DraftKings and FanDuel Wild Card Weekend DFS: Target Saquon Barkley and Nico Collins

What? You thought just because the regular season was over that we were done setting lineups?? Mark my words, I will find a way to set lineups in April if it’s possible! (Maybe I’ll join a fantasy birding league, I dunno.)

But for now, we turn our focus to the six-game DFS slate for Wild Card Weekend. Below are some of my favorite steals, stacks and overall best plays for DraftKings, which uses PPR scoring, and FanDuel, which uses 0.5 PPR.

Though I like most of these players in both formats, some have a slight edge in one or the other.

DraftKings DFS Plays For Wild Card Weekend

Major Performers

Saquon Barkley (vs SF)—$7,000

2024’s NFL Rushing Champion fell back to earth this season, finishing as the RB15 in PPG. But don’t count out Barkley against a depleted 49ers defense that just allowed Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet to run on them at will to the tune of 171 yards. In the Eagles’ last four non-blowout games, Barkley notched, at minimum, 76% of the rushing attempts. Barkley gets third billing in this contest behind Christian McCaffrey ($8,500) and James Cook ($7,400), both of whom I’d expect to be more heavily rostered.

Davante Adams (at CAR)—$6,500

This is the cheapest DK has listed Adams since Week 5 and there’s a $2,200 gap between him and Puka Nacua. Most of that is probably due to the former’s injury concerns, but it appears all is well with Adams’ hamstring and he’ll play without restrictions. The other factor in his deflated price tag is that when Tae’s not scoring touchdowns, he’s not doing much for your lineup. In the five games he’s played this year without reaching the end zone, Adams averaged a paltry 9.5 PPR points. But while Carolina's defense has minimized touchdowns to opposing WRs, that didn’t stop Adams from nabbing two TDs in their last meeting. I’ll risk it.

Cheap Steals

D'Andre Swift (vs GB)—$5,700

In their last two meetings with the Packers, Chicago’s lead running back—whether it was Swift or Kyle Monangai—totaled 82 yards and 93 yards, respectively. With the weather at Soldier Field expected to be on the frightful side (strong winds + precipitation) and Green Bay’s defense so thin it’s become nearly translucent, we should see the ground-iest and pound-iest the Bears have to offer. Although Monangai has put together some decent performances lately and makes for a fine contrarian play, Swift has led the backfield in snaps, rushing attempts, and routes over the last few weeks.

Parker Washington (vs BUF)—$5,000

Talk about an egregiously mispriced player! Over on FanDuel, you’ll need to spend up big time to get Washington as the sixth-highest priced WR. Meanwhile, DraftKings has the explosive Jaguars receiver behind the likes of DJ Moore and Ricky Pearsall. You don’t need a flashing neon sign to see the appeal here. The Bills-Jaguars matchup has the highest projected point total of the weekend and Washington has been on a tremendous hot streak, collecting 347 yards over his last three games.

FanDuel DFS Plays For Wild Card Weekend

Major Performers

Nico Collins (at PIT)—$8,200

Collins has gone through somewhat of a catch drought, failing to top 4 receptions in his last four games. And yet, he still managed to accumulate 322 yards and a pair of touchdowns in that span. Pittsburgh just got absolutely pummeled by Zay Flowers on big plays, allowing an absurd 34.5 Yards Per Reception. Oh, and Collins just happens to rank fifth among WRs in YPRR on the season.

George Kittle (at PHI)—$6,300

This week I’ll either pay up for a tight end or go dumpster diving into the depths of hell for the cheapest option I can find to free up funds elsewhere. There is no in between. The price gap between Kittle and the next TE on the list (Dallas Goedert at $5,600) is significant and with good reason. The ceiling for Kittle is the friggin’ Sistine Chapel, especially considering how prolific the 49ers offense will have to look to offset their banged-up defense.

Cheap Steals

Rhamondre Stevenson (vs LAC)—$6,300

Stevenson is closer to the back of the running back pack on FanDuel, which makes him an intriguing anti-chalk play. Obviously, the stick of dynamite we call TreVeyon Henderson ($6,800) could go off any given week, but Stevenson has dominated the backfield snaps and route share the last few weeks. Vegas oddsmakers currently have the Patriots as 3.5-point favorites, so this backfield should get plenty of use. But even if this game is closer than expected, we know Stevenson can put up numbers in the passing game, too. Win-win.

Jayden Reed (at CHI)—$5,400

When asked how the potentially nasty weather might affect his game plan, Packers coach Matt LaFleur said “it can’t be any windier than the last time” they played at Soldier Field. Yeah, Matt? Well, Jordan Love also posted his second-lowest Yards Per Attempt of the season before leaving that game with an injury. Still, Chicago’s defense has given up the second-most receptions of 20+ yards in the league and Reed has proven YAC ability that Green Bay would be wise to utilize. Combine all that with a clearance-rack price tag and I won’t have a lineup without him in it.

A Contrarian Stack

Bryce Young (vs LAR)—$5,000 DraftKings/$6,900 FanDuel & Jalen Coker (vs LAR)—$4,500 DraftKings/$5,700 FanDuel

In small-pool DFS contests, sometimes you have to pivot so hard that you risk pulling something. Gross stacks like this are often the only way to differentiate your lineup from the pack. But here’s a couple tidbits to help calm your stomach a bit:

The Panthers are at home.
The last time Carolina played the Rams, Coker accounted for a season-high 74 yards and Young tossed 3 TDs and busted off his longest run of the season.

DraftKings and FanDuel Wild Card Weekend DFS: Target Saquon Barkley and Nico Collins

DraftKings DFS Plays For Wild Card Weekend

Major Performers

Go FantasyLife+

Cheap Steals

FanDuel DFS Plays For Wild Card Weekend

Major Performers

Cheap Steals

A Contrarian Stack

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