Ready to dominate the 2024 Week 1 DraftKings SNF Showdown slate of Detroit @Los Angeles? Whether you’re looking to lock in a superstar like Amon-Ra St. Brown in your captain spot or find some value plays in the Rams’ crowded backfield, I’ve got you covered.
This game has the potential to light up the scoreboard, and that means we’re going to see some serious fantasy points up for grabs. The Lions’ aerial attack, led by Jared Goff and Amon-Ra, is primed to challenge a Rams secondary that’s shown some cracks. Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford and his dynamic duo of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua will look to exploit a Detroit defense that struggled against the pass last season. It’s all about finding the right balance between the stars and those sneaky value picks that can make or break your lineup. So let’s dive in, break down the top captain options, flex plays, and some dart throw picks that could give you the edge in this matchup. Get those lineups set, and let’s make this a Sunday night to remember!
DraftKings SNF Showdown 2024 – Detroit @Los Angeles Captain Picks
Amon-Ra St. Brown ($16,500 Capt/ $11,000 Flex)
Amon-Ra St. Brown ranks as one of the league’s top wide receivers and is the focal point of the Lions’ passing attack. Last season, he averaged 10.3 targets per game and accounted for a 29% target share, demonstrating his vital role in the offense. With limited competition for targets, St. Brown should command a similar or higher share this season. He caught 119 passes for 1,515 yards and 10 touchdowns last year, and if he reaches the end zone, he’ll be a must-play in all lineups. I like him in the captain spot since his volume makes him valuable in both game scripts: whether the Lions win or play catch-up. Regardless, St. Brown’s high floor and potential for 25+ fantasy points make him essential.
Puka Nacua ($14,700 Capt/ $9,800 Flex)
Puka Nacua is healthy and ready for this playoff rematch against the Lions. He saw a staggering 160 targets last season, finishing with 105 receptions for 1,486 yards and 6 touchdowns. Nacua had a 28.7% target share, and with his ability to stretch the field, he should see plenty of deep targets. The Lions allowed the 6th most passing yards last season, so expect the Rams to test them early with Nacua’s big-play potential.
Cooper Kupp ($14,400 Capt/ $9,600 Flex)
Cooper Kupp struggled with injuries last year but still managed 59 receptions for 737 yards and 5 touchdowns in 12 games. With an expected snap share around 62%, Kupp’s production should rise significantly. Despite sharing targets with Nacua, Kupp’s historical 30% target share and red zone efficiency make him a key piece in any lineup. His combination of a high target volume and touchdown potential gives him a solid ceiling.
DraftKings SNF Showdown 2024 – Detroit @Los Angeles Flex Picks
Jared Goff ($9,000 Flex)
Jared Goff has been efficient, completing 67.3% of his passes for 4,575 yards and 30 touchdowns last season, ranking 7th among quarterbacks. Goff has a strong connection with Amon-Ra St. Brown, who he targeted on 29% of his throws. However, at $9,000, he’s a bit pricey, especially with Matthew Stafford priced at $8,800. While Goff is in play for Lions stacks, I’d lean towards Stafford to save salary and diversify exposure.
Matthew Stafford ($8,800 Flex)
Matthew Stafford offers solid value at his price point. Despite missing 2 games last season, Stafford averaged 263.3 passing yards per game and maintained a 62.5% completion rate. His deep passing ability remains elite, with a 46.6% deep pass completion rate (passes over 20 yards), and he’ll have plenty of opportunities to connect with Nacua and Kupp. Stacking him with his receivers makes sense, given his ability to produce 20+ fantasy points in favorable matchups.
Jahmyr Gibbs ($8,400 Flex)
Jahmyr Gibbs is a dual-threat back with significant upside but comes with injury risk after recently tweaking his hamstring. Last season, he had a 57.5% snap share in games he was active and saw 4.7 targets per game, ranking 8th among running backs. If he remains healthy throughout the game, Gibbs will be heavily featured in passing situations, making him a high-risk, high-reward play. While I prefer Montgomery for his stability, Gibbs’ explosiveness makes fading him feel risky.
Kyren Williams ($8,000 Flex)
Kyren Williams had a breakout season last year with 1144 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns, and an additional 32 receptions for 206 yards. However, with Coach McVay indicating he was overworked, expect a slight reduction in carries. Williams will take on kick return duties, and his usage will be in a more balanced committee with rookie Blake Corum. Despite this, Williams still has a strong role, especially in red zone situations, making him a valuable part of a Rams stack.
Sam LaPorta ($7,400 Flex)
Sam LaPorta was a revelation last season, finishing as the TE3 in fantasy points per game. He had 86 receptions for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns, emerging as a primary target in Detroit’s offense. LaPorta is likely to get a large chunk of targets, particularly in the red zone, where he was targeted 16 times last season, making him an excellent mid-range option for your lineup.
David Montgomery ($6,600 Flex)
David Montgomery is the nominal starter, but he will share touches with Jahmyr Gibbs. Despite being touchdown-dependent, Montgomery’s role on a run-heavy Lions offense gives him a solid floor. Last season, he had 219 carries for 1015 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 15.6 carries per game. He isn’t used much in the passing game (only 24 targets last year), but his red zone usage is high, with 53 red zone touches in 2023, providing multiple chances to find the end zone.
Jameson Williams ($5,400 Flex)
Jameson Williams, the Lions’ second wide receiver, has impressed during the offseason, drawing praise from both Dan Campbell and Jared Goff. With his deep-threat ability, Williams averaged 14.75 yards per reception last season and will likely be targeted on longer passes. He has the potential to provide a game-breaking play, especially in a game where the Lions may need to air it out.
Demarcus Robinson ($5,000 Flex)
Robinson is listed as the Rams’ third wide receiver, but his position could be in jeopardy with younger players pushing up the depth chart. At age 30, Robinson had 26 receptions for 371 yards and 4 touchdowns last season. He needs to make a quick impact to maintain his role.
Blake Corum ($4,800 Flex)
Blake Corum, a rookie running back, is expected to be integrated into the Rams’ game plan. While he has shown explosiveness in practice, his role remains limited to special teams and spot duties. Corum’s involvement in kick returns could add value, but his offensive snaps will likely be capped unless injuries occur.
Dart Throw Plays (Various)
Here are a few dart plays to round out your lineup. These are high-risk, high-reward picks best suited for GPPs—not for cash games:
- Colby Parkinson (TE, LAR) $3,200 Flex – Parkinson is primarily a blocking tight end, contributing just 25 receptions for 247 yards last season while in Seattle. At 6’7″, he’s a red zone target, but his fantasy output remains minimal.
- Craig Reynolds (RB, DET) $3,000 Flex – Reynolds is an RB depth piece, primarily a special teams player. He had 41 rushing attempts for 179 yards last season. With limited snaps, he’s unlikely to make much of an impact outside of a specific game script like a two-minute drill.
- Kalif Raymond (WR, DET) $2,800 Flex – Raymond, known for his separation skills, finished third in target rate and receiving yards for the Lions last year. However, his role may diminish with the rise of LaPorta and Williams. At 30, he could still find usage in select situations but is a risky play.
- Tutu Atwell (WR, LAR) $2,400 Flex – Atwell is at risk of losing his spot to Robinson or Whittington. He played sparingly last season, recording only 39 receptions for 483 yards and 3 touchdowns.
- Jordan Whittington (WR, LAR) $2,000 Flex – Whittington, a big-bodied receiver, could see action in three-wide receiver sets. He’s known for his blocking and physicality and was rated PFF’s top rookie WR in Week 1 in the preaseason, which could lead to sneaky production.
- Davis Allen (TE, LAR) $1,600 Flex Allen is a 5th-round draft pick and could see more snaps with Tyler Higbee on the PUP list. However, he’s currently behind Colby Parkinson on the depth chart and is unlikely to see significant action.
- Ronnie Rivers, LAR RB – $1,200 Rivers, an undrafted free agent from Fresno State, is the Rams’ third running back and mainly a special teams contributor.
- Brock Wright, DET TE – $1,000 Coach Campbell calls Wright the “unsung hero” for enabling more 12-man personnel. While primarily a blocker, he has the potential to surprise in this matchup.
- Sione Vaki, DET RB – $600 Vaki has shown strong pass-catching ability and was converted to RB his senior year due to team needs. Drafted in the 4th round for his natural running ability, he’s primarily a depth piece but could be a surprise play.
- Isaiah Williams, DET WR – $200 An undrafted rookie, Williams is taking inspiration from Amon-Ra St. Brown, staying late after practice. Although he’s only played WR for three years, he’s eager to prove himself, especially with the team needing more outside receivers.
DraftKings SNF Showdown 2024 – Detroit @Los Angeles Kickers and DSTs
Jake Bates ($4,600) is a new addition to the Lions, and is considered clutch. But comes with uncertainty in this high-scoring potential matchup. Kickers typically don’t hold much appeal when both teams are expected to score frequently. Joshua Karty ($4,400) is an undrafted rookie kicker from Stanford who could see some opportunities if the Lions’ defense stifles the Rams’ offense in the red zone. However, I’m not targeting kickers in a game with explosive offenses.
The Lions DST ($4,000) the Lions’ defense averaged a little over 6 fantasy points per game last season and has potential against a Rams offense that allowed the 7th most sacks. Still, I’m wary of playing them given the Rams’ firepower. The Rams DST ($3,600) don’t how the same appeal without Aaron Donald, the Rams’ defense is much weaker upfront. They managed only 41 sacks last season (24th in the NFL). I’m fading them due to concerns over their ability to pressure the quarterback effectively.
So there you have it — our DraftKings picks for the 2024 Detroit @Los Angeles! Whether you’re locking in lineups or just looking for that edge, we’ve got you covered. If you have any DFS questions shoot me a DM on twitter at @numeric_dfs. Also checkout our other KFS DFS articles here, and interact with us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. We’re always ready to talk shop and help you build those winning rosters!
