NFL DFS Showdown: Lineup Optimizer Rules and My Favorite Angle in Saints-Cardinals

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 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 Saints vs. Cardinals Showdown

Tonight sets up as a great spot for non-wide receiver Saints pass catchers. While explosive rookie Chris Olave returns tonight and should be a staple in lineups, the Cardinals have been surprisingly stingy to opposing wideouts. Marquez Callaway enters this tough matchup as the Saints WR2 but has failed to develop any chemistry with Andy Dalton and struggles to get open. The Cardinals have also been one of the best teams in the league at limiting slot receiver production where overpriced Tre’quan Smith lines up.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals’ defense has struggled mightily to stop opposing tight ends and pass-catching running backs, coughing up bottom ten numbers in fantasy points over expectation to both. Alvin Kamara has shined with check-down aficionado Dalton under center, posting six receptions in back-to-back games. Meanwhile, Juwan Johnson figures to be the Saints’ primary tight end at just $3,000, with Adam Trautman ruled out.

Lineup Optimizer Rules to Consider

General

• Max 3 players vs. opposing Defense
• Minimum salary cap 90%

Player Correlations

• Pair Captain Andy Dalton with at least two Saints pass catchers
• Pair Captain Kyler Murray with at least two Cardinals pass catchers
• I will be pairing Captain DeAndre Hopkins with Murray but won’t be forcing Dalton into Captain Chris Olave lineups.

Player Groups

Max two kickers and defenses.

Both of these teams are surprisingly thin, involving very few players on offense overall. I won’t be making any other groups for that reason.

Captain Pool (from highest to lowest priority)

Primary Targets

• DeAndre Hopkins
• Alvin Kamara
• Kyler Murray
• Chris Olave

Secondary Targets

• Rondale Moore
• Eno Benjamin

Large-Field GPP Fliers

• Marquez Callaway
• Zach Ertz