The Steelers and Giants look to gain momentum in an enticing Monday Night Football matchup.
It’s primetime, which means DraftKings has a premier showdown contest. In this mode, choosing the best captain is critical since they earn 1.5x fantasy points. I’ve honed in on my three favorite players deserving of claiming the crown to lead your squad to victory.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL Showdown $1.25M Monday Night Showdown [$300K to 1st] (NYG @ PIT)
DraftKings Showdown Captain (CPT) Picks
Malik Nabers ($15,000)
It’s not too early to say anymore—Malik Nabers is already a top-10 wide receiver in the NFL. The rookie has been a sensation from the moment he took the field. He is the ideal prototype: 6’0″ tall with mid-4.3 speed and a reliable pair of hands. His ability to threaten defenses vertically has reformed New York’s passing attack. The squad has had previous burners on the perimeter, but Nabers has unreal body control that makes him able to pluck the rock out of the air with ease.
In his last two outings since returning from injury, the LSU product has accumulated 23 targets. He’s only reeled in 16 of that chunk for receptions, but the share of looks in his direction is promising. The group’s only real chance of sustaining long drives is feeding number one, and in their biggest game to date, I expect just that.
Pittsburgh has a ferocious front seven, but when protection holds up, the secondary is vulnerable. Nabers is a walking mismatch and is captain-worthy in any showdown.
George Pickens ($14,700)
After weeks of inconsistent opportunities, a shift at signal-caller has thrust George Pickens back to fantasy relevancy. It seems like the wideout has never been content with his role in Pittsburgh—constantly questioning his role or lack of volume. As annoying as that may sound, it’s rooted in some truth. A pass catcher of his talent should command attention and want to be more involved. It’s all about channeling those frustrations while in uniform, and Pickens did that in his last showing.
The 23-year-old grounded the Jets on Sunday night, corralling five catches for 111 yards and a score. It’s his second time on the season surpassing the century mark, but the first time, it felt like there was a conservative effort to get him involved from the get-go. He doesn’t need much separation to make an impact—he’s a master of the jump ball, routinely “mossing” opposing corners. His skillset makes particular matchups less critical—Pickens is that good.
Russell Wilson ($14,400)
Are we still letting Russell Wilson cook? After the first start of his campaign, it’s hard not to ask at least what’s on the menu. Wilson was serving up plenty of touchdowns, and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s scheme looked much more appealing with the veteran quarterback under center.
The 13-year pro prioritized launching downfield and giving his weapons chances to make plays. Justin Fields was uber-efficient, but it was clear the Steelers were winning games in large part to their front seven and not QB play. Is Wilson the answer long-term? Probably not, but if he continues to perform at this level, it’s impossible to put him back on the bench. He even offers solid DFS value in a unit that is desperate to air it out more often.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL Showdown $1.25M Monday Night Showdown [$300K to 1st] (NYG @ PIT)
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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.
