Finishing Week 7 the 2023 DraftKings showdown slate- San Francisco @Minnesota. This game feels like it is going to be one-sided. The Vikings offense without Justin Jefferson is obviously less dynamic, and this 49ers defense is one of the best units in the league. The big question mark will be around McCaffrey and the workload he is given, as well as who steps up for Deebo Samuel ruled out. O/U has been set at 44, with the 49ers favored by around a TD.
DraftKings MNF Showdown 2023 – San Francisco @Minnesota Captain Picks
Christian McCaffrey ($18,000 Capt/ $12,000 Flex)
McCaffrey says that he is ready and feels good, so he feels like a discount (assuming that’s true) given his potential in this matchup. Vikings have been good against the run this season, but McCaffrey just is a different player. Could be the least-owned slate for McCaffrey this season with people fading him due to injury concerns.
Brandon Aiyuk ($16,200 Capt/ $10,800 Flex)
If you aren’t sold on the availability of CMC in this one, then Aiyuk has to be the pivot for the 49ers. With Samuel out, Aiyuk is going to be given all the work he can possibly take. Aiyuk leads the team in targets, receptions and yards. Has the potential for a huge game here.
T.J. Hockenson ($13,200 Capt/ $8,800 Flex)
Hockenson has been a leading target with Jefferson on IR. The 49ers defense is a top unit, but there should be enough targets going his way to overcome the fact that they have only allowed 7.7 DKPts on average to the position. But, even though I’ve included him as a CPT it’s only because I try to include one from each team. Really I’d play him as a flex.
George Kittle ($10,800 Capt/ $7,200 Flex)
Kittle might see some additional work with Samuel ruled out of this one. Kittle has become a little boom-or-bust, with his last week being pretty much as low as you can go (1 catch for 1 yard). The Vikings defense aren’t great, which should lean him more towards to the boom column this week. Feel like Kittle is a CPT play or nothing for me. Likely to be underowned too as a CPT.
DraftKings MNF Showdown 2023 – San Francisco @Minnesota Flex Picks
Kirk Cousins ($10,600 Flex)
Cousins has been putting up decent numbers this season, and could see plenty of volume here against a tough 49ers defensive front limiting the run game. Started the season well, with three 300+ yard games and multiple TDs in 5 of his last 6 games. The thing is, his floor can be really low as we saw last week with just 181 yards and a single TD.
Brock Purdy ($10,200 Flex)
Purdy is the typical 49ers system QB. Does what he needs to do to get the ball to his playmakers and little more. Only had one game where he has over 300 yards, but has a few games with multiple TDs. The Vikings secondary is really one to target, with a top-ten 19.3 DKPts given up on average to the position. Stacking him with Aiyuk and another receiver feels like a solid way to start your lineup on the slate.
Jordan Addison ($7,600 Flex)
Addison is a solid receiver, but isn’t quite ready to step into the lead receiver/ alpha role for the Vikings. Charvarious Ward is a tough defender, and is likely to remove Addison from the game. Would need a busted coverage and big-play to hit value here. I’ll have some GPP shares in him, but will generally look elsewhere.
Alexander Mattison ($6,600 Flex)
Mattison is constantly being given the ball, and you can’t ever just rule out volume. Even if it’s volume that isn’t going to lead to much production. Hasn’t had a single 100-yard game on the ground, and can’t see that happening in this one against a tough 49ers defensive front. Getting a few checkdowns though. If he falls into the endzone he will hit value. But if he doesn’t then it’s hard to see it happening.
K.J. Osborn ($6,400 Flex)
Osborn I think leads the receivers in fantasy production in this game. Addison is going to get the primary defensive attention, which should free up Osborn. He has been getting some redzone targets too, so there is upside if the Vikings are able to get downfield. Seen that he can also break off a long-bomb if given the opportunity.
