Devising the perfect Daily Fantasy Sports strategy for the NFL can be a challenge, which is why I’m here to assist.
On DraftKings, it’s important to you’re playing full-point PPR with bonuses if a player sures 300 ing yards, 100 rushing yards or 100 receiving yards.
Here is my optimal lineup for Saturday’s $2.5 million Fantasy Football Millionaire contest, but can be utilized as a foundation in other games and platforms.
All prices listed are courtesy of DraftKings with a $50,000 budget.
These lineups have netted $260, so that leaves me $20 in the hole through 15 weeks.
QB: Gardner Minshew, Eagles ($4,800)
Minshew is capable of producing at a high level and helping Philadelphia stave off disaster. He finished as the QB10 (Week 13) and QB17 (Week 18) in his two starts for the Eagles last season. In 2020, Minshew began the season as Jacksonville’s starter and was the overall QB12 in fantasy through the first seven games before getting hurt himself. He’s one of the best values on the slate.
RB: Derrick Henry, Titans ($8,600)
It’s improbable Henry produces an unprecedented fifth straight game with 200-plus rushing yards and multiple touchdowns against the Texans, but … it’s not impossible. Plus, his career averages against Houston is 122 total yards and a TD in 11 games. Oh, and Malik Willis will make just his third start of the season. Henry produced 334 yards and four TDs on 49 carries in the previous two games with Willis under center.
RB: James Cook, Bills ($4,900)
The Buffalo backfield is approaching a 50-50 split between Devin Singletary and the dynamic Cook. Singletary has played 109 snaps the last three games, compared to Cook’s 84. Singletary has produced 164 total yards, four receptions and a TD since Week 13. Cook has 159 total yards, nine receptions and a TD. Single digit temperatures that feel much colder because of 20-30 miles per hour wind gusts should bode well for both backs.
WR: DK Metcalf, Seahawks ($7,100)
Tyler Lockett’s absence makes Metcalf the unquestioned top target in Seattle’s attack and this could be a throw-heavy spot against a Kansas City defense that is allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to wide receivers.
WR: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs ($5,800)
Safety/No. 2 slot cornerback Ryan Neal is out, which means Travis Kelce and Smith-Schuster will feast across the middle.
WR: Darius Slayton, Giants ($5,200)
It’s not a bad idea to target wide receivers playing in a dome this week with a “bomb cyclone” engulfing most of the United States. The Vikings are allowing the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers and Slayton will face off primarily against Cameron Dantzler, who is nursing an ankle injury. Dantzler was beatable before he developed a limp.
TE: Dallas Goedert, Eagles ($4,500)
Minshew’s successful start for Philadelphia in Week 13 of last season coincided with Goedert’s best game in 2021, where he had six receptions for 105 yards and two TDs.
FLEX: Alvin Kamara, Saints ($6,800)
There’s going to be snow flurries, freezing temperatures and 30-40 miles per hour wind gusts in Cleveland. Plus, Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry are both out. If the Saints are going to have any offense at all, it will be through Kamara and Swiss Army knife Taysom Hill.
DST: Philadelphia Eagles ($2,200)
I’m sorry, I was unaware Jalen Hurts played defense too? The Eagles have one of the best defenses in the NFL and are the fourth-best scoring option in fantasy through 15 weeks, so I’m not sure why the price tag is so low. I understand discounting them against a good offense like the Cowboys, but this is a bit much.
