NOTE: All pricing references pertain to DraftKings

Showdown Strategy

When Showdown slates first became available I was not a big fan simply because I don’t often like change. When these slates were designed we hadn’t ever seen anything like them in the DFS world. Come to realize a few years later I really enjoy them. On a normal slate with multiple games, I would typically describe myself as a cash game player primarily. That’s where my focus typically lies; cash games/single entry tournaments and from there I’ll build lineups for multi-entry GPP contests. For me, the cash game/single entry strategy kind of goes out the window as I’ll hardly if ever play double-ups and single-entry contests in showdown. Instead, I’ll take a core of players, more than often three to four players in the game that I want in virtually every lineup, typically 20 or so, that I build. The core will usually include both quarterbacks and one to two skill players that I have to have. Like much of fantasy football volume is king but it comes with a price. The wrinkle is the captain’s spot in showdown lineups. The captain’s spot generates 1.5 times the amount of fantasy points scored however a player’s salary goes up in the captain’s spot obviously. Locking in a core and deciding on a captain is how I’ll start building lineups. From there I’ll fill in the rest of the spots with correlation and value plays. Don’t be afraid to get a little weird with these lineups because virtually anything goes!

Core Plays

Kansas City Chiefs: QB Patrick Mahomes

Las Vegas Raiders: QB Derek Carr, WR Hunter Renfrow

Even though Mahomes has struggled I don’t expect that to continue. This isn’t breaking news here but the guys ability is something that can’t be denied. Despite the Raiders being a team that’s dealt with adversity very well look for Mahomes to get back on track.

Carr has played well throughout all of the chaos the Raiders have dealt with and through all of that he’s looked to Hunter Renfrow is most any situation. Renfrow has seen at least eight targets in four of his last five games with seven receptions in each of his last two. He’s just $8,400 in a good matchup in the slot against a week Kansas City secondary.

*NOTE: All plays above are obviously “Captain” viable

Captain Plays

TE Darren Waller (LV)

Waller has been incredibly quiet of late although he saw 11 targets last week with seven receptions. His seven receptions were the most he’s had in his last six games and the volume should be there again against this weak secondary.

WR Tyreek Hill (KC)

It’s going cost a pretty penny to roster him in this position, but Hill has a setup to have a monster effort. The Raiders let go of one of their starting corners this week. Hill has lined up in the slot 41.5 percent of the time this season and leads the league in air yards. The upside is obviously immense and the volume could be substantial as even with Mahomes’ struggles he’s seen 11 and 18 targets over the last two games.

Flex Plays

Travis Kelce (KC)

Josh Jacobs (LV)

Darel Williams (KC)

Mecole Hardman (KC)

Value Flex Plays

Byron Pringle (KC)

Desean Jackson (LV)

Zay Jones (LV)

K’s Daniel Carlson (LV), Harrison Butker (KC)

Prop Bets

Josh Jacobs – OVER receiving yards (18.5, -110)

Travis Kelce – UNDER receiving yards (75.5, -115)

GOOD LUCK!