Another 2023 DraftKings showdown slate this time Minnesota @Denver. This game nearly had Justin Jefferson, but he hasn’t been activated. Which should open up the slate a little with pricing options. The O/U has been set at 43.5, with the Broncos a FG favorite.
DraftKings SNF Showdown 2023 – Minnesota @Denver Captain Picks
Joshua Dobbs ($15,900 Capt/ $10,600 Flex)
Dobbs has been a great story this season. Started out as the Cardinals QB, played well, traded to the Vikings and making headlines. True dual-threat with his ability to run the ball too. Has the highest ceiling on the slate with his play-making ability on the ground and through the air, as well as a safe floor.
Russell Wilson ($15,000 Capt/ $10,000 Flex)
Wilson has had plenty of negative press this season, but he has been making plays this season with six of his nine games having multiple TDs. He just isn’t throwing for many yards, with six of his nine games having less than 200 yards through the air. Still showing his ability on the floor though, with some rushing plays too. I don’t mind going double QB on this slate as both have really solid floors and decent ceilings here.
T.J. Hockenson ($14,100 Capt/ $9,400 Flex)
Hockenson is the target leader in the offense with Jefferson out, and has quickly developed a strong chemistry with Joshua Dobbs. The Broncos have given up a league-high 16.0 DKPts to the position this season, and with his recent form, Hockenson should be able to pull that average up.
Javonte Williams ($13,200 Capt/ $8,400 Flex)
Williams has been getting as much work as he can eat recently out of the backfield with 48 carries in his last two games. You just can’t fault his volume here, even if he is only managing to grab 3.9 yards per carry this season. If he finds the endzone, which is entirely possible here, he could end up the highest scorer on the slate. Especially if the defenses are able to take charge.
Courtland Sutton ($12,300 Capt/ $8,200 Flex)
Sutton might quickly be becoming Wilson’s new Tyler Lockett in Denver. Leads the team in targets, receptions, yards and TDs. 7 of the team 18 scores have been his, and even in this run-first offense, should have plenty of volume for a solid floor
DraftKings SNF Showdown 2023 – Minnesota @Denver Flex Picks
Jordan Addison ($8,400 Flex)
Just about misses out on CPT consideration here. Addison has been forced to be the lead wide receiver with Jefferson out, and has had mixed success with Hockenson really becoming the target leader overall in the offense. Has the ability to put up big production, but is likely to get primary coverage from Patrick Surtain here. As a result of that, I prefer him as a flex here.
Jerry Jeudy ($7,400 Flex)
Jeudy really doesn’t look happy out there. Not getting the same target share as Sutton, and that is impacting his production- making him a massive boom/ bust. Decent flex, with some CPT upside if it’s a boom game, but far more likely to finish with a low double-digit total.
Alexander Mattison ($7,400 Flex)
Mattison seems like he is going to play here, after getting through the league concussion protocol. Hasn’t really had a performance that stands out this season, and has been sharing work with rookie Ty Chandler. The pricing makes him viable, but I’d prefer Chandler incase we see an in-game setback.
Ty Chandler ($7,000 Flex)
Chandler looked good when he was handed the backfield, and I was ready to slot him in lineups this week without too much thought. Then the return of Mattison. I still like Chandler here though. Good runner and pass-catcher. Think we see a split of carries, so give me the cheaper (and far more dynamic) play.
K.J. Osborn ($6,600 Flex)
Osborn is another who returns from concussion in this one for the Vikings. Should be the WR2 in the offense here, most likely third in targets. Has the speed to make big-plays, but really don’t know if he has any type of relationship with Dobbs throwing the ball. GPP-option.
Marvin Mims ($5,600 Flex)
Mims hasn’t really seen his role increase all that much, but he is massively talented and can win a showdown slate in two catches. The floor is near-zero otherwise. Absolute roll of the dice GPP play.
Brandon Powell ($4,000 Flex)
Powell is the WR3 in the offense for the Vikings, so is only going to get a handful of targets- especially if Nailor is in the mix too. Likely needs to get into the endzone with one of his 4-5 targets here to hit value.
Adam Trautman ($3,600 Flex)
Trautman only just made it out of the dart throw category this week. Starting player which gives him value, but there isn’t much here to get excited about. Has only had more than two targets in two games. You need him to get in the endzone here, which is possible against this middling Vikings defense.
Jalen Nailor ($200 Flex)
Nailor saw a chunk of time last week, with Osborn out. Think he still sees a decent amount of the field here though, and at min-price, doesn’t need much to hit value here.
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:
- Samaje Perine/ Jaleel McLaughlin (RB, DEN) $3,200/ $2,800 Flex – The fact of the matter is that Williams is just dominating the volume out of the backfield here. Perine has some upside with his passing down work, so if you forced me to pick I’d go that way as a punt. But either way, you really are looking (hoping) for a TD here.
- Josh Oliver (TE, MIN) $2,600 Flex – Oliver is the backup TE here, and isn’t getting much usage at all. So it’s really hard to justify the price-tag here. But, this matchup is as good as they get. You need a random TD, or Hockenson to get injured for him to hit value here.
- Lil’Jordan Humphrey (WR, DEN) $1,800 Flex – WR4 for the Broncos, so not seeing much volume in this run-heavy offense. Hasn’t had a single game with more than two targets, and only has six on the season.
- Kene Nwangwu (RB, MIN) $1,200 Flex – Could be a sneaky play, depending on how you feel about Mattison playing here. More than likely duds, but if Mattison is limited at all could see some work here.
- Nate Adkins/ Chris Manhertz (TE, DEN) $400/ $200 Flex – The Broncos play a bunch of 2 TE sets, so both are somewhat viable as they could fall into the endzone. That’s what it’ll take though, as they don’t get much work otherwise.
My favorite plays from the above is Perine. Perine has a decent role in the offense as a pass-catcher and has shown his ability to score previously- but is a little expensive. In all honesty, I’d prefer to go with Nailor in the above at min-price.
DraftKings SNF Showdown 2023 – Minnesota @Denver Kickers and DSTs
The kickers here are both inplay. The high-altitude makes (nearly) any kick in range for both of these kickers. But feels like DraftKings are really forcing you to make some decisions with them both priced up at around $5k. Greg Joseph ($5,200) has been largely solid, but has missed a few from long-range. Wil Lutz ($5,000) kicked the game-winning field goal against Buffalo last week and has been a big part of the success the team has had with his ability to kick from range. Prefer him as the home kicker against a defense that can make stops (and so more FG chances).
The defenses are both in play too, with both QBs struggling at times. The Vikings DST ($4,600) has been great all year. They have been able to bring pressures to the pocket, and that has led to turnovers too. Wilson has shown plenty of times that he can struggle with sacks and turnovers, so we could see a big-score from the visitors. The Broncos DST ($4,400) was great against the Chiefs, making Pat Mahomes look very normal. Dobbs has been a great story, but there is a reason why he has bounced around a little as he can struggle with sacks and turnovers. Of the two, I’d lean to the Vikings, but the Broncos are worth GPP consideration.
So, there are our DraftKings selections for the 2023 Showdown of Minnesota @Denver! Remember any DFS questions, you can check out our articles here. Or you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
Image Credit: Brad Rempel – USA TODAY Sports
