X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Quarterback Targets for DFS and Playoff Leagues: Wild Card Round

If your regular season fantasy teams didn't perform as planned, no need to worry, you don't have to wait until next year for redemption. There are plenty of playoff leagues and daily fantasy leagues available which allow you to keep your competitive spirit sharp while at the same time possibly winning some money and/or bragging rights.

This article will aim to highlight playoff league targets and DFS plays for quarterbacks, players that you should consider targeting for your various fantasy football leagues and lineups. The quarterbacks will be split up into three tiers - from most desirable, to most desperate.

Instead of a FAAB amount, I will list DraftKings and FanDuel prices for those looking for value DFS plays beyond the obvious QBs.

Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 50% off using code SUMMER! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!

 

Top Plays for Wild Card Round - Quarterbacks Targets and DFS

Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams - 90% owned ($6,700 DK, $8,500 FD)

Goff shapes up as a solid quarterback option heading into the Wild Card round of the playoffs. At the helm of one of the most explosive offenses in the league, Goff's offense has the highest implied point total on the slate as the Rams get set to square off against the Atlanta Falcons at home. Goff isn't cheap on daily sites as he's the most expensive QB on FanDuel and DraftKings, but he should deliver against a Falcons pass defense that ranked 19th in DVOA in the regular season. As far as raw point projections go, Goff is the top quarterback play this weekend.

Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs - 89% owned ($6,300 DK, $7,800 FD)

Outside of a mid-season lull, Smith has been an extremely consistent fantasy quarterback with a high floor who has occasionally flashed high upside. That puts him squarely in play for those looking at using him in daily contests this weekend. His salary overs some savings over Goff, but he has a similar amount of upside. The Chiefs aren't projected to score as many points as the Rams are, but they still have 26-point implied total, third-highest on the slate. Tennessee's pass defense has been an issue all season, ranking 24th in DVOA, while their stout seventh-ranked run defense could funnel additional passing attempts to Smith. Smith is fine for cash and GPPs this weekend.

Drew Brees, New Orleans - 100% owned ($6,400 DK, $8,100 FD)

An improved Saints defense combined with a dominant two-man running attack spearheaded by Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara has lowered Brees' ceiling but he remains a solid fantasy option on a slate with just eight quarterbacks to choose among. Add in the fact that Brees is playing at home, where he's been dominant over his career, and the future Hall Of Famer is squarely in play as a solid option this week. The risk we run is that the Saints continue to dominate on the ground, which will limit Brees' passing attempts. The Saints obviously know the division-rival Panthers well, which makes it hard to foresee how this game will shake out. He sets up better as a GPP option as there are better cash game plays on the slate.

 

Mid-Tier - Wild Card Round Quarterbacks and DFS Targets

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers - 98% owned ($6,500 DK, $8,300 FD)

Newton appears to be one of the safer quarterback options on the slate, although that is a bit of a stretch if you consider his recent performances. Over the last two weeks of the regular season, Newton averaged just 170 passing yards and posted a 1:4 TD/interception ratio. Neither of those games came against particularly imposing pass defenses as Newton took on the Falcons and Buccaneers over that span. What keeps Newton on the fantasy radar is his recent rushing production. The veteran signal caller has attempted at least 11 rushes in four straight games. The matchup with the division rival Saints isn't a great one for him and Newton posted just three total touchdowns and three interceptions in their previous two meetings this season. I'm only using Newton in GPPs this weekend as he doesn't have high enough of a floor to trust in cash games.

Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans - 77% owned ($5,500 DK, $7,200 FD)

Despite being a preseason breakout candidate, Mariota struggled through a disappointing third season in the NFL, passing for just 3,232 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. Even though the young signal caller struggled, he is on the radar as a fantasy option this week considering his prime matchup against a leaky Chiefs pass defense. Kansas City was one of the most generous fantasy defenses in the league to opposing quarterbacks and has the second-worst defense of all the teams in the playoffs according to DVOA. Mariota is a fine option with some upside as a GPP play.

 

Bottom Tier - Wild Card Round Quarterbacks and DFS Targets

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons - 96% owned ($6,100 DK, $7,500 FD)

Ryan's struggles in 2017 leave me with little confidence in him in the opening round of the playoffs. The veteran quarterback passed for multiple touchdowns just five times in 2017 and never reached three passing scores in a single game. In all, it was a big letdown after Ryan posted a career season back in 2016. His Wild Card matchup against the Rams doesn't do much to instill confidence in Ryan as Los Angeles has been excellent against the pass this season, ranking third in pass defense DVOA. I suppose you could tab him in a GPP but I will be avoiding Ryan this weekend.

Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars - 65% owned ($6,000 DK, $7,600 FD)

Bortles will suit up for his first playoff game against an underrated Buffalo Bills pass defense that has been bleeding points to opposing running games since trading run-stuffer Marcell Dareus to these very Jaguars. With Jacksonville possessing an elite defense and the Bills possibly being without star running back LeSean McCoy, this doesn't set up as a game where the Jaguars will need Bortles to do very much. He certainly flashed some upside over the final part of the regular season but he struggled over the final two games, tossing five interceptions and looking more like the Bortles we've become accustomed to over his career. He's just a GPP dart-throw this week.

Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills - 40% owned ($4,700 DK, $6,900 FD)

Taylor draws a brutal road playoff matchup against an elite Jacksonville secondary. The matchup is so bad that DraftKings has him cheaper than two backup quarterbacks, Derek Anderson and Patrick Mahomes. I'm not interested in going anywhere near Taylor in DFS cash games, but the Jaguars have shown some cracks in their armor lately, allowing multiple passing touchdown-games in two of their last four contests, which offers a glimmer of hope if you look hard enough. That being said, Taylor might be without star running back LeSean McCoy and he simply doesn't have the weapons in the passing game to overcome what has been one of the top defenses in the NFL all season. If you plan to use Taylor in a GPP, you are banking on rushing production from Taylor and will probably need a rushing touchdown from him to be happy with his final line in fantasy.

 

More Wild Card Weekend Lineup Prep




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jayden Higgins

Impresses During Minicamp
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

on the Move to Memphis
Cole Anthony

Dealt to the Grizzlies
Seattle Seahawks

DeMarcus Lawrence Making an Impression With his New Team
Isaiah Simmons

Being Used Exclusively as a Linebacker
Tyler Mahle

Placed on 15-Day Injured List
Travis Etienne Jr.

the Jaguars Lead Back?
Luis Robert Jr.

Scratched with Thumb Soreness
Desmond Bane

Traded to Orlando
Byron Buxton

Scratched from Sunday's Lineup
Daniel Jones

the Favorite in Colts QB Competition?
Brendan Donovan

Returns to the Lineup
Steven Adams

Rockets Agree to Three-Year Contract Extension
Royce Lewis

Hits 10-Day Injured List
Ty Dillon

Is a Respectable Cap Flexiblity-Focused DFS Option For Mexico City
Corey Perry

Produces 10th Postseason Goal
Connor McDavid

Scores First Finals Goal
John Hunter Nemechek

Is John Hunter Nemechek Worth Rostering In Mexico City DFS Lineups?
Shohei Ohtani

Blasts Two Homers in Win
Sam Bennett

Nets Another Road Goal in Game 5 Win
Eetu Luostarinen

Earns Two Points Saturday
Michael King

Not Making Progress
Brad Marchand

Pots Two Goals in Game 5 Victory
Jackson Merrill

Removed Early on Saturday
Sergei Bobrovsky

Ties NHL Record with 10th Road Win
Ross Chastain

Trackhouse Racing's Mexico Focus Makes Ross Chastain a Leading Contender for the Win
Kyle Busch

One of Two Past Mexico City Winners in the Field
Ryan Preece

Earns Surprising Front-Row Start
Austin Cindric

Not as Strong of a Road Racer as People Think
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Stronger on Infield Road Courses Than Purpose-Built Ones
Joey Logano

Seemingly Alternating Between Good and Mediocre Races
Brad Keselowski

One of the Few Drivers with Mexico City Experience
Denny Hamlin

Ryan Truex Makes First Cup Series Start Since 2014
Erik Jones

Mexico City Will Likely be a Struggle for Erik Jones
Noah Gragson

Front Row Motorsports' Speed May Make Noah Gragson a Decent DFS Option
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Road Courses Are Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s Worst Track Type
Riley Herbst

Surprisingly Outqualifies 23XI Racing Teammates at Mexico City
Cody Ware

a Very Experienced Road Racer but Still a Long Shot
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen the Heavy Favorite to Win in Mexico City
Christopher Bell

the Chalk DFS Play in Mexico City
Tyler Reddick

Has a Lot of Work To Do To Be Competitive in Mexico
AJ Allmendinger

Struggling to Find Speed in Mexico City
Chris Buescher

Says Car is "Bad Fast" Heading into Mexico City Race
Michael McDowell

Confident Heading into Viva Mexico 250
Giancarlo Stanton

Likely Returning Early Next Week
Spencer Strider

Registers 13 Strikeouts
Hunter Brown

s Records 12 Strikeouts
Emeka Egbuka

"the Talk" of Bucs Minicamp
Royce Lewis

to be Placed on Injured List
Byron Buxton

Exits Early on Saturday
Evander Kane

Drops to Fourth Line Saturday
Kasperi Kapanen

Won't Play on Saturday
Calvin Pickard

Starts Game 5 for Oilers
Jaxson Dart

Working as No. 2 QB During Offseason Workouts
Xavier Gipson

Roster Spot Could be in Jeopardy
Josh Reynolds

the Front-Runner for WR2 Duties
Garrett Wilson

Stock Up This Offseason
Breece Hall

Motivated Going into 2025 Season
Brandon Aiyuk

Making Good Progress From Knee Injury
Keon Coleman

Inconsistent at Minicamp
Mitchell Trubisky

Not a Lock for Backup Job
Dalton Kincaid

Adds Strength and Bulk
James Cook

a Full Participant in Mandatory Minicamp
Tyrese Haliburton

Struggles in Friday's Loss to OKC
Jacob Misiorowski

Expected to Make Next Start
Chet Holmgren

Dominates the Glass in Game 4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Leads the Way in Game 4
Jalen Williams

