Week two of the season comes to a close back to normal with a single game slate. It’s a chance for redemption if you saw your fantasy day destroyed by one of the several injuries on Sunday. Although, even in this game, you can not escape injury as a major inactive will shape the construction of your roster. Not to mention the looming possibility of another potential threat that may not see the field. Finding the right combination this week will require some creative thinking. You will have to zig while everyone else zags if you want to cash with DraftKings Monday Night Showdown Picks.
Michael Thomas has already been ruled out for this game meaning the Saints will be without their star wideout. On the other side of the ball, the Raiders could be without their young pass catcher as well. Henry Ruggs III returned to practice Saturday and is questionable for this game. This obviously means those targets have to go somewhere and we are giving you some options as to where they might go.
The players below are not meant to be considered a “core four.” These are simply players to consider as you are building your lineups. Play one, play them all, it is entirely up to you. Our job is to help you see the reasoning behind selecting these players and how they can help you win. As always, we wish you luck on your DraftKings Monday Night Showdown Picks.
Josh Jacobs – Captain $14,400; Flex $9,600: WR Las Vegas
There is no better start to a season than to break the goal line three times in a game. Jacobs knows that first hand. He was able find just about every hole in the Panthers’ run defense on his way to a fantastic day. It could be a sneak peek of what is to come in 2020 for the second-year standout.
It stands to reason this week will look a lot like the last for the Raiders offense. This will especially be the case if Jacobs can get the running game established early again. Derek Carr has a young cast of receivers around him and it showed in Carolina. One of them, the rookie Henry Ruggs III, barely returned to practice this weekend.
Carr will have to lean on his 1,000 yard rusher for production if the Raiders want to duplicate the outcome of their week one contest. Out of 30 Carries by a running back last week, Jacobs handled all but five of them. He was also the second most targeted player to boot. It’s clear Jacobs is the star in Las Vegas. He has a clear path to repeat his outing against the Panthers. Especially against a Saints defense that allowed Ronald Jones II to gain 66 yards on them last week.
Darren Waller – Captain $11,100; Flex $7,400: TE Las Vegas
Last week, Raiders pass catchers were targeted 30 times. Waller accounted for almost a third of them with eight. The next closest player was Henry Ruggs III with five. The tight end caught six for 45 yards.
It is clear that with no preseason to get familiar with his wideouts, David Carr is looking to his safety valve. This valve may be leaned on even more if Ruggs is out having missed the almost a whole week of practice with a knee injury.
Waller is now in a matchup against a Saints defense that allowed O.J. Howard to find the endzone. You can be sure that the Raiders will continue to look to their tight end for production. As long as they do, you’ll want a piece of that action.
Latavius Murray – Captain $5,100; Flex $3,400: RB New Orleans
No one is telling you not to play Alvin Kamara, but you know almost everyone will be playing Kamara. But, if you are looking for a deep dive in a multi-entry contest playing both Kamara and Murray just might work. Locking up the Saints backfield is a cheap proposition and could be a profitable one as well.
Week after week fantasy analysts preach volume. More touches equate to increased possibilities for production. Last week, Drew Brees fed Murray the ball 15 times. While on the other hand, Kamara only had 12 rushing touches. It is not a true running back by committee in New Orleans, but it is clear Murray will remain in the mix.
Last week, the Raiders rush defense allowed Christian McCaffrey to go for 97 yards and two touchdowns. There is hope at least, for a fantasy relevant day for Murray. At his price point, should he find a way into the endzone on one of his carries, you will be rewarded handsomely.
Jared Cook – Captain $12,000; Flex $8,000: TE New Orleans
Michael Thomas will not play Monday night. All of a sudden, every pass catcher on the Saints moves up in value. This is especially true of Cook as Brees looked his way seven times against the Buccaneers. The veteran tight end snagged five of them for a team high 80 yards.
While he will still battle for looks with Emmanuel Sanders and Kamara, it is highly likely Cook will see an uptick in targets. We are also well aware of how explosive he can be as one of his receptions went for 46 yards. All the fixings are there for a big day for Cook. He’s not cheap, but he will be one of the Saints top targets and a solid showdown start.