Jordan Mason/ Elijah Mitchell ($5,800/ $5,600 Flex)
The backup RB for the 49ers could see extra work in this one. Mason saw the carries head towards him when McCaffrey was forced to the sidelines, and could be tasked to do the same here. Mitchell has struggled with his own health concerns, and didn’t do too much when CMC was hurt. The fact of the matter is that this backfield could really become an ugly timeshare. I wouldn’t try and get more than one in any individual lineup- there isn’t much chance of multiple players hitting here.
Jauan Jennings ($4,000 Flex)
Jennings figures to be the WR2 in the offense with Samuel ruled out. Hard to know what that actually ends up to mean for him though. It’s a great matchup, but Jennings hasn’t had more than 4 targets this season, and has had limited production. If ever there was a game that he hits though, this will be it.
Brandon Powell ($2,800 Flex)
Powell is going to be the WR3 in the offense, and feels like a nice value on the slate at less than $3k. Cousins is going to need to throw the ball if the Vikings are going to stand a chance of a result, and Powell has had 10 targets in his last two games. Feels like a great flex play on the slate.
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:
- Ray-Ray McCloud (WR, SF) $2,200 Flex – McCloud is a gadget player in the offense, and should see a bit more play with Samuel ruled out as the WR3. Nice dart throw on the slate, as his role expands alongside his returning duties.
- Cam Akers (RB, MIN) $1,800 Flex – Akers hasn’t been given much of a shot in the offense, despite the fact that Mattison has struggled on the field. If he is given more work in the offense he could hit value. At some point the Vikings have to hand him the ball to see what he can do right? The 49ers are a far from ideal matchup, but if volume comes his way, at the price, he is a decent dart-throw.
- Ronnie Bell (WR, SF) $1,000 Flex – Bell didn’t have a target last week, and has only got four on the season. Bell is going to be an absolute dart-throw on the slate- feels a little overpriced on the slate as a result.
- Kyle Juszczyk (RB, SF) $600 Flex – Can’t ever rule out Juszczyk on a showdown slate. Catches passes, especially near the goal-line, and doesn’t need much to hit value at the price. Last 49ers showdown slate, he had 4 catches for 26 yards and a score.
- Josh Oliver (TE, MIN) $200 Flex – Oliver is on the field for a lot of the offensive snaps and has caught a TD this season. Min-price doesn’t mean he has to do too much to hit value either.
My favored plays from the above are McCloud and Akers. I’ll roll Juszczyk in a few lineups too at the price.
DraftKings MNF Showdown 2023 – San Francisco @Minnesota Kickers and DSTs
The kickers on the slate are worth considering. Jake Moody ($5,400) has only missed two attempts at goal this season- both of those were last week. The ability of this offense does mean that he is limited with his kicks at goal, with only 12 attempts at goal this season. More viable if CMC is limited, as there is more chance of a drive stalling out. There isn’t much of a floor though. Greg Joseph ($4,400) has been limited this season too, as the Vikings have been forced to push the action instead of settling for a FG attempt. His viability really depends on how close the Vikings can keep to the 49ers, as the 49ers defense is likely to stall out a number of drives.
The 49ers DST ($5,000) is a tough unit to move the ball against, with an effective pass-rush. Combine that with the fact that the Vikings offensive line have allowed 15 sacks this season, this is a nice play for them. Think they could be a trap on the slate though, with his pricing. Cousins has only thrown 4 INTs this season- feels like it’s more because he has fumbled 7 times. The 49ers have only forced 2 fumbles this season though. Now, I know I’ve bagged the Vikings DST ($3,400) alot above, but they are decent up-front. They’ve had 18 sacks this season, and have managed to stop the run. If they can do that (and it feels like a big if) they could get after Purdy and get a few sacks and maybe some turnovers. Think they could be a sneaky GPP play- but it’s really not a safe pick at all.
So, there are our DraftKings selections for the 2023 Showdown of San Francisco @Minnesota! Remember any DFS questions, you can check out our articles here. Or you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
Image Credit: Kyle Terada – USA TODAY Sports
