Devising the perfect Daily Fantasy Sports strategy for the NFL can be a challenge, which is why I'm here to assist.
On DraftKings, it's important to remember you're playing full-point PPR with bonuses if a player surpasses 300 passing yards, 100 rushing yards or 100 receiving yards.
Here is my optimal lineup for Sunday's $4 million Fantasy Football Millionaire contest, but can be utilized as a foundation in other games and platforms.
All prices listed are courtesy of DraftKings with a $50,000 budget.
— QB: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs ($7,900)
Kansas City is coming off a mini-bye week, which favors Andy Reid and Mahomes has absolutely owned Gus Bradley's defenses with 17 touchdowns against only two interceptions in seven games — he's completed 68% of his passes for 966 yards and nine TDs (zero interceptions) in their last three meetings.
— RB: D'Andre Swift, Lions ($7,200)
The Vikings have allowed 310 total yards with a TD and 13 receptions to running backs in the first two games. Swift produced 104 total yards with a TD and six receptions in his only start against Minnesota last season.
— RB: Dameon Pierce, Texans ($5,000)
The Bears have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards (256) to running backs this season and a staggering 5.3 yards per carry.
— WR: Michael Pittman Jr., Colts ($6,900)
If we're stacking the Chiefs, it would make since to run it back with Indy's top receiver. Pittman compares favorably to the Chargers' Mike Williams, who torched KC's secondary for 113 yards on eight receptions and a TD in Week 2.
— WR: Russell Gage, Buccaneers ($4,700)
Mike Evans is serving a one-game suspension with Chris Godwin sidelined with a hamstring injury and Julio Jones likely a game-time decision due to a knee injury. Gage was the overall WR11 in PPR the final eight games of 2021 while playing in a significantly worse offense in Atlanta.
— WR: Chris Olave, Saints ($4,500)
Olave is New Orleans' primary vertical threat and he's tied for the team lead in routes run with Michael Thomas. He is on the verge of a breakout.
— TE: Travis Kelce, Chiefs ($7,900)
The Colts have allowed the sixth-most DraftKings points per game to tight ends this season, despite matchups against Brevin Jordan, O.J. Howard and Evan Engram. Stacking Mahomes and Kelce this week should provide leverage against the field with both players projected ownership to be under 5%.
— FLEX: Mack Hollins, Raiders ($3,300)
Hollins is a solid punt play who had five receptions (eight targets) for 66 yards against the Cardinals last week and has a chance to repeat (or exceed) those numbers against a depleted Titans defense with Hunter Renfrow still stuck in the NFL's concussion protocol.
— DST: Houston Texans ($2,600)
Stacking this improved defense with Pierce in Lovie Smith's return to Chicago is a clever option. Justin Fields has the highest sack rate (12%) and interception rate (4%) among quarterbacks with at least 200 pass attempts since last year and the Bears are one of only two teams to attempt fewer than 100 plays this season.
