This article is part of our King for a Day series.
With four games on the slate for the wild-card round, DK is offering some huge GPPs, highlighted by the Playoff Million ($27 entry), $500K Wild Card Special ($300 entry) and $300K Flea Flicker ($5 entry). There are also plenty of satellites running for next weekend's Millionaire Maker Encore.
Finding value plays is typically tougher in the playoffs, but with A.J. Green (concussion-doubtful) and Le'Veon Bell (knee-out) likely sidelined, that shouldn't be the case for this weekend.
Here are my favorite players for the wild-card round of the playoffs on DraftKings…
Quarterbacks
Ben Roethlisberger, PIT (vs. BAL), $7300 – The weather will probably scare some people away from the Pittsburgh passing attack, but it doesn't sound like it will actually be that bad, and there's nothing more frightening (for a Steelers fan) than the prospect of handing off to Josh Harris, Dri Archer or worst of all, Ben Tate. It's best to just ignore the clichés about cold weather, inclement conditions and needing to run the ball. Unless the wind is unexpectedly brutal, the Steelers aren't dumb enough to craft a gameplan that focuses on pounding the ball at Baltimore's fierce front seven with a trio of rather unpromising running backs. When you have Big Ben and Antonio Brown going against a vulnerable secondary, even a hurricane might not matter. I'm looking for Roethlisberger to produce nice fantasy numbers via high volume and middling efficiency.
Cam Newton, CAR (vs. ARI), $7500 – Somehow, the 7-8-1 Panthers aren't even close to being the worst team in the playoffs, with the injury-riddled Cardinals and presumably A.J. Green-less Bengals taking part in the postseason festivities. The Cardinals deserve all the credit in the world for overcoming so many injuries to put together an 11-win season, but they've finally shown cracks (to put it kindly) over the final six weeks, going 2-4 with a minus-50 point differential. Newton probably won't pile up volume through the air, but his running ability gives him the highest ceiling of any wild-card round quarterback. Making things more attractive on that front, Arizona allowed a combined 151 rushing yards to Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick over the last two weeks. Break out your best Superman pose, Cam.
Other options:Tony Romo, DAL (vs. DET), $7500; Matthew Stafford, DET (at DAL), $7200
Notes: With Romo, you worry about volume. With Stafford, you worry about efficiency. While I slightly prefer Stafford, it's really a toss-up. You can also make a solid case for Baltimore's Joe Flacco ($6700), but I'm undoubtedly avoiding Andrew Luck ($8800), Andy Dalton ($6100) and Ryan Lindley (should be free). I am excited to see the contrarian Cardinals-stack lineups, which there will probably be just enough of to make it not worth a try.
Running Backs
Justin Forsett, BAL (at PIT), $6100 – Unlike their heated rival and Saturday opponent, the Ravens should find some success on the ground, even in the absence of both starting tackles. Baltimore's offensive line should still be well above average from a run-blocking perspective, and the Ravens can feasibly win the game with a run-heavy gameplan. True, Pittsburgh is more vulnerable to the pass than to the run, but the Steelers did surrender 4.4 yards per carry this season. Forsett, meanwhile, posted an NFL-best 5.4 yards per tote. Of course, it's only fair to mention that I've typically avoided Forsett this season, as he doesn't get a ton of targets or goal-line opportunities. I'm just not enamored with the running back choices this week, as only DeMarco Murray ($8800) looks like a sure thing to produce.
Daniel Herron, IND (vs. CIN), $4700 – Herron hasn't produced a big game this season, but that could change against a weak Cincinnati run defense that ranks 27th in preventing DraftKings points to running backs. With Trent Richardson (questionable - illness) likely to have a very limited role for the second consecutive postseason, Herron finds himself as the presumptive lead back in a high-powered offense for a team that's favored to win. If I had to sum up my DraftKings running-back strategy in one sentence, I might go with "look for lead backs on high-scoring teams that are favored". Unfortunately, nothing's ever that simple, but the guys who fit the bill this week are Herron, Jonathan Stewart ($5300) and Murray ($8800).
