Our Lineup Optimizer is an incredibly powerful tool inside our Player Models, particularly when creating a large number of lineups. However, it’s just that — a tool. We still have to make decisions. Otherwise, everyone would have the same 150 DFS lineups in each contest.
This is intended more as a teaching piece than a step-by-step guide. These rules are suggestions that can show you how to translate your read on this game into lineups.
Additionally, this piece focuses on DraftKings Showdown contests, but similar strategies are useful on FanDuel.
For my general Showdown strategy, you can read my Showdown primer.
My Favorite NFL DFS Angle in Chargers vs. Raiders Showdown
Injuries abound tonight as both teams are missing key players, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. That being said, I see two players on the Chargers who have some hidden upside that interests me in tournaments. Easton Stick has a very small sample size of NFL dropbacks, but from his time in college at North Dakota State, we know he has rushing upside. In two years as a starter there, he ran for 29 touchdowns. He hasn’t gotten a chance to show this ability much in the pros so far, but on a short week and missing key pass-catchers, we could see OC Kellen Moore unlock that part of Stick’s game to help move the ball.
The other option is rookie WR Quentin Johnston. Johnston has been a massive disappointment thus far, but his best ability in college was his run-after-catch ability. Despite this fact, Keenan Allen has consistently been funneled short targets on screens and designed plays. With Allen out, the consensus is that Josh Palmer will ascend to the Allen role, but if Johnston is able to inherit some easy catches, he has the athleticism to pay off with some big plays after the catch.
Don’t forget to check out our SimLabs Lineup Generator to create advanced DFS lineup using the power of simulation:
Lineup Optimizer Rules to Consider
General
- Max 4 players vs. Opposing Defense.
- Minimum salary cap 90%.
Player Correlations
- Pair Captain Easton Stick with at least one Chargers pass-catcher.
- Pair Captain Aiden O’Connell with at least one Raiders pass-catcher.
- Pair Captain pass-catchers with at most one other pass-catcher from the same team.
- Most lineups should also pair Captain pass-catchers with their QB.
Player Groups
- Max 2 kickers and defenses.
- Max 1 Derius Davis and Alex Erickson.
- Max 1 Josh Kelley and Isiah Spiller
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Captain Pool (from highest to lowest priority)
Primary Targets
- Davante Adams
- Austin Ekeler
- Josh Jacobs (if healthy), Zamir White if Jacobs out
Secondary Targets
- Quentin Johnston
- Josh Palmer
- Jakobi Meyers
- Easton Stick
Large-Field GPP Fliers
- Gerald Everett
- Michael Mayer
- Raiders DST
- Chargers DST
Finally, make sure to check out all the projections available for purchase (Chris Raybon’s come included with a FantasyLabs subscription) within the FantasyLabs Models. Subscribers now have the option to purchase Derek Carty’s THE BLITZ from our Marketplace. Projections from One Week Season and Establish the Run are available if you’re a subscriber to those specific sites (our optimizer is a separate add-on feature).
You can also combine them to create your own aggregate projections:
