This NFL season, our new SimLabs tool went live to the public. It’s a powerful new feature that allows casual players to build competitive lineups effortlessly — or serious players to leverage their convictions more effectively. This week, we’ve also added the feature of being able to export lineups from SimLabs directly to our models for easy tweaking of lineups.
I broke down some general uses of the tool from an evergreen perspective earlier in the year. Moving forward, we’ll be checking out some suggested starting points for building lineups.
The process is simple: from the SimLabs home screen, first, select the field size and desired range of outcomes for your lineups. The field size depends on the contest type, while the “results range” allows you to customize how unique you want your lineups to be.
Then, find the box titled “include players” and type your preferred options — then sit back and let the sims do their thing. You can generate as many or as few lineups as you want, then upload directly to DraftKings to be entered into contests.
For more on what SimLabs is and how it works, check out our user guide.
Let’s check out some potential starting points in Week 17.
Brock Purdy + Deebo Samuel + George Kittle
This one depends on the type of contest you plan on entering the lineups in. I’ve become fairly convinced recently that single stacks (or no stacks) have a better shot at massive contests like the Milly Maker. In those contests, you essentially need to be perfect at every position. It’s rare that one team produces two of the top pass catchers — especially on a 13-game slate with plentiful options.
So for Milly Maker-sized contests, star with Brock Purdy plus one of these choices. For medium-sized contests or smaller it makes sense to use both.
I wrote in my Main Slate Breakdown about why I’m leaning toward Deebo Samuel and George Kittle over Brandon Aiyuk and Christian McCaffrey this week. While I’m not entirely convinced they’re the better options, we have to take a stand somewhere, especially in big tournaments.
I’m also not convinced we need a bring-back from the Commanders for 49ers stacks to hit, which is why it’s nice to let SimLabs figure out those details. Washington has had a variety of players stand out this season, with no obvious top option. That’s a perfect time to let the simulation weigh all the factors (including ownership) rather than try to guess the right players.
Don’t forget to check out our SImLabs Lineup Generator to create advanced DFS lineup using the power of simulation:
Matthew Stafford
Like Purdy, Matthew Stafford is another player who could potentially bring multiple players along with him in a big game.
The matchup is solid for the Rams, as they take on a Giants team that ranks well below average defensively against both the pass and the run. Los Angeles needs this game to stay in the lead for a wild card spot and play aggressively on offense.
Typically, one but not both of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua join Stafford when he has big games. One of the two have scored at least 26 DraftKings points in four straight contests, not both at the same time. In addition, running back Kyren Williams broke 20 points twice in that span — once with Kupp and once with Nacua.
All of which makes figuring out stacks built around Stafford challenging. Either wide receiver with or without Williams has a roughly equal chance of hitting. I’ll let SimLabs figure out the best way to leverage that for GPPs while considering a rule to exclude Williams if building specifically for massive contests.
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Travis Etienne
After a ridiculous four-week stretch where he scored over 111 DraftKings points in four weeks, it’s been fairly quiet for Travis Etienne. The Jags’ lead back hasn’t topped 18 points since. Despite that, he’s still a top-five player at the position in PPR points on the season.
He also has a near-ideal matchup this week against the 32nd-ranked rushing defense of the Carolina Panthers. On top of that, Jacksonville ruled out quarterback Trevor Lawrence, so they could skew even more run-heavy. Jacksonville can’t afford to rest Etienne this week, as they’re one of three teams tied for the lead in the AFC South.
Despite all of that, he’s not projecting for much ownership this week. There are plenty of running back options on the slate, and it’s easy to see Etienne get lost in the shuffle. Which is why I want to ensure I have a good chunk of lineups built around him. This is as close to an ideal matchup and game scenario as there is.
