In a clash for AFC East supremacy, the Jets take on the Bills on Monday Night Football.
It’s primetime, which means DraftKings has a premier showdown contest. In this mode, choosing the best captain is crucial since they earn 1.5x fantasy points. I’ve narrowed down my three favorite players deserving of claiming the crown to lead your squad to victory.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $1.5M Monday Night Showdown [$500K to 1st] (BUF @ NYJ)
DraftKings Showdown Captain (CPT) Picks
James Cook ($15,300)
The risk-reward factor might scare some off, but if James Cook is on the field, his volume share is undeniable. Outside of the blowout in Baltimore, the Pro Bowler has carried the rock at least 10 times a game, including two contests with over 15 attempts. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady has fed the 25-year-old since taking over play-calling duties last year, which has elevated Cook into a premier fantasy asset.
Cook’s a solid pass catcher but hasn’t been getting as many dump-off looks as he did a year ago. Buffalo spreads him out and allows him to make plays with his hands, but his struggle with drops has impacted his bottom line. If he can shore up that part of his arsenal, there’s a way to reach even more heights.
The Jets have a feisty front seven, but the loss of defensive guru Robert Saleh could negatively affect their emotions and schematics. Cook’s been dealing with a toe injury that could slightly impact his touches, but his stranglehold over the backfield workload is enough to warrant strong captain consideration.
Garrett Wilson ($15,000)
The injection of Aaron Rodgers ($13,500) was supposed to supercharge the New York aerial attack—it really hasn’t. The eight-to-five connection has been clunky at best and underwhelming at worst, but it’s slowly trending in a positive direction. Across five weeks, Wilson has tallied 56 targets, including a whopping 22 in his last outing against Minnesota.
The former first-round pick is a stud on the outside, a technical master with top-tier route-running prowess. He’s done most of his work within the sticks but has vertical-threat ability that this new staff could tap into more. His numbers are a result of insufficient chemistry with Rodgers, and the two often look like they’re on different pages. Continuous reps between the pair should improve their rapport, which makes Wilson an ascending DFS option.
Breece Hall ($14,100)
Breece Hall stock is falling faster than Blockbuster, so it’s time to buy the dip. The last two weeks have been disastrous, as the club’s bell cow has mustered 1.4 yards per carry during that time frame. Predictable playcalling and substandard run blocking have been the main culprits, with the 23-year-old bearing minimal blame.
This New York offense will remain neutral if Hall isn’t an elite rusher. Rodgers is a maestro of play action, but he can only tap into that if there is a threat to pound the ball between the tackles. Everyone in the Big Apple understands they need to get the third-year pro more involved, which should be the theme of the game script.
A matchup against Buffalo and the worst starting linebackers in football is a recipe for a significant bounceback. Hall is too talented for this downward spiral to continue—fade the public outcry and give him the crown.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $1.5M Monday Night Showdown [$500K to 1st] (BUF @ NYJ)
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is xaiver-aguiar) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skills and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
