The Steelers are aiming for their sixth straight victory in an AFC North showdown with the Browns on Thursday Night Football.
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. Below, I’ve honed in on the top three options deserving of leading your lineup.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $1.25M Thursday Night Showdown [$300K to 1st] (PIT @ CLE)
DraftKings Showdown Captain (CPT) Picks
George Pickens ($16,500)
Despite enduring a quarterback change and playing in a smash-mouth, run-first offense, George Pickens has the fourth-most receiving yards in the league. This is an incredible development for the third-year star, who spent the bulk of his first two years in the league frustrated with his inconsistent role. The change in signal-caller to Russell Wilson has sparked the most consistent run of Pickens’ young career, netting over 70 receiving yards in four straight games, including scoring his only pair of touchdowns during the campaign.
He’s a force on the perimeter, using his incredible athleticism to burn corners or simply leap over them and snag the rock out of the sky. Play caller Arthur Smith has made a concerted effort to get his top weapon consistently involved. Pickens is a wideout who can flip games on their head, and it’s no accident his personal success has correlated with his squad’s scorching stretch. Regardless of the matchup, he deserves crown consideration.
Russell Wilson ($15,000)
So far, the switch to Russell Wilson has been one of the best, boldest sports decisions in recent memory. At 35 years old, it looked like Wilson would ride into the sunset as a backup after his disastrous stint in Denver. Since stepping under center for Pittsburgh, Wilson is a perfect 4-0, tossing six scores compared to just two interceptions. He’s playing his best football in years and is finding a blend between being a high-end game manager and a frisky gunslinger hunting chunk gains down the field.
The rushing upside that made him a fantasy must-start in the past has faded, as he’s failed to gain more than 10 yards on the ground in his starts this season. He’s developed the late-stage Peyton Manning way of falling in a heap when facing pressure rather than trying to extend the play or scramble out of the pocket. The club likes to air it out in the red zone, which means he’s dependent on passing touchdowns. Even with a scary floor (six fantasy points in his last showing), the upside has been solid enough to pursue captain candidacy.
Cedric Tillman ($10,500)
The highlight of my recent Sunday value piece, Cedric Tillman, turned in a disappointing effort against a struggling New Orleans secondary last week. Despite his fourth straight outing with at least eight targets, he only secured three receptions for 47 yards. The University of Tennessee product has been shining as the WR1 in Cleveland, consistently generating separation and flashing great ability after the catch.
Despite how scary the Pittsburgh front seven is, they have a worse EPA on pass plays than run plays. Tillman will be a featured focus and is one of the few guys who can make something happen on this Cleveland squad. If you want to tail someone on this rollercoaster unit, Tillman is the clear choice.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $1.25M Thursday Night Showdown [$300K to 1st] (PIT @ CLE)
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and 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.
