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Under-the-Radar Booms/Busts: Wild Card Round

The NFL regular season might be over, but the under-the-radar booms and busts will not stop until a team wins the Super Bowl!

The wacky Wild Card weekend is upon football fans and fantasy players. This gives fantasy football addicts four games to concentrate on and a larger player pool to work with than later in the playoffs when there are only two games when the AFC/NFC Championship weekend happen and just one the week of the Super Bowl.

Here are some under-the-radar booms and busts for the first week of NFL playoff action to help you set a winning lineup. Good luck RotoBallers!

Editor's Note: The FFPC Baby Gorilla Tournament is now open, featuring a $100,000 grand prize and a $675,450 total prize pool! This 12-team, Tight End Premium contest uses a 20-round draft format, with the overall winners determined by total points scored during Weeks 15–17. Get $25 to use toward your first entry by signing up through our link. Grab your team now! Sign Up Now!

 

Wild Card Round Under-the-Radar Booms

Mohamed Sanu (WR, ATL) at LAR

Sanu proved he was a playoff performer last postseason when he caught two touchdown tosses from Matt Ryan in three games during Atlanta’s run as a Super Bowl runner-up. He led the Falcons with five touchdown catches this season and has become more of a red-zone threat than Julio Jones. The Rams’ 13th-ranked pass defense could be a little overrated due to a schedule that was not loaded with high-powered passing attacks (only three games versus top-10 passing offenses, and one was against San Francisco pre-Jimmy Garropolo). In a game that could turn into a shootout the O.K. Corral would love to host, Sanu should be able to have 60-75 yards and score a TD.

Jonathan Stewart (RB, CAR) at NO

Stewart missed Carolina’s final regular-season contest with a tight back and rolls his ankles as easily as a baker rolls out dough. While fantasy players may be shy about using Stewart in a tough road playoff game against an improved New Orleans defense, you have to give some credence to what Stewart has done in the past against the Saints. Stewart has scored six touchdowns over his past eight games against his division rival. Even though Stewart’s 3.4 yards per carry this season is the lowest of 10-year career and he splits time and touches with rookie runner Christian McCaffrey, his past history against the Saints (and recent history since he scored against them this year) cannot be discounted. Carolina could lean on Stewart a little more this weekend due to his past playoff experience as well.

Albert Wilson (WR, KC) vs. TEN

Wilson is Alex Smith’s fourth-best option in Kansas City’s passing attack behind Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill and top tailback Kareem Hunt, but he could come up with a couple big plays of his own this week against Tennessee’s 25th-ranked pass defense. Wilson is coming off the best game of his career (10 receptions for 147 yards versus Denver) and has been getting targeted more often by Smith in recent weeks (22 targets in first seven games, 40 targets in last six games). If Tennessee shifts its coverage to Hill and Kelce and leaves the improving Wilson one-on-one against one of its lesser cornerbacks, the Chiefs might look to send a couple more passes Wilson’s way.

 

Wild Card Round Under-the-Radar Busts

Charles Clay (TE, BUF) at JAC

Kelvin Benjamin has been a bigger flop this year than Blade Runner 2049 and has done nothing to revitalize Buffalo’s woeful passing attack. When quarterback/scrambler Tyrod Taylor needs a first down, he looks to his tight end. But while Clay has been the Bills leading receiver with 558 yards and has 169 yards over his past three games, do not expect him to run roughshod over Jacksonville’s top-ranked pass defense.  The Jags have only allowed one tight end to have more than 19 yards against them in a game over their last five contests. Even if Buffalo gets blown out and has to pass a ton in the second half, it is difficult to fathom Clay having a decent day against the secondary in football.

Sammy Watkins (WR, LAR) vs. ATL

Watkins is not getting the volume of targets that many probably predicted he would get with the Rams, but he has been making the most of the passes thrown his way, catching four touchdowns over his last five games. Do not be surprised to see the Rams call more conservative plays and lean heavily on MVP candidate Todd Gurley in their playoff game against the experienced Falcons, though. Jared Goff had a super sophomore season, but this will be the toughest test of his young career. With Goff possibly throwing a little less and Watkins having to share the target wealth with now-healthy receivers Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, the

Allen Hurns (WR, JAC) vs. BUF

Hurns returned after missing a month-plus due to injury and has three receptions for 38 yards last Sunday. That is all well and good, but while he was absent Jacksonville’s receiving corps was bolstered and boosted by the emergence of rookies Keelan Cole and Dede Westbrook. Throw Marquise Lee into the pass-catching mix and the fact that the Jaguars will probably pound Leonard Fournette into Buffalo’s 29th-ranked rushing defense and keep the chances of Blake Bortles throwing the game away to a minimum and this is a fantasy recipe for a two-catch, 25-yard game for Hurns.

 

More Wild Card Round Lineup Prep




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Mitchell Robinson

Available for Game 3
Chicago Bulls

Bulls Hire Alex Kaufman as Windy City Bulls General Manager
E.J. Liddell

Agrees to Two-Year Deal with Greek Club Aris
Matas Buzelis

Will Play for Lithuania This Summer
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Has Concerns About Heat Roster If Traded to Miami
Bobby Witt Jr.

