👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
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
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 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: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

 

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
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Trey Yesavage

to be on Strict Inning Limit This Season
Joel Dahmen

Needs Better Consistency Heading Into The Florida Swing
Blaine Crim

Suffers Oblique Strain
Matt Waldron

"Week-to-Week" After Undergoing Surgery
Daniel Berger

Looks to Improve Putting as PGA Tour Begins Its Florida Swing
Oneil Cruz

Looking to Improve Against Left-Handed Pitchers
Sebastian Walcott

has Internal-Brace Surgery, Out 5-6 Months
Ricky Tiedemann

to Back Off for a Week Due to Elbow Soreness
Kirk Cousins

Falcons Plan to Release Kirk Cousins
Zach Ertz

Plans to Return for 14th Season
Jameson Taillon

Can Be a Sneaky Late-Round Value
Matt Wallner

Ready for a Breakout Season?
Jaxson Hayes

Unlikely to Play Tuesday
Jonathan Kuminga

Questionable Against Wizards
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Looking for Healthy 2026
Jae'Sean Tate

to Be Re-Evaluated in Two Weeks
Ernie Clement

Expected to Play a Major Role in Toronto
Ryan Kalkbrenner

Listed as Probable Against Bulls
Tristan Vukcevic

Could Miss Second Straight Game
Chris Sale

Signs Extension With Braves
De'Anthony Melton

Could Miss Game Vs. New Orleans
Vince Williams Jr.

Feared to Have Significant Knee Injury
Grayson Allen

Questionable to Face Celtics
Jalen Suggs

Could Miss Third Straight Game
Draymond Green

Iffy for Tuesday's Matchup
Davis Thompson

Struggling to Find Birdies as Florida Looms
Kristaps Porzingis

to Miss Two More Games
Naz Reid

in Danger of Missing Another Contest
Tom Kim

Not Quite Cutting It in 2026
Deni Avdija

Won't Play Tuesday
Andrew Nembhard

Questionable Tuesday
Nicolai Hojgaard

Wants to Build Momentum from Scottsdale
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Returns After Extended Break for Florida Event
Chet Holmgren

Might Miss Tuesday's Meeting with Toronto
Carson Fulmer

Signs Minor-League Deal With Pirates
Brent Honeywell

Signs Minor-League Contract With Giants
Graham Pauley

Undergoes Imaging for Forearm Tightness
Trevor Story

a Strong Candidate to Hit Second in 2026
Bryan Abreu

Could Begin Season as the Closer
Justin Foscue

Exits Grapefruit League Game With Hamstring Tightness
Trevor Megill

had Offseason PRP Injections
Merrill Kelly

is Awaiting MRI Results
José Berríos

Jose Berrios Feels Fully Healthy Now
CFB

Gunner Rivers Follows His Father, Commits To North Carolina State
Anfernee Simons

Ruled Out Tuesday
Pascal Siakam

Doubtful for Tuesday
Los Angeles Chargers

Bradley Bozeman Announces his Retirement
Joel Embiid

Questionable Vs. Pacers
Jaylen Brown

Considered Questionable for Tuesday
Ty Jerome

Unlikely to Play Monday
Cooper Flagg

Set to Miss Tuesday's Matchup With Nets
Will Zalatoris

Set to Make Tournament Debut at Cognizant Classic
Linus Ullmark

Available for Senators
Rasmus Hojgaard

Trending Up at the Cognizant Classic
Ryan Reaves

Sharks Activate Ryan Reaves From Injured Reserve
Charlie Lindgren

Activated From Injured Reserve Monday
Josh Norris

Cleared to Return Wednesday
Max McGreevy

Will Need to Improve on the Greens to Compete
Rico Hoey

Returns to Cognizant Classic
Austin Eckroat

Looks to Bounce Back at Cognizant Classic
Aaron Rai

Bounces Back After Rough Start to 2026 Season
Shane Lowry

Continues Playing Well Heading to Cognizant Classic
Max Homa

Has Opportunity to Continue Building Momentum at the Cognizant Classic
Ryan Gerard

