Start the 2024 season playing the DraftKings showdown slates- with the curtain raiser of Baltimore @Kansas City. Last season the Chiefs struggled and lost their season opener against the Lions, and this game isn’t an easy one either. There is plenty of offensive (and defensive talent) on both sides, and some new pieces that could have an impact here. The O/U here has been set at 46.5, with the Chiefs favored by around a FG.
DraftKings TNF Showdown 2024 – Baltimore @Kansas City Captain Picks
Lamar Jackson ($17,100 Capt/ $11,400 Flex)
Jackson is a consistent fantasy threat, and now has an added threat in the backfield in Derrick Henry. The Chiefs did well last season in keeping Jackson penned in, but with a very real threat in the backfield alongside him, Jackson could see more space in the backfield. Has a massive ceiling here on the slate, potentially the highest, but the pricing here makes it hard to then slot in other top tier pieces.
Patrick Mahomes ($15,600 Capt/ $10,400 Flex)
Mahomes tends to deliver, regardless of who he is throwing the ball to. Surely though, his receivers are going to be an upgrade on the players he had to start the season at least. Xavier Worthy has been getting strong reports out of camp, with Mahomes talking him up. Doesn’t have a high ceiling, due to his limited rushing work, but has a solid floor and $1.5k cheaper as a CPT than Jackson.
Travis Kelce ($14,400 Capt/ $9,600 Flex)
Kelce is entering the end of his career, but he is still the lead target for Mahomes and can still put up big numbers when needed. There are new receiving weapons in this offense, but that should (in theory at least) help Kelce in the middle of the field. Think in a GPP format, he could be a nice (under-owned) CPT choice, and leaves a chunk on the table to use in your flex. Otherwise, a great flex play.
Zay Flowers ($12,000 Capt/ $8,000 Flex)
Flowers is a cheaper CPT play, but one that can pay off if the game script goes his way. Has the speed to cause the Chiefs secondary issues, and if he were to have a big game (as he did in the playoffs last season) he would be a massively overlooked, cheaper CPT option that leaves a huge amount on the table for your flex plays.
DraftKings TNF Showdown 2024 – Baltimore @Kansas City Flex Picks
Derrick Henry ($9,000 Flex)
I’m tempted to have Henry as a CPT play, because he has the chance to have a monster year (and that could start here). Should face far fewer stacked boxes on this offense, and he is a human wrecking ball. I could see him having a big game, and then chasing it in the next few weeks. Equally, I could see Jackson having the big game here with Henry being used as a decoy. Either way, in your build I don’t think you can really have both Henry and Jackson in your lineups- they hurt each others ceilings.
Isiah Pacheco ($8,400 Flex)
Pacheco is the lead back for the Chiefs and should be on the field for the majority of the plays on offense. Samaje Perine joining the team could have an impact in future games, but he hasn’t been there long enough to really be a threat here. Pacheco could see more work to start the season while the Chiefs receivers get up to speed. But, consider your lineup builds here. If Pacheco has a big game, it’s likely that the passing game doesn’t really get there.
Rashee Rice ($7,600 Flex)
Until Rice is suspended, he is going to be the lead wide receiver for the Chiefs. Has shown that he is a capable receiver and can make plays when given the opportunuty. Decent flex option if you have Mahomes as a CPT play. This price point feels a little bit odd though, and if Worthy is the player that he is being hyped to be, then Rice could really be impacted.
Mark Andrews ($6,400 Flex)
Andrews missed alot of time last season due to injury, and missed more time this preseason with injuries from a car accident. That injury risk is going to lead to reduced ownership to start the season. Andrews has been a favored redzone weapon for Jackson and the Ravens previously (albeit they didn’t have Henry on the offense then). If Andrews were able to find the endzone, then he would immediately hit value. At this price, he is a tempting CPT play in GPPs- but think I’d opt for him in the flex.
Xavier Worthy ($5,800 Flex)
Worthy had a great preeason, and gets an opportunity to start the season with Hollywood Brown officially doubtful and looking very unlikely to play in this one. The Ravens secondary are going to have their hands full with Worthy’s speed. If Mahomes can find him on a downfield bomb, he would hit value. But, with his pricing he is going to be a popular play on the slate.
