With one week of postseason action behind us, the NFL playoffs have narrowed down from 14 teams to just eight. This means that a whopping 75 percent of the league has officially ‘gone fishing.’ But don’t worry, fans of the eliminated teams can still find excitement in the Divisional Round by diving into Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) on platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, or SuperDraft.
Even better, we’re here to help you navigate the waters of DFS! The Sporting News has put together a fresh lineup of DFS sleepers and value plays for this weekend. Our mission? To spotlight the best cost-efficient players available, ensuring you get the most bang for your daily fantasy buck.
For years, this column has been your go-to source for uncovering undervalued gems each week on DraftKings, FanDuel, and now SuperDraft. While anyone can identify the elite DFS stars, it’s the sleepers and value picks that can elevate your lineup and potentially fill your pockets with some real cash.
Reviewing the Wild Card Weekend
Let’s take a moment to reflect on some of the standout performances from the Wild Card Weekend. Here’s a look at a few players who delivered impressive returns on investment, along with their DraftKings prices and final scores:
| Pos. | Player | Game | DK price | Pts. |
| QB | Justin Herbert | Chargers at Texans | $6,000 | 15.7 |
| RB | James Cook | Bills vs. Broncos | $6,700 | 18.0 |
| RB | Bucky Irving | Buccaneers vs. Commanders | $7,000 | 16.3 |
| WR | Courtland Sutton | Broncos at Bills | $6,300 | 12.5 |
| WR | Khalil Shakir | Bills vs. Patriots | $5,900 | 12.1 |
| WR | Rashod Bateman | Ravens vs. Steelers | $5,000 | 10.4 |
| TE | T.J. Hockenson | Vikings at Rams | $4,200 | 17.4 |
| TE | Dallas Goedert | Eagles vs. Packers | $3,900 | 14.7 |
| TE | Tucker Kraft | Packers at Eagles | $3,700 | 8.6 |
| DST | Philadelphia | Eagles vs. Packers | $3,300 | 14.0 |
While it may not have been a perfect slate, these performances were solid given the overall player pool. We particularly excelled at RB, TE, and D/ST. In playoff DFS contests, sometimes all you need is dominance in just a few key positions.
Best NFL DFS Sleepers for Divisional Round
Now, let’s gear up for the Divisional Round! We’re back with the best DFS sleepers and value picks to consider. We’ll highlight affordable, high-value options at each position, along with their listed costs.
Quarterback
C.J. Stroud, Texans at Chiefs (DK: $5,000 | FD: $ | SD: 1.45x)
C.J. Stroud has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. The 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year has led the Texans to back-to-back divisional titles. Despite facing a formidable Chiefs defense, Stroud managed to score over 18 DK points against them just a few weeks ago. At $5,000, we’d be thrilled to see another performance like that!
Other QBs to consider:
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs vs. Texans (DK: $6,000 | FD: $7,700 | SD: 1.3x)
- Jared Goff, Lions vs. Commanders (DK: $6,300 | FD: $8,000 | SD: 1.25x)
Running Back
James Cook, Bills vs. Ravens (DK: $6,700 | FD: $7,400 | SD: 1.2x)
James Cook is on a roll! He ran for 120 yards against the Broncos last weekend and has scored in five consecutive games. With the Ravens’ tough defense looming, Cook remains a solid value pick, especially since the Bills may lean on him to protect Josh Allen.
Austin Ekeler, Commanders at Lions (DK: $5,100 | FD: $5,500 | SD: 1.6x)
Ekeler has been pivotal for the Commanders, especially in clutch situations. With Brian Robinson Jr. struggling, Ekeler is likely to see increased usage against the Lions. He’s a solid option at a reasonable price.
Other strong RB values:
- Kyren Williams, Rams at Eagles (DK: $6,900 | FD: $7,700 | SD: 1.15x)
- Justice Hill, Ravens at Bills (DK: $4,800 | FD: $5,400 | SD: 1.65x)
Wide Receiver
Terry McLaurin, Commanders at Lions (DK: $6,300 | FD: $7,600 | SD: 1.15x)
McLaurin has developed a strong rapport with quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Lions’ defense has struggled against wide receivers, making McLaurin a must-start. He has averaged 17 DK points per game this season and has a ceiling that can reach 27 points.
Khalil Shakir, Bills vs. Ravens (DK: $5,000 | FD: $6,100 | SD: 1.35x)
Shakir may not have had a huge role last week, but he caught all six of his targets for 61 yards. With the potential for a high-scoring game against the Ravens, Shakir could be a valuable asset.
Other strong WR values:
- Rashod Bateman, Ravens at Bills (DK: $4,900 | FD: $6,200 | SD: 1.35x)
- Xavier Worthy, Chiefs vs. Texans (DK: $5,200 | FD: $6,300 | SD: 1.3x)
- DeAndre Hopkins, Chiefs vs. Texans (DK: $4,700 | FD: $5,800 | SD: 1.45x)
- Olamide Zacchaeus, Commanders at Lions (DK: $4,300 | FD: $5,400 | SD: 1.55x)
Tight End
Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs. Rams (DK: $3,900 | FD: $ | SD: 1.3x)
Goedert has returned from injury and is making waves. He caught 4-of-6 targets for 55 yards last week and scored a touchdown. The Rams have struggled against tight ends, making Goedert an easy value pick.
More TEs worth considering:
- Dalton Kincaid, Bills vs. Ravens (DK: $3,700 | FD: $6,100 | SD: 1.4x)
- Tyler Higbee, Rams at Eagles (DK: $3,400 | FD: $5,200 | SD: 1.5x)
Defense/Special Teams
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Rams (DK: $3,400 | FD: $4,700)
The Eagles are the cream of the crop when it comes to postseason defenses. At a lower price than the Chiefs, they offer a fantastic opportunity for savings. With the Rams struggling and Cooper Kupp not at his best, the Eagles are poised to capitalize on turnovers.
As we gear up for an exciting Divisional Round, remember that the right DFS picks can make all the difference. So, dive in, make your selections, and enjoy the thrill of the game!