Strong Approach Play Behind his Hot Start in 2026
Luke Clanton

Making Fourth Start of 2026 at Cognizant Classic
Kevin Lankinen

Unlikely to Play Wednesday
Josh Morrissey

to Miss Start of Road Trip
Mikko Rantanen

Expected to Miss Time
Andrew Putnam

Looks to Jumpstart His Season at Cognizant Classic
Adam Scott

Looks For Continued Success at PGA National
Anthony Hernandez

Suffers Third-Round TKO Loss
Sean Strickland

Gets Back In The Win Column
Kyle Pitts Sr.

Falcons Planning to Use Franchise Tag on Kyle Pitts Sr.
Geoff Neal

Suffers Back-To-Back Knockout Losses
Uros Medic

Shines At UFC Houston
Dan Ige

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Melquizael Costa

Extends His Win Streak To Six
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Falls Short of Victory at EchoPark Speedway
Carson Hocevar

Rallies to Fourth At EchoPark Speedway After Early Struggles
Ross Chastain

Finishes Third At EchoPark Speedway
Chase Briscoe

Scores First Career Top-Five Finish at EchoPark Speedway
Tyler Reddick

Nabs His Second Win of the Season At EchoPark Speedway
Joey Logano

Will Be Popular DFS Pick at EchoPark Speedway
Tyler Reddick

on Pole After Qualifying Rained Out at EchoPark Speedway
Chase Elliott

Could Chase Elliott Be Worth Rostering At EchoPark Speedway?
Ryan Blaney

Is Ryan Blaney Worth Rostering for DFS at EchoPark Speedway?
William Byron

Is William Byron Worth Rostering for DFS at EchoPark Speedway?
Rondale Moore

Passes Away
Denny Hamlin

Is Worth Consideration for EchoPark Speedway DFS Lineups
Brad Keselowski

Is A Tournament Option for DFS At EchoPark Speedway
NASCAR

Is Bubba Wallace Rosterable In DFS At EchoPark Speedway?
Austin Cindric

Should DFS Managers Roster Austin Cindric at EchoPark Speedway?
Ross Chastain

Is Ross Chastain A Sneaky DFS Option for EchoPark Speedway?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Worth Rostering for DFS at EchoPark Speedway?
Alex Bowman

Will Start Towards the Rear At EchoPark Speedway
Javonte Williams

Cowboys Sign Javonte Williams to Three-Year, $24 Million Extension
Joel Armia

Wraps Up Olympics With Three-Point Performance
Daniil Tarasov

Available for Panthers
Evan Rodrigues

Set to Return Next Week
Aaron Ekblad

Expected to Play Thursday
Pavel Zacha

Cleared for Action
VAN

Jonathan Lekkerimaki Needs Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery
Mikko Rantanen

Misses Bronze-Medal Game With Lower-Body Injury
Blake Coleman

Activated From Injured Reserve
Matt Rempe

Heading to Injured Reserve After Second Thumb Procedure
Sidney Crosby

a Game-Time Call for Olympic Final
Josh Morrissey

Won't Play Sunday
Filip Chytil

Out Indefinitely With Facial Fracture
Connor McDavid

Makes History With Another Multi-Point Outing
Tage Thompson

Expected to Play in Olympic Final
Travis Etienne Jr.

has "Legitimate Interest" in Joining Chiefs
Zach Charbonnet

Undergoes Knee Surgery on Friday
CFB

Curt Cignetti Agrees to New Deal With Indiana, Will Earn $13.2 Million Per Year
Anthony Hernandez

Set For UFC Houston Main Event
Sean Strickland

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Uros Medic

Set For UFC Houston Co-Main Event
Geoff Neal

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Melquizael Costa

A Favorite At UFC Houston
Dan Ige

An Underdog At UFC Houston
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF