Finishing off another Sunday of the 2022 season- Los Angeles @San Francisco and the DraftKings showdown slate. The battle of the multi-talented RBs. You’ve got Austin Ekeler and Christian McCaffrey in this one- two players that get touches on the ground, targets through the air and hey McCaffrey even threw a pass last week.
DraftKings SNF Showdown 2022 – Los Angeles @San Francisco Captain Picks
Christian McCaffrey ($17,400 Capt/ $11,600 Flex)
McCaffrey is really doing it all since he moved to an offense that can actually move the ball effectively. Getting all of the work that you’d have hoped for, handed the ball 18 times last time out, as well as having a healthy target share in the offense. One thing to consider, is the return of Eli Mitchell. I don’t think there is too much to worry about, given the talent level of McCaffrey, but it does hurt his ceiling a little. McCaffrey still figures to get the majority of the workload against this poor Chargers defensive front.
Austin Ekeler ($16,800 Capt/ $11,200 Flex)
On any other slate, Ekeler would be the most expensive player, but going up against McCaffrey, he has to deal with being second. On paper this 49ers defensive line is rough for RBs to face, but he can get it done against any opposition. With the sheer number of injured receivers the Chargers have too, he is inline to continue his elite target numbers which really help him with his floor.
Brandon Aiyuk ($12,300 Capt/ $8,200 Flex)
The vast majority of the field is going to be attracted to one of McCaffrey/ Ekeler for their CPT spot and I completely get it. But, if you want to get a little different from the field then Aiyuk is a decent option. He is getting a decent target share in the offense and has the ability to score TDs.
Joshua Palmer ($11,700 Capt/ $7,800 Flex)
Palmer is a massive part of this offense at the moment, with the number of receivers that are out injured. His target share rivals Ekeler’s in the offense and has a decent matchup against this 49ers secondary. Again, as the field just pushes CMC or Ekeler in their CPT spot, this is a nice pivot.
George Kittle ($11,100 Capt/ $7,400 Flex)
When Kittle is fit, as he seems to be now, he is a great option for fantasy. In his past three games too, he has really shown his ability to make plays. The fact that linebackers now have to account for CMC on offense should help Kittle find some more space on the field. I might be trying to be too cute here as a CPT consideration, but I’ll have one lineup at least with him in.
DraftKings SNF Showdown 2022 – Los Angeles @San Francisco Flex Picks
Justin Herbert ($10,600 Flex)
The Chargers offense has been massively hit with injuries, including Herbert, and it kind of shows at times. The volume is still there in the offense, but the accuracy isn’t qhat it was last season when Herbert was moving the ball nicely with Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. The pricing makes it hard to really consider him in too many lineups, as he has struggled to hit the highs of last season. If he steals a score on the ground he could get there, but he hasn’t done that very often in his career- and I can’t see it against this tough defensive front.
Jimmy Garoppolo ($9,800 Flex)
Jimmy G doesn’t have the same upside as Trey Lance, but he has shown that he is more than capable of running this offense. The 49ers offense relies on him getting the ball out quickly to his playmakers, which he has done well. He has had four games back-to-back with 2 TD passes and decent yardage totals. This secondary can definitely be had through the air, if he falls into the endzone as he did in his season debut, a nice under-appreciated piece.
Deebo Samuel ($8,800 Flex)
The price feels low, but then I think it’s taking into account the impact of CMC joining the offense. With him in the backfield, I think we will start to see those carries that he has had in the offense previously dry up. I’d prefer Aiyuk who is slightly cheaper on the slate and has a better ability to convert opportunities to TDs.
Gerald Everett ($6,200 Flex)
Everett’s role hasn’t really changed in the offense, despite the number of receivers that are out. He has seen a slight bump in targets, but it’s not a big increase. The biggest concern is that he hasn’t really done anything of note with them. This price feels far too high, so I’ll be avoiding Everett in the majority of lineups.
DeAndre Carter ($5,400 Flex)
Carter is currently working as the WR2 in the offense with the injuries that the team has had- and really that should tell you everything. Despite being given the opportunity in the offense this season, he hasn’t reached the performance that he had in Week 1 against the Raiders (where he caught 3 passes for 64 yards and a score).
Sony Michel/ Isaiah Spiller ($4,400/ $3,000 Flex)
Michel being priced above Spiller seems like an odd one. I mean the Chargers aren’t going to take Ekeler off the field too often, so we are talking a handful of opportunities unless injury hits. But, it looks like Spiller is going to be the backup option for the backfield. I’m not really going to have lineups with either of them included, but if you really want to go that way go for Spiller. He at least looks like he could take one to the house if he were to break a tackle or two.
Michael Bandy ($2,400 Flex)
How hit are the Chargers receivers? Bandy is the WR3 for the team. Yep. He is getting targets in the offense, actually getting more than Carter recently. Hasn’t done anything this season for fantasy of note, but surely that changes soon with the opportunity? This 49ers secondary aren’t a hugely strong unit either.
Kyle Juszczyk ($2,000 Flex)
Juszczyk is a showdown killer, like Taysom Hill for the Saints. Doesn’t typically have high ownership, but has the ability to vulture near the goal line. The dynamic between him and CMC will be interesting to see how it works out. Has somewhat of a safe floor with his pass-catching ability.
Ray-Ray McCloud III/ Jauan Jennings ($1,200/ $600 Flex)
Both of these receivers have the ability to score with their speed. Jennings being back likely pushes McCloud back to WR4/ returner- which could mean he takes a kick for a score, but that’s what you are really hoping for with him. I’d prefer to go with Jennings who is cheaper on the slate, and is more likely to see the field. The pricing is really nice- Jennings should be able to smash value as a result.
Eli Mitchell ($200 Flex)
With the number of top-tier guys I want to roster, Mitchell feels like a slam at the price. Am I expecting him to have a lot of touches? Nope, CMC is going to get the majority of touches here. But fresh off IR, I could see Mitchell getting a few carries (maybe a few catches too). With his ability a few touches should mean he smashes this price.
DraftKings SNF Showdown 2022 – Los Angeles @San Francisco Kickers and DSTs
The 49ers DST ($4,800) feel expensive on the slate. They are a real-life strong defense, and have had returning pieces to their defensive unit, but they aren’t forcing too many turnovers. With Herbert also protecting the ball, and not being sacked too much, it feels like a fade here. Equally the Chargers DST ($3,400) aren’t going to be in too many lineups. They have managed to force turnovers recently, which is great, but it’s hard to trust them as they have struggled to get to the QB consistently.
The kickers are in play here, with both kickers likely to get opportunities to score in this one. Robbie Gould ($4,200) is a victim of the way the 49ers have been performing on offense. Getting plenty of PATs, but not a lot of FGs. The Chargers defense aren’t likely to force too many stops here either, but if they do, Gould has the leg and accuracy to convert. On the slate I much prefer Cameron Dicker ($4,000). He hasn’t missed a kick this season with spells with the Eagles and Chargers, with some long-range kicks thrown in. The 49ers defense could cause the Chargers some issues and force them to settle for FG attempts this week.
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Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports
