Devising the perfect Daily Fantasy Sports strategy for the NFL can be a challenge, which is why I’m here weekly 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 Sunday’s $3.5 million Fantasy Football Millionaire contest, but it can be utilized as a foundation in other games and platforms.
All prices listed are courtesy of DraftKings with a $50,000 budget.
Last week’s lineup netted $10, so I’m in the black $20 with an average score of 155.91 points through two weeks.
Year-To-Date Results
Week 1: 170.52 points
Week 2: 141.30 points
QB: Kirk Cousins, Vikings ($6,900)
I’m targeting the highest game total (54 implied points) on the slate for the third straight week. Why fix it if it isn’t broken? Nine of the last 11 games at U.S. Bank Stadium, including the playoffs, have seen at least 49 combined points scored. Both the Chargers and Vikings offenses move at warp speed, while both defenses appear to be feckless, so the volume should go to 11 for fantasy purposes. I’m building my stack around Cousins (the overall QB1 in fantasy through two games) because he’s $600 cheaper than Justin Herbert, but either will provide a solid foundation for your lineup.
RB: Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars ($6,900)
Jacksonville is a heavy favorite and the Texans have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. This is a smash spot for Etienne after the Jaguars’ offense struggled last week against the Chiefs in their home opener.
RB: Kendre Miller, Saints ($4,300)
Miller was a full go in practice this week and is expected to make his professional debut against the Packers. He produced at least one explosive play (20-plus yards) in 12 of 14 games for TCU in 2022. Alvin Kamara is suspended, Jamaal Williams is injured, so his biggest competition for carries will likely be jack of some trades Taysom Hill. New Orleans was enamored enough with Miller to select him in the third round in April, and Green Bay has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. If you’re looking for a lottery ticket, here you go.
WR: Justin Jefferson, Vikings ($9,300)
Jefferson is matchup proof, but it really doesn’t get any better than the Chargers leaky secondary. He leads the NFL in receiving yards (309) but has yet to score a touchdown. I’m swallowing a lot of chalk by targeting this matchup, so I need the best receiver in the game to hit paydirt at least once against a defense allowing the most fantasy points to wide receivers this season.
WR: Mike Williams, Chargers ($6,000)
The Vikings have yielded the second-most DraftKings (26.7) points per game to perimeter wide receivers this season.
WR: Jordan Addison, Vikings ($5,500)
Using the talented rookie in my Vikings double-stack actually creates a little leverage for me. Projections have more lineups utilizing his cheaper teammate C.J. Osborn ($4,000), who has actually been on the field more, but Addison has produced at least 61 yards and a TD in both games this season. He’s also averaging an impressive 12.1 yards per target compared to Osborn’s 5.4-yard mark.
TE: Dalton Kincaid, Bills ($3,400)
Dawson Knox has dealt with a back injury all week, but it looks like he’ll be active against the Commanders. Regardless, Kindcaid is capable of having a big day with messy weather on tap, but if Knox’s back flares up or if he’s limited in any way, Kincaid’s ceiling goes way up.
FLEX: Nico Collins, Texans ($5,300)
Houston hasn’t babied rookie CJ Stroud to begin the season. The Texans have the seventh-highest rate (63 percent) in neutral game scripts. Collins’ target rate has increased this season, his average depth of target has improved and his yards after the catch have also gone up. He’s morphing into a true No. 1 wideout and is priced way-too-low this week.
DST: Washington Commanders ($2,400)
A fierce rush — 10 sacks and 20 QB hits in two games — plus the reckless Josh Allen dealing with weather provided by Tropical Storm Ophelia should make the Commanders defense a bargain.
