Finishing off the first Saturday of the 2022 season- the DraftKings showdown, Pittsburgh @Baltimore. This game isn’t expected to be an offensive masterclass, with the O/U set at 35.5 points, with Baltimore around 2 point favorite. As a result, I’m going to be attacking this one on the ground, with kickers and defenses in play. I don’t think there are too many players with massive upside in this one.
DraftKings SNF Showdown 2022 – Pittsburgh @Baltimore Captain Picks
Najee Harris ($15,900 Capt/ $10,600 Flex)
Harris is getting a decent workload in the offense, as they have struggled with their QB play this season. Last time out against the Raiders, he was also involved in the passing game too with a season-high nine targets. Could see the same dump-offs and check-downs in this game too, which would give him a really solid floor with DK’s PPR scoring. Could be the highest scorer in this game if he gets into the endzone too.
Diontae Johnson ($12,900 Capt/ $8,600 Flex)
Johnson is the clear target leader in the offense, with 130 this season, giving him a great floor. The issue is the ceiling. Despite the number of targets that he has had, he is yet to score a single TD! That could (and statistically speaking should) change in this game, but even if he continues his scoreless production here is a sneaky CPT play.
DraftKings SNF Showdown 2022 – Pittsburgh @Baltimore Flex Picks
J.K. Dobbins ($10,000 Flex)
Dobbins feels like he is priced oddly, given the fact that the Ravens backfield has been split relatively evenly with Gus Edwards. There is little doubt that Dobbins has shown he has more ability in this offense, but I can’t really see myself putting him in my CPT slot all that much. Because this game is expected to be low-scoring, he might be one of the highest-scoring players on the slate, but I prefer him as a flex option.
Tyler Huntley ($9,400 Flex)
Huntley isn’t a bad QB, but he isn’t great. Able to move the ball with his legs, as well as make some plays through the air. The Steelers secondary is weak, so we could see Huntley attempt more through the air, but there aren’t really too many reliable targets for him. Andrews hasn’t done much for fantasy since week 6? WOW. And the receivers room has been ruined by injury. You can’t fully discount him, as he could break off some long runs, but if he doesn’t he is going to struggle here. Spot-flex play.
Kenny Pickett ($9,200 Flex)
Pickett has been struggling this season, but he might not need to do too much here to be one of the higher-scoring players for the Steelers. Ravens defensive line have been a legit unit in recent weeks, bringing pressure on the QB. If Pickett can stand and find a pass, he could have a good game against this secondary, but he could struggle if he starts getting hit. Realistically doesn’t really need to do too much more than he has done previously. Something like low to mid 200 yards and a score likely gets him into one of the highest-scoring players on the slate.
Mark Andrews ($8,800 Flex)
As I mentioned in Huntley’s write-up, Andrews really hasn’t done anything since Week 6, only topping 60 yards once. Hasn’t scored a TD since Week 6. With the way that Huntley has been playing, I’m not sold on having him in a massive number of lineups, even though the matchup is nice. There just isn’t a reliable number of targets in the offense, with the team happy to have their defense and backfield do the work.
George Pickens ($8,400 Flex)
Pickens has managed to perform on few targets in the offense. Has become the big-play receiver for the Steelers, but really needs to break off a big play to hit value here. Hasn’t had more than 6 targets since Week 6 though, so there really isn’t much of a floor here.
Pat Freiermuth ($7,200 Flex)
Freiermuth hasn’t really had a great season, as he has struggled to get TDs in this struggling offense. Getting targets, with 90 on the season, with 60 receptions and 696 yards, so has appeal here with a decent floor. Could dud if the other receivers get success, as he did against the Panthers where he didn’t get a single target, but otherwise has a decent floor on the slate.
Demarcus Robinson ($6,800 Flex)
Robinson is the lead receiver for the Ravens, as literally everyone ahead of him has suffered injury. The thing is, this offense is now being led by Huntley, who isn’t a high-end passer. The offense is also built on the running game and the involvement of their TE Mark Andrews through the air. In a low-scoring game, he could smash the slate with a few catches and a TD.
Gus Edwards ($5,400 Flex)
I like the price tag for Edwards, given the Ravens backfield has been splitting carries between Edwards and Dobbins. Edwards looked the better back too against the Falcons. I’m going to have lineups with Edwards and Dobbins together, but I think you should mix them both into lineups, given the split and the chance both have of falling into the endzone.
DeSean Jackson ($3,400 Flex)
I’ll write him up, but I’m not sure we can expect anything from Jackson with Hundley throwing the ball. Had a good opportunity last week, with the lack of receivers, but the team wheeled out Sammy Watkins ahead of Jackson. His deep-threat makes him somewhat playable but with a lack of floor and limited ceiling, there are better options around the price.
Jaylen Warren ($3,200 Flex)
Warren continues to be used as a relief back in the offense, on the field around a third of the time, which doesn’t give him a safe floor. But, he has shown that he has the ability to pop and get in the endzone multiple times. If Harris gets hurt, he will smash value, but still has some appeal at his current workload and price.
Sammy Watkins ($2,200 Flex)
After getting cut by the Packers, the Ravens immediately picked him up and put him out onto the field- that’s how badly their receiver room has been hit by injury. Could be the WR2 for the Ravens against a weak Steelers secondary. The salary saving is nice, and there is upside here, so I’ll have a decent number of shares in him.
Isaiah Likely/ Josh Oliver ($1,600/ $400 Flex)
With Andrews struggling, the Ravens running alot of 2 TE sets, and the receiving room injured one of these two could perform. Likely has popped up this season, especially when Andrews was limited with injuries. When you look at his snap count though, it’s not very high. Oliver, on the other hand, is on the field alot more, but is used as a blocker. Realistically, both of them do nothing, of the two I’d opt for Oliver as he is on the field at least, and at the price doesn’t need to do much at all to hit value.
DraftKings SNF Showdown 2022 – Pittsburgh @Baltimore DSTs and Kickers
The DSTs are both worth considering in this one with the struggles that both offenses have had. Ravens DST ($5,000) have been improving for fantasy, as they were already an effective real-life defense. The Steelers have struggled all season with turnovers and sacks, and they are a low-level CPT play if you really want. Before the Week 16 games I would’ve been fine with the Steelers DST ($4,600) too, but not as much now. Huntley has been protecting the ball, and can avoid sacks with his ability on the ground. They may have forced a QB change in Las Vegas, but they took a step back overall during that game. At the price, they feel like a risky play.
A low-scoring game brings the kickers in-play, especially when one of them is Justin Tucker ($4,400). Has had some misses this season, but they have all been from deep. With his leg strength though, his is a constant threat to score from deep. I don’t mind him as a CPT too, as he could end up being the highest scorer for the Ravens. Chris Boswell ($4,200) has struggled this season with misses. Alot of those have come from deep, but seven misses on the season where he has only played 10 games isn’t great. With the overall struggle the Steelers have had on offense, should see more opportunities, but I’d rather look elsewhere on the slate.
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Image Credit: Charles LeClaire – USA TODAY Sports
