Devising the perfect Daily Fantasy Sports strategy for the NFL can be a challenge, which is why I’m here weekly 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 $4 million Fantasy Football Millionaire contest, but it can be utilized as a foundation in other games and platforms.
All prices listed are courtesy of DraftKings with a $50,000 budget.
QB: Jayden Daniels, Commanders ($5,700)
Unless Justin Fields starts for Russell Wilson against the Falcons, Daniels will be the best value at QB for Sunday’s main slate of games. The reigning Heisman trophy winner offers a solid floor with his rushing ability, and looked sharp in his limited preseason action. The Bucs surrendered 248.9 passing yards per game last season, which was the fourth-most in the NFL, and will field essentially the same secondary. This will likely be the last time Daniels is this cheap.
RB: Zamir White, Raiders ($5,700)
White stepped in for Josh Jacobs the final month of last season when Jacobs went down with a quad injury. He received 20, 22, 25 and 26 touches in those four games, producing 457 total yards with a TD, and two 100-plus rushing yard performances. Volume is king in every fantasy format.
RB: Javonte Williams, Broncos ($5,500)
Williams is now two years removed from his ACL tear, and he looked like a stud before the injury. The Seahawks surrendered the third-most fantasy points to running backs last year.
WR: Justin Jefferson, Vikings ($8,400)
If Jefferson can produce 192 yards on 12 receptions and a TD with Nick Mullins under center, like he did Week 18 against the Lions last season, he’ll be fine with Sam Darnold at QB.
WR: Drake London, Falcons ($6,000)
An actual quarterback under center and improved coaching should help this former top-10 pick reach his full potential as a WR1.
WR: Terry McLaurin, Commanders ($5,600)
Like London, a new offensive scheme and a talented QB could unlock McLaurin, especially against a potentially leaky secondary at Tampa Bay (mostly due to their ball-hawking ways). He ranked second in routes ran and 19th in targets last season, and has historically left a lot of potential fantasy points on the table due to mediocre QB play.
TE: Pat Freiermuth, Steelers ($4,400)
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s scheme relies heavily on tight ends, and Freiermuth could end up being the second-best receiving option for Pittsburgh with Diontae Johnson in Carolina. The Falcons allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to the position last year.
FLEX: Chris Godwin, Buccaneers ($5,800)
Like Williams, Godwin is also two years removed from his ACL injury, and it usually takes that long to fully recover. He was a top-10 wide receiver before, and he’s returning to the slot for Tampa Bay, where he thrived.
DST: Las Vegas Raiders ($2,800)
The Raiders defense actually looked like it could be a strength after Antonio Pierce took over for Josh McDaniels last season. The Chargers don’t have a clear WR1 or RB1 and looked inept on offense in the preseason. I anticipate Justin Herbert making them better, but there’s a lot of questions that need answered and it could take miracle worker Jim Harbaugh and Herbert a little time to establish a cohesive identity on that side of the ball.