Finishing Week 10 of the 2023 season it’s the DraftKings showdown slate- Denver @Buffalo. Think this one could end up being entertaining if Russell Wilson is able to get the ball moving. The defenses here aren’t the strongest in the league, so there is a chance of a low-key shootout. The O/U has been set at 47, with Buffalo favored by over a TD.
DraftKings MNF Showdown 2023 – Denver @Buffalo Captain Picks
Josh Allen ($18,900 Capt/ $12,600 Flex)
Shouldn’t be a surprise at this point that Allen is my preferred CPT play here, as he is in each slate he is on. Has the highest ceiling in this game, with his arm talent and ability to find the endzone on the ground. Will be the most popular CPT play on the slate, but it’s hard to look elsewhere in this matchup.
Stefon Diggs ($18,000 Capt/ $12,000 Flex)
If you are going to move away from Allen at CPT, Diggs is the pivot. Absolute target monster in this offense, with only 3 games this season with less than double-digit targets. Has massive upside with the 100+ yard bonus on DK. As with each showdown slate, stack Allen and Diggs and work out the rest.
Russell Wilson ($14,100 Capt/ $9,400 Flex)
I like to nominate a CPT play from the other team, but it’s hard to really see a name that stands out. So, I’ll go with Wilson. Seems to get production during garbage time each week, and has rushing ability. Feels cheap for a QB, especially with his ability to have a multi-TD game here (he has had 5 of them in 8 games this season).
DraftKings MNF Showdown 2023 – Denver @Buffalo Flex Picks
James Cook ($10,000 Flex)
Cook feels a little expensive here. Gets a good workload out of the backfield. That is until the team get to the redzone, where he is vultured by Latavius Murray/ Allen/ any other RB on the roster. The temptation is there with the Broncos, because they have given up more points on average to the position than any other team. (Infact, even on a full-season basis they are second, just 6 points behind Arizona who have now played two more games than them!)
Dalton Kincaid ($8,400 Flex)
Kincaid is listed as a TE, but is used more as a WR than anything else. Has really grown into the offense since Dawson Knox has been out of the lineup. Has at least 7 targets in each of his last 3 games- which is solid for DK’s PPR scoring. The Broncos are also joint worst team at defending the position with 16.0 DKPts on average given up to the position.
Gabe Davis ($7,400 Flex)
Davis is the ultimate GPP play. Can smash or sink your lineup. Last week had two targets for zero, the week before he caught 9 of 12 targets for 87 yards and a TD. You know what you are getting, build some lineups with him, but don’t go crazy. And stay away in cash.
Javonte Williams ($7,200 Flex)
Williams is the starter for the Broncos, but isn’t getting a solid amount of work with Jaleel McLaughlin and Samaje Perine involved in the mix. Solid matchup against the Bills, but with that mix in the backfield, Williams can lose out on scoring plays. Good flex option with his overall volume of touches and price point.
Courtland Sutton ($7,000 Flex)
Sutton is the WR1, and has been looking far more comfortable in the offense than Jeudy. Has scored in each of his last three games, and 6 of 8 for the season. Wilson seems to trust him in the redzone, which is key where the Broncos have struggled at times to score. For clarity, Sutton has needed those TDs for his fantasy relevancy, with only one game this season where he has had over 80 yards, and 5 where he didn’t have over 50.
Jerry Jeudy ($6,800 Flex)
Jeudy is a talented receiver, but has struggled to mesh with Wilson. As a result, he is really struggling to hit anything close to his ceiling. Only had one game where he surpassed 65 yards, and just scored his first TD of the season in his last game against Kansas City. At some point his talent should be able to shine through for production on the field. Decent price, and could have a good time against this secondary.
Khalil Shakir ($4,400 Flex)
Shakir has really made the WR3 role his own. Has 14 targets in the last three games. With the defenses having to deal with Diggs, Kincaid and Davis, Shakir pops up in spaces that can get him big gains in a small amount of time. Has only scored once this season, if he adds to that tally here will smash value.
Dart Throw Plays (Various)
Instead of writing up a line for a few options with their own sections, thought I’d list out a few in one area. Not really worth considering these as core plays, only in multi-entry GPPs:
- Marvin Mims (WR, DEN) $3,800 Flex – Mims has shown flashes, with some big highlight plays. Getting on the field a decent amount, but isn’t getting consistent opportunity in the offense. There is a massive lack of floor, but there is some upside here. GPP only play, and even then don’t get carried away.
- Jaleel McLaughlin/ Samaje Perine (RB, DEN) $2,600/ $1,400 Flex – McLaughlin and Perine are getting a decent amount of work in the offense behind Williams. The issue is that they are splitting the RB2 role, which hits the value of both. McLaughlin has been getting more carries, by Perine getting more passing-down work. If I had to choose one, I’d go Perine. With DK’s PPR scoring, he has a safer floor and similar upside (at a cheaper price).
- Latavius Murray (RB, BUF) $1,800 Flex – Gets a few carries in games, especially in the redzone, which gives him value. Could see his role shrink if the Bills activate Leonard Fournette (who isn’t listed at all on DK!?). If he doesn’t get into the endzone, then he is unlikely to hit value with his workload.
- Trent Sherfield/ Deonte Harty (WR, BUF) $800/ $200 Flex – Sherfield seems like he is creating a small gap as the WR4 role. Getting a few targets each week, if he uses his big body near the endzone he could fall into the endzone here. Harty really has fallen down the depth chart. The min-price makes him somewhat viable, but he is getting next to no usage now.
- Adam Trautman (TE, DEN) $200 – Trautman is the starting TE, and is min-price. Getting a few targets (some games where he pops for 5, but mainly 1 or 2). With his snap-count too, you could easily find worse punt options.
My favorite plays from the above are Perine and Trautman. Both really don’t need too much to happen for their normal production, and their price points are great (especially Trautman).
DraftKings MNF Showdown 2023 – Denver @Buffalo Kickers and DSTs
The kickers are somewhat viable here, but not as clear-cut as on other slates. Tyler Bass ($5,200) has been great this season, with 12 of 15 FG attempts, and those missed kicks were all from range. The issue is that he is only getting one or two attempts a week, with the ability of the Buffalo offense. Not sure that will change here against this Denver defense. Wil Lutz ($4,600) has the same issue- lack of opportunity, but for a different reason. The Denver offense has stalled out plenty of times, but has to settle for punts more often than being in a position to go for a FG.
The defenses I’m going against recent showdown trends, and fading them. The Bills DST ($5,000) are able to make plays, but not always ones that end up in fantasy scoring. The price means that they are likely to need to convert a turnover into a score, which is no guarantee. Equally, the Broncos DST ($3,200) isn’t strong and while they managed to make Patrick Mahomes look normal, I’m not sure we see a repeat of that. Allen can struggle with turnovers, so with the cheaper price-tag, I prefer them over the Bills. But really don’t get carried away here.
So, there are our DraftKings selections for the 2023 Showdown of Denver @Buffalo! Remember any DFS questions, you can check out our articles here. Or you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
Image Credit: Rich Barnes – USA TODAY Sports
