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 Thursday's NFL Showdown $4 million Kickoff Millionaire contest featuring the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Buccaneers.
All prices listed are courtesy of DraftKings with a $50,000 budget, and you need at least one player from each team.
— Captain: WR Antonio Brown, Buccaneers ($8,400)
DraftKings makes you pay a premium for a player, whose points are multiplied by 1.5. Brown received 8.2 targets per game the final six contests of 2020 — more than both Mike Evans (7.7) or Chris Godwin (7.2). He's a great value here.
— Flex: QB Tom Brady, Buccaneers ($11,200)
The Cowboys defense has to be better this season, right, but I don't expect them to have their sea legs right out of the gate against the champs. Brady should shine in prime time.
— Flex: QB Dak Prescott, Cowboys ($10,400)
Choosing Brown as captain, and my confidence in a sleeper below, allows me to use both quarterbacks in a potentially high-scoring affair on opening night.
— Flex: RB Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys ($9,600)
The Buccaneers are stout against the run, so consider this as my zig when everyone else zags. Elliott has a bad taste in his mouth after last season and I expect the former All-Pro to find the end zone at least once in the opener.
— Flex: WR Cee Dee Lamb, Cowboys ($8,200)
I anticipate a high volume in the pass game for Dallas and Lamb is a terror after the catch. A very good Tampa Bay secondary can be beaten because of its uber-aggressive tendencies.
— Flex: RB Giovani Bernard, Buccaneers ($2,000)
I fully expect Brady to utilize Bernard the way he used James White in New England. A half dozen receptions and a score would be major profit for this price tag.
