Jaylen Warren emerged as the standout player for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3, turning 20 touches into 176 yards and 23.6 DraftKings points. With Rico Dowdle sidelined again for Thursday Night Football, Warren is poised to carry the Steelers’ offense in their AFC North clash against the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns will host the Steelers in a game where all four AFC North teams hold identical 2-1 records, making this matchup critical for divisional positioning. Warren’s workload last week without Dowdle saw him handle 17 carries and three receptions, exploiting a Browns rush defense ranked 21st in expected points added (EPA) and 24th in rushing success rate allowed. This makes Warren a logical choice for the DraftKings showdown captain spot with his $14,400 salary and 1.5x scoring multiplier.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, priced at $9,800, also features prominently in the ideal DraftKings lineup. Rodgers scored a season-high 23.7 points last week, narrowly missing a 300-yard passing bonus. Cleveland’s defense has generated the fifth-highest pressure rate in the NFL at 41.5%, suggesting Rodgers may rely on quick throws to his running backs and receivers. His ability to handle pressure will be tested against a Browns front line that has allowed the fourth-highest pressure rate (44.2%).
On the Browns side, running back Quinshon Judkins carries a $8,800 salary and enters the game fresh off a season-high 20 touches in Week 3. He managed 79 scrimmage yards and has been the preferred option in red-zone carries, handling all six for Cleveland so far. Pittsburgh’s rushing defense ranks 22nd in rushing EPA allowed and 23rd in rushing success rate, indicating Judkins could find some room to operate.
Rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston offers intriguing upside for the Browns at $8,000. While teammate K.C. Concepcion leads the team in target share, Boston ranks 26th in yards per route run among 90 wide receivers with 50-plus routes. He also has the third-highest yards per reception (21.7) among receivers with at least 10 targets. Pittsburgh’s defense permits the second-highest explosive play rate (8.4%), which could benefit Boston’s downfield potential.
The Steelers’ defense remains a valuable asset on DraftKings at $5,000. They have forced six turnovers and recorded eight sacks through three weeks, averaging 10.3 DraftKings points per game. The Browns’ offensive line struggles with pressure, a vulnerability that Pittsburgh’s front seven will look to exploit, especially considering Deshaun Watson’s history of mistakes under pressure.
Roman Wilson, a $4,000 wide receiver for the Steelers, has seen his role increase this season with a 17.1% target share and a 94.6% route participation rate. He recorded a season-high 15 DraftKings points in Week 3 and provides a budget-friendly option with upside despite the presence of more prominent receivers like D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr.
All DraftKings contests operate on full-PPR scoring, which benefits players like Warren and Judkins who contribute in both rushing and receiving yards. The $50,000 salary cap for the single-game showdown format requires selecting one captain at 1.5 times salary and points, plus five flex players with normal scoring and salaries.
This Thursday Night Football game will test both teams’ rushing attacks and defensive pressure tactics. Warren leads the projections based on recent performance and matchup statistics, while Rodgers and Judkins round out the core of a balanced DraftKings lineup for this AFC North showdown. The game kicks off at Cleveland, with the Browns looking to leverage their pass rush against a Steelers offense that has relied increasingly on quick passing and running back production.
According to Yahoo Sports.
