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 remember you’re playing full-point PPR with bonuses if a player surpasses 300 passing yards, 100 rushing yards or 100 receiving yards.
Here is my optimal lineup for Sunday’s $2.75 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.
These lineups have netted $205, so that leaves me $20 in the hole with an average score of 145.01 points through 12 weeks.
Year-To-Date Results
Week 1: 170.52 points
Week 2: 141.30 points
Week 3: 130.78 points
Week 4: 152.50 points
Week 5: 162.32 points
Week 6: 146.56 points
Week 7: 156.78 points
Week 8: 139.86 points
Week 9: 97.54 points
Week 10: 129.98 points
Week 11: 151.90 points
Week 12: 160.06 points
QB: Sam Howell, Commanders ($6,200)
Much like Spinal Tap, the key to figuring out fantasy football can be as simple as turning the volume all the way up. Howell’s volume goes to 11. He’s attempted at least 42 passes in every game since Week 6, and leads the NFL in passing attempts, passing yards, and air yards. Washington likely will be chasing points from the beginning against a high-powered Dolphins’ offense, who are 9½-point favorites on the road.
RB: Jaylen Warren, Steelers ($5,400)
I like both Warren and Najee Harris against a Cardinals’ defense allowing the second-most fantasy points to running backs this season. I’m utilizing the more explosive option here. Warren is averaging almost 15 touches and 107.5 yards per game since Week 9 and has had six red zone opportunities in the last three games — one more than Harris.
RB: Zack Moss, Colts ($4,600)
Moss is all chalk this week, but this price is simply too good to pass on. Despite not playing much in the last three games, Moss is still 10th in the NFL in rushing yards (672). He had 25 touches for 195 total yards and two touchdowns the last time he faced the Titans (and Jonathan Taylor was healthy then).
WR: Tyreek Hill, Dolphins ($9,600)
The Commanders play a ton of man coverage and they’re not very good at it. That seems like a recipe for disaster against Hill.
WR: Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers ($7,200)
Aiyuk is the overall WR10 in PPR formats in three games since San Francisco’s bye. The Eagles have allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers this season.
WR: Curtis Samuel, Commanders ($4,100)
The Dolphins have the sixth-highest rate of zone coverage in the NFL (81.2 percent), and have allowed the seventh-most receiving scores and the 12th-highest passer rating to slot receivers this season.
TE: Brevin Jordan, Texans ($2,500)
Dalton Schultz has been ruled out, making Jordan the top “punt” option at tight end this week. The Broncos have allowed the most fantasy points to tight ends this season. Pairing Moss and Jordan in this lineup allows me to use three pricey, high-ceiling wide receivers.
FLEX: Adam Thielen, Panthers ($6,600)
Thielen has been Bryce Young’s safety blanket the entire season but has cooled off recently. This is a prime bounce-back spot for the slot machine. The Buccaneers have allowed the fourth-most PPR points per target and the second-most receiving yards to slot receivers this season.
DST: Pittsburgh Steelers ($3,800)
The Steelers’ defense knows how to handle mobile quarterbacks — they get plenty of practice against Lamar Jackson twice a year — and has scored the fifth-most fantasy points this season. Only the Cowboys, Ravens, Bills and Browns have scored more.
