FanDuel NFL DFS Wildcard Playoff Picks and Plays for Cash Game and GPP Lineups
Wildcard Weekend is here, and there are big NFL DFS contests ripe for the picking at FanDuel. Each week of the NFL playoffs up to the Super Bowl, we’ll bring you our top daily fantasy NFL picks for each position and recommend them as Cash and/or GPP plays.
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As with any DFS, the advice below is relevant for fantasy purposes. A player or team might be better or worse from a fantasy perspective than in real life due to matchup, price, gameflow, and more factors. This is important when constructing a roster on any of the daily fantasy sites.
By this time in the season, weather plays a key factor in NFL games. Make sure to check the forecast for each Sunday.
Best Wildcard Weekend NFL DFS Quarterbacks on FanDuel
Cam Newton @ NO ($8.3k FanDuel) – GPP
While he’s not the most accurate passer, Cam Newton’s incredible rushing ability gives him more upside than any other QB on this four-game slate. He was able to beat the Saints’ defense with his legs in Week 13, rushing for 51 yards on just six carries. With Greg Olsen (foot) healthy again and Christian McCaffrey creating mismatches out of the backfield, Newton should be able to hit the open target. He’ll look to match the high-powered Saints offense on the road.
Drew Brees vs. CAR ($8.1k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
This is a somewhat contrarian play because Drew Brees has been quite underwhelming this season. Yet he has plenty of postseason experience and averages 321.7 passing YPG with 24 TDs and six interceptions over 11 playoff games. He’s always more dangerous at home, where he’ll face a Panthers pass defense that tanked toward the end of the season. Carolina coughed up the most passing YPG (312.33) over the last month.
Blake Bortles vs. BUF ($7.6k FanDuel) – GPP
The Jaguars didn’t rest their starters in Week 17 but seemed to implement a conservative game plan. Blake Bortles completed only 15-of-34 passes for 158 yards against a desperate Titans team. He was previously on a role with top-five QB finishes in his previous five appearances. This week, he faces a Bills defense that’s been vulnerable through the air as well as on the ground.
Others to consider: Jared Goff, Alex Smith, Marcus Mariota
Best Wildcard Weekend NFL DFS Running Backs on FanDuel
Todd Gurley vs. ATL ($10.0k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
There should be concerns about how Jared Goff will perform in his first playoff game, but Todd Gurley has been excellent in every situation while producing MVP numbers this season. He’ll face a Falcons team that’s allowed the most receptions per game (6.8) to opposing RBs. Therefore, Goff’s success might be tied to that of his stud RB on Saturday.
Alvin Kamara vs. CAR ($9.1k FanDuel) – GPP
The Panthers’ defense is fearsome, which makes Mark Ingram a bit of a risky play given his limited skill set. Yet Alvin Kamara can run inside and out, and he’s a great receiver who torched the Panthers for 168 YFS and three total TDs over two meetings this year. He averaged 11.23 yards per reception and scored seven of his 13 TDs at home this season, where the turf allows him to make cuts.
Leonard Fournette vs. BUF ($8.1k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
The Jaguars (-8) are heavy home favorites against a Bills team that snuck into the playoffs. Positive gameflow would be a huge benefit to Leonard Fournette. Apparently healthy enough to handle 23 touches in a meaningless season finale, the rookie should carry the mail on Sunday against Buffalo’s defense, which coughed up the most FPPG to opposing RBs this season.
Derrick Henry @ KC ($6.5k FanDuel) – Cash
DeMarco Murray considered playing through an MCL sprain but was unable to suit up in Week 17, which left Derrick Henry to handle 29 touches. He managed 117 YFS and a TD against arguably the league’s best defense in Jacksonville. Now, he’ll likely see a heavy workload against a Chiefs team that ranks dead last in passing DVOA this year. Gameflow is a concern for that workload, but Henry could also function as a capable receiver should the Titans wind up in comeback mode on Saturday.
Others to consider: Kareem Hunt, LeSean McCoy (monitor injury), Christian McCaffrey, Devonta Freeman
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Best Wildcard Weekend NFL DFS Wide Receivers on FanDuel
Julio Jones @ LAR ($8.5k FanDuel) – GPP
Julio Jones was the darling play of Week 17 against a struggling Panthers secondary. Yet he only provided modest results, catching 5-of-11 targets for 80 yards. He draws a much tougher matchup at the Rams, a team that ranked third in passing DVOA this season. Still, his talent could carry him to great results. He’s averaging 106.5 receiving YPG with five TDs over six playoff games and is clearly a big-game player.
Michael Thomas vs. CAR ($8.3k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
He’s the unquestioned top WR for a high-powered Saints offense, which should put up plenty of points at home. Michael Thomas is facing a Panthers secondary that’s really struggled lately. As alluded to above, Carolina’s given up the third-most receptions per game (13) and fourth-most FPPG to opposing WRs over the last month. Thomas went for 70-plus yards and a TD in both meetings with the Panthers this season.
Tyreek Hill vs. TEN ($7.7k FanDuel) – GPP
While he appears to be a risky play, Tyreek Hill might be the best overall option on this slate. He certainly has a lofty ceiling against a Titans team that’s given up a lot of big plays down the field and can’t really cover out of the slot. After resting in Week 17, the Chiefs speedster should be good to go as an all-purpose, featured weapon.
Keelan Cole vs. BUF ($5.8k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
Because he’s no longer a low-volume receiver, Keelan Cole could serve as a cheap Cash option on this short slate. The Bills have solid CBs on the outside, who could limit Dede Westbrook, but Cole is an emerging star in the slot. He might serve as a good pairing with Blake Bortles. Consider him where you need salary relief.
Others to consider: Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Ted Ginn Jr., Rishard Matthews
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Best Wildcard Weekend NFL DFS Tight Ends on FanDuel
Travis Kelce vs. TEN ($7.7k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
If you play both Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, you would have almost all the exposure necessary to the Chiefs pass defense in a potential smash spot at home. Like Buffalo, Tennessee has little business making the playoffs in the first place but is in the dance because of a weak AFC. The Titans rank 24th in TE DVOA and funnel the third-most targets per game (8.27) toward that position.
Greg Olsen vs. NO ($6.5k FanDuel) – GPP
There really aren’t many viable options at this position, but Greg Olsen is worth a look in tournament formats as a potential stacking partner with Cam Newton. He only managed 37 yards over two appearances after torching the Packers for 116 yards in Week 15. He did draw nine targets in his season finale and was inactive for both meetings against the Saints this year. He could be a key factor in what might be the best game to target this weekend.
Others to consider: Delanie Walker, Charles Clay
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Best Wildcard Weekend NFL DFS D/ST on FanDuel
Chiefs vs. TEN ($4.8k FanDuel) – GPP
Obviously the Jaguars ($5.6k) are the best D/ST on the board and perhaps in the NFL right now, but if you can’t afford the Jags, you could use the Chiefs. This up-and-down unit has struggled badly at times but has held opposing QBs to a 74 passer rating with 10 picks and 17 sacks over eight home games this season. Marcus Mariota (knee) is not healthy right now. Neither are Delanie Walker, DeMarco Murray, or Rishard Matthews.
