Wild Card Round Flex Targets DraftKings 2017

By Armando Marsal
Armando Marsal Using the flex position wisely can allow you to differentiate and create unique lineups. Every week calls for different situations, sometimes pricing favors having a receiver at the flex, while other times it favors having a running back. Then there are weeks where playing two tight ends makes sense. It is really dependent on how you construct your rosters, but as usual, I will talk about players from each position that can be plugged into your flex spot.


Running Back


Leonard Fournette $7,400 vs. Buffalo Bills


Fournette has arguably the best matchup of any back this weekend. He faces off against the Bills who gave up the most fantasy points per game to running backs this season, allowing 112.3 rushing yards per game and 4.5 YPC. In addition, they allowed the most rushing touchdowns to the position (18), as well as 86 receptions for 633 yards and two receiving touchdowns. Fournette finished the season with 20+ touches in his last four games and should see a good amount of touches in this game as the Jags are 8.5 point favorites in this one, so the game script favors him. He should be able to run over this defense and makes for one of my favorite plays of the entire slate.

Christian McCaffrey $6,400 at New Orleans Saints


McCaffrey finished the season third amongst running backs with 80 receptions and led all running backs with 113 targets. He faces off against the Saints who allowed five receiving touchdowns to opposing backs, which is tied for second most and a defense that surrendered 84 receptions for 737 yards, with a 69 percent catch rate to the position. McCaffrey faced the Saints twice this season and fared well against them, scoring at least 15 DK points in each of those games. He combined for 14 receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown, as well as 32 rushing yards. The Panthers are expecting to be chasing points in this contest, which bodes well for McCaffrey who averaged 7.1 targets per game during the regular season. He will likely be lower owned than he should be considering the situation, which makes him even more appealing.


Wide Receiver


Michael Thomas $7,800 vs. Carolina Panthers


Thomas is the second most expensive receiver this weekend, but is at the top of my list at his position. He faces off against James Bradberry of the Panthers who grades out below average on Pro Football Focus and a matchup that Thomas has a 60 percent advantage rating against, the highest of any receiver. The Panthers also surrendered the fifth most fantasy points per game to receivers, while yielding 12.9 receptions and 167.9 receiving yards per game to the position. Thomas scored a touchdown in each of his two games against the Panthers this season and finished with at least 18 DK points in each of those contests. He led the Saints in targets, receptions, and receiving yards, while tied for most receiving touchdowns on the team for the year. He is a good balance of both consistency and upside, and also draws a very good matchup, making him a viable option in any format you play this weekend.

Cooper Kupp $5,800 vs. Atlanta Falcons


Kupp played a big role on the Rams offense this season, averaging 5.9 targets per game, leading the team in targets and receiving yards, while finishing with the second most receptions and third most receiving touchdowns. He finished the season out strong, scoring double-digit fantasy points in six of his last seven games and scoring a touchdown in two of his last three games. He is expected to see plenty of Brian Poole this weekend, a matchup that Kupp has a 24 percent advantage rating in. The Rams have one of the higher implied team totals in the Wild Card round, so this offense should do well and considering the spread is less than a touchdown, it should be a close game. Kupp should continue to see a fair amount of targets in this one and makes for a fine play. He will also likely be lower owned than he should be considering the size of the slate.


Tight End


Greg Olsen $5,000 at New Orleans Saints


Olsen was peppered with 27 targets in the last three weeks of the season, which is a good sign heading into the playoffs. He plays against a Saints defense that did well at defending tight ends this season, but a team that Olsen has a nice recent history against. In his last five meetings against them, he has averaged 7.4 receptions and 92.4 receiving yards per game, while scoring three touchdowns. In Week 15, Olsen showed that he still has that 20+ fantasy point upside and this is one of those games where he should see plenty of looks as the Panthers could be chasing points. He remains Cam Newton’s go-to pass catcher and also makes for a nice red zone target, increasing potential touchdown equity. He is also fairly priced considering his upside, which is another plus.


Good luck to all this week. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to me on the Twitter machine: @Armando_Marsal