The NFL has finally reached the playoffs, and 12 of the 14 postseason teams will be competing in wild-card weekend. The DFS fun continues, too, with multiple big-money tournaments involving all six of this weekend’s playoff games on DraftKings, FanDuel and SuperDraft.
The Sporting News, as it has all season long, has a fresh batch of DFS sleepers and value plays lined up. The goal: shine a light on the best cost-efficient options throughout the weekend’s player pool, so you can get the most bang for your daily fantasy buck.
For years, this column has compiled undervalued gems each week on DraftKings, FanDuel and now SuperDraft. Anyone can spot the elite DFS stars — it’s the sleepers and value plays that separate lineups from the crowd and start making you some real money.
MORE NFL WILD CARD WEEKEND:
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We took Week 18 off, just like the Chiefs. But we’re back in the saddle again and ready to serve up the best DFS sleepers and value picks of wild-card weekend. We’ll highlight the most affordable high-value options at each position, as well as their listed cost or scoring boost on each DFS site.
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Wild Card Weekend: Quarterback
Justin Herbert, Chargers at Texans (DK: $6,000 | FD: $7,600 | SD: 1.4x)
Herbert largely flew a bit under the radar for the first three-quarters of the season, but he has made his presence felt in a major way over the past three weeks. He has averaged 26.2 DK points per game during that span, with a 73.3-percent completion rate, 303.7 passing yards per game, seven TDs and just one pick.
Now Herbert draws a Texans defense that has quietly surrendered 22.9 DK PPG over the past three weeks. Los Angeles (-2.5) has an implied total of 23 points, but we expect this game to go well over the 42.5 over/under, so the passing usage should be there. Give the Herb some burn this weekend.
Other QBs whose Wild Card Weekend values exceed their price tags:
- Bo Nix, Broncos at Bills (DK: $6,300 | FD: $7,500 | SD: 1.35x)
- Baker Mayfield, Bucs vs. Commanders, Jets vs. Rams (DK: $6,800 | FD: $7,900 | SD: 1.25x)
- Sam Darnold, Vikings at Rams (DK: $6,500 | FD: $7,800 | SD: 1.3x)
MORE NFL: Playoff power rankings | Picks against the spread | Moneyline picks
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Wild Card Weekend: Running back
Bucky Irving, Buccaneers vs. Commanders (DK: $7,000 | FD: $7,600 | SD: 1.15x)
Irving may not seem like a sleeper at $7,000, but he’s still a heck of a value with five running backs somehow costing more this weekend. The rookie has become the bell-cow for Tampa Bay, relegating veteran Rachaad White to obscurity.
Irving has enjoyed 17-plus touches in every game since Week 12, and since Week 10, he has averaged 21.7 DK PPG in games that he has finished (we excluded the game he exited in the second quarter vs. the Raiders). Against the below-average run D of the Commanders, Bucky’s a top option this weekend.
Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos at Bills (DK: $4,900 | FD: $5,500 | SD: 1.6x)
Another young stud who has usurped the starting role from a more experienced running mate, McLaughlin is now the man in Denver’s backfield over Javante Williams. He saw 18 touches to Williams’ eight last week against Kansas City, and should have an easier time against Buffalo’s run D this weekend. The Bills surrendered the fourth-most points to RBs in the 2024 regular season.
Other strong Wild Card Weekend RB values:
- Aaron Jones, Vikings at Rams (DK: $6,000 | FD: $7,400 | SD: 1.35x)
- James Cook, Bills vs. Broncos (DK: $6,700 | FD: $8,000 | SD: 1.2x)
- Austin Ekeler, Commanders at Bucs (DK: $4,800 | FD: $5,400 | SD: 1.65x)
- Gus Edwards (Q), Chargers at Texans (DK: $4,300 | FD: $5,000 | SD: 1.75x)
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Wild Card Weekend: Wide receiver
Jalen McMillan, Bucs vs. Commanders (DK: $5,200 | FD: $6,400 | SD: 1.3x)
Remember when Chris Godwin got hurt and everyone thought the Bucs would begin a slow descent into irrelevance? Jalen McMillan remembers. The rookie receiver has been awesome over the past month, averaging 19.8 DK PPG over Tampa’s past five games. He has clearly earned the trust of QB Baker Mayfield, who has connected with him on seven TD strikes since Week 14. Fire up JMC!
