Stacking running backs with a defense/special teams can be a fruitful fantasy option, as teams who get out to a big lead may elect to attempt to shorten the game by running the ball more. A big lead can also lead to opposing teams elevating their passing output to try to catch up, which can create more opportunities for sacks and turnovers.
Here are some RB-DST stacks that fantasy owners can consider using on DraftKings’ four-game NFL playoff slate, which locks at 4:25 p.m. ET on Saturday.
3. Aaron Jones ($7,400) & Packers DST ($2,800) vs. Seahawks
Seattle is a bit of a run-funnel, as they’re pass defense ranks 15th according to DVOA, but their run defense ranks only 26th. Jones has run for over 100 yards in three of his last four games. His workload is barely impacted by the presence of Jamaal Williams (shoulder; $4,500), who seems likely to return after missing Week 17. The RB pool dries up quickly, and while there are a few cheaper plays who might reasonably have good games, few of those are likely to succeed with the type game script that the RB-DST stack is designed to profit from. The Packers’ defense has forced at least one turnover in each of their last five games, and they led all remaining playoff teams in interceptions this season.
2. Damien Williams ($6,000) & Chiefs DST ($3,200) vs. Texans
I’m not a huge fan of either Williams or the Chiefs’ defense, but the math and the strategy behind the RB-DST is rock-solid, and this is the game where I think the strategy is most likely to apply. The Chiefs offense is explosive, and the Texans have one of the worst defenses among the remaining playoff teams. Of the final eight, on the 49ers have committed more turnovers than the Texans, and turnovers are (of course) one of the biggest drivers of DFS scoring. Williams has taken the clear lead in the Chiefs backfield, dominating the carries in each of his last four healthy games. The DraftKings Sportsbook currently has the Chiefs as 9.5-point favorites for this game. If you think that line is fair, you should be strongly considering this stack. Or, to look at it another way, if you’re not considering this stack, you should probably be putting some money on the Texans +9.5.
1. Dalvin Cook ($8,000) & Vikings DST ($2,700) at 49ers
You could make a pretty reasonable argument that Cook is the best RB still alive, and the Vikings’ defense is certainly better than the units attached to Cook’s biggest competitors for that title – Derrick Henry and the Titans and Aaron Jones and the Packers. It can be intimidating to target the 49ers’ good defense, but it has been no where near as good as it was at the start of the season. Furthermore, they are much worse against the run than against the pass – as if the Vikings’ coaching staff needed more excuses to run the ball. The Vikings have run up the score a few times this season, with eight double-digit wins. And, as long as Cook is healthy, he gets a ton of touches no matter what the score is. In games when he played at least 35 snaps, he averaged 20.1 carries. He scored in 10 of those 12, and topped 90 yards in eight of them.
I am an avid fan and user (my username is arikleen) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.