It’s already been an action-packed Week 10 in the NFL, and on Monday, the Rams and Dolphins will clash at SoFi Stadium to put a bow on the week. Both teams have multiple big-time playmakers to consider in your fantasy lineups in single-game Showdown contests, highlighted by the NFL Showdown $1.25M Monday Night Showdown [$300K to 1st] (MIA @ LAR). There are two plays that I think will bring good value and leverage in those DFS contests, so I’d either build around De’Von Achane ($14,100 in Captain’s Pick) or Puka Nacua ($13,500 in Captain’s Pick).
Here’s why I think they make sense:
De’Von Achane’s huge upside and high floor
While there will be lots of attention paid to Jaylen Waddle ($6,600 in FLEX) if Tyreek Hill ($10,000) is not able to play due to a wrist injury (I wrote more on that here), it’s actually Achane who I think is in the best spot to step up with a monster game.
In his last two games since Tua Tagovailoa ($9,200) came back at QB, Achane went off for 26.7 fantasy points against the Cardinals and followed that up with 32.1 fantasy points against the Bills.
In each of those two games, Achane had a receiving score and eight targets. He also had seven targets in each of the first two games of the season that Tua started, so his involvement as a receiver gives him both a high ceiling and a high floor.
He has at least 23 fantasy points in all four games that Tua has started this season, and he should be able to continue his momentum this week against the Rams, who have allowed an average of 109.4 rushing yards and 34.6 receiving yards per game to opposing running backs this season. Opposing running backs have yet to score a receiving touchdown against them, but Achane will look to be the first this week.
Puka Nacua coming in under the radar
The other play I like a ton at his salary is Rams WR Puka Nacua. He is only $13,500 in the Captain’s Pick spot and $9,000 as a FLEX play. He’s cheaper than Achane and five other players and offers good value if he is at his best.
Nacua has been limited to three games this season, but he left Week 1 against the Lions with an injury and was ejected in Week 9 against the Seahawks. In his only full game, he hauled in 7-of-9 targets for 106 yards and 21.1 fantasy points.
With Nacua ejected, Cooper Kupp ($9,800) carried the load last week and will likely be a popular play this week, but it’s worth noting that production came without Nacua. In the game where both WR played, Nacua out-produced Kupp in catches, targets and yards.
The debate as to which Rams’ WR is better is a subject for a whole different article, but if people sleep on Nacua, he could be a great leverage option. Not only does he have the potential to go off and have a huge game, but he also saves significant salary in the Captain’s Pick spot over the higher-priced stars on the slate.
Lineup Construction Blueprint
With Achane as the Captain’s Pick, you will have to manage your salary carefully. However, if you pass on both quarterbacks, you can build around Achane, Kyren Williams ($10,800), a value option or two, and one other midrange pick. If the scores come on the ground or on passes to either superstar back, you’re lineup will be golden!
You can also build around Achane with either Rams’ WR and Matthew Stafford ($8,600), or Waddle and Tua if you go with value plays in other spots.
Building around Puka as a Captain’s Pick is easier since the Stafford-Nacua stack still leaves almost $7,000 per FLEX spot. You can counter that stack with Waddle-Tua or even Tyreek-Tua if Hill does play and round out your roster with value plays.
My top value play is Jordan Whittington ($2,600), who is remarkably cheap given his success for the Rams this season. Yes, he’s just returning from injury and will be behind Nacua and Kupp, but I’m with my colleague Dan Johnson, who has been hyping Whittington all season and included him in his Week 10 stashes. It’s hard to know for sure which Rams receiver will be in the mix now that they’re all healthy, but I love Whittington’s potential at this price.
If Hill is out, Odell Beckham Jr. ($2,400) will have to step up and get more work for Miami as well, and he did catch all three of his targets last week, even though he did only manage 15 yards.
However you build around Achane, Nacua or another option, this game should be a great finish to the week with so many storylines to track and enjoy!
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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.
