Welcome into our 2021 coverage of the DraftKings showdown slates- continuing with Pittsburgh @Minnesota. Let’s just jump straight into it!
DraftKings Showdown 2021- Pittsburgh @Minnesota Captain Picks
Kirk Cousins ($15,600)
Cousins is having a great season, with over 3,300 passing yards, 25 TDs and 3 INTs so far. With the fact that Dalvin Cook’s involvement is uncertain doesn’t really phase me, or move me off this selection. The fact of the matter is that Pittsburgh secondary is one of the worst against passers in the league, and Cousins should see plenty of volume as a result. The loss of Adam Thielen is a blow, but the Vikings have pieces that should plug the gap.
Najee Harris ($15,000)
Harris is a volume play, and game-script proof. Minnesota have allowed teams to run on them at times, and there is little competition for Harris in the backfield. He averages around 97 scrimmage yards and just under 5 receptions per game. You just can’t shy away from that.
K.J. Osborn ($8,400)
Osborn as captain allows you to put a lineup together with alot of the big pieces that you would want to try and slot into your lineup. Osborn has been impressive when he has been on the field, and should see more action with Thielen out with an ankle injury. Having him as a captain might feel like a risky play, but the salary that it frees up is undeniable.
DraftKings Showdown 2021- Pittsburgh @Minnesota Flex Picks
Justin Jefferson ($11,000)
Jefferson has been impressive this season, leading the Minnesota receiving game this season. With Theilen out, Jefferson is likely to see a few of the targets that would have gone the veteran’s way in previous games.
Diontae Johnson ($10,200)
Johnson is the big-name for the Pittsburgh passing attack. He has been getting the vast majority of targets, and has been productive with them too. His stats on the year are exactly what you want, with 914 yards (and a chance for getting 1,000 yards for the season in this game), 76 receptions, and 6 TDs
Alexander Mattison ($9,800)
Dalvin Cook missed last week with injury, but could be back for this game. Even if he is active, we could see a similar situation to what we saw with Los Angeles on the weekend. There should be plenty of work for Mattison to continue his bell-cow role. Pittsburgh’s defense has suffered injury and lack of form which should allow Mattison to have a productive game.
Chase Claypool ($7,400)
If you don’t want to opt for Johnson, you could instead choose the downfield threat of Claypool. Minnesota’s defense has allowed some big plays to be converted this season, and Claypool’s aDoT of 16.7 yards gives him the ability to convert any reception to be a big-gain.
Pat Freiermuth ($6,600)
Freiermuth has stepped up in the Pittsburgh offense in the second half of the season. Sure, Johnson takes the majority of the targets in the offense, but Freiermuth has plenty of upside in the redzone. On the face of it, Minnesota are a tough defense against TEs, but given his involvement in the offense, he feels like an exception to that.
Tyler Conklin ($6,200)
Feels strange to be fine going double TE, but I feel fine doing it on this slate. Conklin has had a good breakout season, due to the TDs that he has managed to score and the increased targets he has been given. With Thielen’s redzone targets now up for grabs, they could find their way to the TE.
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Image Credit: Brad Rempel – USA TODAY Sports
