NFL Conference Championship playoffs are here and it’s time to get those DraftKings lineups in place. So, let’s look at some NFL DraftKings value plays and some overrated picks that are not worth your time this Sunday.
To start, there is an AFC North quarterback who is just too darn slick to not start in DraftKings for the playoffs. Aside from that, spending top dollar on a fantasy wideout who continues to be a total target hog should be worth it as an underdog on the road fighting for the NFC Conference title.
From these value picks to an overrated fantasy receiver who will be pitted against a fierce Ravens defense to a tight end who could see his snaps limited, you might be surprised about our best DraftKings Conference playoff picks and some players slated to come up short.
Related: 2024-25 NFL playoffs predictions: 5 teams poised to make it back to the postseason
NFL DraftKings Conference Playoff picks: Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens, $7,700
As the highest-priced QB in DraftKings for the Conference playoffs, Lamar Jackson remains a value play. Jackson has been in primo form over his last two games, scoring 39 fantasy points in DraftKings in each contest while putting nine TDs on the board. Start him at home against Kansas City with no regrets.
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers, $6,400
To save some DraftKings salary, Purdy is a smart play in the Conference playoffs. Hosting the Lions, who have given up the third-most DraftKings QB fantasy points per game (21.9), Purdy should hold up his end of the bargain.
NFL DraftKings Conference Playoff picks: Running backs
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers, $9,000
If you can budget the $9,000, CMC rarely disappoints in DraftKings fantasy points rewarded. This should be the case when the Lions come to town. Detroit’s defense is highly ranked against running backs, but McCaffrey is far from your average back. The Lions last gave up 91 total yards and a TD to Rashaad White.
Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions, $6,400
In this same Conference championship playoff, Gibbs is a DraftKings value play coming in much cheaper than CMC. Gibbs has rushed in TDs in his last three games and faces a defense that last caved and gave up 108 rushing yards to Aaron Jones.
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings, $4,200
A sneaky DraftKings play for the Conference playoffs is Dalvin Cook. Cook received eight carries last week and ran for a sweet 19-yard pickup on his initial handoff. The Ravens could increase his touches, making him a sleeper DFS start on Sunday.
NFL DraftKings Conference Playoff picks: Wide receivers
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions, $7,900
ARSB has been worth his DraftKings salary and then some based on sheer volume. He has received 33 targets over his last three games, resulting in 331 yards and two TDs. He should continue to remain a force for the 49ers to deal with in the Conference championship game.
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers, $6,900
Aiyuk should turn things around, making him a good DFS start against Detroit. The Lions’ defense ranks third-worst against wide receivers, and with Deebo Samuel banged up, Aiyuk should see an array of targets.
Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers, $4,600
In this same game, Jennings could see more work too, making him a bargain play in DraftKings for the Conference playoffs. Jennings last caught five-of-six of his last targets for 61 yards with Samuel injured last week.
Kadarius Toney, Kansas City Chiefs, $3,200
Practically free, Toney looks to be healthy to suit up and could reward as a sleeper start in DraftKings this Sunday. All it would take is one or two long plays for Toney to hit pay dirt, as we have seen in the past. The Chiefs should be pulling out all the stops to beat the Ravens on Sunday.
NFL DraftKings Conference Playoff picks: Tight ends
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions, $5,400
Cheaper than Travis Kelce by $1,200, LaPorta should continue to score those DraftKings fantasy points as the Lions head to Santa Clara. He’s averaged 13.8 fantasy points over his last four games and has scored twice. The 49ers will surely be challenged to put the brakes on the big guy on Sunday.
Zach Ertz, Detroit Lions, $2,800
Newly signed to the Lions, Zach Ertz makes for an ultra-bargain play at TE in DraftKings. He could see some snaps when LaPorta is resting on the sideline. Ertz has a history of being one of the most efficient fantasy tight ends in the NFL.
DraftKings overrated plays Conference playoffs
Quarterbacks:
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions, $6,300
If we have to pick a QB from the four playing Sunday, Goff could be pegged to come up short. Goff typically plays much better at home, making him a risky start in DFS formats for the Conference playoffs. San Francisco’s defense has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy QB points.
Running backs:
Gus Edwards, $5,500, and Justice Hill, $4,800, Baltimore Ravens
It’s tough to trust starting a Ravens rusher not named Lamar Jackson. That makes both Edwards and Hill very overrated at their DraftKings salaries for the Conference championship. This pair combined for a measly 14.5 DraftKings fantasy points in their last game when Jackson robbed them of their chances.
Wide receivers:
Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs, $6,500
Rice’s fantasy points took a cliff dive in his last game and more of the same could happen on Sunday. Therefore, Rice is a risky DraftKings start going up against the Baltimore defense. After watching the Ravens hold Nico Collins to just five catches for 68 yards when he was targeted 10 times, Baltimore is going to be all over Rice.
Tight Ends:
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens, $5,000
Mark Andrews is an overrated DraftKings play making his way back to the field after having ankle surgery in November. If he receives a lesser workload as a precaution, Andrews is going to disappoint those who start him expecting one of his elite fantasy performances.
