DraftKings NFL Picks & Top Optimal Lineups for Falcons vs. Saints Showdown

150-Max Entry Lineup

– CAPTAIN: Matt Ryan ($12,900)
– Michael Thomas ($11,400)
– Alvin Kamara ($11,000)
– Drew Brees ($10,000)
– Ito Smith ($2,600)
– Ben Watson ($2,000)

For the 150-max lineup, there's going to be some legitimate risk involved, and while I approach each one with a different plan, I'm going to take somewhat of a different route here. In most cases, I'll sort of "punt" one player with the expectation that they'll need to score or see an increased workload to produce.

In this spot, I'm going to use a duo of Ito Smith and Ben Watson for two different reasons. While Smith's actually a target who intrigues me a bit partially due to his pass-catching ability, I could see him surprising and making a difference in this game. The Falcons back seems to be one of those players who needs to get rolling for his production to snowball into something beautiful.

Smith's matchup isn't ideal, as the Saints have been excellent against running backs this season. But rookie out of SMU is a far better player than his $2,600 price tag shows. I'm betting on him showing up and making an impact in this game, and there's certainly a risk, but he should have low ownership and if it hits, you'll be poised for a big finish.

Watson's matchup isn't bad, as the Falcons have given up 48 receptions for 482 yards and three touchdowns on the year to tight ends. And considering we're looking at a game with a projected total of over 60 points, there's plenty of reason to think he'll bounce back and see multiple targets and possibly red zone chances.

The issue with Watson is more about his own production. He's gone catch-less in two of the last four games and had just one grab in the other game. Compared to the rest of his season, though, these three games are outliers. Of the Saints' other seven games, Watson received at least four targets in six of them, with the seventh resulting in three looks coming his way.

Going this route allows me to load up on players who all have the realistic potential to score 30-plus points and possibly even the upwards of 40. If the "big four" of Michael Thomas, Alvin Kamara, Drew Brees, and Matt Ryan can top 30 points and we get production from the other two, this lineup shapes up nicely.

We'll look at the single entry/cash lineup next which is the far safer option in comparison to the 150-max.

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