DRAFTKINGS NFL DFS CASH PLAYS Wildcard WEEK 2022

DRAFTKINGS DFS CASH GAME PICKS - WILD CARD ROUND

I hope everyone had a lucrative year with the Football Diehards! Fortunately, the fun does not end there as we have the playoffs to tackle (no pun intended). This article will explore the entire six-game slate that spans from Saturday to Monday, so if you’re playing the individual days the value and ownership projections should be adapted to those. Good luck, and join Eric and I for the DFS show this Friday night at 9 PM EST on YouTube!

QUARTERBACK

TOP PLAY

Josh Allen, BUF ($7900)

The top option up top is far and away Allen this week, and the ownership is reflecting this at $7900. In the two games against Miami this year, Allen has put up 30.7 and 39.86 DK points, respectively, with 124 rushing yards in those two games as well. The Dolphins have currently allowed the third most FPPG to opposing QBs, and I wouldn’t worry about the 13-point spread. This is the playoffs, so teams won’t take their foot off the gas.

Other options - None

Mid-tier options - Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert

VALUE PLAY

Daniel Jones, NYG ($5600)

When the Giants met the Vikings in the regular season three weeks ago, the game was on top of everyone’s DFS radar due to the domed environment and soft defensive matchups. This playoff game should be no different, and the players’ prices are largely the same. In their first meeting, Daniel Jones put up 334 yards on 42 passes and scored 24.76 DK points. The Vikes have given up the fifth most FPPG to opposing QBs and this game has the highest O/U of the weekend with 48 points.

Other options - Kirk Cousins, Tom Brady

RUNNING BACK

TOP PLAY

Saquon Barkley, NYG ($7900)

It’s difficult for me to turn away from a “Christian McCaffrey vs Seattle” matchup, but Eli Mitchell’s presence throws enough risk into the mix for me to confidently say that Barkley should be considered the first priority at the top of the RB pool. The $1,000 discount doesn’t hurt either. Barkley’s 79% snap share is second among RBs, and his 80.1% opportunity share is third, meaning there is absolutely no competition for usage in this Giants backfield. Barkley had 22 touches and ten targets in the first meeting with Minnesota, and the Vikings have allowed the tenth most FPPG to opposing RBs. Fire him up with confidence in cash, even alongside Daniel Jones.

Other options - Christian McCaffrey, Austin Ekeler

Mid-tier options - Dalvin Cook, Joe Mixon

VALUE PLAY

Travis Etienne, JAX ($6300)

I wouldn’t read too much into Etienne’s dud against the Titans in week 18. That run defense has been as stout as any this year, and the Chargers are the polar opposite. Etienne finished eighth in the NFL in rushing yards this season on 220 carries, and is poised to be featured in this week’s playoff game. The Chargers have had issue with stopping the run all season, allowing 5.2 YPC and the fifth most FPPG to the position. The one downside here is that Etienne only has an 8% target share since James Robinson was traded away, so there’s not a lot of PPR floor.

Other options - Leonard Fournette

WIDE RECEIVER

TOP PLAY

Justin Jefferson, MIN ($8400)

The Giants should thankfully have Adoree Jackson back in this one, but Jefferson has long proven to be matchup-proof. The talented WR finished the season first in targets, receptions, receiving yards, YAC, and was third in air yards. Somehow his price has dropped almost $1000 from where it was in the regular season, so make every effort to get him in your lineups this weekend. Jefferson correlates beautifully with whatever Giants’ pieces you’re using in cash as well.

Other options - Ja’Marr Chase, Ceedee Lamb, Stefon Diggs

Mid-tier options - Chris Godwin, DK Metcalf

VALUE PLAY

Isaiah Hodgins/Richie James, NYG ($4100/$3900)

These Giants’ WRs are a cash gift, as they allow you so much flexibility to spend up at the other positions. I wouldn’t do both in cash (in GPP it’s fine to double stack here), but one seems like the preferred route to go. Hodgins went 8-89-1 on 12 targets against Minnesota the last time, and Richie James has 32 targets over the last four games out of the slot. Minnesota allows the second most FPPG to opposing WRs

Other options - Deebo Samuel, Gabe Davis, Zay Jones

TIGHT END

TOP PLAY

TJ Hockenson, MIN ($5100)

Hockenson is fighting tooth-and-nail with Mark Andrews for the highest rostered TE this weekend, but I strongly prefer Hock if choosing amongst the two (unless Lamar Jackson somehow plays). The Giants have struggled over the middle all season long (ninth most FPPG allowed to TEs), and Hockenson eviscerated them for 13-109-2 on 16 targets in their week 16 meeting.

Other options - Mark Andrews


VALUE PLAY

Hayden Hurst, CIN ($3100)

Hurst is a tough sell for floor purposes with all the mouths to feed in the Cincinnati offense, but he’s a decent punt on this slate. Hurst had a 73.9% route participation share in week 18 against the Ravens, and was able to receive five targets (he went 6-83-1 against Baltimore earlier in the year, but that was when Chase was out). I’d look to spend a little more on the other TEs floors if possible, but Hurst is passable if you need to save.

Other options - Dalton Schultz, Daniel Bellinger, Cade Otton

TOP THREE DEFENSES FOR CASH

Buffalo Bills ($3300)
San Francisco 49ers ($3600)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($2600)