RADIO
Whether due to their own play, the play of others, or injuries, players' stock increases and decreases on a weekly basis. Perhaps more than any other, the NFL is a league that experiences ups and downs at a rapid pace. With only four games, there’s little room for error and seemingly endless opportunities for improvement. The same goes for fantasy football, and managing rosters effectively is key to winning that championship.
Throughout the season, players get hot and see an increased role while others struggle and fight to stay relevant. In the playoffs, it is more about matchups and selecting the right players for your DFS lineup. In this weekly column, we’ll showcase those who have taken important steps forward and those who have taken steps back.
These are the key daily fantasy DFS risers and fallers heading into the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs.
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DraftKings DFS Wild Card Risers
Jared Goff (QB, LAR) - $6,700 on DraftKings
Yeah I know - he's the most expensive QB this week. But I think he's worth it. Tyrod Taylor is not an option against the Jaguars and Marcus Mariota just hasn't been good enough this year to be trusted. The difference between the other six QBs is $700 total. Goff has both the highest floor and highest ceiling. His game also features the highest point total of the weekend. Goff is fully rested and when we last saw him two weeks ago, he was lighting up the Titans for 301 yards and four touchdowns.
Todd Gurley (QB, LAR) - $9,700 on DraftKings
Stack your Rams. Let's say the Rams score four touchdowns. If you have Goff and Todd Gurley, you should get all of them and possibly more given Gurley's proficiency in the passing game. In his final two games of the regular season, Gurley scored over 100 fantasy points. That's insane. He's the best RB in fantasy and is scorching hot heading into the playoffs.
Tyreek Hill (WR, KC) - $6,800 on DraftKings
The WR options are not good for Wild Card Weekend. Tyreek Hill should be the first name in your lineup. He's a full $1,000 cheaper than Michael Thomas and Julio Jones despite having just as good of a season and being way more consistent with a much higher ceiling than Jones. Thomas is the safe, reliable option. Hill is the contest winner. All he has to do is get behind the Titans secondary once, which we know he will and Alex Smith has to deliver. We've seen it countless times. His upside is well worth the price.
DraftKings DFS Wild Card Fallers
Blake Bortles (QB, JAX) - $6,000 on DraftKings
Blake Bortles is not good at football. He is the single reason why the Jaguars are not going to the Super Bowl this year. Bortles is simply not good enough. He had a good run against bad pass defenses. This week, he's not facing a great pass defense, but the Jaguars are touchdown favorites and very much content pounding Leonard Fournette. They will get a lead and sit on it. Bortles may not attempt more than 20 passes this weekend. Gambling on Bortles to hit for a couple touchdowns on under 200 yards passing isn't the move.
LeSean McCoy (RB, BUF) - $7,500 on DraftKings
At the ripe young age of 29, LeSean McCoy had an excellent season. He didn't show his age at all and displayed no signs of decline. Unfortunately, Shady was carted off the field with an ankle injury last week. It's only a sprain and I'm very confident that he suits up, but I am not confident in what he will be able to do. McCoy's game is predicated on his ability to make people miss. He can't do that if he can only cut on one leg. It's a bad matchup and a game that should see a lot of negative game script. You weren't starting McCoy even at full strength.
Julio Jones (WR, ATL) - $8,000 on DraftKings
Please avoid Julio Jones. You need touchdown upside with DFS picks and Jones simply doesn't have it. Jones scored just three touchdowns all season with two of them coming in the same game. His 7-149 performance against the Saints in week 16 is probably the best case. That would be fantastic. I'd sign for that right now. But the most likely scenario is you're paying top dollar for a middling performance. Jones is not worth the cost.
