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 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 these games into lineups.
Each week I’ll go over my favorite DFS angle for the given week and go over some of our Lineup Optimizer settings that are worth considering.
Now, let’s get to it!
My Favorite Week 1 NFL DFS Angle
Ownership looks surprisingly spread out this week. Typically the early release of Week 1 pricing creates some soft pricing where chalk can condense. Without any stay-away spots, I am leaning into my preferred core.
Admittedly, I’m high on the Eagles this year, a game stack of Jalen Hurts with at least one of Devonta Smith, AJ Brown, and Dallas Goedert paired with Amon-Ra St. Brown feels really good this week.
Brown (11%) and Smith (4.5%) should both have low-to-moderate ownership, which should help mitigate some of the Hurts ownership. St. Brown should also have minimal ownership based on our current projections.
Add a one-off of Marques Valdez-Scantling at only $4,700 at less than 10% projected ownership, and I feel like you have the start to a lineup with a great floor/ceiling combination.
Lineup Optimizer Rules to Consider
Below are the rules to consider for Sunday. For more context on optimizer rules or the Showdown format in general, check out my NFL Showdown Primer.
General
Minimum salary cap: 99.6%. Leaving more than this causes you to lose significant win equity.
Flex positions: WR, RB
Player Correlations
Optimal tournament construction includes stacking your quarterback with at least one, but usually two, pass-catcher(s) from the same team and one pass-catcher from the opposing team.
A mobile quarterback with a big rushing game is more likely to only need one teammate paired. These settings can be accomplished through rules in the “Position” tab or through the Player Correlations tab for more control.
Both options are shown below.
It is also not recommended to pair a running back with their quarterback, as they generally are competing for the same touchdowns.
There are some rare exceptions, but in general, it is not an optimal pairing.
Custom
Winning GPP lineups typically use 2-3 players that are less than 10% owned. The Lineup Optimizer allows you to quickly accomplish this.
