Opening Week 3 of the 2022 season, Pittsburgh @Cleveland, here we cover the DraftKings showdown slate. This game doesn’t feel like a particularly exciting game, but it is still a divisional rivalry. The past few weeks these showdown slates have been nice for us, so let’s keep that momentum going!
DraftKings TNF Showdown 2022 –Pittsburgh @Cleveland Captain Picks
Nick Chubb ($18,000)
Chubb is primed for a big game in this one, which is shown in his price tag. The Steelers defense has struggled to reach the highs of previous seasons, and is without T.J. Watt. That should mean the Browns find success with running the ball and stick to it. There is always the issue of Kareem Hunt lurking in the wings that steals some of his scoring opportunities, but Chubb is a fine play.
Najee Harris ($14,700)
Harris is a nice pivot away from Chubb in this one. Harris is the workhorse in the offense, unlike the split in the Browns offense. As a result, he is set to get ALL of the touches, as well as the targets out of the backfield. This Browns defensive line are going to be looking to get pressure on QB Mitchell Trubisky, making Harris a valuable release valve.
DraftKings TNF Showdown 2022 – Pittsburgh @Cleveland Flex Picks
Amari Cooper ($9,400)
Cooper is the primary target for the Browns’ air attack, and that’s good news. The issue is that Jacoby Brissett is the guy throwing him the ball. But, last week Mac Jones with a less than 100% back threw the ball plenty to his receivers, as the Steelers’ secondary struggled. Cooper has the ability to boom or bust, so more of a GPP play.
Diontae Johnson ($9,200)
Johnson being cheaper than Cooper feels odd, Johnson has a constant volume and therefore fantasy value week to week. The thing is, that helps his floor, making him a better cash play than Cooper, but his ceiling is the highest of any of the receivers on this slate.
Kareem Hunt ($7,600)
Hunt is always in play with how the team split carries between him and Chubb. Hunt frustrated alot of fantasy players in Week 1, where he scored twice, before Chubb took the lead last week. EIther of these guys has the ability to score. You could even, given the game script, use both in the same lineup- especially with Hunt’s pass catching upside.
Pat Freiermuth ($7,000)
Freiermuth has an elite target share, especially for a TE. Currently his share is around a quarter of pass attempts. Then, considering his TD threat as a big-bodied receiver in the redzone, he is definitely in play. With the lack of true options on the slate, he has to be considered here.
Chase Claypool ($6,200)
Claypool has been getting more involved in the offense, after putting himself as a bit part player last year. In previous years he was a TD machine, but is yet to score this season. At some point, he is going to be able to use his big body and get into the endzone.
David Njoku ($5,200)
Njoku offers a good value option on the slate, as the Browns are likely to try and keep the clock moving in this game with rushes and short passes. The TE hasn’t really done too much so far this season, but he has a healthy target share in the offense, particularly in the redzone.
DraftKings TNF Showdown 2022 – Pittsburgh @Cleveland Kickers and DSTs
This game is likely to be a defensive struggle, and as a result both are worth considering. I have a slight preference for Cleveland ($3,800) over the Steelers ($4,400), mainly due to price. Where I am interested though is the kickers. Both are definitely worth considering in your lineups. With the struggles of the offenses, and the strength of defenses, its going to be alot of stalled drives. I’d probably opt for Chris Boswell ($4,000) over Cade York ($4,200) because of the cheaper price, but both are viable salary-savers on the slate.
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Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports