Welcome into our 2021 coverage of the DraftKings showdown slates- continuing with Miami @New Orleans. I hope you all had a good holiday, and you aren’t needing too many miracles tonight. Mainly because I don’t see this game being a massive turnaround in fantasy fortune. The O/U has been set at 37.5 points and Miami the slight favorites, with the spread being Miami by 3. Alot of that is due to the QB room in New Orleans being hit, and requiring rookie Ian Book to step onto the field.
DraftKings Showdown 2021- Miami @New Orleans Captain Picks
Alvin Kamara ($18,300/ $12,200 FLEX)
It’s hard not to consider Kamara as your captain on a slate like this. Kamara is likely to be leaned on for New Orleans to do anything. His fantasy value is set to come from rushing attempts and Ian Book needing a safety valve. With Sean Payton on the sideline, I think you will see Kamara being used all over the field.
Jaylen Waddle ($17,400/ $11,600 FLEX)
Waddle comes into the game as the Miami leading receiver. On the season he has had 114 targets, 86 receptions for 849 yards and 4 TDs- all highs on the roster. The New Orleans defense has been great on the ground, but has given up 37.2 DK points on average to the WR position.
DraftKings Showdown 2021- Miami @New Orleans Flex Picks
DeVante Parker ($9,400)
Parker returned from injury, and picked up where he left off. This season, he looks to be enjoying the role as the second receiver in the offense behind Jaylen Waddle. In the past two games he has caught nine passes for 130 yards and a single TD. Against the Saints secondary, he is set for a good game. And at the price tag, is an attractive option.
Ian Book ($9,000)
Let’s address the biggest question mark in this game. Book is an absolute unknown, which is risky to put him in your lineups. But, it’s worth remembering that Sean Payton is back on the sidelines, and is a great offensive mind. I’m not confident to put him in cash lineups, but I’d slot him into some GPP lineups and embrace the variance. This is an offense that managed to stop Jameis Winston from throwing INTs every two drives- and that was a tough ask!
Mike Gesicki ($6,400)
Gesicki is sometimes looked at to be a Travis Kelce lite. He has a good target share in the offense, but he doesn’t always manage to convert that into production. Tua is going to need an escape valve, and with the ability of the Saints pass-rush to put the QB under pressure, you Gesicki could be seeing a number of dump-off receptions. You can also consider TD vultures Durham Smythe ($600) and Adam Shaheen ($200) if you want to roll the dice.
Nick Vannett ($1,000)
Rookie QBs like TEs, and Vannett is the only one that is available for this game. Vannett has been solid enough in the games he has been on the field for. He has caught three passes for at least 44 yards in his past two games, and could be featured on those short routes in the middle for the QB.
DraftKings Showdown 2021- Miami @New Orleans Defenses and Kickers
The Miami DST ($4,400) is worth considering, given that the team are set to face a rookie QB. It could work out fantastically, but I don’t really like rostering a defense. It just feels like too much of a risk, and the same goes for New Orleans DST ($3,800). I would however, consider both kickers. Playing in a dome gives both a good range. Jason Sanders ($4,200) has been ok this season, only missing two kicks in the past three weeks. Brett Maher ($4,000) has had 3 FGs in each of his last two games, and could see more attempts if the offense stalls out.
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Image Credit: Chuck Cook – USA TODAY Sports
