Sleeper captain picks for NFC Wild Card showdowns

The NFC Wild Card round has two good passing game matchups, so running with a quarterback is a good idea in the captain’s spot, but if we can narrow down a top, non-QB, there is a good shot we can increase our chances of beating out the competition.

Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles

D.K. Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks ($8,800)

I’m likely to go with Russell Wilson or Carson Wentz in the captain’s spot for this game, but I love Metcalf’s upside against the Eagles pass defense, which shuts down slot receivers and is smoked by outside receivers. Metcalf is also coming off a big target game, as he had 12 last week against the 49ers and put up good numbers with six receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown.

Metcalf finished the season with 100 targets to Tyler Lockett’s 111. Both receivers had inconsistent targets which often coincided with game flow. I expect this game to be close, as does Vegas and that should mean plenty of targets for Metcalf, who gets the easier matchup between the two best Seahawks’ receivers.

Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints

Adam Thielen, WR, Vikings ($7,400 )

The Saints studs will all be popular picks, with Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas all strong captain’s plays, but if you’re looking to go contrarian, Thielen is an interesting pick. The hope is that Thielen is all the back after getting extra rest in Week 17 and that he’ll see time in the slot. On average he’s seen 33 percent of his snaps from the slot and 40 percent from the right side. The Saints rank 30th in fantasy points allowed to slot receivers and 25th to left aligned outside receivers. Marshon Lattimore should shadow Stefon Diggs and even if he doesn’t, they line up against each other anyway.

This game has the highest over/under of the weekend and the Saints are big favorites. Thielen will get his chances in come from behind mode and has a good chance of putting up big numbers.

I am an avid fan and user (my username is cogresha) 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.