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 Vikings vs. Eagles Showdown
I’m going to focus on giving myself more chances at the perfect lineup in this one by using a very narrow Captain pool. I used this strategy often last year on slates with top-heavy production like this one. It’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy that you have to be okay with if things go sideways.
I am going to focus my builds around Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and Justin Jefferson at Captain, with Dalvin Cook as a more distant fourth. I will extend to Adam Thielen in large-field GPPs, and maybe Kirk Cousins (less likely).
The reason I use this strategy on slates like this one is that when there is so much firepower in one game you need someone who is capable of putting up a massive score that you absolutely must have.
Lineup Optimizer Rules to Consider
General
- Max 3 players vs. opposing Defense
- Minimum salary cap 95%
Player Correlations
Lots of rules for this one! First, a maximum of one pass-catcher from the same team when one of the alpha wide receivers appears at Captain. For them to be optimal, they need to hog most of the production in the pass game.
I would consider a rule that leaves out Jefferson in Thielen Captain lineups.
Second, I want to boost pass-catching back Kenneth Gainwell in lineups with Dalvin Cook at Captain. Cook at captain implies a game script where the Vikings are able to play with a lead, meaning the Eagles are in more obvious pass situations playing catchup.
Finally, I am okay pairing Hurts with just one pass catcher given his prolific rushing upside, but I still want to pair Cousins with two of them.
Player Groups
The standard rule of max two kickers and defenses applies.
Max 2 of Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott, Miles Sanders.
Max 2 of Adam Thielen, KJ Osborn, Irv Smith.
Captain Pool (from highest to lowest priority)
- Jalen Hurts
- AJ Brown
- Justin Jefferson
- Dalvin Cook
- Adam Thielen
- Kirk Cousins
- Devonta Smith (minimal, large field GPP only)
