Daily Fantasy Football Picks for the Conference Championships - Draftster

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Reminder: This article explores Draftster-specific value and will hone in on some of the major pricing differences we see there. Much like DraftKings, the Draftster model has wider range of salaries, offering some fantastic punt-play value. Keep this in mind.

Quarterback

Russell Wilson - $6500
If you are looking for the most value relative to the salary then this is the quarterback to play on Draftster. Seems crazy to think this is who you would run out there on a slate that featured Luck, Brady and Rodgers, but Wilson is coming in so cheap relative to the field. Against a Carolina D that was in the top ten in least yards allowed from scrimmage this season, Wilson threw for 268 yards and 3 TDs. He also chucked in 22 yards rushing. It’s the space he takes with his legs that always gives the dude a high floor. Green Bay’s D isn’t bad, they ranked right around Carolina in total yards. It’s just that I think you are getting so many expected points in relation to price that it becomes diminishing returns spending up for the higher-priced QBs. Granted, making the money work on Draftster (or really anywhere this week) is very tough and you may be in a situation where you have more than enough left over to spend up to say, Luck. It’s that kind of week. But from a value perspective, Wilson is your guy on Draftster.

Running Backs

Marshawn Lynch - $6600
In cash games, I’d play both he and Wilson. While I do think it would very difficult for both he and Russell to completely crush their respective prices (because their production isn’t always related, Lynch doesn’t catch a lot of balls), pairing them together comes across as an extremely safe way to get the money in. They will account for almost all of the Seahawks’ production in a game that Vegas has the home team scoring right around 27 points. This would be the cash game move I’d be making. Lynch is really the only feature back on this slate with any set running duties (I’ll get to Herron in a bit) and he’s awfully affordable. The Packers are somewhat susceptible to the run and ranked in the bottom half of the league in average yards per rushing attempt.

Daniel Herron -
The Colts showed last week that they were willing to establish the run in order to keep the ball out of Manning and company’s hands. They ran Herron a season-high 23 times. And while he only gained 63 yards for the effort, he also chipped in with a touchdown along with 8 catches for 32 yards. That’s a fantastic game for anyone, but especially for a guy at his price. It stands to reason they will want to do much of the same this time around after seeing Justin Forsett put up 129 yards last week against the Pats. Really no way to get around playing both Herron and Lynch on this slate. I’d be doing all of my salary maneuvering at the WR position.

Wide Receivers

Julian Edelman - $7100
We had Edelman as a top Draftster play last week when, coming back from injury he was listed at the absolute minimum. That kind of free money is over now, but it doesn’t mean he still isn’t a value. He caught 8 passes for 74 yards on 14 targets last week and is clearly Brady’s main look in this offense. They way the Pats use Edelman in safe, underneath routes means he keeps his floor high because the volume should be there. He begins to essentially take the place of the run for the Pats. Oh, and he’s also got a pretty good arm.

Donte Moncrief - $3000
As James pointed out in our main picks article, Revis will likely cover Hilton in this one, opening up more opportunity for Moncrief. This play is a steal really. If you could guarantee he’d see another eight targets from Luck in this one then I’d play him at the minimums without even thinking twice. He had trouble converting last week, but I see the 25% reception rate as more of an outlier than anything. Such a solid deal. Set it and forget it.

Tight Ends

Rob Gronkowski - $7300
For me, the conversation at tight end starts and stops with Gronk. There is no one else I’d even consider playing in a cash game on Draftster this week. Because they are a smaller outfit, I don’t think you need the kind of lineup variation you might see in the huge buyins on another site. It’s always nice to find separation of course, but this isn’t really the spot to do it. No other tight end on this slate (or really at all) sees the kind of usage he gets. Last week was seven catches on 13 targets for 108 yards and a touch. Much like Edelman, he helps make up the Patriots’ de facto run game.

Consider Dwayne Allen but not really.