21. The former NFL rushing leader should thrive versus a Kansas City front-seven that’s given up the 10th-most fantasy points to running backs.
WIDE RECEIVER
Michael Thomas (WR1), New Orleans Saints
Draft Kings salary: $6,700
Returning from IR this past Sunday, it sure looked like Michael Thomas had recovered from his high ankle sprain. He quickly rekindled his chemistry with Drew Brees for five receptions, a touchdown and 18.3 FPTs against a strong Bears D. The Bucs’ pass defence has slipped to 25th this season, and that presents some juicy opportunities for the 6’3” stud to light up the box score.
Chris Godwin (WR2), Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Draft Kings salary: $6,100
There are plenty of weapons for Tom Brady to look at on this Buccaneers squad, but Chris Godwin’s been in a groove since mid-November. In Tampa Bay’s last four outings, he’s scored five TDs, and averaged 8.25 targets and 21.3 FPTs. However, monitor Godwin’s hip/quad issues to make sure he’s good to go for Sunday night.
John Brown (WR3), Buffalo Bills
Draft Kings salary: $4,600
I’m feeling a big bounce-back effort for John Brown after he went 0-for-4 as the Bills advanced past Indianapolis. It was a surprising statline since Brown’s always received a healthy target share when available this season.
Battling Baltimore’s fifth-rated pass defence doesn’t scare me with the fearless Josh Allen slinging it around the yard. The veteran wideout should also benefit from secondary Ravens coverage due to the assumed focus they’ll have on Stefon Diggs.
TIGHT END
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Draft Kings salary: $7,800
Finding some bargains elsewhere in the lineup lets me spend big on Travis Kelce. The superstar set the NFL record in receiving yards for tight ends in 2020, and is the only bust-proof option on the slate. The Browns are also second-worst when it comes to allowing fantasy points to the TE position group.
FLEX
J.K. Dobbins (RB), Baltimore Ravens
Draft Kings salary: $6,000
The rookie out of Ohio State’s found the end zone in seven straight games, and has handled double digit carries all but twice since Week 8.
Something to consider of course is that quarterback Lamar Jackson is still Baltimore’s leading rusher. But the weather conditions in Buffalo are calling for snow and wind gusts of 37 km/hr, which could push the Ravens further away from their limited passing attack. The possibility of more ground work is good news for Dobbins and his fantasy managers.
DEFENSE
Los Angeles Rams
Draft Kings salary: $2,600
This is what you call a contrarian play, ladies and gentlemen. We all know how potent Green Bay’s offence can be. However, the Rams DST is the only one in the divisional playoff round with any teeth. L.A.’s defence was No. 1 in all of fantasy football and delivered 11.0 FPTs or more on nine occasions, averaging 9.8 overall. Of course Aaron Rodgers could explode, but the Rams’ ceiling to produce and low price tag is worth the risk.
The above lineup structure leaves me $400 under the $50K salary cap limit. Tweet me your perfect DFS roster @AndyMc81 or on Instagram @andymcsports.
