Mike’s Player Grid 16.24

Mike Johnson (MJohnson86) has racked up nearly $500,000 in DFS profit as an NFL tournament player with success in all styles of contests

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Welcome back to my (Mjohnson86) Player Grid. I am changing up the format of my Player Grid this year to be more direct about the players I like at each position and keep myself from casting too wide of a net. We have plenty of strategy talk and full game write-ups on every game here at OWS, this year I’m going to use this article to give direct answers on who I think the best tournament plays are each week. Also, note that just because a player isn’t on here doesn’t mean they are a bad play, I’m just intentionally trying to limit the players I list to about 3 QBs, 5 to 7 RBs, 6 to 8 WRs, and 2 or 3 TEs and that means that some plays don’t make the cut – we can’t play everyone. Feel free to drop me feedback in Discord or on Twitter about the new format and if you like this better or last year’s. Enjoy!!

This is a list of players that stand out to me at each position from using my “Checking the Boxes” criteria outlined in my course you can find in our Marketplace. This list is a starting point, from which I build out lineups using game theory and roster construction concepts with the mindset being to find the best plays with big ceilings. Low ownership is a bonus, but not a must. 

(Side note:: You’ll notice at the bottom of this article that Fanduel will have its own Player Grid this year)

Draftkings Player Grid

Quarterback ::

• Michael Penix Jr. – QBs with this kind of pedigree, a great matchup, a stable of playmakers, a good offensive scheme, and a $4,500 salary don’t come around often.
• Matthew Stafford // Aaron Rodgers – I like this game environment as a whole for stacking and building around for a few reasons. The defenses have been beatable by WRs, both teams have clear top-2 WRs to use in team/game stacks (one that has been more dependable and the other that has a depressed salary and low ownership), and veteran QBs who aren’t afraid to let it rip.
• Brock Purdy – The 49ers running back room is depleted to the point where we can expect them to have to rely on the passing game more than normal. The 49ers WR/TE options all have modest salaries and the matchup with Miami is appealing. Purdy has 24+ points in 5 of 13 starts this season and should be very low owned. I don’t mind Tua on the other side of this game, either.
• Salary Savers: Geno Smith, Aidan O’Connell, Mac Jones, Dorian Thompson-Robinson

Running Back :: 

• Jahmyr Gibbs – Not much to say here. Clear lead back on an elite rushing offense facing the league’s 31st-ranked run defense.
• Saquon Barkley – Barkley has over 36 Draftkings points in 5 of 14 games this season, including 36.8 against the Commanders. 
• Bijan Robinson – Elite talent in a great matchup. Play him with his new QB or on his own, the world is your oyster.
• James Conner – Conner’s top-2 backups are both out and the Cardinals have to win out to have a chance at the playoffs – he’s the guy. Elite matchup this week.
• Patrick Taylor Jr. – Lead RB for the 49ers at $5,200. Not as talented as Guerendo and the matchup is just “fine”, not elite, but he opens things up for you.
• Breece Hall – Hall at only $6,100 in a good matchup is too hard for me to pass up. He will have low ownership to boot. There is obvious risk with his role potentially being less than it used to be but his talent, salary, and ownership make him worth the gamble in a potentially fun game environment.
• Salary Savers: Jerome Ford, Tyjae Spears (if Pollard is out), Ameer Abdullah, Alexander Mattison, Ray Davis

Wide Receiver :: 

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