NFL DFS: FantasyDraft best plays for the divisional round

NFL DFS – FantasyDraft Best Plays – Quarterback

Core Plays

Patrick Mahomes ($14.3k)

We all know of Mahomes’ ceiling, and although he was under 20 fantasy points in four of his last six regular-season game, I think this is a get-right spot where we see vintage Mahomes – someone who’s going to give you easily 300-plus yards with three or four touchdowns. You can’t go wrong with Lamar Jackson ($14.8k) in this spot, either, but with so many other good options on the board, Mahomes gives you the same type of upside for $500 less. Not to mention, he’s got the best matchup of any QB going against the Texans, who allow the second-most fantasy points per game in the NFL to opposing signal-callers.

Aaron Rodgers ($12.7k)

Similar to Mahomes, Rodgers wasn’t particularly great down the stretch this season, scoring under 14 fantasy points in six of his last eight games. Much of this may have to do with the potency of Green Bay’s rushing attack and lack of receiving help outside of Davante Adams, but regardless, Rodgers showed he can still post big lines from time to time, notching 30-plus points on four separate occasions (including two games over 45 points). While he’s less of a sure bet than Mahomes or Jackson, he should be able to take advantage of Seattle’s 27th-ranked pass defense.

Deshaun Watson ($12.6k)

Watson sputtered a bit at the beginning of last week’s Wild Card game, but a near-flawless second half against a strong Bills’ defense landed him as the top-scoring QB on last week’s slate with 29.3 points. He was busy as a runner, taking 14 attempts for 55 yards and a score. If that type of rushing volume continues, his floor remains high. This game should contain plenty of offensive firepower with the highest-projected point total of the four games, carving out more than enough room for players on both sides to exceed value.

Value Plays

None

With so many strong options to pay up for, you simply can’t justify paying down this week at the position. I considered Russell Wilson ($12.3k) here, but although he, too, could put up big numbers in what will likely be a high-scoring game, he’s not much of a value at his current price point. Each of the three lowest-priced QBs on the slate, Jimmy Garoppolo (Minnesota – 14th against QBs), Kirk Cousins (San Francisco – 2nd), and Ryan Tannehill (Baltimore – 5th), endure brutal, low-floor type of matchups.