Best NFL DFS sleepers and expert value picks for DraftKings, FanDuel playoff contests in conference championships

The NFL has reached its version of the final four — better known as the conference championships — and this weekend will decide which teams will represent the AFC and NFC in Super Bowl 59. With so much on the line for all involved, this is a great time to enter a DFS lineup on DraftKings, FanDuel or SuperDraft. 

As always, we're here to help you along the way. The Sporting News, as it has all season long, has a fresh batch of DFS sleepers and value plays lined up. The main objective: shine a light on the best cost-efficient players throughout this weekend's player pool, so you can get the most bang for your daily fantasy buck. 

For years now, this column has compiled undervalued gems each and every week on DraftKings, FanDuel and now SuperDraft. Anyone can spot the elite DFS stars — it's the sleepers and value picks that separate lineups from the crowd and make you some real money.

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Let's get right to the best DFS sleepers and value picks for the conference championship games. We'll highlight the most affordable high-value options at each position, as well as their listed cost or scoring boost on each DFS site.

Best NFL DFS sleepers for conference championships: Quarterback

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs vs. Bills (DK: $6,000 | FD: $7,700 | SD: 1.25x)

Mahomes somehow ranks as the cheapest of the four starting QBs this weekend, which blows our minds considering how unbelievably clutch the future Hall-of-Famer has been throughout his playoff career. You don't go 16-3 in the postseason by accident, folks, and home-field advantage at Arrowhead Stadium means something. 

The Bills have a stellar defense, no doubt — but it's far better at Highmark Stadium than it has been on the road. And Mahomes is a matchup-proof talent with lethal weapons like Travis Kelce, DeAndre Hopkins, Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown. Give us the two-time MVP and two-time Super Bowl MVP in a game oddsmakers project to finish around 25-23, Kansas City.

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Best NFL DFS sleepers for conference championships: Running back

Kareem Hunt, Chiefs vs. Bills (DK: $5,400 | FD: $6,000 | SD: 1.5x)

Hunt has once again become the man in the Chiefs' backfield, out-touching Isiah Pacheco 9-to-5 in Kansas City's divisional-round victory over the Texans.

Buffalo is much easier to run on than Houston — the Bills were among the 10 most generous defenses to running backs in fantasy this season — so don't be surprised if Hunt does some damage and finds the end zone for a second straight week. 

Austin Ekeler, Commanders at Eagles (DK: $5,300 | FD: $5,600 | SD: 1.55x)

Ekeler cracked this list last week, and he promptly put up 12.8 DK points against a tough Detroit defense. He and the Commanders draw another tough D this weekend — perhaps the toughest — and game script should see Jayden Daniels throwing the ball to the pass-catching back plenty. These prices make Ek a fantastic value. 

Other strong RB values in the conference championship round:

• Ty Johnson, Bills at Chiefs (DK: $4,400 | FD: $5,300 | SD: 1.7x)
• Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles vs. Commanders (DK: $4,600 | FD: $4,800 | SD: 1.7x)

Best NFL DFS sleepers for conference championships: Wide receiver

Dyami Brown, Commanders at Eagles (DK: $4,400 | FD: $5,400 | SD: 1.45x)

Brown has been phenomenal for Washington in the postseason, posting a combined 35.7 DK points in the Commanders' wins over Tampa Bay and Detroit. The young speedster seems to have developed a strong rapport with rookie QB Jayden Daniels. 

With Philly's stud rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (shoulder) banged up, the Eagles might need to pay extra attention to top D.C. wideout Terry McLaurin. Brown could find himself open a couple times as a result, and all he needs is one or two chunk plays to make some DFS noise. 

Khalil Shakir, Bills at Chiefs (DK: $5,700 | FD: $6,400 | SD: 1.2x)

Shakir continues to be Josh Allen's main man, and he continues to be an undervalued gem on the DFS market. He put up 12-plus DK points in each of the past two weeks, and he should be very busy in a game that Kansas City is projected to win by less than two points. Fire this dude up.

Xavier Worthy, Chiefs vs. Bills (DK: $5,500 | FD: $6.500 | SD: 1.25x)

You can't go wrong with a speedy, young Chiefs wideout in late January. Worthy has caught 13 of his past 15 targets from Patrick Mahomes, and this game should see plenty of passing volume from both sides. Fire the rookie up and enjoy rooting for the fastest guy on the field. 

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Best NFL DFS sleepers for conference championships: Tight end

Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs. Commanders (DK: $4,500 | FD: $5,900 | SD: 1.35x)

Still a value! A $4,500 price tag is not bad for a tight end who averages 10.9 DK points per game and just hauled in all four of his targets in the divisional round. The Commanders were only middle-of-the-pack against TEs this season, and Goedert should enjoy going mano-a-mano with former Eagles teammate Zach Ertz. 

Zach Ertz, Commanders at Eagles (DK: $4,300 | FD: $5,500 | SD: 1.4x)

Speaking of Ertz, we like him this weekend, too! The veteran tight end hauled in 5-of-5 targets for 28 yards and a touchdown last weekend in Detroit, and he seems to have really earned the trust of his rookie QB. Look for him to be involved in third downs and in the scoring zone once again this weekend. 

Best NFL DFS sleepers for conference championships: D/ST

Buffalo Bills at Chiefs (DK: $2,900 | FD: $4,000)

This is a gut play, as it's tough to love any of the four defenses in the conference championships. Yours truly has Buffalo winning this game, and we've seen Mahomes and the Chiefs make more mistakes this season than perhaps ever before. A couple turnovers and sacks, and this pick looks like a fine value play, considering the Bills are the second-cheapest D/ST of the weekend.