At long last, Wild Card Weekend is here. With six games spanning three days on tap, football fans will be treated to a loaded slate to kick off the postseason. History tells us that playoff matchups are won and lost not just in the trenches, but on the outside. A quality quarterback is only as good as his group of pass catchers, making it crucial to select the right receivers in all DFS formats. Here are three underpriced wideouts that could deliver massive value for fantasy managers.
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Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers ($4,800)
The Chargers under new head coach Jim Harbaugh have prioritized the running game for most of the season. However, following several injuries in the backfield, it looks like Los Angeles is growing more comfortable with quarterback Justin Herbert ($6,000) slinging the ball downfield. The Bolts finished the season with the fifth-fewest pass attempts per game (30.0), but the team had the ninth-most throws over the final three weeks of the season (35.7).
That recent trend bodes well for all of L.A.’s wideouts, including Quentin Johnston. The second-year pro was phenomenal last Sunday, hauling in a career-best 13 receptions for 186 yards against the Raiders. Typically, the TCU product thrives as a deep threat, finishing with a team-leading eight touchdown catches this season. The Texans’ defense has given up the sixth-fewest passing yards to opponents (201.1 YPG), but they’ve also surrendered 31 passing TDs, third-most in the NFL. Johnston might be a bit of a dart throw, but he’s one big play away from surpassing this modest price tag.
Olamide Zaccheaus, Washington Commanders ($4,400)
Quarterback Jayden Daniels ($7,500) has taken the league by storm this season. The Rookie of the Year favorite has surpassed all expectations, leading the 12-win Commanders to the playoffs for the first time in over four years. While the 24-year-old’s rushing ability gets most of the attention, he’s more than capable beating a defense through the air. That usually involves connecting with veteran Terry McLaurin ($6,500), but there’s a few other weapons in Washington worth mentioning.
To win on Sunday night, the Commanders might be forced to deviate from their normal run-first game plan. This season, the Buccaneers have held opponents to just 97.8 rushing yards per game, fourth-fewest in the NFL. If there’s any wideout other than McLaurin that could make an impact, it’s Olamide Zaccheaus. The former Falcons receiver has accounted for 54.4 DK fantasy points since Week 16, a number that would have gone up if Daniels had played more than half of last Sunday’s game in Dallas. While it’s difficult to feel confident in the sixth-year veteran, he’s a better option than the likes of Dyami Brown ($3,400), Jamison Crowder ($3,400) and Luke McCaffrey ($3,000). For fantasy managers looking to grab a piece of this dynamic Washington offense, Zaccheaus makes sense as a buy-low.
Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh Steelers ($4,000)
Ahead of a Saturday night grudge match in Baltimore, the Steelers are trending in the wrong direction. Pittsburgh has scored fewer than 20 points in each of its last four outings, throwing for an average of just 174.5 passing yards during that time. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the team finds itself as significant underdogs vs. the Ravens. If the Steel Curtain has any chance at pulling off the upset, they’ll need a vintage performance from quarterback Russell Wilson ($5,300). Although most of the attention will be on George Pickens ($6,300), a few lesser-known wide receivers could be targeted.
If the Steelers are going to move the ball, it’s most likely to happen through the air. This season, the Ravens have given up the second-most passing yards to opponents (244.1 YPG), as well as the fifth-most DK fantasy points to wide receivers. Assuming Pickens is double-teamed, the next-best option might be Calvin Austin III. The Memphis alum has had a solid second season as a pro, hauling in 36 catches for 548 yards and four touchdowns. When these two teams last played in Week 16, the 25-year-old notched 10.5 DK fantasy points. The main appeal with this play is that its relatively game script-proof; Pittsburgh will either throw the ball to take advantage of a weak secondary, or find itself in an obvious passing situation down multiple scores. At just $4,000, there are far worse ways to fill out a lineup than Austin III.
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is b.armetta) 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 do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skills and judgment in building lineups. 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.
