2015 Gridiron Playoff Challenge: 5 Most Valuable WRs

By Sean Cordy

5 Most Valuable WRs for Wild Card Weekend

Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Detroit Lions — Just because the NFL regular season is over doesn’t mean you can’t get your fantasy football fix. It’s time to make your selections for the ESPN Gridiron Playoff Challenge.

Like normal fantasy football, it’s all about picking value. Like FanDuel or Draft Kings, you have a salary, making it more difficult to create a top lineup. But luckily, the market values set on certain players give you great advantage if you manage them correctly.

5. Dez Bryant – Dallas Cowboys

dezbryant

5. Dez Bryant – Dallas Cowboys

dezbryant - Copy — I have Bryant scoring the second most points among WRs this week, but at his .9 million worth, he’s not quite the second most valuable option. He’s heading into the playoffs with a league leading 16 receiving TDs, which can’t go ignored. He and Tony Romo will light up the Lions, but there’s also an air of invariability that could give Bryant multiple or no touchdowns, but likely the former.

4. Antonio Brown – Pittsburgh Steelers

Carolina Panthers v Pittsburgh Steelers

4. Antonio Brown – Pittsburgh Steelers

Carolina Panthers v Pittsburgh Steelers — With Le’Veon Bell likely out for the Steelers, they’ll be looking at the league’s No. 1 fantasy WR in Brown to lead the way against division foe Baltimore Ravens. He hasn’t scored multiple times since Week 8, but that could change this week. But he’ll definitely at least rack up the yards, but his .9M price tag keeps me from locking him up as the most valuable WR selection.

3. Calvin Johnson – Detroit Lions

Minnesota Vikings v Detroit Lions

3. Calvin Johnson – Detroit Lions

Minnesota Vikings v Detroit Lions — A case should be made for teammate Golden Tate to be listed as well, as he’s had a better season, but I can’t shake Johnson’s reputation off. Just think about the matchup problems Johnson should create against the Dallas Cowboys this week – remember his jump ball catch over three Cowboys last time? Johnson’s value is a little high compared to his body of work this season, but at least it’s lower than my last two selections.

2. Kelvin Benjamin – Carolina Panthers

Kelvin Benjamin

2. Kelvin Benjamin – Carolina Panthers

Kelvin Benjamin — I loved Benjamin coming into the season and during the season. Why change it now? Sure, he had two rough games, but it’s hard not to like his moderately low .5M asking price. He’s Cam Newton’s favorite target and should definitely be a centerpiece against the Arizona Cardinals this week; definitely worth his valuation.

1. Martavis Bryant – Pittsburgh Steelers

Martavis Bryant-Getty Images

1. Martavis Bryant – Pittsburgh Steelers

Martavis Bryant-Getty Images - Copy — Bryant’s emergence in the latter half of the season is what’s making his asking price so low at .4 million. If the valuation was based on recent performance, he’d be ranked with Dez Bryant and fellow teammate Antonio Brown. Brown might be the safer option overall, but Bryant’s potential is similar and you’re getting him at half a million less.

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