Other options:DeMarco Murray, DAL (vs. DET), $8800; Jonathan Stewart, CAR (vs. ARI), $5300
Notes: I don't think the Lions can shut Murray down, but it's also hard to imagine the NFL's leading rusher running wild against a team with such a stout front seven. At this price, you're looking for a massive game, and I'd rather go with the higher-upside options at wide receiver. Of course, prices being equal, Murray is easily the top option at his position this week, and he's sure to be a popular choice. Stewart faces a tough defense behind a middling offensive line, but with the Panthers likely to win, workload shouldn't be an issue. Not a fan of Jeremy Hill this week, as I'm sure he'll be heavily rostered, though I'll admit that I understand why. He has a higher ceiling than Forsett, but I'd rather fade the rookie, and then root for Hill's ugly floor in the event of a blowout Cincy loss.
Wide Receivers
Antonio Brown, PIT (vs. BAL), $8800 – What's the over/under on Brown's targets in a matchup with Baltimore, sans Le'Veon Bell? 15? That almost feels too low, even if the weather is worse than expected. I'm loading up on the Pittsburgh passing game, as I don't think the Steelers have any expectation of finding success on the ground. Even with Bell healthy, this is a team that prefers to throw the ball, unless it's facing an opponent that simply can't stop the run. The Ravens don't even come close to qualifying.
Mohamed Sanu, CIN (at IND), $4200 – This pick is dependent on A.J. Green (doubtful - concussion) not playing, along with the corresponding expectation that Sanu will see plenty of targets. I think the Cincy offense is in for a rough day, but we all remember what Sanu did in Green's absence earlier this season, and I'm counting on volume making up for middling-to-poor efficiency. There aren't many attractive options south of $5000, and Sanu's expected role makes him the best of the bunch. There's obviously an ugly floor here, as Sanu has barely been visible over the last two months, due in part to Andy Dalton's remarkably inconsistent play.
Other options:Calvin Johnson, DET (at DAL), $8800; Steve Smith, BAL (at PIT), $5000
Notes: Part of me screams that Golden Tate at $5500 is the far better value, but I can't escape the feeling that Megatron is in for a huge game. While that may be an advertisement for Tate, I'm also picturing the all-to-familiar scenario in which Stafford starts blindly throwing in Calvin's direction. Smith is a mediocre option at a mid-range price, which is actually pretty useful with a slate dominated by high-end receivers. That FLEX spot is a struggle for me this week.
Tight End
Heath Miller, PIT (vs. BAL), $3900 – As a Ravens fan, I really don't appreciate when Pittsburghers yell HEEEEEEATH after Mr. Miller's receptions, as we in Baltimore once yelled HEEEEEAP to commemorate the unstoppable connection between Kyle Boller and Todd Heap. I'll begrudgingly admit that Miller is the better tight end, and he doesn't seem to be getting any worse with age. Also, I think I've mentioned this already, but the Steelers are probably going to throw a lot, and Le'Veon Bell was their second-most targeted player this season. And yes, I do disgust myself, stacking players from my favorite team's biggest rival in a playoff game…against my favorite team.
Other options:Greg Olsen, CAR (vs. ARI), $5500; Jermaine Gresham, CIN (at IND), $3700
Notes: Olsen is easily the most talented pass-catcher at his position in the wild-card round, and he faces a team that struggled to contain tight ends this season. Gresham (back) is questionable, but if he suits up and A.J. Green doesn't, there should be plenty of opportunities.
Team D/ST
Cincinnati Bengals at IND, $1900 – I'm not a fan of Cincinnati's chances come Sunday, even though they're matched up with a very beatable Colts team. I could pretend to make some kind of argument, but this is really only about the price. Team defense performance is volatile, and the Bengals are $900 cheaper than any other team. Hope for a lucky pick-six, and use your savings to roster some combination of Antonio Brown, Calvin Johnson, Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray.
Other options:Carolina Panthers (vs. ARI), $3500
Notes: If I'm not going dirt-cheap, I guess I'll go with the defense facing Ryan Lindley, though I suspect the Panthers and Bengals will be the most popular picks. For GPPs, maybe just put all eight team names into a hit and pick one out? Realistically, just go with whatever fits the rest of your roster.
