Another DraftKings showdown slate this time Atlanta @Jaguars. The first of the UK games for the season. Feels like it’s a case of who is going to run the ball better here. The Falcons run game is a massive part of their offense, and the Jaguars need it to open up the field for them. The Wembley at field has seen some strange results, but tends to play well for RBs. The O/U here is 43.5, with the Jaguars favored by a FG.
DraftKings SNF Showdown 2023 – Atlanta @Jaguars Captain Picks
Bijan Robinson ($16,500 Capt/ $11,000 Flex)
Robinson is a real do-it-all player, able to run the ball effectively and catch anything that comes his way. It might be early in his career, but he could be the most talented skill player on the field in this one. Able to take any of his touches to the house. The impact of Tyler Allgeier hits Robinsons likely production with the split of work. But, has a really high ceiling.
Travis Etienne ($15,900 Capt/ $10,600 Flex)
This slate is going to be a battle of the RBs I think- at least for CPT consideration. Etienne should see a decent workload here, and you can definitely run on the Falcons. Decent pass catcher too- albeit the Jaguars don’t involve him that much with their other receivers demanding targets. Etienne has had great games in the UK before, and with TD’s surely coming his way, could have a good one again. Last time he played in the UK he stole the show with a 150+ yard performance on the ground. I prefer Robinson, but not in a huge way.
DraftKings SNF Showdown 2023 – Atlanta @Jaguars Flex Picks
Trevor Lawrence ($10,000 Flex)
Lawrence has been quite average to start the season- failing to throw for 300 yards this season. Should be a decent flex play, as this offense can get rolling, if you do opt for him you need to try and stack him with Ridley and another pass-catcher.
Calvin Ridley ($9,600 Flex)
Ridley had a huge game in Week 1, and looked like he was going to be crushing all season. The past two weeks, he has struggled and hasn’t had half of that early production. Part of that is the struggles that Lawrence has had throwing the ball, but Ridley should find himself open against this Falcons secondary. If he manages to find the endzone, he could have a huge (relative) game on this slate.
Desmond Ridder ($8,800 Flex)
Ridder feels underpriced for a QB, and has all the raw ability to be huge for fantasy. Just hasn’t happened for him yet this season. If he manages to combine his leg talent with his receivers making plays for him, then he could have a big game here. Doesn’t have much of a floor though, despite his rushing ability.
Christian Kirk ($8,000 Flex)
Kirk, like most of this Jaguars offense, hasn’t hit the highs that he had last season. Still one of the leading receivers for the team though, and should have a good outing against the Falcons secondary. With DK’s PPR scoring, his slot role gives him a great floor, and has the ability to bust a coverage (or two) for a score. Almost was in CPT consideration- so a no-brainer flex play.
Evan Engram ($7,200 Flex)
Engram is a solid receiver in the Jaguars offense, leading the team in receptions and in a three-way tie with Ridley and Kirk for receiving yards. Hasn’t yet found his way to the endzone, but with his target share in the offense that is only a matter of time. Seen him perform well in the UK before.
Drake London ($6,800 Flex)
London is a player I’m conflicted about. On the field, he is the WR1 for the Falcons, but third on the team in targets. The Falcons don’t really air it out, so London has only averaged 5 targets a game. There just isn’t a floor there, and limited ceiling. Off the field, I don’t know if I can deal with the social media ‘attempts’ from NFL UK if London has a big game in London.
Tyler Allgeier ($6,200 Flex)
Allgeier has nearly matched Robinson in carries on the ground, and has a clear role on this team as a runner. Not nearly as involved in the pass game as Robinson, and clearly not as efficient with these touches. But, the price tag is nice for a player the Falcons are happy to be involved in this run-heavy offense.
Kyle Pitts ($5,200 Flex)
Pitts has 17 targets on the year, which put him joint with Robinson as target leader for the team. But, it’s really uneven, with 9 of those coming last week. With Jonnu Smith becoming more involved in the offense, he lacks true upside on the slate. Likely to be highly owned too, with people looking at the box score and looking to save some salary.
Mack Hollins ($4,800 Flex)
Hollins has carved out a nice little role in the offense, with at least 4 targets in every game this season. Has a decent price tag for a WR2 too. The struggle comes with the ability to Hollins to do anything with those targets, as he has only caught half the targets going his way, and yet to get into the endzone (albeit a TD ruled out this season).
Tank Bigsby ($3,200 Flex)
Bigsby was a player I was excited for during the offseason, but hasn’t really happened for him yet. Not really managing to get on the field, or get touches. This backfield is clearly Etienne’s, with Bigsby only getting 9 carries this season. The thing is, in GPPs especially, you can’t discount him with 2 TDs already this season.
Jamal Agnew ($2,800 Flex)
Agnew could miss this game, as he is a game-time decision struggling with an injury. If he does manage to get on the field, he should see a bump in usage with Zay Jones out of the game. And he returns kicks, which always gives a long-shot chance at points, but he is a little buried on the target priority in this offense. If he doesn’t play, Tim Jones (mentioned below) is a nice option.
Jonnu Smith ($2,000 Flex)
Smith looks the most comfortable TE in this offense- looking similar to the one he did well with when he was in Tennessee. Getting decent target numbers, and they are more consistent too, with 6 in Week 2 and 8 last week. Nearly on the field as much as Pitts, a great flex play on the slate. With his ability in the redzone too, could see him get a TD or two and destroy 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:
- D’Ernst Johnson (RB, JAX) $1,400 Flex – not sure he will be able to see the field much. Behind Etienne and Bigsby on the depth chart. Good pash catcher if given the opportunity.
- Tim Jones (WR, JAX) $400 Flex – Jones could have HUGE value on the slate if Jamal Agnew is ruled out of the game as the next man up. Even if Agnew does play, could hit value at this price.
- KhaDarel Hodge (WR, ATL) $200 Flex – Hodge has been getting on the field a little, but has only had one target this season. As with all min-price options, doesn’t need much at all to hit value.
- MyCole Pruitt (TE, ATL) $200 Flex – Has the potential to frustrate here. Only had one target this season, but his second could see him fall into the endzone. More likely zero than anything else though.
- Brenton Strange/ Luke Farrell (TE, JAX) $200 Flex– neither of these are really worth strongly considering- even as a punt play. The two have only combined for a total of 3 receptions for 11 yards this season.
My favored plays from the above are Jones and Hodge.
DraftKings SNF Showdown 2023 – Atlanta @Jaguars Kickers and DSTs
This feels like the type of game where the kickers could end up as the high scorers on the slate. Brandon McManus ($4,200) has been solid enough for the Jaguars this season, with his two misses last week (his only misses this season) coming from distance. My preferred option would be Younghoe Koo ($4,000) who has equal leg talent as McManus, but slightly cheaper and has could see more action in a game where the Falcons offense could stall with Ridder. Not a massive amount between the two of them though.
The defenses here aren’t strong plays on the slate. Jaguars DST ($5,000) have been ok this season, with 5 sacks and six turnovers. Not sure I can see them having a good time against this Falcons offense that runs the ball, and Ridder looking after it decently. If I was forced to take a defense, it would be the Falcons DST ($3,800) who are a significant amount cheaper. Have only managed to get 3 sacks and turned the ball over 4 times, but with Lawrence struggling in the picket, we could see those numbers increase. In a low-scoring game, they are going to be a nice low-owned option.
So, there are our DraftKings selections for the 2023 Showdown of Atlanta @Jaguars! Remember any DFS questions, you can check out our articles here. Or you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
Image Credit: Dale Zanine – USA TODAY Sports