Exits Early with Knee Soreness
Mitchell Robinson

Has Technical Foul Rescinded After Game 2 Win
Jarquez Hunter

Is it Time for Dynasty Managers to Move on From Jarquez Hunter?
Elijah Arroyo

Worth Buying Low on in Dynasty Formats?
Tre Tucker

Profiles as a Dynasty Sell-High Candidate Entering 2026
Jack Bech

Should Dynasty Managers Target Jack Bech as a Buy-Low Candidate?
Jaydon Blue

a Dynasty Buy-Low Candidate After Underwhelming Rookie Year?
Saquon Barkley

in Line for Larger Pass-Catching Role in 2026?
Karl-Anthony Towns

Eligible for Massive Extension
Isaiah Stewart

Could Draw Trade Interest
Chase Briscoe

Is Chase Briscoe Worth Rostering for DFS at Michigan?
Philadelphia 76ers

Jameer Nelson Promoted to Executive Vice President
Domantas Sabonis

Could be Traded This Summer
Ty Gibbs

Is Ty Gibbs Worth Rostering at Michigan This Week for DFS?
William Byron

Will Start at the Rear at Michigan After Unapproved Adjustments
NASCAR

Should DFS Managers Roster Bubba Wallace at Michigan?
Joey Logano

Is Joey Logano Worth Rostering In DFS Lineups for Michigan
Daniel Suarez

Might Have Tournament Appeal for Michigan DFS Lineups
Jonah Coleman

Is Jonah Coleman the Most Valuable Broncos Running Back in Dynasty Leagues?
William Carrier

Suffers Upper-Body Injury in Game 3 Versus Golden Knights
Darius Slayton

Will Darius Slayton Be Phased Out of New-Look Giants Offense?
Sebastian Aho

Records Two Assists in Losing Effort
Keaton Mitchell

Can Keaton Mitchell Carve Out a Large Enough Role for a Fantasy Breakout?
Jordan Staal

Scores in Third Consecutive Game
Shea Theodore

Caps Multi-Point Effort With Game-Winning Goal Saturday
Kayshon Boutte

Will Attend Mandatory Minicamp
Denny Hamlin

Puts DFS Managers in Tough Spot for Michigan
Chase Elliott

Can Chase Elliott Get Back to His Old Ways at Michigan?
Chris Buescher

Looking for Another Solid Run at Michigan
Tomas Hertl

Collects Two Points in Overtime Win
Jonathon Brooks

to Be Carolina's Lead Back in 2026?
Carson Hocevar

Qualifies Second, Seeking Redemption at Michigan
Ross Chastain

Can DFS Managers Trust Ross Chastain at Michigan?
Mitch Marner

Scores Fastest Hat Trick in Finals History
Brad Keselowski

Has Been Solid at Michigan
Will Smith

Scratched With Neck Stiffness, Expected to Return on Sunday
Kenneth Gainwell

Standing Out at OTAs
Bhayshul Tuten

"Picking Up Steam," More in-Tune With New Scheme
Auston Matthews

Maple Leafs Confident of Keeping Auston Matthews
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Wins Second Vezina Trophy
Brayden McNabb

Uncertain for Game 3 Against Hurricanes
Jadarian Price

Is Jadarian Price Still Undervalued in Dynasty Formats?
Isaiah Bond

Is Isaiah Bond Still Worthy of a Dynasty Roster Spot?
Michael Pittman Jr.

Dynasty Outlook Clouded by Long-Term QB Uncertainty
Stefon Diggs

Win-Now Dynasty Managers Have a Buy-Low Window on Stefon Diggs
Will Howard

Is it Time for Dynasty Managers to Drop Will Howard?
DK Metcalf

Dynasty Stock is Declining Rapidly Entering 2026
Hunter Greene

Could Return Before the All-Star Break
Isaac TeSlaa

How Will Isaac TeSlaa Follow Up on a Strong 2025 Finish?
Troy Franklin

a Dynasty Hold with Potentially Rough Times Ahead
Dylan Harper

Remains a Bright Spot for San Antonio
De'Aaron Fox

Shoots Well in a Loss to the Knicks
Victor Wembanyama

Scores 29 Points in Game 2 Loss
OG Anunoby

Anchors Knicks' Defense in Finals Game 2
Mikal Bridges

Helps Knicks Secure a Game 2 Victory
Karl-Anthony Towns

Records Another Finals Double-Double
Jalen Brunson

Overcomes Cold Night to Seal Game 2
Michael Harris II

Dealing With Back Tightness, Not Believed to be Serious
Byron Buxton

Suffers Shoulder Contusion After Colliding With the Wall
Sacramento Kings

Kings Want to Trade Their Larger Contracts
Chicago Bulls

Darius Acuff Jr. Works Out for Bulls
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Could Get Traded
MIN

