- Saquon Barkley carries a high price tag: As the priciest player on FanDuel for DFS tournaments, Barkley is listed at $16,500, which is $2,000 above his nearest competitor. To justify this cost, he would need to surpass the performance of other stars like Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts in Super Bowl LIX.
- A.J. Brown as a potential Super Bowl MVP?: Brown consistently averages 100.5 receiving yards per game, with five touchdowns in the six games this season where the Eagles have thrown the ball at least 25 times. If the matchup turns into a high-scoring affair, Brown stands to have an outstanding day.
- 2025 NFL Draft season has arrived: Check out a top-notch Mock Draft Simulator to discover the leading prospects for next year while strategizing for your favorite NFL team.
Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes
The 2024 NFL season is nearing its conclusion, yet there remains a final matchup to relish in fantasy football excitement. Get your DFS lineups set and prepare for an exhilarating Super Bowl LIX! In this guide, you'll find my recommended picks, categorized as fire (best options) and ice (less favorable choices) for your fantasy lineup.
Be sure to check out my detailed Fire & Ice chart at the end of this article, where I outline my best, sleeper, and least favorable picks for the upcoming match.
Note: During FanDuel's Super Bowl contests, there are five “flex” spots available, including one “MVP” slot that rewards a 1.5x boost in points for that selected player. There's flexibility in choosing positions for these spots, as there are no position-based limits. FanDuel utilizes half-PPR scoring, meaning I've tailored my analysis based on Half PPR statistics.
Fire Plays for Super Bowl LIX
Quarterback: Jalen Hurts
FanDuel Cost: $13,500 – 3rd highest cost
For my “MVP” FanDuel spot (where points are multiplied by 1.5), Jalen Hurts is my top pick. At $2,500 less than Barkley and $500 below Mahomes, his value is evident. Historically, he has outperformed Mahomes in their previous matchups; during Super Bowl LII, Hurts scored 41.2 fantasy points while Mahomes managed only 24.
Hurts is not solely a ground threat; he's proven capable through the air as well. Post their Week 6 break, the Eagles relied on him to throw 24 or more times in five games, yielding an average of 250 passing yards and 26.4 fantasy points per game.
Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has a reputation for shutting down many QBs, but Hurts has displayed his ability to excel against his defensive schemes. In three career encounters versus the Chiefs, he has averaged 280 passing yards and 49 rushing yards, boasting a fantasy points average of 29.4. Notably, only Joe Burrow has posted higher passing averages against Kansas City since 2021.
Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes
FanDuel Cost: $14,000 – 2nd highest cost
Mahomes seems to be regaining his form after a rocky start to the season, having tallied over 24 points in three out of his last four games. He even delivered a remarkable 30-point performance in the conference championship against the Bills. The challenge will be formidable against the Eagles' impressive offense, which could force Mahomes to unleash his renowned talent, similar to his Super Bowl triumphs, where he's consistently scored in the mid-20s.
While the Eagles boast the leading pass defense in 2024, their performance in previous seasons does not deter Mahomes; he effectively threw three touchdowns against them during their last Super Bowl clash. Although preferred in the MVP slot, Mahomes is still a premium choice for your lineup.
Wide Receiver: A.J. Brown
FanDuel Cost: $12,500 – 4th highest cost
Throughout the season, A.J. Brown's fantasy consistency has fluctuated due to Barkley's splendid performances. However, during matchups where the Eagles lean on their aerial attack, Brown shines. In six games this season, with the team exceeding 25 pass attempts, he averages an impressive 10 targets and 100 receiving yards, including five touchdowns, resulting in an average of 18.2 fantasy points per game. Interestingly, five of those matchups achieved at least 18.6 fantasy points.
The Chiefs' strategy will likely focus on limiting Barkley's impact, prompting the Eagles to rely more on their passing game. This shift bodes incredibly well for Brown's potential to excel.
Tight End: Dallas Goedert
FanDuel Cost: $10,000 – 9th highest cost
In the postseason, Dallas Goedert leads the Eagles in receptions and receiving yards. He has recorded a strong postseason average of about 13 fantasy points across three games, including a team-high seven catches for 85 yards during the NFC Championship. With the Chiefs yielding the most yards to tight ends throughout the 2024 regular season, Goedert presents an enticing option as he seeks a strong performance.
He comes in at a lower price point than Travis Kelce, making him an appealing choice for a breakout performance in Super Bowl LIX. If Goedert finds the end zone, he could prove to be a valuable fantasy asset at his cost.
Ice Plays for Super Bowl LIX
Running Back: Saquon Barkley
FanDuel Cost: $16,500 – Highest cost
While I do not predict Barkley will struggle significantly, it's difficult to justify his steep price tag. Costing more than both Mahomes and Hurts makes his inclusion less attractive, especially when opting for one of those quarterbacks opens up more potential to enhance the lineup with other star players like A.J. Brown.
For Barkley to make his cost worthwhile, he’d need to realistically score 30 points. Although he’s reached this mark in some recent matchups, facing a tough defense like the Chiefs, who allow only 3.9 yards per carry, might make these projections overly ambitious. Despite some solid performances, Barkley has also had plenty of weeks below the 19-point threshold.
Running Back: Kareem Hunt
FanDuel Cost: $10,500 – 8th highest cost
If a Chiefs running back makes it into your lineup, Kareem Hunt is likely the best choice. While he’s expected to receive the lion's share of the backfield carries and goal-line attempts, he has consistently struggled to hit that 15-point mark recently, despite solid performances.
Should you consider any proposition bets, look at the “anytime TD scorer” wager for Hunt, as that could yield favorable results. Nonetheless, his overall potential may not provide the upside necessary for winning DFS tournaments.
Fire & Ice Fantasy Football Plays
Considering DFS pricing, below you'll find my categorized list of key fantasy players sorted into five distinct categories: (1) Fire 🔥 (top starts of the week); (2) Thumbs Up 👍 (strong starts); (3) Cheap Options with Upside; (4) Ice 🥶 (poor value); and (5) Stop 🚫 (players to avoid).