This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Football series.
In the Saturday slate of NFL wild-card games, we've got the Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars. Because there are just two games, we've got some challenges with everyone building the same roster. The key to winning when the slate is shallow is to be contrarian. I'll help you do that and save your budget by giving you a player at each position who I feel is priced at a value. Enjoy the playoffs and good luck!
Quarterback:
Brock Purdy ($7,100) vs. Seattle Seahawks
Since taking over as the starting 49ers quarterback in Week 13, Purdy has been unstoppable. He's thrown multiple touchdowns in each of the last six games, including this week's opponent, back in Week 15. In that game against the Seahawks, Purdy completed 17 passes for 217 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. He has a total of 14 touchdowns in that six-game span, 13 of which were passing touchdowns. The Seattle Seahawks' defense ranks 16th against the quarterback position. The only quarterback cheaper than Purdy this Saturday is Geno Smith.
Running Back:
Elijah Mitchell ($5,500) vs. Seattle Seahawks
Mitchell exploded onto the scene against the Arizona Cardinals last week. It was his first game back since Week 12. He only rushed five times, but he made them count. Totaling 55 yards and rushing for two touchdowns. The 49ers have arguably the best running back on their team in Christian McCaffrey, but Kyle Shanahan is no stranger to mixing it up in the backfield. The 49ers have fresh legs in Mitchell and there's no reason not to use him this week. He's motivated and looks explosive. San Francisco should have little trouble scoring against the Seahawks, especially on the ground as Seattle's defense has given up the forth-most fantasy points to running backs this season.
Wide Receiver:
DK Metcalf ($7,100) at San Francisco 49ers
Here is my only non-49ers player for you. DK Metcalf has been quiet in the last couple of games; however, he gets plenty of targets and can often turn them into fantasy production. The San Francisco 49ers are the best defense in the league, but they do rank 27th against the wide receiver position. With how hot they have been on offense; Smith will have to unload a ton of passes to keep up and take advantage of the 49ers' defensive soft spot. Metcalf has the ability to take the top off of defenses and will be primed to do just that in what should be his last game of the 2022/2023 season.
Tight End:
George Kittle ($7,700) vs. Seattle Seahawks
I know I said in the intro that I'd be giving you the best value plays at each position, but there is seriously no other tight end I trust this Saturday. I'd be shocked if the winning lineups for the Saturday games do not include Kittle. He's totaled 18 catches for 265 yards and seven touchdowns in his last four games. These are insane numbers at the position and something you can't afford to leave on the bench. Purdy will look Kittle's way a bunch this weekend, as the matchup is just too good. The Seattle Seahawks rank dead-last against the tight end position. Sometimes, you just have to pay up to secure fantasy points.
Defense:
San Francisco 49ers ($4,700) vs. Seattle Seahawks
Why not end it with the San Francisco 49ers' defense? They are the best defense in the playoffs and have the best matchup of all Saturday teams. The Seahawks rank 20th against opposing defenses. The 49ers' defense has been on fire by creating turnovers and getting to the quarterback. Last week, they had four takeaways and sacked the quarterback three times. They have eight sacks and nine turnovers in their last four games.
