The second day of Wild Card games gets started on Sunday when the Jacksonville Jaguar hosts the Buffalo Bills at 1:00 PM EST (who would have guessed this would be a playoff game back in early September). The second game of the day will be the third meeting between division rivals as the New Orleans Saints host the Carolina Panthers. While NFL fantasy leagues are over, DFS football is available for Wild Card weekend. For these Sunday games, the following players offer the best NFL value for their price.
QB – Tyrod Taylor $4700
Buffalo Bills
The cheapest starting quarterback of Wild Card weekend (and even cheaper than backup Derek Anderson), Tyrod Taylor could be worth a start on Sunday. Although the Jaguars are the top-ranked team in fantasy against the quarterback, they have looked much more beatable the last four weeks.
The Jaguars have allowed 15 points or more to a quarterback in three of their last four games. In the first 12 games of the season, the Jaguars gave up 15 or more only twice. Part of the reason for their recent struggles is the team’s inability to contain scrambling quarterbacks. They have allowed 35 yards or more in three of their last five games and a rushing touchdown in another. Tyrod is one of the best running quarterbacks in the league. If he can use his legs, he will easily outperform his NFL fantasy value.
RB – Marcus Murphy $3700
Buffalo Bills
With the health of LeSean McCoy questionable for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Marcus Murphy could see a large workload on Sunday. In fact, if McCoy cannot play, Murphy will be the de facto starter for the Buffalo Bills. Murphy had one career rushing attempt and one career reception prior to the Bills’ Week 17 game against the Miami Dolphins.
Murphy filled in well for McCoy. The smaller back averaged 5.9 yards per carry and grabbed two passes out of the backfield. Considering the other running back on the Bills roster is Mike Tolbert, it is likely to see Murphy lead the Bills in touches over Tolbert. The Jaguars biggest weakness this season was their rush defense. Overall for the price, Murphy is a great value on Wild Card Sunday.
WR – Brandon Coleman $3000
New Orleans Saints
A disappointing finish to 2017 has Brandon Coleman priced at only $3000 on Wild Card Sunday. Coleman was on pace for career highs, through his first seven games. However, Coleman caught only ten passes for 119 yards in the Saints final nine games of the season. Even though Coleman struggled down the stretch, the rest of the wide receivers priced at $3000 have been non-existent all season long.
The Panthers are an average team against wide receivers this season. They could have been better had the Saints receiving core not torched their secondary for 315 yards and four touchdowns in their first two meetings this season. Coleman contributed 39 yards and a touchdown in those two games. Overall, Coleman is a bit of a risk, but a better value than just about any other low-cost receiver on Sunday.
Keep in mind that odds makers are expecting this to be a high-scoring game. With a total of 48, this has the second-highest over-under on the board.
TE – Marcedes Lewis $2500
Jacksonville Jaguars
First, it is important to note that Marcedes Lewis is the only Jacksonville Jaguar left on the team from their last playoff appearance in 2007. An interesting fact, but not the main reason Lewis is the best value at tight end on Sunday. No, Lewis is the best value due to his price and the team he plays. Lewis is coming off his best season since 2013. Lewis finished the year with five receiving touchdowns on just 24 receptions, the highest touchdown rate (20.8%) of his career.
Lewis’ biggest drawback was his catch rate of just 50.0%, third lowest of his career and 16.7% lower than it was in 2016. The Bills allow a catch rate of 68.7%. That number makes this a good matchup for Lewis. Lewis should see enough targets and improve his catch rate enough to be an excellent value tight end.
Now that the playoffs have arrived, click here to bet on the football futures for the 2017 NFL season right now. DSI will have all of the latest lines, spreads and props for this year’s action!
