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The official Monday Night Football matchup will be between the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers in New Orleans. The bulk of the fantasy points are going to go to Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara, Justin Herbert, Tre’Quan Smith, Keenan Allen and Hunter Henry. The question is, who are those one or two players further down the radar that will become critical in this game and help you roster more studs in the DraftKings Showdown?
Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Saints, $5,600
With Michael Thomas out again, Sanders and Tre’Quan Smith get another shot at good usage. Sanders has now had two good games after a dud against the Raiders in Week 2 with Thomas out. He’s topped 15 DK points in the last two games as he accumulated 10 receptions on 14 targets for 149 yards and a touchdown.
Jared Cook, TE, Saints, $6,200
Cook is questionable to play this week after getting in limited practices all week. If he does play, he won’t have to compete with Michael Thomas for targets, as he is out this week. At his price, that makes for a strong start, as the Chargers have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season.
Justin Jackson, RB, Chargers $4,400
Jackson isn’t strictly a backup in this offense with Austin Ekeler our. He is behind Joshua Kelley, but last week Kelley had 12 touches to Jackson’s eight and that could easily be the split moving forward. Kelley is still the player to target and his $8,200 price isn’t outlandish, but if you need the value, Jackson is likely to see 10+ touches with some receiving work as well.
Jalen Guyton, WR, Chargers, $4,200
Mike Williams, WR, Chargers, $5,000
Guyton’s value is tied to Mike Williams’ availability. And even then, he’s very much a boom or bust option. Last week he caught a 72-yard touchdown and in Week 2 he caught a 14-yard touchdown. His snap percentages have been great with Williams out, but the targets haven’t really materialized. But, the upside is still there for a big play or two.
If Williams does play, he would become the deep play threat once again, and have a better shot to accumulate targets. He got in limited work in two practices this week, so he has a shot to play, but a hamstring injury for a deep threat needs to be 100 percent. We’ll see.