We have four games on tap this weekend in DFS as divisional playoff weekend hits. Will Lamar Jackson go off? Could a low-salaried tight end be the value of the day? Can anyone stop Derrick Henry? Here are some thoughts on players to roster this weekend.
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson, Ravens ($8,400 on DraftKings, $9,400 on FanDuel) – Yes, you have to pay up for Jackson, but he’s worth it. He’s averaged nearly 30 DFS points per game on DK with his dual-threat ability, and he faces a Titans defense that ranks just 24th in the NFL against opposing QBs in DFS. The high salary might keep Jackson lower owned than expected, which will help if he goes off during this divisional playoff weekend.
Running backs
Damien Williams, Chiefs ($6,000 on DK, $6,900 on FD) – After returning from injury, Williams has seen the bulk of the carries for Kansas City. Quarterback Pat Mahomes will also feed him his share of receptions. The Texans defense is also weak against the run. Derrick Henry of Tennessee may have the hot hand, but I sense the Ravens slowing him down, and the Titans being forced to pass more to play catch up late in that game.
Aaron Jones, Packers ($7,400 on DK, $8,200 on FD) – Jones has been a workhorse of late, carrying the ball 48 times in his past two games, and the Seahawks D he faces on Sunday are not the great defenders of old – Seattle ranks 22nd against opposing running backs in DFS.
Wide receivers
Allen Lazard, Packers ($4,500 on DK, $5,400 on FD) – For some salary savings, lean toward Lazard, who has become the No. 2 receiver in Green Bay late in the year. Lazard has averaged 11.2 DFS points per game on DK over his last five outings.
Deebo Samuel, 49ers ($5,200 on DK, $6,100 on FD) – Samuel has been Mr. Reliable in San Francisco in 2019, very rarely not scoring double-digit DFS points on DK while averaging nearly four receptions per game. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo hit him for five passes for 102 yards in the 49ers’ final regular-season game against Seattle.
Tight end
Jimmy Graham, Packers ($3,300 on DK, $5,000 on FD) – I don’t buy into the revenge factor aspect of Graham going up against his former team, but I focus on value. For his salary, Graham has that in spades facing a Seahawks defense that is one of the worst in the NFL in defending tight ends. He could be a great value play during divisional playoff weekend.
Defense
49ers ($3,000 on DK, $4,600 on FD) – Wild-card winning teams going on to face divisional winners on the road the following week do not – as expected – usually fare well. So for my DFS defenses this week, I’ll roster those home divisional winners, and San Francisco is a great fit – a solid corps with a reasonable salary.