Wild Card Weekend is here at last. Who will go home? Who will move on?
Let’s take a peek at FanDuel’s Saturday DFS slate and go over the players we believe will make the biggest splash in their most important games of the season.
QUARTERBACK: Brock Purdy ($7,100)
Brock Purdy joins Skylar Thompson as the second rookie to start at quarterback during Wild Card Weekend. Purdy is not only facing off against a suspect Seahawks defense but has scored 16-plus points in five straight games.
Purdy provides a safe floor with the potential for a high upside in this game as well. In a game that should be dominated by the 49ers, look for Purdy to shine.
RB: Elijah Mitchell ($5,500) & Travis Etienne ($7,100)
Elijah Mitchell has been injured for much of this season but played well last week, garnering 17.5 points. While his upside has been technically capped by the significance of Christian McCaffrey, Mitchell should be in-line for a bulk of their receiving and rushing work, especially if San Francisco gets out to an early lead.
Travis Etienne is a boom-or-bust option this week, and we’re obviously hoping that he has a “boom” performance. He has three games this season with over 21 fantasy points and, against a struggling Chargers defense, should have a big day.
The Chargers surrender 23.1 points per game to opposing running backs, making this the perfect week to throw Etienne in your lineup.
WR: DK Metcalf ($7,100), Tyler Lockett ($7,400), and Keenan Allen ($8,400)
We were able to get all three of these studs into our lineup by being a bit conservative with our running back selections. However, we’re confident that each of these players will more than makeup for any shortcomings that the running backs could have.
DK Metcalf is one of the most dominant wide receivers in the NFL but has struggled to put together a great fantasy performance in his past four games. He looks to bounce back this weekend.
Even though the 49ers have an incredible defensive unit as a whole, they do give up the sixth-most points to opposing wide receivers. Look for Metcalf and Lockett to both have great weeks against the 49ers in the Seahawks’ most important game of the season.
If the Seahawks get down early, they will be forced to feed the ball to their best receivers, Lockett and Metcalf.
With Mike Williams out with a back injury, Keenan Allen is a smash play against the Jaguars. Allen is coming off a 26.2-point performance and will be hungry for the ball in a big-time showdown.
TIGHT END: Evan Engram ($5,700)
Engram has found great success when paired with Trevor Lawrence this season. Looking at their matchup with the Chargers, Engram could take advantage of a defense that allows over 50 yards per game to tight ends.
FLEX: George Kittle ($7,700)
Two tight ends in one week, we know. But Kittle’s high ceiling makes him a great option in your DFS lineups this week.
He has developed a brilliant rapport with Brock Purdy, averaging 19.3 points per game in his last four games. Look for the Kittle-Purdy connection to continue this week.
DEFENSE: Jacksonville Jaguars ($3,800)
With only two games on Saturday, you’ll need to differentiate yourself in more ways than picking an uncommon defense.
However, we like Jacksonville’s chances against the Chargers this week in a game that the Chargers will be without star wideout Mike Williams. The Jaguars might be the unconventional pick here, which is perfect for your lineup.
