NFL DFS Lineup Sleepers for DraftKings, FanDuel - Divisional Round Value Picks Include Matthew Stafford, Austin Ekeler, Keon Coleman, and more

Wild Card Weekend is in the books, and now we shift our focus to the Divisional Round and what value plays we can find on the main slate in DFS competitions.

In this weekly piece, I will examine some undervalued sneaky targets. By selecting these players, you will have more flexibility in other positions to secure a high-end player elsewhere in your lineup. No matter what competition you are playing in DFS, finding a budget player with a safe floor and room for upside is the recipe for success. I will include the DraftKings (DK) and FanDuel (FD) prices for each player in the main slate competition.

If you have any questions on how to navigate the slate and other fantasy sports questions, feel free to follow me on X @A_Smith_FS and send me a message. In addition, be sure to use code "SMITH" to get a 10% discount on any premium package.

Quarterback NFL DFS Value Plays - Divisional Round

Patrick Mahomes, HOU at KC | DK: $6K, FD: $7.7K

Patrick Mahomes had a down year to his standards but was able to finish on a high note. Over his final six contests, Mahomes tallied 12 touchdowns (11 passing) and averaged a solid 254 passing yards per game. He did not throw an interception over this stretch. Over his first 10 games, Mahomes threw 11 interceptions and scored just 16 touchdowns.

This weekend, he will face a Houston Texans defense that is beginning to heat up. However, throughout the regular season, it allowed the 11th-most PPR points to opposing QBs, and Mahomes has always risen for the big moments (285.3 passing yards per game in the playoffs, with a 41:8 TD:INT ratio across 18 games).

Matthew Stafford, LAR at PHI | DK: $2.2K, FD: $7.3K

My other value play has a much tougher matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles allowed the third-fewest PPR points to opposing QBs during the regular season.

Matthew Stafford comes out firing for LA and throws a TD pass to Kyren Williams to go up by 7 on Sam Darnold!
pic.twitter.com/VqXIcOawW3

— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) January 14, 2025

However, Stafford has performed very well in the postseason. Stafford has averaged 296.9 passing yards per game through nine career postseason games with 17 total touchdowns. While he was not tasked to do much in the Wild Card round, that should be much different against a potent Philadelphia offense.

Running Back NFL DFS Value Plays - Divisional Round

Justice Hill, BAL at BUF | DK: $5K, FD: $5.4K

Even though Derrick Henry stole the show on Saturday evening, Justice Hill was productive in his first game in over three weeks. Hill had been sidelined due to a concussion. In Saturday's Wild Card game, Hill ran the ball six times and brought in all four of his targets for 13 yards and a score.

What Lamar Jackson saw on his miraculous touchdown pass to Justice Hill with 2 seconds left.

Steelers doubled Mark Andrews. Rashod Bateman broke wide open, but just as pressure arrived. So Lamar made magic. 🪄 pic.twitter.com/1Kv1f8nBPJ

— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) January 13, 2025

Facing the Bills in what should be a very high-scoring affair should present Hill with ample receiving opportunities. While Henry will dominate the work on the ground, Hill could find himself in a positive game script and see at least five targets his way.

Austin Ekeler, WAS at DET | DK: $5.1K, FD: $5.5K

Austin Ekeler has a path to seeing the most snaps in the Washington backfield. Last weekend, during the victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ekeler logged a 47% snap share with 11 total touches. However, the top option, Brian Robinson Jr., struggled again as he tallied just 16 yards on 10 attempts. Over his past four games, Robinson has averaged just 27.5 yards per game with a mere 2.9 yards per rush.

Given Robinson's struggles, Ekeler has a path to seeing a more significant workload. In addition, in what will likely be a high-scoring affair against the high-powered Detroit Lions, Ekeler carries a high receiving upside as well. This past weekend, he saw four targets.

Fantasy managers should expect that number to increase significantly if given the starting nod in a potential shootout on Saturday night.

Wide Receiver NFL DFS Value Plays - Divisional Round

Keon Coleman, BAL at BUF | DK: $4.1K, FD: $5.3K

The rookie wideout was only able to bring in one of his three targets in his playoff debut, but that should not discourage fantasy managers from taking a flier on him this weekend. Throughout the regular season, Coleman has operated as a deep threat in the Buffalo offense, averaging an impressive 19.3 yards per reception.

However, he only eclipsed double-digit PPR points on four occasions. Two of those times were against bottom-10 defensive units regarding PPR points allowed to receivers. Facing a struggling Baltimore secondary that has allowed the fifth-most PPR points to opposing wideouts this season provides Coleman with a high ceiling and a prime matchup for a bounceback.

Rashod Bateman, BAL at BUF | DK: $4.9K, FD: $6.2K

With Zay Flowers (knee) sidelined during the Wild Card game, Rashod Bateman was deployed as the team's top wideout. However, with the Ravens leaning on the run, Bateman only saw two targets.

However, facing the Buffalo Bills in a game that carries a hefty 51.5-point total suggests the Ravens will have to push the ball downfield to keep up. If Flowers also misses this game, Bateman carries a high-end WR2 upside. Even if Flowers returns, Bateman will still carry a high ceiling, given his big-play ability (16.6 yards per catch).

Dyami Brown, WSH at DET | DK: $3.9K, FD: $5.1K

My final value play is Dyami Brown. While Brown is the No. 3 wide receiver on the team, he is coming off a career game where he tallied 89 yards and a score on five receptions. Brown has now seen at least four targets in each of his past two contests.

Dyami Brown wide open in the back of the end zone! TD @Commanders!

📺: #WASvsTB on NBC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/ZUyUbswAte

— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025

While Olamide Zaccheaus will likely bounce back after totaling just 19 yards in the Wild Card round, Jayden Daniels may continue to look Brown's way as they hope to keep up with a high-flying Detroit offense. Given his price, he is a strong value play in the highest-projected-scoring game of the weekend.

Tight End NFL DFS Value Plays - Divisional Round

Dalton Schultz, HOU at KC | DK: $3.3K, FD: $5.3K

Dalton Schultz had a disappointing showing in the Wild Card round, as he caught just two of his four targets for 23 yards. However, the Texans were in control through most of the second half and did not need to push the ball downfield.

However, this is likely to change facing the Kansas City Chiefs. Schultz is primed for a bounceback as the Chiefs have allowed the fourth-most PPR points to opposing tight ends this season.

Dallas Goedert, LAR at PHI | DK: $3.9K, FD: $6.1K

Dallas Goedert led the way in the Philadelphia passing attack in the victory over the Packers. He brought in four of his six targets for 47 yards and a touchdown. Even though he battled numerous injuries this season, he has been very productive when on the field. Across 11 games, he has averaged 49.4 yards per game and has seen 5.3 targets in each contest.

The Rams have struggled to defend opposing tight ends (third-most PPR points allowed), which puts him in a great position to post another excellent showing.

Note: Goedert is only viewed as a value play on DraftKings.

Defense/Special Teams - Divisional Round

Los Angeles Rams, LAR at PHI | DK: $2.7K, FD: $3.5K

The Los Angeles defense was my value play last weekend, and given its performance, it is hard not to select it again. During the victory over the Vikings, it forced two turnovers, scored a touchdown, and tallied nine sacks.

While the Eagles took care of business last weekend, their offense was not as impressive as Jalen Hurts threw for just 131 yards in his first game back from his concussion. Facing Saquon Barkley and the Eagles is no easy task, but given how well the Rams have played, save some salary and take the hottest defensive unit in the league.

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