To aid with our new DraftKings Optimizer Tool, I will be creating a weekly lineup using the Optimizer (with some personal variations) to help members understand how the tool works as well as give non-paying members a preview of what they can get with our shiny new toy. This lineup is not the most optimal as far as the computer goes (you'll need to subscribe if you want the top projected lineups), but it includes some plays I feel very strongly about and combines a high floor with tons of upside.
Here's the lineup:
QB - Colin Kaepernick $7000
RB - Jeremy Hill $4000
RB - LeSean McCoy $5200
WR - Mohamed Sanu $6400
WR - DeAndre Hopkins $5400
WR - Andrew Hawkins $4900
TE - Julius Thomas $5600
FLEX - Jeremy Maclin $7600
DEF - Cincinnati $3300
Total Spent - $49400, $600 remaining
Projected DraftKings Points - 150
QB: Colin Kaepernick vs STL - $7000
Considering how many quarterbacks are on bye this week, there is not another quarterback with as much upside for this price level. Kaep dropped a 32.42 spot on the Rams the last time they played and this time he gets them at home. If the Rams defensive line can create pressure on Kaep that will be a good thing for Kaep's fantasy value as he is forced to throw screen passes for extra passing yards and scramble for extra yards on the ground.
RB1: Jeremy Hill vs JAX - $4000
With Bernard out, Hill has an outstanding opportunity to show his worth this week. Lucky for us, he’s not Donald Brown and he should actually succeed in such a juicy matchup. Plus we might get to see him do the Ickey Shuffle again.
RB2: LeSean McCoy at HOU - $5200
DraftKings is begging everyone to play McCoy this week. In the same game, Foster costs nearly twice as much and it could be McCoy who has the better day. Coming off an impressive 80+ yard performance against the best defensive unit against running backs in football, I expect McCoy to top 100 yards easily while adding catches and having a few touchdown opportunities even with Sproles back in the mix.
Maybe Sanu will throw a TD to Hill. That would be glorious.WR1: Mohamed Sanu vs JAX - $6400
Even in the games where AJ Green was able to play, Sanu has still hit double digits in every game but one this year. If AJ Green plays, his upside is not nearly as high, but he should remain an integral part of the offense moving forward, especially with Bernard out this week.
WR2: DeAndre Hopkins vs PHI - $5400
The Eagles pass defense let up multiple big plays to Palmer and the Cardinals last week and I expect Hopkins to take full advantage of that this week. Hopkins is much more explosive than Andre Johnson is at this point and will be the one trying to taking the top off the defense. Hopkins has only scored under 10 points once this season on DraftKings so he has a high floor with massive upside against the 3rd worst defense against wide receivers.
WR3: Andrew Hawkins vs TB - $4900
Since Alex Mack went down with a broken leg, the Browns running game has struggled to put it lightly. In order to move the ball, Hoyer has been force feeding Hawkins, throwing nine targets his way in each of the last two games. Hawkins has responded with two straight games of 20+ points on DraftKings and has proved to be the top option in the passing game, especially with Cameron now out for an extended stretch of time. With a third straight juicy matchup, this time against Tampa, I expect 15 points to be a worst-case floor this week.
TE: Julius Thomas at NE - $5600
After scoring nine touchdowns in his first five games, Julius has been an afterthought to Peyton the past two weeks, and that’s not something I anticipate continuing. The heavy winds blowing in New England only make me feel better about getting Julius in my lineups because Peyton will need to rely more on the short to intermediate routes to move the chains.
Seems like a lucky slot to play Maclin in after last week.FLEX: Jeremy Maclin at HOU - $7600
Like I mentioned last week, apart from Week 6 against the Giants, Maclin has seen 10+ targets in every game thus far this season. Don’t expect him to match his output from last week, but even if he gets only gets half as many points as he did last week, he’s still a great play.
DEF: Cincinnati vs JAX - $3300
Playing Jacksonville. I hope you don’t need an explanation on this one.