Just eight teams remain in the quest for a Lombardi trophy. Four NFL games are on tap this weekend, a must-watch Divisional Round slate for football fans. It all gets started on Saturday, when the Bills battle the Broncos in Denver. At night, the 49ers and Seahawks meet for the third time this season. On Sunday, the action continues with Texans vs. Patriots. As a nightcap, the Rams travel to Chicago to take on the Bears.
With less than a month remaining in the NFL season, the time is now to set some DFS lineups. Still, that’s easier said than done with such a small number of games. Here are three low-cost players to target before Saturday’s NFL action gets started.
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RB Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams at CHI ($5,100)
Much of the hype around the Rams is due to their passing game. Matthew Stafford ($6,600), Puka Nacua ($9,000) and Davante Adams ($6,500) form a lethal trio through the air. Still, this team can beat opposing defenses in a number of different ways. On the ground, Los Angeles is tied for sixth in the NFL with 4.6 yards per carry. Kyren Williams ($6,600) remains RB1, but there’s room for another talented rusher out of the backfield. Blake Corum has been terrific this season for LA, emerging as a viable fantasy option. Through 17 games, he’s notched 746 rushing yards and six total touchdowns.
Sunday night’s matchup has all the ingredients for a shootout. Still, Rams head coach Sean McVay would prefer to dominate time of possession. It helps that Chicago’s defense is allowing 5.0 yards per rush attempt, fourth-worst in football. Last week vs. the Panthers, Corum handled the ball 11 times for 45 rushing yards. He also chipped in with two receptions and 13 more yards. Despite middling results, 13 total carries isn’t too shabby. Against Carolina, Corum garnered a 37% snap share, his third-highest total of the season. Anything similar on Sunday could make the second-year pro a steal at his current price.
WR Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears vs. LAR ($4,700)
We’ll stay at Soldier Field, where Caleb Williams ($6,100) and company are riding high. Chicago’s passing game can be somewhat inconsistent, but there’s a ton of potential with this group. One name that’s come on strong as of late is Luther Burden III. The rookie has emerged as one of Williams’ favorite targets, surging past more experienced wideouts on the depth chart. Over his last seven games, Burden III has recorded 31 receptions for 445 yards and a touchdown.
With that being said, the 22-year-old only snagged three catches for 42 yards last weekend vs. Green Bay. Still, he managed to command seven targets in the process. That bodes well for his chances going into Sunday’s contest with the Rams. Los Angeles is allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. To boot, the Bears are dealing with injuries to both DJ Moore (knee) and Rome Odunze (foot). As of Friday, both are expected to play. However, they might not be operating at full speed. At just $4,700, it may only take one big play for Burden to make an impact.
TE Jake Tonges, San Francisco 49ers at SEA ($3,400)
The 49ers were dealt a tough blow on Sunday when All-Pro George Kittle suffered an Achilles tear. With the tight end’s season over, San Francisco will be short-handed at the position. If there’s any reason for optimism, backup Jake Tonges has done an admirable job filling in this season. Through 17 games, the 26-year-old has caught 34 passes for 293 yards and five touchdowns. However, he only managed to secure one catch for 14 yards last week vs. Philadlephia.
There’s certainly some risk in starting Tonges. However, the third-year pro has delivered several quality performances already this season. He’s recorded at least ten fantasy points on five different occasions already. That includes a three-catch, touchdown-scoring performance against Seattle in Week 1 (10.5 FPTS). The Seahawks are somewhat vulnerable over the middle, allowing the fifth-most receptions (105) and sixth-most receiving yards (1,080) to tight ends. That alone is enough reason to consider backing Tonges on Saturday.
