In Monday night’s Showdown, the Los Angeles Rams visit the Arizona Cardinals. For a breakdown of this game, check out Rich Hribar’s Fantasy Football Worksheet.

The Cardinals are favored by a field goal. This seemed like an evenly priced slate between the two teams and I expected roster constructions could be spread out more evenly than normal. There are now surprise inactives which have resulted in tons of values on Rams players. 

Strategy

The roster constructions are projected to be incredibly even as I thought they might be. 3–3 builds should make up nearly half of all rosters so I would shy away from those unless going extra contrarian in them. 4–2 builds are expected to be utilized between 22–25% for each team. There is very low usage for onslaught constructions of 5–1 so that is the easiest path to differentiation, and more so with five Rams.

Kyler Murray is projected between 15–22% for CPT and Cooper Kupp is 18–19%, so either one could be most popular. Murray is expected to be slightly more rostered at flex, with both >65%. It’s clear that Sony Michel will likely be next, between 11-13% CPT, but projections vary greatly after this. This is a great slate to look towards the second and third most popular players from each team to differentiate. I like Michel, James Conner, Matthew Stafford and DeAndre Hopkins as players to go over the field with for both CPT and flex. Besides Kupp the WRs are all seem under-rostered.

My favorite fade is Kendall Blanton, the backup TE who I’m expecting to underperform projections. I prefer Brysen Hopkins who is better suited to pass-catching. When using Murray, consider stacking him with 3+ to differentiate from those who are counting on his rushing production. With Kupp, try leaving out Stafford or including more Rams pass-catchers than feels optimal or 2+ contrarian picks to help avoid duplicates.

DK Values

  • Brycen Hopkins ($200) – Tyler Higbee is out
  • Rondale Moore ($2000)
  • Sony Michel ($7200) – Darrell Henderson is out

DK Leverage

  • AJ Green ($4800)

DK Build Ideas

  • Max 1 DST, Max 1 K
  • Max 2 depth WR/TE/RB
  • Negative boost same team RBs
  • If CPT QB, include one depth option in stack 
  • If CPT RB, negative boost opposing DST/K
  • If CPT WR/TE boost team QB and force at least 1 QB (either team)
  • Cumulative ownership under 250%
  • Leave salary unspent 

FD Values

  • Sony Michel ($12000)
  • Brycen Hopkins ($5000)

FD Leverage

  • AJ Green ($9000)

FD Build Ideas

  • No K or TE at MVP
  • Focus on 3-2 build construction
  • No solo CPT in 1-4 construction
  • Negative boost opposing QBs (Lineups with both only win 30%)
  • If WR CPT, boost QB
  • QB is overused but RB and WR are underutilized at MVP
  • Don’t stack 3 pass catchers from the same team
  • Don’t force the max salary

For more optimizer build rules to consider, check out the list for each DK and FD here.