It’s another Harbaugh bowl when the Ravens and Chargers clash on Monday 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 Showdown $1.5M Monday Night Showdown [$500K to 1st] (BAL @ LAC)
DraftKings Showdown Captain (CPT) Picks
Lamar Jackson ($16,500)
After another dominant stretch with a consecutive MVP in his sights, Lamar Jackson stumbled again last week, squaring off with a vaunted Pittsburgh defense. When a player struggles against a familiar foe, narratives get out of control. Quarterbacks, in particular, are allowed to have the occasional substandard performance. One ugly showing against a division rival doesn’t change the fact Jackson has been dominant this campaign and is a top-three signal-caller in the league.
Jackson’s incredible ability on the ground has always made him a fantasy cheat code, but being elite from the pocket has transformed his ceiling. With a solid pass-catching core, Jackson is confident airing it out to his weapons, and the offense has become much more dynamic.
It’s easy to fade Jackson against another vicious front seven, but even in his “worst” out of the year, he still finished with 15.88 fantasy points. Jackson is a superstar, and it’s best to trust his talents until proven otherwise.
Derrick Henry ($16,200)
The NFL’s ageless wonder, Derrick Henry, was supposed to be on the brink of retirement three years ago based on modern running back trends. He’s shown no signs of regression, even at 30 and in his ninth season as a pro. Henry still has an incredible burst, possessing the scary blend of freakish power and home run speed.
Henry has already rushed for over 1,100 yards on the campaign but has crossed the century mark just once in four contests. He’s Baltimore’s bell cow, routinely getting over 15 touches an outing. He loses some work in receiving downs to Justice Hill, but Henry is the dominant force near the goalline. Although the matchup isn’t ideal, that’s never stopped the All-Pro rusher.
Justin Herbert ($15,600)
After a disappointing 2023, Justin Herbert’s stock is back to record highs this season. With Jim Harbaugh at the helm, the University of Oregon product has become a conservative gunslinger, carrying an aerial attack despite a group of inconsistent receivers. It’s unbelievable that Herbert has propelled LA to the 12th-best EPA per pass play in the league with this group around him.
He’s more than a statue in the pocket—he can use his freakish athleticism to scramble for extra yardage, helping his DFS outlook. Baltimore’s defense is 2nd in EPA against the rush but 26th against the pass. Despite Los Angeles’ principles, it’s difficult to imagine they won’t lean on Herbert’s arm. That bodes well for production, and he’ll have plenty of volume to piece together a stellar evening.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL Showdown $1.5M Monday Night Showdown [$500K to 1st] (BAL @ LAC)
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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.
