DraftKings Thursday Showdown: Week 1

NFL Showdown can be a fickle beast. Success in these contests doesn't come from blindly following median projections, but from creating leverage and building unique rosters. Fading the most popular plays can be risky, yet the biggest edges usually come from identifying the right low-rostered pivots and pairing them creatively with the slate's juggernauts.

With both DraftKings and FanDuel now using similar formats — a multiplier slot (Captain/MVP) that costs 1.5x salary and earns 1.5x points — the nuances between sites come down to scoring systems and contest dynamics. DraftKings' full PPR scoring and larger prize pools reward a slightly different decision-making process than FanDuel's half-PPR and softer fields, but the core principles of Showdown roster construction apply across both.

The advice in this article pertains predominantly to tournament lineups and strategy. For cash builds, median projections remain your best guide. For head-to-head contests, consider projections as well, but when two players have similar projections, side with the lower-rostered option.

Game Scripting and Roster Construction

Few games this early in the season have this much built-in novelty. The Rams and 49ers open their year roughly 8,000 miles from home, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and how each team handles the trip may matter as much as the talent on the field. San Francisco flew in with extra days to adjust, while the Rams took a more compressed approach to their travel window. That difference alone could be the swing factor nobody's pricing into their lineups.

Vegas has the Rams favored by 3.5, with a game total of 48.5. I think the number is a touch generous to Los Angeles. This has the look of a team that can win a shootout, but I'm not sold that both offenses show up firing on all cylinders in Week 1, especially with the extended travel and abbreviated in-season prep for both sides. I wouldn't be shocked if Shanahan's game plan and a slower start from these two potent attacks combine to produce a mild upset. My number: San Francisco 23, Los Angeles 20, and I like the under on that total more than I like either side against the spread.

Build this one close to even. A 4-2 split in either direction is defensible given the salary structure, but I don't see enough of a gap between these rosters to justify going 5-1 anywhere. The name I want in as many lineups as possible is Deebo Samuel Sr. Shanahan previously got his best football out of Deebo as a hybrid weapon, touching the ball as a rusher and receiver in ways Washington never bothered to explore, and I expect that role to come right back now that he's home. Some will fade him on age, entering his eighth season at 30, but early-season Deebo has been a more reliable bet than late-season Deebo, before a full slate of games has taken its toll on his body.

Injury Roundup

San Francisco's defensive line took a real hit this week. DT Alfred Collins tore his patellar tendon in practice, ending his season before it even started. He joins Sam Okuayinonu, who's also on IR after breaking his foot in practice. Losing both bodies up front could give Matthew Stafford a little more time to operate in the pocket if San Francisco's backup options are a notable downgrade.

For the Rams, there's nothing major to worry about. Aaron Donald, who came out of retirement to rejoin the team, didn't make the trip to Australia as he continues working into game shape, a decision made with the long-term health of both Donald and the team in mind.

Captain Considerations

1. Puka Nacua
2. Deebo Samuel Sr.
3. Christian McCaffrey
4. Matthew Stafford

49ers Showdown Players

Quarterback

Brock Purdy (FLEX)

Given the moves the Rams made to shore up their secondary this offseason, along with the acquisition of Myles Garrett, it's going to be much tougher to throw against Los Angeles this season. Add in the fact that Kyle Shanahan likely doesn't want to get into a shootout with reigning MVP Matthew Stafford and his arsenal of weapons, and it's easy to see Purdy leaning into the game manager role, focusing on time of possession and running the ball wherever possible. As the fourth most expensive player on the board, I'm willing to fade him here and hope the game plan leans more on San Francisco's backfield than on Purdy dropping back 35-plus times. DFS Takeaway: Purdy's salary is difficult to justify if San Francisco succeeds in controlling the game through its backfield and short passing attack. At his price, I'm comfortable fading him and betting that volume and ceiling both fall short of what is needed for tournament-winning production.

