The Eagles are out West to face the Rams to close out Sunday of Week 12. It should be a good road test for Philly, who has won six straight games, and an important matchup for the Rams, who are 5-5 and trying to stay in the playoff hunt. As you build your DFS lineups for Shodown contests like the NFL Showdown $1.11M Sunday Night Showdown [$250K to 1st] (PHI @ LAR), One key absence to consider will be DeVonta Smith (hamstring), the Eagles WR 2, who will open up a significant workload since he averages 6.2 targets per game. Without Smith, Dallas Goedert ($9,600 as Captain’s Pick) is my favorite Captain’s Pick, but I also like Puka Nacua ($13,800 as Captain’s Pick) as an alternative to build around at his salary.
Here’s why I like those centerpieces:
Dallas Goedert as a Captain’s Pick
Goedert is only the eighth-most expensive option to build around, so going with him at under $10,000 as your Captain’s Pick leaves an average of over $8,000 for the rest of your FLEX spots. If Goedert delivers, he gives your entire roster a very high ceiling since you can get whatever stars you want to include in your lineup.
Goedert has averaged 11.2 fantasy points per game this season. In one game against the Browns, he went catchless, but he has double-digit points in the other four of his last five games. Last week, he had five catches on five targets against the Commanders to post 11.1 fantasy points. He managed an ankle issue in the week before that game, and getting a few extra days off since last Thursday should help him be closer to 100%.
This isn’t the first time that DeVonta Smith has been injured this season. He got hurt in Week 3 against the Bucs while A.J. Brown ($9,800 in FLEX) was also sidelined. Goedert stepped up with 10 catches on 11 targets and 170 yards in that game to finish with 30 fantasy points as the top tight end of the week. Both were out again in Week 4, and Geodert caught 7-of-8 targets for 62 yards and 13.2 fantasy points.
On top of his past success in a similar situation, Goedert also has a great matchup since the Rams have been beatable by tight ends all season. Opposing tight ends have averaged 5.4 catches for 62.3 yards per game against the Rams and have scored four touchdowns in 10 games.
With more work coming his way and a good matchup, Goedert is way too affordable in Showdown contests.
Other Captain’s Pick Plays to Consider
While Goedert is my favorite play at Captain’s Pick, here are a few other options to consider.
- A.J. Brown ($14,700 as Captain’s Pick): Brown could get the extra work from Smith and put up a massive number. He has over 18 fantasy points in four of his seven games this season.
- Jalen Hurts ($16,200 as Captain’s Pick): Hurts and his “tush push” touchdowns is always a strong play since he gets so many touchdowns. In his last five games, he has six passing scores but an even more impressive nine rushing scores.
- Puka Nacua ($13,800 as Captain’s Pick): Nacua is cheap in comparison to the other Rams’ offensive options, and he’s my favorite Captain’s Pick play from that side of the ball. Nacua has battled injury this season and has only played three full games. He put up at least 98 yards and 18 fantasy points in each of those contests.
- Eagles DST ($6,000 as Captain’s Pick): If you’re really feeling wild, you can spend way down on the DST for the Eagles and stack all the offensive stars in FLEX spots. The Eagles D has at least 6.0 fantasy points in six straight games and has hit for 15 and 20 fantasy points in two of those contests.
Assembling your squad
If you go with Goedert as a Captain’s Pick, you can drop Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley ($11,200) into FLEX spots and still have enough to include solid non-punt plays in your other spots. You could opt for A.J. Brown in a flex spot to finish the Eagles super-stack and get your Rams’ punt play by going with Davis Allen ($1,600) or Jordan Whittington ($1,400) who have quite a big of upside for players at that price.
If you want a more balanced roster build, you can go with Nacua or Kyren Williams ($9,400) if flex spots or even stack both Rams’ star receivers by including Cooper Kupp ($9,600) as well.
Allen and Whittington are two of my favorite ultra-cheap options while Blake Corum ($2,400) and Kenneth Gainwell ($3,000) are a little involved for both teams as change-of-pace options with touchdown-dependent upside.
Whichever way you lean with the rest of your roster, Goedert stands out as the top Captain’s Pick play since he brings so much upside at a very affordable salary.
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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.
