The first round of the playoffs begins on Saturday, and this is the time of year where daily fantasy football leagues are at their most competitive levels. Before you draft your team, be sure that you’ve looked over our analysis on the three main positions. Making these tough decisions correctly will help you get one step closer to dominating your fantasy league, even during the toughest portion of the DFS year.
Starting the Best Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers: Rodgers is by far the top fantasy performer at the QB position this weekend. As a result of this, he’s also probably going to be the most expensive QB in your league. Rodgers has 40 TDs this season, and he has averaged 276.8 yards passing per game. This puts him a bit ahead of others at this position, especially considering that he only has 8 fumbles and 7 interceptions this season. However, with the Green Bay Packers facing the tough New York Giants defense this week, Rodgers is likely to have a below average game here. Add that to his high cost, and he’s someone you should pass on this weekend.
Ben Roethlisberger: Roethlisberger has had a strong season, but he’s been a little unpredictable in a few games this season. Roethlisberger is going to be cheaper than Rodgers, but not so much that he will seem like a huge bargain, especially because he’s averaging more than 5 fantasy points less per week than Rodgers, according to DraftKings. Roethlisberger has just 29 touchdowns this season, but has played in fewer games. He’s averaging 272.8 yards per game, putting him at basically the same level as Rodgers here. But thanks to the fact that the Steelers go against the #28 ranked Miami Dolphins defense this weekend, Roethlisberger is in a position to perform at an above average level.
Wide Receiver to Play
Odell Beckham, Jr.: Beckham has 10 TDs this season, and has averaged 85.4 yards per game this season. These are strong stats, and Beckham could perform well this weekend against the Green Bay Packers as they are ranked #31 when it comes to points allowed against WRs. Beckham does not have the same point ceiling that some other players have. When you are drafting a top level WR at this point in the season, a high point ceiling is a must and we don’t see that with him this weekend.
Antonio Brown: Brown is our top choice at wide receiver this weekend. You saw our argument for why Roethlisberger was the top choice at QB this weekend, and Brown’s justification is very similar. The Dolphins are not quite as bad defensively when it comes to giving up fantasy points to WRs, but they are still ranked #22. Brown has 12 TDs this season, and has averaged 85.6 yards per game. One of the reasons why his yards per game number is so low is because of the struggles that Roethlisberger had with injury. Those appear to be in the past, and this should push Brown’s numbers up even higher than they have been.
Running Back will be Key
Le’Veon Bell: It almost goes without saying that Bell is the top RB scheduled this weekend. He is also probably going to be the most expensive player in your league, regardless of position. The Miami defense is ranked #22 against the rush, and Bell has averaged 105.7 yards per game with 9 TDs. It’s hard to make any sort of argument against drafting him except for his price tag. If you can justify his cost, don’t think twice about drafting him. If you’re looking for someone cheaper, our top pick is listed below.
Damien Williams: Williams finds himself in an interesting spot this game. As the #2 RB for the Dolphins, Williams normally wouldn’t be a good choice. But the Pittsburgh defense is weak against the running game, and #1 RB Jay Ajayi is questionable this week. The Dolphins will be relying on Williams more than usual this game, and his average of 7.7 yards per game is going to get left in the dust. He also has 3 TDs this season, meaning that he’s more likely to be used in red zone situations by the Miami offense. If Ajayi is perfectly healthy this week, Williams should be avoided. But as of right now, that looks unlikely.
