Another DraftKings showdown slate this time Pittsburgh @Las Vegas. This game feels like one that is feast and famine, with a lack of real middle talent that stands out. The Steelers are without Diontae Johnson, which opens the receiving options up for the Steelers. While the Radiers are welcoming back Jakobi Meyers, who was forced to miss last week. The O/U for this one is 44, with the Raiders barely a favorite.
DraftKings SNF Showdown 2023 – Pittsburgh @Las Vegas Captain Picks
Davante Adams ($17,400 Capt/ $11,600 Flex)
Adams is just elite. Has had at least 8 targets in each of the opening two weeks, totalling 12 receptions for 150 yards and a single score. The Raiders offense hasn’t really got moving just yet, but this Steelers secondary is one that can be bullied- Adams has a great opportunity to be the highest scorer on the slate here. You don’t need to take Garoppolo in a stack (I wouldn’t).
Josh Jacobs ($16,200 Capt/ $10,800 Flex)
Jacobs has picked up where he left off, at least from a volume standpoint. In two games, he has had 28 rush attempts and 9 targets. After facing two tough run defenses, Jacobs has a good chance to have over 100 yards on the ground against this poor Steelers front.
George Pickens ($13,800 Capt/ $9,200 Flex)
There haven’t been too many bright spots for the Steelers offense to start the season, but Pickens is one of them. Currently leads the team in all receiving metrics, and has scored one of the two scores that the offense has managed to start the season. The Steelers are likely to need to air the ball out again early, which should mean more work for Pickens here.
Jakobi Meyers ($12,900 Capt/ $8,600 Flex)
Meyers had a big opening to the season, with 10 targets leading to 9 receptions, 81 yards and 2 TDs. Was inactive in Week 2, but should be back here. I like the pricing here on the slate given his (apparent) importance to the offense.
Jaylen Warren ($9,600 Capt/ $6,400 Flex)
Warren has been getting usage as the RB2 on the ground, with 9 carries over the two opening games. The issue has been that it has all amounted to just 26 yards. What is far more positive is his involvement in the passing game, with 12 targets amounting to 9 receptions for 78 yards. With DK’s PPR scoring, and the pricing on the slate Warren is my preference for the backfield. But, that’s going to be a popular play on the slate. Warren is a nice CPT choice, with salary relief.
DraftKings SNF Showdown 2023 – Pittsburgh @Las Vegas Flex Picks
Jimmy Garoppolo ($10,200 Flex)
Garoppolo looked good to start the season, with the Raiders picking up a narrow win over the Broncos. Last week against the Bills, he lost one of his main receivers early and struggled to make an impact. With this offense just stuttering though, it’s hard to justify spending up on him here. If the Raiders are able to get the advantage early on, he could see increased volume. But, with the pricing of other players with higher ceilings, I’m not sure I’ll have too much of him here.
Kenny Pickett ($9,800 Flex)
I’ll be nice and say that Pickett’s start ot the season has been……..sub-optimal. Despite throwing the ball 76 times over two games, he has less than 6 yards per attempt, and more INTs than TDs- as well as 7 sacks. With Pickett yet to throw for 240 yards this season, and the struggles of the offense, there isn’t much floor here and not much ceiling either. Nope. Unless you are going for multi entries, and even then, it’s a hard play.
Najee Harris ($8,800 Flex)
This Steelers backfield is beautifully murky. Harris has been getting volume on the ground, with around half of the carries for the team. The issue with Harris is that has amounted to little production, and he has been limited in his involvement in the passing game. He still has shown the ability to make plays, and with all the media around him, will be overlooked by many on the slate. If he can get into the endzone he will be a nice play in what should be a low-scoring game.
Pat Freiermuth ($6,200 Flex)
I’m a little confused with this pricing. I know he is the starting TE, but it feels high given the involvement that he has in this stalling offense. Freiermuth is on the field for the vast majority of snaps, but has only managed two catches to start the season for a grand total of 5 yards (and a TD). For him to hit value on the slate, it’s going to need a big performance through the air- and I don’t know if Pickett can give him that.
