The Chargers and Cardinals look to bolster their playoff hopes on Monday Night Football.
DraftKings is offering a primetime DFS contest for the chance to win $200,000. I’ve gone through the contest and highlighted three under-the-radar options that can help give you a crtical advantage.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $600K Monday Night Showdown [$200K to 1st] (LAC @ ARI)
DraftKings Showdown Value Picks
Zay Jones ($6,400)
You’re reading that right—Zay Jones is indeed in Arizona. The eight-year pro has missed the first six contests after violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy and picking up a hamstring injury. With both receivers atop the depth chart battling with their own issues, Jones has been getting most of the reps at practice. Most times, skill position players are coming in rusty after such an extended hiatus, but Jones should be starting from a much more prosperous place.
The Dallas native is two years removed from an 800-yard campaign in Jacksonville, where he flashed as a mid-tier WR2. He’s a versatile threat who can line up on the perimeter or in the slot and can stretch defenses vertically. Jones has struggled with drops in the past but is a veteran who can put that behind him.
In his first contest back, the team might limit his snap count. Against a tough Los Angeles defense, the Cardinals need all the help they can get, and Jones is too valuable, racking up yards after the catch. It’s a frisky play but one that could pay massive dividends.
Josh Palmer ($5,400)
Why has Josh Palmer failed to take a leap with the departures of Mike Williams and Keenan Allen? It’s one of the world’s greatest modern mysteries, and I can’t seem to solve it. In four games, he’s failed to log more than four catches or surpass 40 yards in a contest. At best, he’s been a fantasy liability and has fallen out of DFS relevancy. Every value issue I preach about “buying low,” and there are some reasons to be optimistic about Palmer.
Despite the former Vol’s struggles, he played the second-most snaps of the squad’s wideouts. The offense has been exclusively on the ground, which has made every pass catcher on the team inconsistent statistically. Eventually, the Chargers will have to win airing it out, increasing Palmer’s target share. That scenario is likely against an Arizona attack that can score in bunches. I’m all over a favorable Palmer bounce-back effort at this minuscule assigned value.
Kimani Vidal ($4,400)
Get familiar with the name: Kimani Vidal. The reigning Sun Belt Player of the Year, the sixth round pick this past April is a lightning rod out of the backfield. After being second in the country in rushing a year ago, the Troy product started his rookie campaign falling victim to the dreaded healthy scratch. Gus Edwards, heading to IR, opened the door, and Vidal kicked it down, scoring on a perfectly schemed wheel route at his first career touch.
He only managed four carries, but with J.K. Dobbins’ length injury history, that workload will almost certainly increase. Vidal has a nice set of hands and projects as the change of pace back who is viable between the tackles. Most importantly for contest managers, he’s automatic near the goal line and has touchdown vulture capabilities. If Vidal gets the chance, he will make the most of his opportunity.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $600K Monday Night Showdown [$200K to 1st] (LAC @ ARI)
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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.
