Five Sleepers For the Fantasy Football Playoffs: Wild Card Edition
Wilson could thrive against Washington, and could also make a deep playoff run.
Whether you’re playing over at NFL.com for the playoff-long game or duking it out each round in weekly fantasy football playoff games, you probably could use a little extra advice during the NFL Playoffs.
Our regular season of handing out advice is over, but we still like to stick around and help out this with questions as the NFL Playoffs get going. Here are a few guys I’ve got my eye on that might be flying a bit under the radar in fantasy football games and leagues in the first round of the playoffs:
Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks
Most fantasy gamers will want to use Aaron Rodgers in the first round of the playoffs and Tom Brady or Peyton Manning in round, two, but Wilson should be far cheaper in salary cap formats, and has a good shot at advancing to round two in playoff-long systems. He’s not your typical rookie and faces a Redskins defense that is still pretty vulnerable in the passing game.
Christian Ponder, QB, Minnesota Vikings
I prefer Wilson, but after showing us he’s all grows up last week, Ponder might be worth the risk on the road against the Pack. Ponder burned the Packers for 234 yards and three touchdowns in the week 17 season finale, and has real confidence going into the wild card round. Green Bay’s defense can be very tough, but judging by last week, Ponder certainly has a chance for a solid repeat effort. He also could advance to the second round, which would give you extra points in NFL.com’s playoff challenge.
DaJuan Harris, RB, Green Bay Packers
Harris might be hovering under the fantasy radar a bit entering the fantasy playoffs, as Alex Green and Ryan Grant are very much a part of the equation in Green Bay’s back-field. He also doesn’t have an ideal matchup with the Vikings this week, but I am leaning on him as the Packers back to use to start the playoffs. He’s the most natural runner on the team and has been very effective over the last four games. Don’t be too shocked if Harris takes over as the top back in Green Bay if the Packers can move forward in the playoffs, either.
Marvin Jones, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Jones is still a little rough around the edges, but has stepped up for the Bengals the past two weeks, hauling in 10 receptions for 110 yards and a score. He’s now Cincy’s official #2 receiver and could be a surprise performer against the Texans in round one of the playoffs. Jones has big-play ability and Houston will look to shutdown A.J. Green, giving him some interesting sleeper potential.
Jarius Wright, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Wright burned the Packers for 90 yards and a touchdown last week, and has really been coming on strong in the second half of the year. He beat Green Bay before and could certainly do it again. With his ability to stretch the field, he’s becoming a key part of the Vike’s offense and could be a nice sleeper in fantasy playoff games in round one.