Running Backs

Christian McCaffrey (CPT or FLEX)

Entering his 10th NFL season at age 30, we should expect some performance regression from Christian McCaffrey at some point. But CMC has fresh legs and a top offensive mind behind him, both working in his favor for this matchup. With renewed strength on the Rams' defensive exterior, they may force action back inside, and nobody is better suited to capitalize than McCaffrey, who was the second-highest-scoring running back in all of fantasy football last season. Given his presumed three-down role, he's a must-play across all Showdown formats. DFS Takeaway: McCaffrey's combination of rushing volume, receiving work, and touchdown equity gives him one of the safest floor/ceiling profiles on the slate. Even at a premium salary, he's a core play in all formats and an obvious Captain candidate.

Wide Receivers

Mike Evans (FLEX)
Deebo Samuel Sr. (CPT or FLEX)

The introduction of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to the Rams' secondary fixes one of the few holes the LA defense had in 2025. In the process, it dampens the fantasy prospects of San Francisco's wide receivers, both of whom played under different helmets last season. Evans, a future Hall of Famer, is coming off a disappointing, injury-filled season and is looking to return to the reliable form that saw him play 13 or more games in every season before 2025. His age is a concern too, since receivers tend to drop off sharply once they hit his mark. Opposite him is Deebo Samuel Sr., back in Kyle Shanahan's offense after a mediocre, albeit respectable, season with the Commanders a year ago.

Of the two primary receivers, I give the edge to the younger Samuel, who has fewer miles on his legs and an existing familiarity with both Shanahan and Purdy. If Shanahan works him into the running game as he did in years past, Deebo's $7.0K salary is a relative bargain next to Evans, priced at $8.2K and unlikely to touch the ball unless it's thrown to him. Both are elite talents with the fantasy upside to appear in winning DFS lineups, but give me Deebo, his discounted salary, and his potentially expanded role.

DFS Takeaway: The Rams' revamped secondary makes both San Francisco receivers more difficult to trust at their respective salaries. Samuel is my preferred option because his $1.2K discount, familiarity with Shanahan's offense, and potential rushing involvement give him more paths to tournament-winning value.

Tight Ends

George Kittle (FLEX)

Despite a torn Achilles that limited him to the second-lowest game total of his career in 2025, George Kittle still put together a solid fantasy season, finishing 8th at his position. The question entering this game is whether the Niners will play him a full complement of snaps in the opener. Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that Kittle's workload could be monitored against the Rams, telling reporters, "We got to be smart with that." I expect him on the field for roughly half the plays between the 20s and essentially all of them in the red zone. Assuming that holds, he still carries fantasy upside, but he'll have to do more with less to deliver for your rosters. DFS Takeaway: Kittle still carries touchdown and big play upside, but a potentially reduced snap count makes him difficult to trust at full price. He is better suited for tournament builds than as a foundational Showdown play.

Under the Radar

Kaelon Black (FLEX)
De'Zhaun Stribling (FLEX...maybe)
Jake Tonges (FLEX)

Showdown tournaments are typically won with lower-rostered players who manage to get into the end zone in secondary roles. The 49ers have three players who fit that description in this matchup: Kaelon Black behind Christian McCaffrey, De'Zhaun Stribling as the WR3, and Jake Tonges in relief of George Kittle.

Stribling is my least favorite of the three, coming in at $6.6K, only a few hundred dollars less than Deebo Samuel Sr. The rookie speedster will get looks in his NFL debut, but it's tough to justify his salary given his expected playing time. Tonges is a lukewarm recommendation at $4.4K; his history and comfort in this offense make him a decent contrarian punt option for tournaments. Last is Black, a third-round pick out of national champion Indiana. He should spell McCaffrey while Isaac Guerendo recovers from injury on the PUP list. He's not a lock for significant playing time, but the Niners would be smart to pace the aging CMC to keep him fresh for the full season. DFS Takeaway: Black is my preferred tournament dart of this group because his salary is manageable and he has a path to meaningful touches behind McCaffrey. Tonges is viable as a contrarian punt assuming Kittle's snaps are reduced, while Stribling is difficult to justify at a salary that sits too close to Deebo Samuel Sr.

Rams Showdown Players