Rashod Bateman ($5,200 Flex)
Bateman has had some hype this past offseason after a decent camp. With all of that I could see his ownership being higher than it should be. What has really changed here in this offense to think Bateman is going to take a big step forward? I’ll look for other options on the slate, and have an easy pivot from the field.
Justice Hill ($4,400 Flex)
Henry is the clear starter for the Ravens, but he isn’t a great pass-catcher. Also, it’s hard to just think that Harbaugh is just going to hand a heavy carry load to Henry, given he has always liked to use a mix previously. Hill is going to be hugely underowned with Henry’s debut, and is a decent GPP play at this price.
Justin Watson ($3,200 Flex)
Watson was a decent receiver last season when given the opportunity. Should have a similar opportunity here with Brown looking set to miss the opening game. Watson should at least be on the field alot- which could lead to him having a few opportunities. At this price point, he doesn’t have to do too much to hit value. Nice cheap, pay down play on the slate.
Isaiah Likely ($2,600 Flex)
Likely kept the Ravens passing offense moving last season after Andrews went down. Even when Andrews was back, the Ravens mixed in Likely into the offense. As a result, we could see the team trot Likely out on the field alot to start the season. If Andrews were to have any injury issue during the game, given the amount of time he missed this preseason, Likely could be the starter. At this price, Likely is a decent GPP option on the slate.
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 GPPs:
- Nelson Agholor (WR, BAL) $3,400 Flex – Agholor could catch a bomb from Jackson. But think it’s far more likely that he duds. GPP longshot only.
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB, KC) $3,000 Flex – The signing of Perine feels like the end for CEH. Could find himself finidng the endzone on a random play, but there is no floor here and a very limited ceiling. There are better GPP shots on the slate. (EDIT: CEH is on IR so won’t be active)
- Devontez Walker (WR, BAL) $2,400 Flex – Walker is buried a little on the depth chart. He has size and speed, but until he is able to get out on the field he is going to be really limited for fantasy. GPP dice roll as the WR4 here.
- Skyy Moore/ Mecole Hardman (WR, KC) $2,200/ $1,800 Flex – These two are near enough the same. Both have shown they can make plays with their speed and know the offense. Either one could go and make a play on special teams or on a broken tackle, but you are hoping for that as there is no floor with either otherwise.
- Noah Gray/ Jared Wiley (TE, KC) $1,600/ $200 Flex – With Kelce entering the end of his career, the Chiefs have some TE options they can rotate through. Gray was more involved last season, with some redzone upside too. Wiley is a min-price option if you want to spend up elsewhere. Hits value with nearly immediately if he catches the ball. If that is in the endzone? Smashes.
- Patrick Ricard/ Carson Steele (RB, BAL/ KC) $400/ $200 Flex – Both are listed as fullbacks, and could sneak in for a TD. Of the two I’d opt for Steele if Perine is unable to suit up. Otherwise, I’m not looking to get involved with either of them.
DraftKings TNF Showdown 2024 – Baltimore @Kansas City Kickers and DSTs
Whenever Justin Tucker ($5,000) is on the field he is worth consideration. Has a long leg, and accurate. The question will be how this game pans out and if he is able to have enough kicking opportunities. At the price, I’d lean to no. But, if you are going this way, you need to add him in a Ravens heavy lineup- as that is the narrative that you need for him to be effective. Harrison Butker ($4,600) is another top kicking option, and will surely be wanting to get on the field and put the offseason behind him. This game could end up being decided by a kick, but like with Tucker, the Chiefs might struggle to give Butker enough kicking opportunties to hit value here.
The Ravens DST ($4,000) is one of the best units in the league. Able to get after the passer and they have playmakers in their secondary that could score on a turnover. Not sure you’d want too much exposure, but if the Chiefs were to struggle to start the season they could be a decent GPP option. The Chiefs DST ($3,600) lost a massive piece of their secondary in Sneed, but they have players who should be able to step up into bigger roles. If the Chiefs can get some pressure up front then they could force some turnovers. GPP play on the slate, but hard to put too much faith in them.
So, there are our DraftKings selections for the 2024 Showdown of Baltimore @Kansas City! Remember any DFS questions, you can check out our articles here. Or you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
