At long last, we’ve finally reached Super Bowl LIX. In this battle between elite teams, the big names are almost overwhelming. Patrick Mahomes, Saquon Barkley, Travis Kelce and A.J. Brown with everything on the line? It’s tough to imagine any other matchup coming close to this level of star power.
However, as any football fan can tell you, the unknown names are just as important as the Pro Bowlers. Unexpected difference-makers like David Tyree, Tracy Porter and James White have all made a major impact on clinching a title. With that in mind, which X-factors are hiding in plain sight? Here are three value plays to consider in all DFS contests ahead of Sunday’s festivities.
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TE Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles ($5,800)
On a two-team slate, finding dirt-cheap contributors can be a difficult task. Rather than stress over squeezing every penny, why not back a modest, but undervalued, price tag? Dallas Goedert isn’t the first name one thinks of on the Eagles, but he’s a crucial piece for an outstanding offense. This season, the tight end hauled in 42 catches for 496 yards and two touchdowns over ten games.
Most of Philadelphia’s pass-catchers have struggled this postseason, but not Goedert. The veteran has recorded an average of 13.7 fantasy points over the past three weeks. That trend should continue on Sunday; a ferocious Chiefs defensive line will force Jalen Hurts into quick throws. Kansas City has struggled against opposing tight ends, allowing the third-most receiving yards to the position this season (1,323). Expect the Eagles to exploit this weakness by feeding Goedert early and often.
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kansas City Chiefs ($2,000)
For a more traditional bargain-bin pick, the Chiefs have several players that might qualify. The problem is that predicting who Patrick Mahomes will throw to (other than Travis Kelce) is a fool’s errand. Still, not every player needs a handful of receptions to make an impact. That includes veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster, who caught seven passes when Kansas City and Philadelphia met in Super Bowl LVII.
Two years can change a great deal in the NFL. Smith-Schuster is no longer a key piece of this Chiefs offense, as he’s been relegated to fourth/fifth-string status. Still, the wide receiver remains involved in Kansas City’s game plan. He snagged two catches for 60 yards in the AFC Championship Game victory over the Bills. The former Pro Bowler isn’t the most reliable player, but he’s no stranger to this kind of environment. For a cost of $2,000, just a handful of targets could make JuJu a worthwhile investment.
RB Samaje Perine, Kansas City Chiefs ($1,200)
So you want an even cheaper player? Look no further than Samaje Perine. Everything on paper screams ‘stay away’ from the Kansas City running back. Zero postseason carries against an Eagles defense allowing the fewest fantasy points to RBs? Not exactly a recipe for success. Still, while Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco will play a larger role, don’t be shocked if the Chiefs work their third-stringer into the mix. Against Buffalo, the veteran hauled in a 17-yard catch to clinch a Super Bowl appearance.
This season, Perine has hauled in multiple catches in eight different appearances. While Philadelphia dominates the ground game, they’ve allowed the tenth-most receptions to running backs (73). For those who believe the Eagles can pull off the upset, this is a pick that makes a ton of sense. If the Chiefs find themselves in an obvious passing situation, head coach Andy Reid will likely turn to Perine. Even if Kansas City is victorious, it won’t take many catches to deliver value for fantasy managers.
