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In this piece, we're looking at the top running backs or wide receivers to build your cash or tournament lineups around. Most weeks I am going to recommend two running backs and two wide receivers who you can use as building blocks, but occasionally a tight end sneaks in here, too.
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RBs and WRs to Build Around - Wild Card Weekend
Wild Card Weekend is here and we have a full six-game slate for Saturday through Monday in addition to just Saturday and Sunday-only slates. I am basing my picks and gearing my cheat sheet to cover the full slate of games, but also tried to make sure to include some players from games on both days, too.
Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey vs. Seattle
McCaffrey only faced the Seahawks once this year, since he was still a member of the Carolina Panthers the first time that the Niners and Seahawks met. But in that meeting, he ran for 108 yards and a TD on 26 carries while also catching 5 passes for 30 yards.
Jeff Wilson managed 84 yards on 18 carries when the Niners won 27-7 earlier in the season, too, further proving that this San Fran team can run the ball on Seattle and their 25th-ranked DVOA rushing defense.
Elijah Mitchell is back and will surely mix in for some carries, too, but last week he mainly finished out the game as the Niners chose to rest McCaffrey, and the game was already under control.
The Niners are home and are 10-point favorites. The game script sets up well for McCaffrey, especially when you consider that the Niners continue to start a rookie QB and their formula has been to run the ball and give Brock Purdy a lot of safe throws in a ball-control style offense.
You simply can't get away from CMC this weekend, the spot is too good and he brings the highest floor/ceiling of any position player with the dual-threat nature of his game. Deebo and Mitchell being back certainly makes things interesting, and maybe you fade in some tournaments and hope for a floor game, but in cash formats, McCaffrey is priority number one for me.
Travis Etienne Jr. vs. LA Chargers
I'm really coming around on the Jags this weekend and if they're going to win or at least be competitive in this game, which they should, then it's probably because ETN is having a game and keeping the chains moving.
When these teams first met back in September, Etienne and James Robinson combined for 145 yards rushing (J-Rob went 17-100) and that was long before Travis took over as the lead back. But it demonstrated how well the Jags ran the ball and I think they'll definitely try to establish the run this weekend, too, considering that the Chargers' run defense (29th in run DVOA defense) continues to be their Achilles' heel.
This is a great bounce-back spot for Etienne, who was limited to only seven carries as Jacksonville faced an elite run defense in Tennessee last week. He has been explosive with the ball in his hands this year and was consistently getting 20+ touches down the stretch for this team, including 2-3 catches a game out of the backfield. He's my favorite back in the mid-tier this week based on the solid matchup here and his projected high level of involvement in this offense.
Honorable Mention: Dalvin Cook vs. NY Giants
Wide Receivers
Stefon Diggs vs. Miami
There are several other very worthy "stud" receivers this week like Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase, but Diggs is my favorite guy to spend up on here in this matchup with the 25th-rated DVOA passing defense of Miami.
Diggs had two fairly quiet outings against the Dolphins this year (by his standards, at least) as he posted 11-74 and 9-60 in their two meetings without scoring a TD. You have to love the target volume there, however, and the passing volume that the Bills roll with most weeks. While Buffalo will try to run the ball and establish the running game, they're never hesitant to let Josh Allen chuck it either and Miami's defense has become one of the biggest "pass funnel" units in the league as they're 4th against the run.
Diggs is a safe play but has upside as we've seen him post big DFS scores when he does get in the end zone, as he did last week when he went 10-104-1 against the Patriots. I would prioritize him in cash games and pair him up with Josh Allen in GPP stacks, too, the Bills should put a beating on the Dolphins this weekend.
Isaiah Hodgins @ Minnesota
I don't want to go off previous results exclusively, but I definitely can't ignore what the Giants' receivers did against the Vikings just a few weeks ago.
Minnesota's pass defense allowed the most passing yards to opponents all season and finished the year ranked 26th in DVOA. It's a spot that we have to target this weekend and Hodgins is my preferred receiver as he has been one of the most consistent options for Danny Dimes down the stretch.
He went 8-89 with a TD on 12 targets back on Christmas Eve and has now caught a touchdown pass in four of his last five games. He sat out last week as the Week 18 game (along with a bunch of other Giants' starters) against the Eagles was meaningless for the Giants' playoff seeding.
Hodgins is fairly priced on both sites and I look for him to resume his role as one of the top options for Jones on Sunday.
Honorable Mention: Keenan Allen @ Jacksonville
Good luck to everyone in your contests! Don't forget that you can chat with me and other NFL analysts in our new premium RotoBaller DISCORD at any point during the week or hit me up on Twitter @ThunderDanDFS.
