NFL DFS Picks: DraftKings Showdown Tips for Super Bowl 2022
Happy Super Bowl Sunday, everybody! We have a fantastic matchup in store for us, with Joe Burrow and the young-gunning Cincinnati Bengals traveling to LA to take on the powerhouse Rams. You probably already caught my Best Bets and Same Game Parlay columns for the big game, but today we have a DFS showdown preview for you.
Typically, we play all kinds of different DraftKings contest styles. But this weekend, with just one game remaining, we are focusing all our DFS attention on Showdown Mode.
If you’re not already familiar, Showdown basically has you pick six FLEX-eligible players (QB/RB/WR/TE/K/DST), designating one as a Captain. The player you select as your Captain will accrue 1.5 times the standard fantasy point value for each statistic, but drafting a player as Captain will cost more salary than drafting them as a standard FLEX.
In this column, I’ll preview my favorite player picks at each price level, and get you all set up for DFS success for the big game. Good luck, have fun, and enjoy what should be an amazing Super Bowl!
NFL DFS Tips: DraftKings Captain Picks
Captain Material — The Best of the High-Priced Studs
Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams — Captain Price: $17,400 | FLEX Price: $11,600
Kupp put up one of the best wide receiver campaigns in the history of the NFL this season, and he hasn’t slowed down during LA’s Super Bowl run. Kupp finished the regular season with an NFL-best 145 catches, 1,947 yards, and 16 touchdowns. He averaged a whopping 28.2 PPR points during the season, and hit 35 and 40 points the last two weeks against Tampa Bay and San Fran. If that’s not “captain material,” I don’t know what is.
Matthew Stafford, QB, Rams — Captain: $16,200 | FLEX: $10,800
Stafford is the next-best captain of the big game — his rapport with Kupp is impossible to match, and it’s the biggest reason LA made it to the title game. The longtime Lion and first-year Ram has been a joy to watch, and he’ll be a pleasure to own in DFS contests this Sunday night. Stafford’s floor is in the lower-20s, but his ceiling is up closer to 32 points. I’m featuring him in every lineup this Sunday.
Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals — Captain: $15,900 | FLEX: $10,600
Burrow’s a bit more volatile than Stafford, simply because his offensive line is so shoddy and Aaron Donald, Von Miller and company will be harassing him all day. But the second-year QB and last year’s No. 1 draft pick has been special during this home stretch. Like Stafford and Kupp, Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase enjoy a unique connection, breaking all kinds of records for sophomore QBs and rookie wideouts. If you can flaunt both QBs, go for it. If you have to choose between them, go with Stafford.
Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Bengals — Captain: $15,600 | FLEX: $10,400
Chase has been one of the most explosive players in the NFL this season, never mind the rookie class. The Rookie of the Year easily broke former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson rookie receiving records, and terrorized secondaries game in and game out. Chase finished the season with 81 catches, 1,455 yards, and 13 touchdowns, and he’s been just as awesome in the postseason. Check out Chase’s game-by-game PPR production in the playoffs: 25.9, 19.1, 17.7. And back in Week 17, he put up an astonishing 58.6 points against the Chiefs. Chase is practically a must-own, for his high-floor and his massive ceiling.
Affordable High-Floor, High-Ceiling Guys
Odell Beckham, WR, Rams — FLEX: $8.400
You’re probably wondering where Bengals running back Joe Mixon might be hiding — well, simply put, we don’t have him in any Showdown lineups this weekend. Sure, Mixon has maintained an average of 18.2 PPR points this season. But the Rams gobble up opposing run games, especially when the lights are shining brightest. You’re much better off spending $1,200 less and grabbing OBJ, who has been a reliable WR2 for Stafford since he arrived via midseason trade. Beckham plays the second-fiddle role vacated when Robert Woods got injured, and he does it well. The veteran has one touchdown or 100 yards receiving in seven of his last 10 games. He caught 9-of-11 targets for 113 yards in LA’s NFC Championship win over San Fran, and he should put up plentiful numbers against Cincy’s suspect secondary (the Bengals rank 17th in yards allowed to wideouts this season).
Tee Higgins, WR, Bengals — FLEX: $7,600
I don’t love Higgins as much as his rookie teammate Chase, but I do like the second-year receiver more than anybody at or below this price point. Higgins comes into the big game with a scoring average of 15.9 PPR, and he’s put up 35.9 combined points over Cincy’s last two games. Jalen Ramsey might be shadow-covering Chase, which makes Higgins at $7,600 even more intriguing. The Rams may have the best pass-rush in football, but they still rank just 23rd in points allowed to wide receivers. Fire Higgins up.
Tyler Boyd, WR, Bengals — FLEX: $5,400
I like Boyd much less than I like Higgins, but the veteran slot receiver is still a great value at $5,400. Los Angeles often cedes short and intermediate yardage between the hash marks, and that will especially be the case if Ramsey and Darious Williams are focusing on Chase and Higgins. Boyd could make some noise this weekend.
Van Jefferson, WR, Rams — FLEX: $5,200
Just like with Boyd, Jefferson benefits from being the lesser-regarded of his squad’s main receiving nucleus. The young speedster may be a bit volatile, and his floor is lower than Boyd’s, but his ceiling is massive. He can take the cover off a defense in a split second, and reward investors handsomely if Cincy’s secondary ever loses him.
Deep Sleepers and Big-Time Values
Samaje Perine, RB, Bengals — FLEX: $2,400
I may not like Mixon at $9,600, but I love Perine at $2,400. The backup running back caught 3-of-4 targets last week in Kansas City, accumulating 43 yards and a touchdown. That’s good for 13.3 points, which is more than we expect for a guy who costs $2,400.
Evan McPherson ($4,000), K, Bengals and Matt Gay ($3,800), K, Rams
These two kickers have proved to be extremely clutch during their squads’ respective Super Bowl runs, and I couldn’t blame you one bit if you invested in these guys. The Bengals and Rams both averaged three field goals per game during the regular season and playoffs, so why shy away from assured points? McPherson has registered points totals of 15, 18, and 15 in Cincy’s last three playoff games, and Gay has put up 9, 13, and 11 in that same timeframe.
Darrell Henderson, RB, Rams — FLEX: $1,600
This could be a crafty play ahead of the weekend, as Henderson has been activated from the IR but not yet cleared to play. If LA coach Sean McVay indeed clears him ahead of the biggest game of his career, Hendo should be a good bet to flirt with double-digits in points production. And even if he doesn’t play, his low price affords you the ability to grab another high-profile stud. And sometimes, one stud at $15,000 is better than two middle-tier players at $7,500.
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