Devising the perfect Daily Fantasy Sports strategy for the NFL can be a challenge, which is why I'm here to assist.
On DraftKings, it's important to remember you're playing full-point PPR with bonuses if a player surpasses 300 passing yards, 100 rushing yards or 100 receiving yards.
Here is my optimal lineup for Sunday's $3.75 million Fantasy Football Millionaire contest, but can be utilized as a foundation in other games and platforms.
All prices listed are courtesy of DraftKings with a $50,000 budget.
These lineups have netted $160, so I'm in the black $100 through four weeks.
— QB: Jalen Hurts, Eagles ($8,100)
The Philadelphia-Arizona matchup is our best hope to replicate the fantasy bonanza that took place last week in Detroit between the Lions and Seahawks. Hurts' best game of his rookie season in 2020 happened in the desert, where he passed for 338 yards and three touchdowns while running for 63 yards and another score. This version of Hurts is even better.
— RB: Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots ($5,500)
Both Stevenson and Damien Harris ($5,600) are great values this week against a Lions defense allowing the second-most fantasy points to running backs — mostly because of an NFL-worst eight rushing TDs allowed — and an embarrassing 5.3 yards per carry. I'm using Stevenson because of his usage in the pass-game and the upside that provides in DraftKings.
— RB: Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars ($5,100)
James Robinson's snaps have decreased three straight weeks and most efficiency metrics have favored Etienne from the beginning. The Texans have allowed the most rushing yards (563) to running backs — at a 4.98 yards per carry clip — and are allowing the eighth-most receiving yards per game (43.5) to the position.
— WR: AJ Brown, Eagles ($7,500)
Brown has at least five receptions, 95 yards or a TD in three of four games this season. The Cardinals have allowed the eighth-highest completion percentage (68%) and the fifth-most passing TDs (eight).
— WR: DeVonta Smith, Eagles ($6,000)
Smith torched the Vikings' and Commanders' secondary for 249 yards and a TD on 15 receptions. Only weather and a poor game script was able to keep the former Heisman winner in check last week. The Cardinals are quite possibly worse in coverage and it won't be raining inside State Farm Stadium.
— WR: Chris Olave, Saints ($5,700)
Olave has at least five receptions, 80 yards or a TD in three straight games and New Orleans will once again be without the services of Michael Thomas. According to FantasyPros, the Seahawks are 32nd in pass defense Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) and have allowed 73 receiving yards per game on only 6.8 pass attempts to No. 1 receivers this season.
— TE: Zach Ertz, Cardinals ($4,800)
Ertz faces his old team for the first time and has at least five receptions, 41 yards or a TD in nine straight games. The three-time Pro Bowler is a solid run back option with my Eagles double-stack, especially if we get the fireworks I'm expecting.
— FLEX: George Pickens, Steelers ($4,300)
Kenny Pickett connected on 4-of-4 targets to Pickens after he replaced Mitchell Trubisky in the second half against the Jets last week. Pickens turned that into 71 yards and three first downs. The chemistry between the two rookies is almost palpable.
— DST: New England Patriots ($2,900)
Jared Goff has never fared well against Bill Belichick. In three games (including Super Bowl LIII), Goff has only completed 51.6% of his passes for an average of 175 yards with two TDs against four interceptions.
