The Vikings will square off with the Rams in a premier Thursday Night Football showdown.
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 Thursday Night Showdown [$500K to 1st] (MIN @ LAR)
DraftKings Showdown Captain (CPT) Picks
Justin Jefferson ($17,700)
There’s little doubt about who the best pass catcher in football is, but he’s also making a case for being the best overall player. Justin Jefferson’s consistent excellence has put him in rarified air as an invaluable wideout who can help carry an offense. The stats aren’t necessarily jaw-dropping, but they’re impressive, considering a backup quarterback (technically) is feeding him the rock and that he’s the first, second, and third priority of every opposing defensive game plan.
Jefferson simply always performs. The game looks like it’s played at half-speed for him — his athleticism, paired with freakish lateral quickness, makes defensive backs look silly. Even when he isn’t “open” when the ball is in his vicinity, something spectacular is not just possible, but likely. He’s even found the endzone in five of six contests this season, which have maximized his overall value.
A matchup with the Rams’ secondary on a short week is DFS Christmas. Their secondary has been a disaster for much of the campaign, and they are susceptible to getting beat over the top. The unit has yet to get totally torched thanks to the bend, don’t break approach, but Jefferson is impossible to contain. I expect the superstar to cross the century mark for the first time since Week 2, which makes him an obvious captain candidate.
Kyren Williams ($16,800)
Lost in LA’s injury woes has been the emergence of Kyren Williams. Last year’s sophomore leap was impressive, amassing over 1,100 yards on the ground with 15 total touchdowns. He’s a throwback, a bruising back who won’t blow you away with his physical traits but will keep his legs churning for extra yards.
Williams is far less efficient in 2024, but his workload has dramatically increased production. He’s already punched in nine scores and has tallied over 20 touches in all but one outing. The matchups matter far less when he gets this type of volume and routinely makes reservations for the end zone. Even if it looks ugly at times, Williams is a bulldozer who can handle the increasing number of carries.
Cooper Kupp ($16,500)
He’s baaackkkk.
After over a month on the shelf with an ankle injury, Cooper Kupp is slated to return and provide a much-needed safety valve for Matthew Stafford ($13,500). Kupp is the best route runner in the sport, a technical master who creates separation with every play. At 2-4, the Rams can’t afford to ease the 31-year-old back into the fold. Even with seven playoff slots, falling to 2-5 is an almost insurmountable hole to climb out of in the scrappy NFC West.
A date with the 32nd-ranked fantasy secondary is a splendid welcome-back gift for the former receiving triple crown winner. Kupp is always a target machine — in a critical juncture, he’ll be the featured cog in the offense.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $1.5M Thursday Night Showdown [$500K to 1st] (MIN @ LAR)
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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 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.
