There’s a brisk chill in the air and a buzz of excitement everywhere you go. No, it’s not because of the holiday season — we’re just hyped because the fantasy football playoffs have arrived. Looking to avoid a gut-wrenching defeat? Search no further.
Whether they’re on your season-long roster or you’re looking to pay up for a stud on DraftKings DFS, here are three must-start players for Week 15 and the opening round of the postseason.
RB Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens, $8,300
Smash that start button ’til your screen breaks… the Giants will be kneeling before King Henry this week.
Derrick Henry is one of the rare few at his position who get better as the game, and season, goes on. We’ve seen him excel in the fantasy playoffs time and again, with 20-plus point performances aplenty. He’s second in the NFL with 1,407 rushing yards and has crossed the goal line 15 total times this season. With an average of 21.0 PPG, you can’t go wrong with the driving force behind the Ravens offense.
This game against the New York Giants puts the star runner in prime position for a massive outing. Henry faces a defense which ranks 29th in both average rushing yards allowed and EPA/rush, plus 21st in rushing TDs conceded. The Giants are a lowly 2-11, with a poor quarterback situation, in a game against a team in desperate need of a win for their playoff position. In short, the Ravens should dominate the competition and play from ahead in this one, which means even more rushing work for Henry as they milk the clock.
WR Nico Collins, Houston Texans, $8,100
Who doesn’t love a big-bodied wideout with a 4.45 40-yard dash?
Athletic freaks like Nico Collins don’t come around every day, and even when they do, it isn’t promised they’ll reach the mountaintop of talent in the NFL. The Texans’ star receiver has no such concerns though, and somehow, he still doesn’t get enough recognition. He averages 21.0 PPG, and despite only appearing in eight games, is practically guaranteed to break the 1,000-yard receiving mark this season. He’s a prototypical alpha WR and has the numbers to back it up, both in real life and fantasy.
The Texans face Miami in what’s become a must-win contest if they want to lock in a playoff spot sooner rather than later. While the Dolphins’ defense ranks just outside the top-10 league-wide in passing yards allowed per game, they’re far from an elite unit at 21st in EPA/pass. They also rank seventh overall in rushing yards given up and ninth in EPA/rush, so look for Houston to attack through the air in this one. Collins puts up points to begin with, but going heavier on the aerial attack only boosts his upside.
QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders, $7,500
Riding the hot hand is a valid strategy, so let’s try it again, shall we?
Jayden Daniels has some competition in the Rookie of the Year race with Broncos QB Bo Nix hot on his tail. However, Daniels is fresh off the bye week, and in the week prior, he posted an impressive 28.6 points against an underrated Titans defense with four total touchdowns. He can get it done through the air with great efficiency, or on the ground with his rushing ability. Dual-threat quarterbacks are the most valuable in fantasy, after all.
This week, Daniels gets a juicy matchup with a New Orleans Saints squad ranked 30th in total yardage allowed per game, 28th in passing yards allowed, and 14th in points per game. The Saints also have an inexperienced quarterback with Jake Haener set to start, plus their offensive weapons are decimated due to injury. This one could get out of hand quickly, but not before Daniels does his damage.
Honorable mention: TE Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals, $6,000
Trey McBride is TE3 in both overall scoring and points per game, and he hasn’t even caught a touchdown yet this season. He has the seventh-longest streak of receptions without a score in NFL history, and at some point, that has to change.
He could be a bit of a differential that separates your lineup from others since many folks like to go cheap at tight end. He’s got a matchup with the Patriots this week, whose defense is fairly solid overall. The Cardinals are playing for playoff position, and McBride averages over six targets per game. At some point, the scores have to come, right?
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $2.5M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st]
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
DraftKings promoters may sometimes play on personal accounts in the games that advice is offered on. Personal views on the games and strategies above do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skills and judgment in building lineups. DraftKings promoters may also deploy different players and strategies than what is recommended above. DraftKings promoters do not have access to any non-public information.
