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 $40 in the hole with an average score of 142.52 points through 13 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
Week 13: 112.68 points
QB: Josh Allen, Bills ($8,300)
Only Tyreek Hill has scored more fantasy points on DraftKings this season and every game for Buffalo from here on out is a must-win if the Bills have any hope of making the playoffs. In two games with Joe Brady calling plays, Allen has 614 passing yards, 96 rushing yards and seven total touchdowns. Buffalo has scored at least 32 points in both games.
RB: Christian McCaffrey, 49ers ($9,200)
Only Hill and Allen have scored more fantasy points on DraftKings than McCaffrey this season. Since Week 10, running backs have scored the second-most DK points per game (30.4) against the Seahawks. McCaffrey had 139 total yards and two TDs on 24 touches, including five receptions, at Seattle on Thanksgiving night.
RB: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs ($4,200)
Isiah Pacheco is out with a shoulder injury so Edwards-Helaire will receive an expanded role against the Bills. His low price tag enables us to squeeze McCaffrey into this lineup and create an unconventional stack with Allen. A TD on 10-to-15 touches with a few receptions sprinkled in is all we’re asking from the former first-rounder.
WR: Mike Evans, Buccaneers ($7,700)
Evans is currently in the midst of potentially his best season. The future Hall of Famer is on pace to produce 86 receptions for 1,434 yards and 14 touchdowns. The receptions would tie for the second-most in his career — he had 96 in 2016. Only his 1,524 yards in 2018 would surpass this season and the TDs would tie his career-high set in 2021.
WR: Drake London, Falcons ($4,600)
Someday London will be free from Arthur Smith’s tyranny (i.e. bad playcalling), and we’ll get to see what the No. 8 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft is capable of. Until then, we’ll have the occasional matchup where he faces a pass-funnel defense like the Buccaneers. London has only seen three red zone targets in his last six games, all of them coming in Week 7 against Tampa Bay.
WR: Jonathan Mingo, Panthers ($3,500)
Without Frank Reich last week, Mingo led Carolina in target share (38.5 percent), receptions (six), air yards (95) and receiving yards (69). The rookie receiver is averaging seven targets in his last four games.
TE: Brevin Jordan, Texans ($3,100)
Dalton Schultz (hamstring) has been ruled out for a second straight game. In relief of Schultz last week, Jordan finished as the TE10 in PPR, securing three of his four targets for 64 yards. The Jets are tied with the Saints for allowing the most touchdowns (seven) to tight ends this season.
FLEX: Joe Mixon, Bengals ($6,100)
Mixon has had at least 15 touches in 10 of 12 games this season for Cincinnati, including a robust 25 in an overtime victory over the Jaguars last Monday night. The Colts are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs this season.
DST: Baltimore Ravens ($3,300)
Only the Dallas defense has scored more fantasy points through 13 weeks. While the Rams have played well recently, Matthew Stafford is a stationary target in the pocket and tends to force the issue when pressured consistently. The forecast in Baltimore calls for steady rain throughout the game and 15-20 mph winds.
