Instead of just making an Optimizer Lineup to discuss with you guys, Kurt has asked me to use my DraftKings expertise and give you guys one of my weekly lineups instead. Considering my success this year, I think it would be beneficial to you guys to get another positive perspective from week to week not fueled by the optimizer. Without further ado, here’s my favorite lineup of the week:
QB – Drew Brees $8200
RB – LeSean McCoy $5600
RB – Ronnie Hillman $6100
WR – Julio Jones $6600
WR – Martavis Bryant $5500
WR – Brandin Cooks $4300
TE – Jimmy Graham $6300
FLEX – Kelvin Benjamin $4200
DEF – Seattle $3000
Total Spent - $49800, $200 remaining
There is certainly some risk in this lineup, but it has MASSIVE upside. This should cash in on 50/50s (I certainly hope so) and has some tournament upside as well with the Saints stack.
QB: Drew Brees vs SF - $8200
Saints at home Round 1. This offense is much different in the dome and Brees always brings it. With Jimmy Graham back and healthy, there will be plenty of space for Brees to throw wherever he wantS. Though the 49ers have been extremely tough against opposing quarterbacks, they have also let Jay Cutler and Peyton Manning torch them for four touchdowns apiece. Brees is still an elite quarterback, 300 yards and three scores is easily attainable.
"I'll score THIS many points for you!"
RB1: LeSean McCoy vs CAR - $5600
In two of the last three weeks, McCoy has gone for over 100 yards. In the week that he didn’t, he went up against the Cardinals, the best unit in football against opposing running backs, and was still able to run for 80 yards on the ground while adding three receptions. The lack of touchdowns is a concern, but with Sanchez under center, I expect the Eagles to rely a bit more on the run than they have all season. As if this situation couldn’t get better, the Panthers have been awful against the run. Plug him in and don’t think twice.
RB2: Ronnie Hillman at OAK - $6100
In four games as the starter, Hillman has either gone for over 100 yards or gotten into the endzone twice. The Raiders are almost as bad as the Panthers against the run and Peyton will let Hillman touch the ball at least 20 times. The lowest point total Hillman has had in those four games is 17.6 points. Do you really think Hillman will have his worst game as a starter against the Raiders? Yeah, me neither. Enjoy the ride.
KING JULIO
WR1: Julio Jones at TB - $6600
The King is back! Feel free to call me out for bias on this one, but Julio is my favorite receiver in all of football. For him to be at $6600 is an even bigger joke than McCoy’s recent pricing considering the last time he played Tampa he went for 9/161/2. Coming off the bye and going up against the worst defense against wide receivers in the league, I have Julio locked and loaded in ALL my lineups.
WR2: Martavis Bryant at NYJ - $5500
As a Jet fan, I get to watch how bad our defense is every single week. As Antonio Brown enjoys shredding my defense, he will free up tons of space for Bryant to get deep. I just don’t see a situation where Martavis does not get into the endzone this week.
WR3: Brandin Cooks vs SF - $4300
Saints at home Round 2. Like this offense, Cooks has been an entirely different player at home as opposed to on the road. Cooks has scored at least 15 points in all three home games this year and has caught no less than six balls from Brees in those games. Ill take six free points with yardage and upside galore for this bargain barrel price any day.
LOOK AT MY BICEPS. (You get a cookie if you get that reference.)
TE: Jimmy Graham vs SF - $6300
Saints at home Round 3. Graham is healthy once again and at bargain pricing for the most productive tight end in football. When healthy, Graham has gone for double digits in every game thus far this season and Brees knows targeting Graham is a recipe for success.
GIVE ME ALL THE FOOTBALLS
FLEX: Kelvin Benjamin at PHI - $4200
My stone cold lock of the week, Kelvin gets a Philly secondary that struggles against freakish receivers. Cam may not always connect with Benjamin, but he targets him as much as possible. Add in the fact that Kelvin has responded with at least a touchdown after a “dud” game, I see Kelvin topping what DeAndre Hopkins was able to do against this secondary this Monday night.
DEF: Seattle vs NYG - $3000
Seattle is at home and the Giants are travelling across the country. Without Rashad Jennings, this offense has struggled (to put it lightly) and I don’t see that situation improving against arguably the best defense in all of football. After struggling early in the year, Seattle has posted double digits in three of the last four weeks. Though there is a big possibility that the Giants score points in garbage time, the Seahawks should get enough sacks and turnovers to make it worth your while.