DraftKings Projected Ownership: Wild Card Week

We only have four games to work with this week, but it feels like seven or eight games because of the level of talent on these offenses. We’ve got a handful of stellar running back choices to work with and the ownership projections reflect that with five players at 25% owned. The other positions are more straightforward this week with some more clear-cut top plays.

Get our complete projected ownership report here

Quarterback

Highest Projected Player

• Alex Smith (KC): $6,300 vs TEN — 35.8%

Both Smith and Drew Brees should be over 30% owned as both come into the easiest matchups on the slate and with reliable game logs. Behind them, both Cam Newton and Jared Goff should come in at near 10% ownership.

Running Back

Highest Projected Players

• Leonard Fournette (JAX): $7,400 vs BUF — 53.2%
• Alvin Kamara (NO): $8,600 vs CAR — 46.4%

With PPR on the table, Kamara will see huge ownership once again despite his inflated price and seemingly difficult matchup. It is Fournette, however, who has by far the easiest matchup and will be owned in around 50% of lineups as a result. Not too far behind, will be Todd Gurley and Christian McCaffrey, who will both be up above 30%, with Mark Ingram also expected to be around 25% owned.

Wide Receiver

Highest Projected Players

• Michael Thomas (NO): $7,800 vs CAR — 59.1%
• Tyreek Hill (KC): $6,800 vs TEN — 36.9%
• Cooper Kupp (LAR): $5,800 vs ATL — 34.8%

By far the safest play on the slate is Thomas, who is both in a good matchup and ultra consistent. Julio Jones will also have over 25% ownership, primarily in GPP contests, but more lineups are expected to use Hill and Cupp, who are significantly cheaper and in better matchups. Beyond those four, Kelvin Benjamin‘s price is almost too good to pass up, with Mohamed Sanu and Dede Westbrook also expected to see 20% ownership or more.

Tight End

Highest Projected Players

• Travis Kelce (KC): $7,100 vs TEN — 39.1%
• Charles Clay (BUF): $4,000 @ JAX — 33.9%

With all of the expensive plays receiving a ton of attention at other positions, this may be the week to use two tight ends as Clay may be the top value on the entire slate. Kelce will likely be the most owned, however, as his lead over the rest of the field in projected points outweighs even the difference in his price over the field. After those two, Delanie Walker should also be owned in near 1 in 5 lineups with no others expected to be above 10%.

Defense

Highest Projected Team

• Jacksonville Jaguars (JAX): $4,400 vs BUF — 34.5%

The defenses seem to be fairly priced this week, but even with Jacksonville at $1,000 more than the rest of the defenses, they will likely be owned in near one every five lineups. The matchup and game script are just too good to ignore. Right behind them will probably be the Chiefs, who have been excellent at home and draw the struggling Mariota. Only the Saints and Bills are expected to see substantial ownership out of the remaining defensive units.

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Thanks for reading. If you haven’t already, please check out the FantasyPros Football Podcast (below) that I co-host with Mike Tagliere. Good luck this season.

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