The New York Jets are in Pittsburgh to wrap up a beautiful Sunday of football in Week 7. The game will be the focus of several big single-game Showdown contests, headlined by the NFL Showdown $1.2M Sunday Night Showdown [$300K to 1st] (NYJ @ PIT). While there are several ways you can build your lineup that make sense, the biggest name everyone will be watching is Davante Adams ($15,000 in Captain’s Pick). Given the salaries in the Showdown, Adams makes the most sense of the options available, even though you’ll need to find some value in FLEX spots.
Here’s how I’d attack it:
Analysis
Adams is set to make his Jets’ debut after being acquired in a trade midweek. He hasn’t played since Week 3, but he looked effective when healthy. He was working with Gardner Minshew and totaled 18 catches on 27 targets for 209 yards and a touchdown. That’s an average of 16.0 fantasy points per game, and his high point was a 29.0 fantasy-point performance against the Ravens in Week 2.
While he wasn’t consistent, Adams showed he still has plenty of upside and ability. With the upgrade from Minshew to Aaron Rodgers ($9,600), Adams should have an even higher ceiling with the Jets than with the Raiders.
The biggest question is whether he’ll be up to speed on the offense. He has been able to practice all week since the trade and seems to be past his “hamstring injury” that kept him out the last few weeks. Earlier on Sunday, Fox Sports’ Peter Schrager reported that Adams is expected to have a “prominent role.”
Since the Jets will want to show off their new toy, look for Adams to get plenty of targets from Rodgers.
Lineup Construction Blueprint
Building around Adams isn’t super easy at his salary, which is the second-highest in the showdown, but it’s possible. Any time I pick a pass catcher for my Captain’s Pick, I like to include the pass thrower for increased correlation. So in this case, that means Rodgers gets one of the UTIL spots.
That leaves an average of just over $6,000 for the last four spots. Russell Wilson ($9,400) is cheap for a starting QB, but I don’t think he’s necessary. For the most part, I’m passing on the whole Steelers’ offense aside from Najee Harris ($9,000) and Pat Freiermuth ($6,400), who is a nice value play. Jaylen Warren ($4,000) is also ready to go and could be a good value after missing two weeks and returning to a limited role last week vs. the Raiders.
Another bargain option that can help your lineup fit together with Rodgers and Adams is the Jets DST ($4,200). The Jets have 20 sacks and have forced six turnovers on the season, averaging 7.7 fantasy points per game. As a utility play, they make a ton of sense, especially if you’re fading Russ and the Steelers.
Using the Jets DST in a FLEX spot is the key to making Adams work as your Captain’s Pick, and Adams gives your lineup the highest ceiling since it looks like he’s all systems go for takeoff in his Jets’ debut.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is z.thompson) 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 skill 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.
