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Who Should I Start For Fantasy Football Wild Card Round? Sam Darnold, Matthew Stafford, T.J. Hockenson

Sam Darnold - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL DFS Picks

Who should I start for Wild Card Weekend? Fantasy football outlooks for Sam Darnold, Matthew Stafford, T.J. Hockenson. Our expert fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks.

The Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs wraps up tonight with a matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams.

While most of the playoff games have been blowouts thus far, tonight’s contest should be a competitive matchup.

However, are Sam Darnold, Matthew Stafford, and T.J. Hockenson solid starting options for fantasy players? Let’s dive into it.

 

Should I Start Sam Darnold For Fantasy Football?

Darnold had an outstanding first year with Minnesota, averaging 18.1 fantasy points per game. The veteran quarterback finished with 35 passing touchdowns, one of the highest totals in the NFL. More importantly, he played well in the Week 8 matchup against the Rams.

The former USC star had 240 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 18.2 fantasy points in the loss. While Los Angeles has a solid defense, they have struggled against elite passing attacks. Darnold is an excellent starting option tonight.

 

Should I Start Matthew Stafford For Fantasy Football?

Unfortunately, Stafford struggled to end the regular season. He averaged 7.8 fantasy points per game over his final three contests, totaling one passing touchdown. Furthermore, the future Hall of Famer had under 190 passing yards in every matchup.

However, Stafford has had some productive moments this year, totaling 20 passing touchdowns. His best fantasy performance came in Week 8 against the Vikings, totaling 279 passing yards, four touchdowns, and 24.8 fantasy points. While he won’t play that well in the rematch, Stafford is a solid starting option.

 

Should I Start T.J. Hockenson For Fantasy Football?

The star tight end missed the first half this year recovering from a torn ACL. Unfortunately, he didn’t score a touchdown during the regular season. Hockenson averaged 6.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, totaling single digits in 80% of the contests.

Yet, the veteran is an excellent fantasy option tonight against the Rams. Los Angeles struggled to slow down tight ends during the regular season, surrendering 13.3 fantasy points per game, the second-most in the NFL. Last week, they gave up 14.8 fantasy points and a receiving touchdown to Noah Fant.

 

More Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks

Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL DFS Picks

Fact or Fiction: Fantasy Football Outlooks for Malik Willis, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Luther Burden III, Jayden Higgins, Jake Tonges

Welcome back to Fact or Fiction, RotoBaller's weekly look at some of the NFL's most shocking performances. If you're reading this in search of lineup advice for Week 18, I first want to say that I'm sorry your commissioner has your league playing in Week 18. If you're here because you're playing DFS this week or […]


Dylan Sampson - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Rookies

Dylan Sampson, Raheim Sanders, Michael Carter: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 17

Cleveland Browns running backs Dylan Sampson (hand) and Raheim Sanders will have more opportunities to touch the football in Week 17. The Browns starting RB, Quinshon Judkins (leg, ankle) is out for the season after suffering a gruesome leg injury in Week 16. Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter also stands to benefit workload-wise since […]


Kenneth Gainwell - Fantasy Football Rankings, Waiver Wire Sleepers

Kenneth Gainwell, Tony Pollard, Jaylen Warren: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 17

The running back position is quite interesting in championship week. Any starting RB as well as a handful of RB2s should be considered for starting lineups. Even the "lower-tier" starting RBs can be quite valuable for fantasy teams. We just saw Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard, who was one of the biggest draft busts […]


Jakobi Meyers - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Parker Washington, Wan'Dale Robinson, Jakobi Meyers: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 17

Week 17 is coming up. Whether you're fighting for your fantasy football league championship, hoping to get some winnings from placing highly, or just trying to avoid being the toilet bowl loser, finding who to start at wide receiver is always important. Many WRs, like Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Emeka Egbuka, have been tough to […]


Quentin Johnston - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL DFS Lineup Picks

Fact or Fiction: Fantasy Football Outlooks for Ashton Jeanty, Jaylen Warren, Parker Washington, Quentin Johnston, A.J. Barner

Welcome back to Fact or Fiction, RotoBaller's weekly look at some of the NFL's most shocking performances. For most of you, this is it: the Super Bowl of fantasy football. Championship week is here, so only one thing matters: winning your fantasy football game. With that in mind, there's no looking ahead this week. There's no […]