Marcus Johansson Returning to Europe
Thomas White

Likely to Miss Rest of Season With Shoulder Capsular Sprain
Mitchell Robinson

is Upgraded to Available for Game 2
Cole Caufield

Earns Lady Byng Trophy
Nick Suzuki

Lands Selke Trophy
Jose Altuve

Astros Reinstate Jose Altuve From the Injured List
CFB

Reed Harris Hoping to Fill Void in Arizona State Receiving Room
CFB

Nick Marsh Gearing Up for Breakout
CFB

Drew Mestemaker Looking to Catapult Oklahoma State Offense in 2026
CFB

Rocco Becht Brings Experience to New-Look Nittany Lions
CFB

Can Trey White, Adam Trick Keep Texas Tech's Defensive Front Elite?
CFB

Devon Dampier is Key to Success for Morgan Scalley in Year 1
Aaron Judge

Yankees Officially Place Aaron Judge on Injured List With Fractured Rib
Francisco Lindor

Expected to Return in "About a Couple Weeks"
Corey Seager

Rangers Activate Corey Seager From the Injured List
Gabriel Bonfim

Set For UFC Vegas 118 Main Event
Belal Muhammad

In Dire Need Of Win
Edmen Shahbazyan

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 118
Shayne Gostisbehere

Dishes Out Two Power-Play Assists in Comeback Win
Brendan Allen

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Seth Jarvis

Ties Finals With Power-Play Goal
Mark Stone

Scores Sixth Playoff Goal in Overtime Defeat
Tom Nolan

Searches For His Fifth Consecutive Win
Mitch Marner

Records Two Assists in Game 2 Loss
Farés Ziam

Fares Ziam A Favorite At UFC Vegas 118
Brett Howden

Matches Franchise Record With Another Productive Outing
Brayden McNabb

Hospitalized After Taking Puck to Face
Aaron Judge

Diagnosed with Stress Fracture, Out 4-6 Weeks
Shohei Ohtani

has "Small" Blister, a "Non-Issue" for his Pitching Starts
Brent Rooker

Out on Thursday Due to Knee Soreness
Frederik Andersen

Hurricanes Retain Confidence in Frederik Andersen
Vincent Trocheck

Maple Leafs Interested in Vincent Trocheck
Dylan Larkin

Requests Trade From Red Wings
Corey Seager

Expected to Return This Weekend
Lucas Erceg

Royals to Mix and Match in Ninth With Lucas Erceg Struggling
Aaron Judge

to Undergo Additional Imaging
Ketel Marte

Out on Wednesday With Back, Hamstring Injuries
Corbin Burnes

has Teres Major Strain, Unlikely to Return Until September
Rickie Fowler

Looks To Continue Resurgent Season At Memorial
CFB

Can Eric Singleton Jr. Fully Break Out at Third School?
CFB

Katin Houser Steps into QB1 Role for Illinois
CFB

Savion Hiter an Immediate Impact Freshman for Michigan
CFB

Isaiah Horton Set to Take Over KC Concepcion's Role
CFB

UCLA Transfer Karson Gordon Signs with Austin Peay
CFB

Will Muschamp Bringing New Intensity to Texas Practices
Gary Woodland

Brings Boom-or-Bust Potential to Memorial
Jordan Spieth

Still Searching for a Breakthrough
Alex Smalley

Brings Elite Form to Memorial Tournament
Justin Rose

Looks to Recapture Memorial Tournament Success
Cameron Young

Looks to Get Back to His Contending Ways at Murifield Village
Chris Gotterup

Needs to Find Fairways at Muirfield Village
Si Woo Kim

Looks to Stay Hot at Memorial Tournament
Matt Fitzpatrick

Positioned for Success at Muirfield Village
Keegan Bradley

Looking for Another Strong Finish at Muirfield
Justin Thomas

is an Exciting Play This Week in Ohio
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Win Memorial Tournament for Third Consecutive Year
Rory McIlroy

Looking for Better Performance at Muirfield Village
Drake Baldwin

Could Return During Braves Next Homestand
Garrett Crochet

Diagnosed With Low-Grade Lat Strain
Russell Henley

Coming to Ohio on the Heels of Latest Victory
Tommy Fleetwood

Looking for Better Iron Play at Memorial Tournament
Patrick Cantlay

Looks to Continue Dominance at Muirfield Village
Ludvig Aberg

a Great Fit for Muirfield Village
Aaron Judge

Out on Tuesday With Rib/Shoulder Injury
CFB

SEC Coach Calls Buster Faulkner a "Home-Run Hire"
CFB

Auburn a Sleeper in the SEC Under Alex Golesh?
CFB

Noah Fifita Primed for Strong 2026 Campaign
CFB

Oregon Assistant Coach Charged with DUII, Reckless Driving
CFB

Tight End Nick Pollack Commits to Clemson
Akshay Bhatia

Needs the Driver to be True in Ohio
Aaron Rai

Primed to take on the Memorial Tournament
J.J. Spaun

Rebounded at Charles Schwab Challenge
Xander Schauffele

One to Watch This Week in Ohio
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF