How to Build a Winning Super Bowl LVIII DFS Lineup

Choosing the right Captain or MVP player is the key to finishing near the top (and one of our suggestions here might surprise you).

Looking to build some DFS lineups for Super Bowl LVIII? Here are a few things to keep in mind -- and a few sample lineups -- as you create your own entry.

With only one game to choose from, you’ll need to build a showdown slate, which means you’ll choose five or six players (depending on DFS site) with at least one player from each team. You’ll also need to designate one of those players as your Captain or MVP. The Captain/MVP player will earn 1.5x points, and the salary for that player will also be 1.5x the salary if you used that player in a flex spot. Choosing the correct captain is likely the most important decision for a winning lineup.

When building a showdown slate (or two or three), it’s good practice to play out the game script in your head. For example, if you think the 49ers are going to win, you probably also believe that Christian McCaffrey will be instrumental in the game. CMC would make a good choice for captain. If you think the Niners will be playing from behind, you may lean toward starting Brock Purdy or even Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk or George Kittle in the captain’s spot because they may be throwing more to play catch up.

Quarterbacks will always come with a premium. MVP caliber players such as McCaffrey will also be very pricey.

If you’re playing in a cash game, I’d recommend using CMC, Isiah Pacheco, Travis Kelce or either quarterback in the captain’s spot.

L’Jarius Sneed and the Chiefs defense have been tough all season, so why not be contrarian and use them in the captain’s spot? :: Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports

If you’re playing in a tournament, I’d recommend starting Samuel, Aiyuk, or Kittle in the MVP. If you’re really feeling spicy (full disclosure: I am) you could even start a defense or a kicker in that spot. The advantage to this build is that you can usually afford to start a lot of studs in the rest of your lineup because the premium for your MVP won’t be as high. Plus, if this lineup hits, there will be far fewer players with identical lineups and that means less people to split the pot with.

The Super Bowl has gone under the listed total in Vegas in four of the last five years. That’s another strong argument for using defenses and kickers in your lineup.

Here are some sample lineups for cash games:

CPT Christian McCaffrey or Brock Purdy
FLX George Kittle
FLX Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Justin Watson
FLX Harrison Butker
FLX Brock Purdy or Christian McCaffrey
FLX Rashee Rice

MVP Travis Kelce or Patrick Mahomes
FLX Isiah Pacheco
FLX Patrick Mahomes or Travis Kelce
FLX Jake Moody
FLX Brandon Aiyuk or George Kittle

For tournament play, you may want to be more contrarian. Here are a few sample lineups.

MVP Chiefs DST
FLX Patrick Mahomes
FLX Deebo Samuel
FLX Isiah Pacheco or Travis Kelce
FLX Rashee Rice

CPT Brandon Aiyuk
FLX Brock Purdy
FLX 49ers DST
FLX Harrison Butker
FLX Deebo Samuel or Travis Kelce
FLX Rashee Rice or George Kittle  

However you decide to play, good luck!

Super Bowl LVIII Fantasy Football Rankings