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Merrill Kelly

Scratched From Live BP With Back Tightness
Jack Suwinski

Dodgers Claim Jack Suwinski Off Waivers From Pirates
Andrew Vaughn

Can Andrew Vaughn Repeat 2025 Breakout Success?
Brenton Doyle

Carries Buy-Low Potential Heading into 2026
Jack Flaherty

Can Jack Flaherty Bounce Back After 2025 Struggles?
Colton Cowser

Looking to Rebound from Injury-Marred 2025 Campaign
Yandy Díaz

Can Yandy Diaz Repeat 2025 Power Surge?
Sal Stewart

Playing Second Base in First Spring Training Outing
Zach Collins

to Miss Rest of 2025-26 Season
De'Andre Hunter

to Undergo Season-Ending Eye Surgery
Tristan Vukcevic

Exits Early Vs. Pacers
John Collins

Leaves Game with Head Injury
Kawhi Leonard

Exits Early Friday Night
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Sidelined vs. Orlando
Joel Embiid

Out Saturday vs. Pelicans
Kevin McGonigle

Starting at Shortstop in Grapefruit League Opener
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Batting Third in Mets Spring Training Debut
J.J. Wetherholt

JJ Wetherholt Playing Second, Batting Fifth in Grapefruit League Opener
Kazuma Okamoto

Hitting Third in Grapefruit League Opener
Jorge Polanco

Expected to See a Lot of Time as Designated Hitter
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Activated From Injured Reserve
Ramón Urías

Ramon Urias Agrees on One-Year Deal With Cardinals
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Heading to Injured Reserve After Second Thumb Procedure
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Expected to Hit Leadoff for Boston
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a Game-Time Call for Olympic Final
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has Shoulder Inflammation, Slight Impingement
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Won't Play Sunday
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Out Indefinitely With Facial Fracture
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Makes History With Another Multi-Point Outing
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Expected to Play in Olympic Final
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Travis Etienne Jr.

has "Legitimate Interest" in Joining Chiefs
Zach Charbonnet

Undergoes Knee Surgery on Friday
Austin Reaves

Back in Starting Five
Matisse Thybulle

Kris Murray, Matisse Thybulle Suit Up Friday
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No Longer Limited
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Throws Successful Bullpen Session on Friday
Jamal Murray

Jalen Pickett Available Friday vs. Portland
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to Start on Saturday
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Upgraded to Available Friday vs. Clippers
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Orioles Claim Bryan Ramos Off Waivers From Cardinals
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Blue Jays Have Intensified Talks With Max Scherzer
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is Downgraded to Out
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is Unavailable for Friday's Game
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to Make his Return on Friday
Norman Powell

is Cleared to Play on Friday
Nicolas Claxton

to Remain Out on Friday
Kyshawn George

Won't Play on Friday
Andrew Nembhard

is Ruled Out on Friday
T.J. McConnell

is Available on Friday
Lauri Markkanen

Won't Suit up on Friday
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Curt Cignetti Agrees to New Deal With Indiana, Will Earn $13.2 Million Per Year
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Returns to Practice
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Remains Out Against Finland
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Won't Play Friday
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A Favorite At UFC Houston
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to Miss 10 Weeks After Surgery
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Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery
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Suffers Lower-Body Injury
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Considered Day-to-Day
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Looking to Return to Top Form at Riviera
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Looking to Build Momentum at Riviera
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Putting a Major Concern at Riviera
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May Have Tough Time at The Genesis Invitational
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Off Most Radars at The Genesis Invitational
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a Long Hitter to Watch at Riviera Country Club
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Red-Hot Heading to Riviera
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Attempts to Build Momentum After Pebble Beach
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an Unknown for The Genesis Invitational
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Has Favorable Path to Success at Riviera This Week
Wyndham Clark

Not Likely to Contend at Genesis Invitational
Ludvig Aberg

Might Find the Genesis Invitational More Challenging
Harris English

Carries Strong Form to Riviera
Patrick Cantlay

Eyes Another Strong Week at The Genesis Invitational
Daniel Berger

Needs Short Game to Show Up at Riviera
Sam Burns

Hopes Return to Form Continues at Riviera
Collin Morikawa

Riding Wave of Victory Into Riviera
Hideki Matsuyama

Looks to Have Repeat Success at The Genesis Invitational
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Find Paydirt at Riviera
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Rounding into Form Before Genesis Invitational
Morgan Rielly

Available After Olympic Break
Charlie Lindgren

Practices Fully Tuesday
John Carlson

Ready to Rock After Olympics
Radek Faksa

Unavailable Against Team Canada
Anton Lundell

Good to Go Wednesday
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Will Return in 2026
Kenneth Walker III

Seahawks Not Expected to Use Franchise Tag on Kenneth Walker III
Bucky Irving

Undergoes Offseason Shoulder Surgery
Tyreek Hill

Says he Will Play in 2026
Joey Logano

Finishes Third in the 2026 Daytona 500
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. Finishes as the Runner-Up in the Daytona 500
Chase Elliott

Falls Short of His First Daytona 500 Victory Again
Brad Keselowski

Ends Daytona 500 With a Top-Five Finish
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Wins the Daytona 500 for the First Time with 23XI Racing
Tyreek Hill

Released by Dolphins
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