Allen Robinson ($5,000 Flex)
Robinson had a great Week 1 performance but absolutely came back to earth in Week 2. Hard to know really which is closer to the norm for the veteran, but he is one of the lead receivers in this Steelers offense without Diontae Johnson. The pricing combined with the likely volume through the air, makes him a nice play on the slate.
Calvin Austin III ($4,200 Flex)
Austin had a lot of hype coming into last week, before struggling. Should have decent value with the offense having to deal without Diontae Johnson, but I’m not sure I want him with the struggles that the offense has had.
Hunter Renfrow ($3,000 Flex)
Mr. Third-Down (to use the name Derek Carr gave him) has become a bit-part player in this offense. With Meyers out last week, Renfrow had a great opportunity to get out on the field more. Ended up being on the field plenty, but only managed a since target for 23 yards. Even with the PPR pricing, something that Renfrow would benefit from, it’s hard to trust him at the price. Just isn’t on the field enough.
Austin Hooper ($2,400 Flex)
Hooper has been priced up as the starting TE for the Raiders, but he is near enough splitting snaps with rookie Mayer who is priced $2.2k less at min-pricing. With the main receiving targets of Adams and Meyers, I’d rather spend right down instead of hoping for Hooper to find the endzone since Week 11 of last season.
Zamir White ($2,000 Flex)
White is the RB2 for the Raiders, but really isn’t getting much usage at all, with Jacobs taking the vast majority of carries. Only has 5 carries on the season for 22 yards, and doesn’t look like he is going to be involved in the passing game. Avoid at the price.
Tre Tucker/ DeAndre Carter/ Kristian Wilkerson ($1,200/ $800/ $200 Flex)
Not really worth considering any of these receivers, given their lack of snaps. They could break a reception for a big gain, but hard to see that happening in this offense. Tucker is seeing usage as a gadget player, with rushing attempts mixed in with targets. Carter has shown his ability to make big plays with the Chargers in previous seasons, but has only managed to get 19 snaps on the season. Wilkerson for some reason had almost three-quarters of the snaps last week, but he didn’t manage to get a single target- feels like fools gold. Even at the price.
Connor Heyward/ Darnell Washington ($600/ $400 Flex)
Heyward and Washington aren’t really worth considering, even at this low price. Heyward is on the field for the majority of snaps, and at least has some targets this season. Washington to date hasn’t had a single target, and has only really been used as a blocker.
Michael Mayer ($200 Flex)
Mayer is getting on the field, playing essentially a split role with Austin Hooper. Has only had one target on the season, but at min price he could fall into the endzone and smash his value here.
Ameer Abdullah ($200 Flex)
Abdullah is the Raiders RB3, thus getting priced at just $200. The thing is, he is still getting some usage through the air. WIth DK’s PPR scoring, those targets don’t have to lead to too much to hit value at this price. I’ll have some lineups with him, but really very few.
DraftKings SNF Showdown 2023 – Pittsburgh @Las Vegas Kickers and DSTs
The Steelers DST ($5,600) had a huge performance last week against the Browns, and Garoppolo has struggled with turnovers/ sacks in his career. If the Steelers pass-rush can get the right pressure on, then they could perform in a low-scoring game. The Raiders DST ($4,000) isn’t that great outside of Maxx Crosby. But, Pickett has really struggled this season with turnovers. I’ll have a few lineups with them in the hope they make a big play if given the opportunity.
The kickers are viable, but to different extents. Chris Boswell ($3,600) has been accurate, but hasn’t been given the opportunity- with the Steelers struggling on offense. I much prefer Daniel Carlson ($3,400) who massively benefits from the Raiders being good enough to get the ball downfield, but struggling to push it into the endzone. With his leg talent, he should have a decent opportuntiy to score at home.
So, there are our DraftKings selections for the 2023 Showdown of Pittsburgh @Las Vegas! Remember any DFS questions, you can check out our articles here. Or you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – USA TODAY Sports
