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After a crazy opening weekend for the playoffs, the Divisional Round if here. If you're a FantasyDraft DFS player, then this article is for you.
I will be filling in for Justin Bales this week, providing you with my daily fantasy football lineup picks for FantasyDraft. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @krich1532 and be sure to also follow Justin on Twitter @BalesSJustin.
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FantasyDraft- DFS Quarterback Pick
Marcus Mariota at NE ($10,600)
I don’t feel comfortable with many of the matchups for QBs this weekend. There are bound to be plenty of defensive battles, except for this one. The only two QBs I would consider playing are in this game, but I am giving the nod to Mariota. He is the sixth-cheapest option at the position this week but comes with upside. The Patriots have gotten much better on defense as the season has gone on and playing at New England doesn’t help much. However, New England should put up a good amount of points in this contest, which will give Mariota more opportunities to throw the ball. Opposing QBs average 17.44 points against the Patriots this season, seventh-most in the league. But as a little extra bonus, they have also given up the seventh-most rushing yards to QBs as well. Mariota has the ability to pick up extra yards on the ground and could add a few bonus points for your team.
FantasyDraft- DFS Running Back Picks
Leonard Fournette at PIT ($12,000)
Leonard Fournette could be a risky play this week against Pittsburgh, but I am taking his upside to get into the end zone. Fournette has only averaged four yards per carry once since Week 6 and I don’t see that changing this week either, but the Steelers have given up the fifth-most rushing touchdowns this season. I like Fournette getting in the endzone at least once on Sunday. The Jaguars will be forced to run the ball if Blake Bortles is ineffective through the air for a second straight week. Since Pittsburgh is still missing their captain in the middle of the field, Ryan Shazier, the potential is there.
Dion Lewis vs TEN ($12,300)
The Titans pulled off what may have been considered a small upset at Kansas City last week, but I don’t see that happening again. New England is going to run the score up in this game and will give Dion Lewis plenty of opportunities. Lewis has averaged 5.0 yards per carry or more in five of his last seven contests. It sounds like Rex Burkhead could be back, but I don’t see him stealing many touches from Lewis this week. If the game does get out of hand, New England isn’t going to risk losing a guy coming off an injury. Lewis has been the closest thing to a workhorse that you'll see in New England, so keep rolling with him.
FantasyDraft- DFS Wide Receiver Picks
Nelson Agholor vs ATL ($9,000)
Another year and another top playoff team is hindered due to a late-season injury to their QB. Last year the Raiders lost Derek Carr late in the season and could not overcome the injury, bowing out in the Wild Card round to the Houston Texans. This year could be a quick exit for the Eagles as well if Nick Foles doesn’t come to play on Saturday. The Falcons will pose a tough task for him. Even in this tough matchup, I really like Nelson Agholor. Foles is going to need a safety blanket against Atlanta, who is fast and will use that speed to be in the backfield all day. Foles will need to get rid of the ball quickly and Agholor will be able to help with quick routes. During Weeks 12-14, Agholor had 13 receiving first downs, becoming a trusted member of the offense in critical situations. I expect him to show up in big situations again against the Falcons.
Rishard Matthews at NE ($8,300)
With Rishard Matthews and Agholor in my lineup this week, I am using value plays at WR to spend some more elsewhere. Stacking Matthews and Mariota against the Patriots this week has a ton of potential. The Patriots are 25th in the NFL this season giving up 7.3 yards per reception and Matthews leads the Titans with 15 yards per reception. What Matthews has lacked in catches, he has made up with in big plays. Receptions could be tough to come by in this game, but the Mariota-Matthews connection could pay off if they can break off a few huge gains and maybe a long TD reception.
FantasyDraft- DFS Tight End pick
Rob Gronkowski vs TEN ($13,300)
And I find myself right back at the Titans-Patriots game. Rob Gronkowski is the most expensive tight end this week but he will be worth the investment. The Titans have given up 853 yards to opposing tight ends this year, 10th-most in the league. Gronkowski didn’t see much action in Week 17 as the Patriots looked to keep him out of harm’s way, but he was on fire the previous three weeks. In Weeks 12, 14 and 15, Gronkowski averaged seven catches for 127 yards. Take the best tight end this week and reap the rewards, there is a big game potentially ahead.
FantasyDraft- DFS Defense Pick
Minnesota Vikings vs NO ($5,500)
I think the Vikings are an incredible value this week. They are the third-cheapest defense this week and playing at home. Drew Brees has not been the same this year, but the Saints have been fueled by a terrific run game. The only problem is that the Vikings have the best run defense in the NFL, giving up a league low 12.81 fantasy points per week to opposing running backs. Worried about Alvin Kamara? The Vikings have given up the third-fewest receiving yards to running backs with 494 yards and only one receiving touchdown. If the game was in New Orleans, I wouldn’t be as confident with this pick, but the Vikings defense will be feeding off the home crowd all game.
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