Has a Quality Showing on Friday Night
Charlie Morton

Continues Good Work With 10 Strikeouts
James Wood

Homers, Drives in Four
Agustín Ramírez

Agustin Ramirez Homers Twice to Snap Skid
Isaac Paredes

Astros Hopeful Isaac Paredes Can Avoid the Injured List
Royce Lewis

Dealing With Hamstring Strain
Kodai Senga

Diagnosed With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain
Gleyber Torres

Goes Deep Twice on Friday
Anthony Richardson

Should be Fine for Training Camp
Russell Westbrook

to Decline Player Option
Kevin Durant

Trade Could Happen in the "Next Few Days"
Cam Akers

Joining Saints
Michael Mayer

to Get More Involved
Aaron Rodgers

DK Metcalf Building Chemistry with Aaron Rodgers
Colston Loveland

Likely to be Primary Tight End
Joaquin Buckley

Set For Main Event
Kamaru Usman

An Underdog At UFC Atlanta
Miranda Maverick

Set For Co-Main Event
Rose Namajunas

Looks To Bounce Back
Andre Petroski

Looks To Extend His Win Streak To Four
Edmen Shahbazyan

A Favorite At UFC Atlanta
Raoni Barcelos

Set To Take On Former Champion
Cody Garbrandt

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Mansur Abdul-Malik

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Cody Brundage

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Alonzo Menifield

Opens Up UFC Atlanta Main Card
Oumar Sy

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Connor Hellebuyck

Wins Vezina And Hart Trophies
Aleksander Barkov

Records Two Power-Play Assists Thursday
Sam Reinhart

Collects Three Points in Thursday's Loss
Matthew Tkachuk

Notches Three Points in Losing Effort
Calvin Pickard

Joins Exclusive List with Thursday's Win
Mattias Ekholm

Logs Two Assists in Comeback Victory
Leon Draisaitl

Delivers Victory in Overtime Thursday
Myles Turner

Playing Through Illness
Reed Sheppard

Will Play in the NBA Summer League
Kevin Durant

Deal Could Come Sooner Rather Than Later
Dorian Finney-Smith

Undergoes Ankle Surgery
Anze Kopitar

Wins Third Lady Byng Trophy
Sergei Bobrovsky

Heading Out for Win No. 15
John Klingberg

Won't Play in Game 4 Against Panthers
Viktor Arvidsson

Sits Out Game 4 Against Panthers
Stuart Skinner

Remains in Oilers Crease Thursday
Jalen Williams

Leads Thunder in Scoring Wednesday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Settles for 24 Points in Game 3 Loss
Pascal Siakam

Does Everything for Pacers Wednesday Night
Tyrese Haliburton

Gets Close to Triple-Double in Game 3 Win
Bennedict Mathurin

Leads All Scorers with 27 Points Wednesday
Brandin Podziemski

Has Second Offseason Surgery
Jaylen Brown

Undergoes Successful Knee Procedure
Matt McCarty

Comes Off Season-Best Showing at RBC Canadian Open
Justin Thomas

Desperate to Continue Good 2025 Season
Jon Rahm

Seeks Revenge at U.S. Open
Tom Kim

Aiming for Improvement in U.S. Open
PGA

Sungjae Im Expects Solid Performance at Oakmont
Brian Harman

Aims to Rebound From the Memorial
Tony Finau

has Been Up and Down at U.S. Open
Patrick Cantlay

Hoping This is the Year at Oakmont
Akshay Bhatia

Improving in Time for U.S. Open
Xander Schauffele

Primed for Another Major Championship Run
Cameron Young

May Struggle at U.S. Open
Collin Morikawa

Eyeing Third Major Championship Title
Matt Fitzpatrick

Seeks to Avenge Oakmont Collapse
Jordan Spieth

Can Contend at Oakmont
Shane Lowry

a Strong Value Play at U.S. Open
Brooks Koepka

Seeks Another Major Win at Oakmont
Viktor Hovland

Still Can Improve at U.S. Open
Michael Kim

a Boom-or-Bust Value Play at U.S. Open
Russell Henley

Looking to Play the Weekend at Oakmont
Tyrrell Hatton

a Safe Option at U.S. Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Eyeing Third U.S. Open Title
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF