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NFL Playoff Fantasy Rankings

Draft Rankings for Your Playoff Tournaments

Note: This article was originally published on January 3. Rankings were updated January 13.

Playoff rankings? Before the regular season even ends?

You bet!

After all, most fantasy leagues wrapped up on Sunday night. You can already join postseason contests on sites like the FFPC and Underdog Fantasy.

Let's get into our macro view of the NFL playoffs, followed by positional and overall rankings:

AFC Playoff Picture

(Numbers in parentheses show projected games played.)

1. Ravens (3)
2. Bills (3)
3. Chiefs (2)
4. Texans (1)
5. Browns (2)
6. Dolphins (1)
7. Steelers (1)

NFC Playoff Picture

1. 49ers (3)
2. Cowboys (3)
3. Lions (1)
4. Buccaneers (1)
5. Eagles (2)
6. Rams (2)
7. Packers (1)

Playoff Rankings: Top 50 Overall

*Bold text designates an injured player.

1. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (calf)

McCaffrey suffered a calf strain in Week 17 and rested during Sunday’s finale. He’ll be a full-go when the 49ers suit up for the Divisional Round on January 20 or 21. On the year, CMC led all RBs in PPR points (328.3) and PPR points per game (20.5).

2. CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys

Following a slow start, Lamb has averaged 116 yards per game since Week 6. Green Bay turns up an excellent overall matchup in the opening round, while we project Dallas to play three games.

3. Josh Allen, Bills

Allen’s prolonged slump ended Sunday night in Miami. Taking advantage of a thinned-out defense, Allen tallied 2 scores and over 400 total yards. A down year for the AFC gives Buffalo a real shot at reaching the AFC Championship. We’ll monitor the status of WR Gabe Davis, who was just diagnosed with a PCL sprain. We'll also keep an eye on the weather in Orchard Park, as windy conditions are likely in store.

4. Lamar Jackson, Ravens

After resting for Week 18 – and then entering an opening-round bye – Jackson should be fully healthy for the Divisional Round. The 27-year-old ranked third among QBs in fantasy points per game. While chalky, our rankings assume Baltimore makes the Super Bowl.

5. Deebo Samuel, 49ers

Samuel narrowly edged out Brandon Aiyuk in PPR points per game (16.2 vs. 15.7). Rushing production was key, as Samuel notched a 37-225-5 line. If Christian McCaffrey (calf) suffers a setback, Samuel figures to pick up some of the slack. We project San Francisco to play three games and make the Super Bowl.

6. Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers

Aiyuk hit 100 yards in three of his past four games entering Week 18. (He played limited snaps in that one, as San Francisco already wrapped up the No. 1 seed.) Coming off a career-best season, Aiyuk projects as an upside WR.

7. Brock Purdy, 49ers

Purdy delivered the goods in Year 2, posting 31 TDs, only 11 INTs, and a massive 9.6 yards per attempt. We project Purdy to play three games alongside a healthy cast of weapons, elevating his playoff-long profile.

8. Dak Prescott, Cowboys

On the year, Prescott and the Cowboys sat fourth in pass rate over expectation. He finished fourth in raw pass attempts, so there should be plenty of opportunities for him to perform as a top-tier QB alongside CeeDee Lamb. We project Dallas to play three games.

9. James Cook, Bills

Cook ended the regular season with 15+ touches in seven straight. We project three games played, with high confidence in at least two given the Wild Card matchup with Pittsburgh.

10. George Kittle, 49ers

Kittle sits atop the TE ranks given his clear potential to play three games. The 30-year-old just posted his first 1,000-yard season since 2019.

11. Stefon Diggs, Bills

Diggs busted his slump in the season finale vs. Miami, posting 7 catches for 87 yards. His involvement should remain strong going into the postseason, especially with Gabe Davis battling a knee sprain.

12. Zay Flowers, Ravens

Baltimore rested Flowers in Week 18. While he missed practices with a calf injury, we believe his absence was all about Baltimore's locked-in status as the No. 1 seed. We're expecting him to be healthy post-bye and carry a real shot at reaching the Super Bowl. The rookie averaged 4.8 catches and 53.6 yards per game during the regular season.

13. Tony Pollard, Cowboys

Pollard’s inefficient season shouldn’t keep him off your playoff radar. He ranks as the RB3 given Dallas’ projection of playing three games. Pollard’s opening-round matchup pits him against a Green Bay unit sitting 26th in rush defense DVOA.

14. Travis Kelce, Chiefs

Kelce just posted his worst fantasy season since 2016. A bounce-back for the postseason is certainly in play, though. A home matchup with Miami’s severely banged-up defense gives Kelce a real shot at 2+ games.

15. Kyren Williams, Rams

Williams and the Rams travel to Detroit as 3.5-point underdogs. An upset is a real possibility in what forecasts as a shootout. We just see the Rams playing a maximum of two games, as the Divisional Round would likely bring a meeting with San Francisco.

16. Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs

Pacheco rested for Week 18, so his health should be in a good place entering Wild Card Weekend. We like his chances of playing 2+ games, particularly with Miami dealing with several key injuries on defense (Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Andrew Van Ginkel, Jerome Baker).

17. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys

Ferguson enters the postseason with 4+ catches in six straight. As the No. 2 target alongside a top-tier passing game, Ferguson looks well-positioned to deliver across 2-4 games.

18. Jalen Hurts, Eagles

Hurts carries plenty of postseason risk. Both A.J. Brown (knee) and DeVonta Smith (ankle) are dealing with injuries. Plus, Hurts will have to push through his own finger issue. We project Philly to play two games, but a one-and-done scenario is in play.

19. Dalton Kincaid, Bills

Kincaid's role increased over the final two weeks of the regular season, a stretch that turned up 15 targets and 171 yards. A deep postseason run is in play for Buffalo, winners of five straight following a Week 13 bye.

20. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions

For us, Lions-Rams was one of the toughest games to project. We currently pencil in Los Angeles for the upset, but St. Brown could certainly post two games worth of production in a likely shootout. He’s hit 22 PPR points in four straight.

21. Tyreek Hill, Dolphins

The Dolphins are expected to get Raheem Mostert and Jaylen Waddle back for the postseason. But there’s little doubt Hill will remain the offensive centerpiece against his former team. After sitting out Week 15, Hill’s targets have gone 14, 12, 13.

22. Amari Cooper, Browns 

Cooper went off for 11-265-2 in a Week 16 meeting at Houston. Cooper rested in Week 18 with a heel injury, but he's already indicated that he'll play in the Wild Card rematch with the Texans. We project Cleveland to play two games.

23. Rashee Rice, Chiefs

Rice tallied an impressive 102-79-938-7 line as a Round 2 rookie. Prior to resting in Week 18, he'd hit 6+ targets in six straight. He'll see plenty of CB Jalen Ramsey in the opener, but we ultimately expect Kansas City to play at least two games.

24. Puka Nacua, Rams

Nacua set the rookie catch and yardage record in Week 18. Wild Card Weekend turns up a favorable matchup with Detroit, one we project Los Angeles to win. Even if the Rams lose, Nacua’s shown a ceiling to deliver in just a single game. He’s hit 20 PPR points seven times.

25. Cooper Kupp, Rams

Kupp faced some struggles earlier in the season but finished with 8+ targets in four out of his last five games. He should do well against the Lions’ secondary (16th in pass defense DVOA) in the Wild Card round. Anything he produces beyond that is just a bonus.

26. Gus Edwards, Ravens

The recent addition of Dalvin Cook could make the Ravens’ backfield a bit busier than it was at the end of 2023. Still, Edwards is the favorite to be the primary goal-line runner for a high-powered offense that we expect to make a deep postseason run.

27. Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions

We’re projecting a first-round exit for Detroit, but there’s a realistic enough world in which you’ll be able to get two games from this talented rookie. Gibbs averages 15.6 touches per game and should provide solid value.

28. David Montgomery, Lions

The “thunder” to Jahmyr Gibbs’ “lightning,” Montgomery finished fifth among RBs in red zone carries (50) and seventh in red zone rushing yards (139) this season. The veteran is a solid bet for a TD, no matter how many games the Lions end up playing.

29. D'Andre Swift, Eagles

Swift struggled some down the stretch but was able to finish with 14 touches per game and no fewer than 66 scrimmage yards over the final three weeks. The Eagles are a team susceptible to an early playoff exit, however. Swift is a risky play, but he’s worth a gamble should Philly pull it together to play at least two games.

30. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

It’s odd to see arguably the best QB in the NFL this far down on the list. But the fact is that Mahomes has thrown for multiple TDs in a game just once since the beginning of December. The reigning Super Bowl champs don’t boast a particularly strong offense in their current iteration and may only play a game or two. Still, Mahomes is worth a look based on caliber and experience.

31. Joe Flacco, Browns

Flacco has averaged 323.2 passing yards and 2.6 TDs per game in five games as the Browns’ starting QB. Will his late-season magic extend into the postseason? Who knows, but we like Cleveland’s chances of playing at least a couple of games. Flacco is a decent option for those who miss out on high-end options at the position.

32. Matt Stafford, Rams

Stafford ended the season with an average of 2.5 TDs per game over his final six contests. The Rams have a solid chance of pulling a first-round upset, though a potential divisional round bout against the 49ers makes Stafford’s appeal somewhat limited.

33. Jared Goff, Lions

Goff’s robust average of 281.5 passing yards and 2.3 TDs per game over the past four weeks are appealing, however, the questionable health of TE Sam LaPorta takes some of the wind out of Detriot’s sails. It wouldn’t be shocking to see the Lions’ offense lean more on the run this postseason. Goff is a bit risky for that reason, but they might play a couple of games if they can survive the Rams in round one.

34. Mike Evans, Buccaneers

For as good of a big-play threat as Evans is, there’s a strong likelihood he and Tampa Bay won’t survive the Wild Card round. He’s a quality one-and-done pick going up against a poor Eagles secondary (29th in pass defense DVOA), but that’s about it.

35. DeVonta Smith, Eagles 

Smith has tallied at least 4 catches and 50 receiving yards in all but two of his previous nine games. He’s an integral part of the Eagles’ passing attack, though his health and the diminishing efficiency of Philadelphia’s offense as a whole may limit his impact. He’s worth a swing on the off-chance QB Jalen Hurts and company can get things kicking and make a run to the NFC title game, but keep expectations in check.

36. Nico Collins, Texans

Collins has been a favorite target of QB C.J. Stroud this season, averaging 7.3 targets and 86.7 receiving yards per game. Unfortunately, he’ll draw tough coverage in the Wild Card round against a stout Browns secondary (second in pass DVOA) and will likely only have one crack at a playoff game. The poor health of teammates Robert Woods (hip) and Noah Brown (back) might boost his volume odds, at least.

37. Brandin Cooks, Cowboys

Cooks is a textbook boom-bust option (10 games with 40 or fewer receiving yards this season). Even so, being part of the Dak Prescott-led Cowboys’ passing attack gives the veteran some appeal and a chance to catch a long bomb. Cooks has caught a receiving TD in half of his games this year, after all.

38. Rachaad White, Buccaneers

White is a volume machine, averaging no fewer than 20 touches in five out of his last six contests. We don’t project the Bucs to play more than one (perhaps two) games at most, but he might ball out enough against the Eagles to pay off.

39. Jerome Ford, Browns

Ford has a solid role (14.6 touches per game) in an offense we expect to survive at least through the divisional round. He’s not a super high-ceiling option, but a lead runner on a good playoff team always carries value in these tournaments.

40. De'Von Achane, Dolphins

Achane is a big play waiting to happen. He led the NFL in yards per carry (7.8) among RBs with at least 100 carries this season and may possibly be the leader of Miami’s backfield should the next player on our list not suit up for Wild Card weekend’s showdown vs. the Chiefs. Injuries to the Dolphins’ defense make their odds of advancing far in the playoffs low, but one huge performance from Achane is worth taking a swing on as you’re rounding out tournament rosters.

41. Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (knee, ankle)

A healthy Mostert would be an appealing option for playoff contests, though it’ll be vital to track Miami’s injury reports this week in order to get a good idea as to whether or not he’ll suit up. Should the veteran get the green light, we’re talking about a guy who led the NFL in rushing TDs (18) in 2023.

42. Mark Andrews, Ravens (ankle, leg)

He'll be nine weeks removed from his high-ankle sprain and fibula fracture when the Ravens' postseason kicks off in the Divisional Round. Andrews reportedly has a chance to be ready for that one. The uncertainty makes him a risky pick in playoff contests -- but he could be a high-upside differentiator if he plays three or even two games.

43. Isaiah Likely, Ravens

TE Mark Andrews reportedly has a chance to be back from his high-ankle sprain and fibula fracture for Baltimore's playoff opener. That add obvious risk to Likely in playoff contests. The upside is that Andrews' status remains uncertain, the Ravens have a good chance to play three games, and Likely racked up 21 catches, 322 yards, and 5 TDs over his last six games. 

44. David Njoku, Browns

Across five contests with Joe Flacco under center, Njoku has averaged 9 targets and 78 receiving yards per game. The only reason he isn’t higher on this list is because the Browns’ chances of playing more than a couple of games in the playoffs aren’t very high.

45. Dallas Goedert, Eagles

With the health of teammates A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith hanging in the balance, Goedert may find himself as the Eagles’ lead pass-catching option in the Wild Card round vs. the Buccaneers. He might be a solid pickup if Philly can work their way into playing a second playoff game, and the TE field gets pretty grim after Goedert as well.

46. Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (ankle)

Waddle hasn’t played since getting banged up in Week 16. Should he work his way into the lineup for the playoffs and the Dolphins click, the speedster could be a nice high-ceiling play. His floor is painfully low, unfortunately, and he should be treated conservatively.

47. A.J. Brown, Eagles (knee)

Brown’s health is an even bigger question mark than his teammate Smith’s at this point. It’ll be vital to follow the Eagles’ injury reports leading up to Wild Card weekend. Should Brown be a full-go, he’s a great bet for heavy involvement (9.3 targets per game this season), though he’s not without obvious risk.

48. C.J. Stroud, Texans

Stroud’s supporting cast is severely limited due to injury. Beyond Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz, the rookie doesn’t have many players to lean on in his first postseason appearance. A Wild Card round game vs. the Browns (second in total defense DVOA) is a tough draw for Stroud, but his penchant for stepping up in big spots is perhaps appealing to those who opt against high-end QB options in playoff formats.

49. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins

The Dolphins’ passing game hasn’t been as effective of late. Tagovailoa has thrown for multiple TDs just once in his last five games, and the absence/poor health of Jaylen Waddle only further complicates matters. He’s worth taking a shot on, but Miami is prone to a one-and-done exit.

50. Odell Beckham, Ravens

OBJ cooled off down the stretch, seeing just 7 targets over his final three games. Still, his membership of one of the NFL’s best offenses and heavy Super Bowl favorites makes the veteran a quality longshot option.

Playoff Rankings: QBs

Playoff Rankings: RBs

1. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (calf)
2. James Cook, Bills
3. Tony Pollard, Cowboys
4. Kyren Williams, Rams
5. Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs
6. Gus Edwards, Ravens
7. Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions
8. David Montgomery, Lions
9. D'Andre Swift, Eagles
10. Rachaad White, Buccaneers
11. Jerome Ford, Browns
12. De'Von Achane, Dolphins
13. Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (knee, ankle)
14. Justice Hill, Ravens
15. Devin Singletary, Texans
16. Aaron Jones, Packers
17. Kareem Hunt, Browns
18. Dalvin Cook, Ravens
19. Jaylen Warren, Steelers
20. Najee Harris, Steelers
21. Elijah Mitchell, 49ers
22. Leonard Fournette, Bills
23. Rico Dowdle, Cowboys
24. Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles
25. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs
26. A.J. Dillon, Packers (thumb, neck)
27. Jeff Wilson, Dolphins
28. Ty Johnson, Bills 
29. Latavius Murray, Bills
30. Dameon Pierce, Texans
31. Jordan Mason, 49ers

Playoff Rankings: WRs

1. CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys
2. Deebo Samuel, 49ers
3. Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers
4. Stefon Diggs, Bills
5. Zay Flowers, Ravens
6. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions
7. Tyreek Hill, Dolphins
8. Amari Cooper, Browns
9. Rashee Rice, Chiefs
10. Puka Nacua, Rams
11. Cooper Kupp, Rams
12. Mike Evans, Buccaneers
13. DeVonta Smith, Eagles 
14. Nico Collins, Texans
15. Brandin Cooks, Cowboys
16. Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins 
17. A.J. Brown, Eagles (knee)
18. Odell Beckham, Ravens
19. Rashod Bateman, Ravens
20. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers
21. Jayden Reed, Packers
22. Khalil Shakir, Bills
23. Jameson Williams, Lions 
24. Demarcus Robinson, Rams
25. Diontae Johnson, Steelers
26. Gabe Davis, Bills (knee)
27. Dontayvion Wicks, Packers
28. George Pickens, Steelers
29. Justin Watson, Chiefs 
30. Nelson Agholor, Ravens
31. Christian Watson, Packers (hamstring)
32. Josh Reynolds, Lions
33. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chiefs
34. Trent Sherfield, Bills
35. Robert Woods, Texans (hip)
36. Michael Gallup, Cowboys
37. Jalen Tolbert, Cowboys
38. Noah Brown, Texans (back)
39. Tutu Atwell, Rams
40. Cedrick Wilson, Dolphins
41. Julio Jones, Eagles
42. Richie James, Chiefs
43. Romeo Doubs, Packers 
44. Bo Melton, Packers
45. Kadarius Toney, Chiefs
46. Kalif Raymond, Lions (knee)
47. Skyy Moore, Chiefs (knee)
48. Cedric Tillman, Browns
49. David Bell, Browns
50. Trey Palmer, Buccaneers
51. Deven Thompkins, Buccaneers
52. Allen Robinson, Steelers

Playoff Rankings: TEs

Playoff Rankings: Ks

Playoff Rankings: DST

More Playoff Intel

Each round of the postseason, we'll have projections and rankings available to help you tackle any contest format. Following Week 18, we'll also have writeups loaded above for the top 50 players.

Kevin English, Senior Analyst

Kevin brings 15 years of experience as a fantasy analyst and mid-stakes competitor across various formats (redraft, best ball, dynasty, DFS). His work has been featured on The Mercury News, Rotoworld, and FantasyPros.