NFL DFS Lineup Sleepers for DraftKings, FanDuel - Wild Card Weekend Value Picks Include Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, Dontayvion Wicks, and more

Week 18 of the NFL season is in the books, and now we shift our focus to Wild Card Weekend 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 - Wild Card Weekend

Justin Herbert, LAC at HOU | DK: $6K, FD: $7.6K

Justin Herbert has enjoyed an impressive late-season surge and is entering the playoffs on a hot stretch. Over his past three contests, the Oregon product has averaged a stellar 27.3 PPR points per game. During this span, he has averaged 303.7 passing yards and 27.8 rushing yards per game with a 7:1 TD:INT ratio.

JUSTIN HERBERT‼️ pic.twitter.com/zXTbBZjh9u

— Hammer DAHN (@HammerDAHN) December 20, 2024

On Saturday afternoon, he will travel to Houston to face the Texans, who have allowed the 11th-most PPR points to opposing quarterbacks this season. Given his recent play and favorable matchup, Herbert should exceed his salary and carry a top-3 upside on the slate.

Bo Nix, DEN at BUF | DK: $6.3K, FD: $7.5K

My other value play comes with a higher risk than Justin Herbert. Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos will travel to Buffalo to face the heavily favored Buffalo Bills.

However, over his past four games, Nix has posted a strong 12:4 TD:INT ratio while averaging just under 270.0 total yards per game. Nix could have a positive game script from a fantasy standpoint in a game that the Broncos will likely be trailing, which should put him in a position to outperform his salary.

Running Back NFL DFS Value Plays - Wild Card Weekend

Jaylen Warren, PIT at BAL | DK: $5.2K, FD: $5.6K

After operating as the 1A option in the Pittsburgh backfield during Weeks 16 and 17, Warren took the backseat in Week 18 as Najee Harris saw the slight majority of offensive snaps. While the snap count was relatively close, Warren ran the ball only six times and saw one target, a sharp drop from the 11.5 attempts and 5.5 targets he averaged during Weeks 16 and 17.

However, with the Steelers as 9.5-point underdogs, Warren may see a heavy dose of targets in this contest as they attempt to fight back in a game they will be trailing in as he is the clear receiving back in the offense.

Austin Ekeler, WAS at TB | DK: $4.8K, FD: $5.4K

My other value running back should also have a significant role given the projected game script. Washington's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the heaviest projected point total on the slate (50.5), and being the team’s primary receiving back should put Ekeler in great opportunities all evening.

TOUCHDOWN! Austin Ekeler scores to give the Commanders a 14-7 lead over the Bengals.#RuleTheJungle    #Bengals #RaiseHail    #WASvsCIN #MNF #MondayNightFootballpic.twitter.com/HULANQUkkw

— JCarp34 (@JCarp034) September 24, 2024

Ekeler may even have an increased role in short yardage as primary power back Brian Robinson Jr. has averaged a mere 39.8 rushing yards per game over the past four contests. Throughout the season, Ekeler has averaged a strong 10.5 yards per reception. 

In a projected high-scoring affair, the Commanders may be pushing the ball through the air all evening, which would significantly benefit Ekeler's value.

Wide Receiver NFL DFS Value Plays - Wild Card Weekend

Marvin Mims Jr., DEN at BUF | DK: $5.1K, FD: $5.9K

After having a minimal role through most of the season, Marvin Mims Jr. has begun to catch fire and has emerged as a legit playmaker in the Denver passing attack. Over his previous seven games, Mims has scored double-digit PPR points in four of them while averaging 62.0 yards per game.

However, over the past three games, he has scored four touchdowns, seen at least five targets in each game, and averaged a stellar 20.2 PPR points. Mims carries elite upside at a very low price in a game where the Broncos will likely be trailing.

Dontayvion Wicks, GB at PHI | DK: $4.5K, FD: $5.4K

With Christian Watson (knee) out for the season, Dontayvion Wicks should have a starting role in the Green Bay lineup on Sunday afternoon. While he has struggled to see consistent targets weekly, he has performed very well when given the opportunity.

In games where Wicks saw at least seven targets, he averaged 13.0 PPR points per game. When Watson left last weekend’s game early, Wicks immediately found a role and was given six looks.

Similar to Mims, in a game where the Packers will likely be playing from behind, Wicks has a path to lead the team in targets as the Packers try to keep up with a potent Philadelphia offense.

Olamide Zaccheaus, WSH at TB | DK: $4.4K, FD: $5.6K

My final wide receiver to target has seen a significant increase in volume since Noah Brown (kidney) was placed on injured reserve. During Weeks 16 and 17, Olamide Zaccheaus averaged 77.5 yards per game with three total scores while seeing 8.5 targets per game. In Week 18, he saw five targets and would have had another massive game if he could have hauled in a wide-open touchdown pass.

Washington makes good on the INT! TD for Olamide Zaccheaus on 4th and 2 🔥

📺: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/EX1rUExrSr

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

However, given how often Jayden Daniels has looked his way in the final month, I am willing to bet on a bounce-back. Facing a weak Tampa Bay secondary that has allowed the seventh-most PPR points to opposing wide receivers makes him a high-upside play with a strong floor, given his reliable target share and hefty projected point total.

Tight End NFL DFS Value Plays - Wild Card Weekend

Dalton Schultz, LAC at HOU | DK: $3.6K, FD: $5.6K

Dalton Schultz has had trouble finding consistent targets this season but could operate as the clear No. 2 option in the Houston offense on Saturday.

With Tank Dell (knee) sidelined, C.J. Stroud may look his tight end’s way more often as they look to compete with a potent Los Angeles offense. Over his past three games, Schultz has seen a solid 5.7 targets per game, which suggests he is becoming a focal point of the offense.

In addition, the new No. 2 wide receiver, John Metchie III (shoulder), opened the week as a non-participant and is listed as questionable, potentially opening more targets up for Schultz.

Tucker Kraft, GB at PHI | DK: $3.7K, FD: $5.3K

My other tight end is also the beneficiary of an injured wide receiver room. With Christian Watson (knee) out for the season, Tucker Kraft should be in line to see a significant increase in opportunities.

He has produced quite well when given targets, averaging a solid 14.1 yards per catch. In games where he saw at least five targets, he averaged 14.0 PPR points per game. With the Packers opening up as heavy underdogs against the Eagles, they will likely be playing catch-up, which should provide Kraft with a positive game script.

Defense/Special Teams - Wild Card Weekend

Los Angeles Rams, MIN at LAR | DK: $2.9K, FD: $3.9K

My value play for defense is the Los Angeles Rams. Excluding Week 18 (where most of the key starters rested), the Rams held their opponents to less than 10 points during their final three games of the season.

While they are facing a dangerous offense in Minnesota, it is coming off one of its worst showings of the season. In its Week 18 match against the Lions, Sam Darnold was seeing ghosts as he completed just 18 of his 41 passes for a mere 161 yards. In this game, the Vikings scored just nine points.

While it is dangerous to bet against the Minnesota offense, given its struggles last weekend, do not be surprised if it also starts cold in this contest while facing one of the hottest defensive units in the playoffs.

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