In Thursday's featured Showdown, the Los Angeles Rams visit the Seattle Seahawks. For a breakdown of this game, check out Rich Hribar’s Fantasy Football Worksheet.

The Rams are favored by just under a field goal. Cooper Kupp has been the alpha for the Rams, but is the highest-priced player overall. The Seahawks have no clear best player on a weekly basis, with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett both contending. The optimizer is favoring Rams 4-2 lineups with some 3-3 and 2-4 mixed in. I believe Matthew Stafford will be more popular than Russell Wilson given his slightly better projection, and lower salary.

(Updated) Roster Strategy:

Chris Carson is questionable and expected to miss the game, which completely alters the slate. The pricing is tight if he plays, but should he miss, we have access to underpriced RBs allowing easier access to the top plays. If Carson is out, Alex Collins becomes an elite value play and Travis Homer becomes viable, with potential to get the passing downs snaps. They are both so underpriced that you could use both in the same lot line up in spite of the negative correlation.

Projected CPT ownership is spread out quite evenly, with Wilson, Stafford or Kupp expected between 10-14%. Metcalf, Darrell Henderson and Lockett are very close behind. Throw in Collins and Robert Woods, and you have eight players all projected to be 40% or more rostered.

Metcalf and Lockett are negatively correlated, while Woods and Kupp are positively correlated. This is another spot where I can easily see a wide receiver being the optimal captain without his quarterback needing to be in the lineup. I think Woods makes a great leverage play off of cup given his ownership and salary discount. For even more leverage, I really like Homer and Freddie Swain who you can stack with Wilson or just mix in.

DK Values

  • Alex Collins ($3200) – If Cason sits
  • Travis homer ($1000) – If Cason sits
  • Darrell Henderson Jr. ($8400) 

DK Leverage

  • Freddie Swain ($4600) – Seahawks WR3
  • DeSean Jackson ($5000) – Rams fifth receiving option

DK Build Ideas

  • Max 1 DST, Max 1 K
  • Max 1 TE per team
  • Negative boost same team RBs
  • Negative boost Lockett with Metcalf or max 1
  • 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%
  • Use rostership product and leave salary unspent to reduce duplicates

FD Values

  • Tyler Higbee ($7000)
  • Robert Woods ($10000)

FD Leverage

  • DeSean Jackson ($8000) – Rams fifth receiving option
  • Alex Collins ($7500) – Underdog RB2

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.