The bad news: There are no full-roster DFS options for the Super Bowl.
For the Big Game, you’ll have to settle for the single-game formats — which feature a captain or MVP spot, then a collection of Flex options.
The good news: At least there are options.
Obviously, being in a single-game format impacts how you build a roster.
We like the DraftKings model best, because it has six positions — captain plus five Flex spots — instead of FanDuel’s five — MVP plus four Flexes.
Also, there is a wider disparity in salary costs at DK, with some significantly cheaper options available — allowing you to afford an extra star or two.
Now, first, it is hard to pick wrong at the top.
Everyone would like to use Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey, Brock Purdy, Travis Kelce, etc. But you can’t afford all of them. So, we have to pick and choose based on how we think the game is most likely to unfold.
Picking against Mahomes in the playoffs hasn’t worked out well for most of the people most of the time. We like his chances of accounting for the most touchdowns, so he is our Captain.
We pair him with Kelce, and we’re off to a solid, albeit chalky, start.
We prefer Deebo Samuel to Brandon Aiyuk — based on production when both are healthy. Samuel also can be a factor in the ground game, plus we really want to use Christian McCaffrey. So, we’re leaning heavy into the Niners’ rushing attack, which means it makes sense to fade Purdy.
That leaves us with two open roster spots and a sliver of salary-cap space remaining.
This is where many of these types of contests are won. If one of you cheap, low-usage options scores, you gain on a large chunk of the field.
Kyle Juszczyk rarely gets used, but when he does, he has a knack for scoring: two TDs on just 19 touches this season. That is one every 9.5 touches. By comparison, CMC scored 21 on 339 touches — once every 16.1 touches. For $800, we roll the dice.
The last option is more of a mental game. We’ve grown to loathe Kadarius Toney. Yet, somehow, he has not been ruled out of the game by Chiefs coach Andy Reid. It will annoy us to no end if he gets in the game and, God forbid, scores.
The one way to minimize that irritation? Make it so we profit in that scenario, by using him in our lineups.
It’s our last stab at this for months, so we can forgive ourselves for selling our soul. See you next season.
Ready to start your Super Bowl 2024 betting?
Super selections
Picks you should or shouldn’t consider for Sunday’s FanDuel and DraftKings contests:
Isiah Pacheco RB, Chiefs (FanDuel $12,500/DraftKings $12,000)
Clyde Edwards-Helaire is dealing with a toe/ankle problem, and has been ineffective when he has been used recently. Jerick McKinnon is not expected back from his groin injury. The hard-running Pacheco should get almost every snap.
Brandon Aiyuk WR, 49ers (FanDuel $10,500/DraftKings $13,200)
Deebo Samuel has been Brock Purdy’s favorite target when healthy, and he is a threat on the ground too. And Samuel was on his way to a Super Bowl MVP before Patrick Mahomes rallied the Chiefs in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LIV. Add Christian McCaffrey’s threat on the ground or in the air, a chunk of looks toward George Kittle, and we worry Aiyuk won’t perform up to his price point.
Jauan Jennings WR, 49ers (FD $7,000/DK $6,000)
On the other hand, if looking for a deep dive, Jennings doesn’t need to produce much to justify his cheap expenditure. He doesn’t get a lot of looks, but he is on the field often, so there’s that.
Noah Gray TE, Chiefs (FD $5,500/DK $2,700)
Similar scenario for Gray. Every roster will need at least one scrub option, so you’re looking for someone who could potentially score. Wouldn’t put it past Andy Reid to use Travis Kelce as a red-zone decoy, allowing a cheap score opportunity for Gray.
Kansas City DST, Chiefs (FD $9,000/DK $5,100)
Of the defenses, we like the Chiefs’ chances of a big day rather than the 49ers. Mahomes doesn’t get sacked that often, and he has ton of Super Bowl experience, which will make it hard to the 49ers DST to rack up big points. The Chiefs D has been under-the-radar strong, and they face an upstart QB with zero Big Game snaps.
Insanity’s Daily Dose
Daily fantasy league lineup suggestions by Drew Loftis.
Team DraftKings
Type: Tourney
Salary: $50K
Fee: $15
Entries: 470.5K
Top prize: $1M
Tot. pot: $6M
Pos.: Player=Price
Cpt: Patrick Mahomes=$15,900
Flex: Christian McCaffrey=$12,000
Flex: Travis Kelce=$10,200
Flex: Deebo Samuel: $9,200
Flex: Kadarius Toney=$1,400
Flex: Kyle Juszczyk=$800
For late roster changes, follow @NYPost_Loftis on X.
Season risked: $204.44
Season winnings: $106
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