Getty Gallery: 3/5
Optimal Lineup
– CAPTAIN: Drew Brees ($15,000)
– Michael Thomas ($11,400)
– Matt Ryan ($8,600)
– Tre'Quan Smith ($6,400)
– Mohamed Sanu ($5,000)
– Wil Lutz ($3,400)
Lineup if Tre'Quan Smith is out:
– CAPTAIN: Drew Brees ($15,000)
– Michael Thomas ($11,400)
– Julio Jones ($10,400)
– Matt Ryan ($8,600)
– Matt Bryant ($3,000)
– Keith Kirkwood ($1,400)
For the top optimal I'm going to approach it by breaking down the names who may not jump out as the most obvious of plays. I'll also mix in some spots on the bigger names but expand on those as we move along as well. Options like Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara are simply elite plays and can be considered in most lineups.
I think Matt Ryan is going to be lower owned than he should be this week after a mediocre showing in Atlanta's loss last game. It's easy to forget just how good Ryan has been at multiple points this season. He's topped 22.2 DraftKings points in seven of the last nine games and gone over the 30-point mark five times on the year.
The Saints defense has been much improved recently, but they've still allowed 2,955 yards and 19 touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks. While they're a better unit than the first time the two teams met, Ryan torched them in that game for five touchdowns and 374 yards. With the Falcons facing somewhat of a must-win spot, I think Ryan is a great option at a very affordable price.
I'm partially hopeful Tre'Quan Smith plays because this is a monster spot for him. But on the flip side, Keith Kirkwood flashed some legitimate upside last week and provides a ton of salary relief. Regardless, if Smith plays I think it's a spot that'll be hard to pass up with this price. The Falcons have given up 1,805 yards and 14 touchdowns to wide receivers this season.
To make Smith's spot even more appealing, the Falcons have been horrible at generating pressure, so Drew Brees is going to have days to throw in this game. The rookie wideout should be able to get behind the Falcons defense and allow Brees to hit him on a few long ones throughout Thursday's game.
While I know many people aren't interested in kickers, for the most part, this is a great way to get salary relief in a game like this. If you have an expensive option in the captain spot who goes for 30-40 DraftKings points, that 1.5x bonus makes a huge difference, so getting a reliable kicker like Wil Lutz or Matt Bryant is ideal. For what it's worth, Lutz has topped 11 fantasy points in each of the last four games. You'd be hard-pressed to find that production from another player at $3,400.
Let's look at the 150-max lineup which has major upside with some risk involved.
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DraftKings NFL Picks & Top Optimal Lineups for Falcons vs. Saints Showdown