Marvin Mims Jr., Broncos at Bills (DK: $5,100 | FD: $5,900 | SD: 1.35x)
Mims truthers can finally rejoice, as the popular preseason sleeper pick has enjoyed his breakout thanks to a deep-ball connection with Bo Nix. Over the past two weeks, the second-year wideout has hauled in 13-of-13 targets for 154 yards and four TDs. Sure seems like a fine upside guy in a game script that has Denver clawing to stay alive in Buffalo. The Bills have allowed the 14th-most fantasy points to receivers this season, in part because teams must throw a ton to keep up with them. Mims is a smash play.
Rashod Bateman, Ravens vs. Steelers (DK: $5,000 | FD: $6,100 | SD: 1.35x)
Bateman stepped up admirably after Zay Flowers’ injury last week, and we wouldn’t be surprised if he’s once again the man if Flowers can’t suit up for wild-card weekend. The veteran isn’t a highlight-reel receiver, but he runs crisp routes and has dependable hands. In the Ravens’ offense, that’s all we need for a high-floor play. You could do a lot worse at WR3 at these price points.
Other strong Wild Card Weekend DFS values at WR:
- Jordan Addison, Vikings at Rams (DK: $6,100 | FD: $6,800 | SD: 1.2x)
- Romeo Doubs, Packers at Eagles (DK: $5,400 | FD: $5,800 | SD: 1.25x)
- Khalil Shakir, Bills vs. Patriots (DK: $5,900 | FD: $6,600 | SD: 1.3x)
- Olamide Zaccheaus, Commanders at Bucs (DK: $4,400 | FD: $5,600 | SD: 1.5x)
- Demarcus Robinson, Rams vs. Vikings (DK: $4,200 | FD: $4,700 | SD: 1.55x)
MORE: Learn about the SuperDraft Jackpot | How to play DFS
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Wild Card Weekend: Tight end
Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs. Packers (DK: $3,900 | FD: $6,000 | SD: 1.25x)
Goedert returned last week from a multiple-game absence due to a knee injury. Nick Sirianni wanted to give him a tune-up before the playoffs, even though the Eagles were locked into the No. 2 seed and resting most of their starters.
The result was encouraging for Goedert fans and DFS investors, as he caught four of his six targets for 55 yards. The Packers have been well below-average against tight ends this season (19th), so the veteran pass-catcher is a good option at these prices.
More Wild Card Weekend TEs worth a look:
- T.J. Hockenson, Vikings at Rams (DK: $4,200 | FD: $5,900 | SD: 1.2x)
- Tucker Kraft, Packers at Eagles (DK: $3,700 | FD: $5,300 | SD: 1.35x)
- Will Dissly, Chargers at Texans (DK: $3,400 | FD: $5,000 | SD: 1.45x)
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Wild Card Wekeend: D/ST
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Packers (DK: $3,300 | FD: $4,600)
Screw scraping the barrel at D/ST in the playoffs — give us an elite unit, and we’ll save money elsewhere. The Eagles are the best defense in the postseason, and we’re getting them at a cheaper price point than the Ravens and Bills.
It’s a no-brainer, especially when you consider Jordan Love has been shaky on the road, has a hand injury and just lost Christian Watson. If not for Hurts starting the week in concussion protocol, the opening line for this game would have been much larger for Philly. As it is, we don’t see the Eagles having much trouble with Green Bay.
Another decent D/ST play for Wild Card Weekend:
- Minnesota Vikings at Rams (DK: $3,000 | FD: $4,100)
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