Building an NFL DFS lineup on DraftKings can look deceptively simple.

You have a salary cap, a group of players and a few roster spots to fill. Pick the players you think will score the most points, stay under the salary cap and submit your lineup.

If only it were that easy.

Anyone who has played NFL Daily Fantasy Sports knows that building a good lineup involves much more than selecting players with the highest projections. You have to consider workload, matchup, salary, ownership, game environment, correlation, floor, ceiling and late-breaking news.

I've been playing DFS for more than 11 years, and one thing I've learned is that having a repeatable lineup-building process can be just as important as having good player opinions.

This is the blueprint I use to approach an NFL DFS slate, whether I'm building for a cash game such as a Double-Up or Head-to-Head, or constructing a single-entry tournament lineup.

Step 1: Start With the Quarterback

The quarterback is often the first position I look at.

That doesn't mean I automatically choose the most expensive quarterback on the slate. Instead, I want to understand the environment surrounding the player.

Ask yourself:

Is the game expected to be competitive?
Is the quarterback likely to throw frequently?
Does he have rushing upside?
Is his offensive line healthy?
Does the opposing defense create pressure?
Does he have reliable pass catchers?
Is the projected game total attractive?

For cash games, I generally want a quarterback with a relatively dependable floor.

For a single-entry tournament, I'm willing to put more emphasis on ceiling.

A quarterback who can contribute with both his arm and his legs can be particularly interesting because rushing production gives him another path to fantasy points.

The key is not simply asking, "Who is the best quarterback?"

Ask:

"Which quarterback gives me the best combination of production, salary and game environment?"

Step 2: Find Your Running Backs

Running back is one of the positions where opportunity can be extremely important.

Before selecting a running back, look at his expected workload.

Is he likely to receive:

15+ carries?
Targets in the passing game?
Goal-line opportunities?
Red-zone touches?
A majority of the team's running-back snaps?

A running back doesn't necessarily need to score a touchdown to have a useful DFS game if he's receiving enough touches.

This becomes particularly important in cash games.

For tournaments, however, I also want to identify running backs with the potential to have a massive performance.

A running back who can accumulate rushing yards, catch passes and score touchdowns has considerably more upside than someone who relies almost entirely on carries.

Step 3: Evaluate Wide Receivers

Wide receiver is where I start thinking more seriously about targets and ceiling.

A receiver might be talented, but talent alone doesn't make him a great DFS play.

I want to know how involved he is.

Look at:

Targets per game
Target share
Routes run
Red-zone targets
Air yards
Snap percentage
Recent usage
Quarterback relationship

A receiver seeing eight to ten targets gives you considerably more opportunity than one seeing three or four.

For cash games, consistent targets can help provide a safer floor.

In tournaments, I'm willing to look for receivers who might have fewer guaranteed opportunities but possess enormous big-play or touchdown upside.

Step 4: Don't Ignore Tight End

Tight end can be one of the trickier positions to evaluate.

There are usually a handful of elite options who receive significant targets, followed by a large group of players whose fantasy production can be inconsistent.

For cash games, I prefer tight ends who are actually part of their team's passing attack.

For tournaments, I may be willing to take a chance on a lower-owned tight end with red-zone involvement or big-play potential.

The important thing is understanding what you're buying.

If you're selecting a cheap tight end who averages only a few targets, you're probably accepting a lot of touchdown dependency.

That may be fine in a tournament.

It can be much more uncomfortable in a cash game.

Step 5: Build the FLEX Position Last

I generally prefer to leave the FLEX position until I've evaluated most of the other players.

Why?

Because the FLEX gives you flexibility.

Depending on the slate, you can use a:

Running back
Wide receiver
Tight end

I like using the FLEX to fill the biggest remaining need in my lineup.

If I have already selected two running backs with excellent workloads, perhaps a wide receiver provides the better combination of value and upside.

If wide receiver is extremely expensive that week, an underpriced running back receiving significant touches could become attractive.

Don't decide on your FLEX too early.

Let the rest of your lineup help make the decision.

Step 6: Select Your Defense

Defense is often an afterthought, but it shouldn't be.

Defensive scoring can be volatile, which makes predicting the exact top defense difficult.

Instead, look for situations that can create opportunities.

Things I consider include:

Opposing quarterback's turnover history
Sack potential
Offensive-line injuries
Home-field advantage
Expected game script
Vegas expectations
Defensive pressure rate
Potential for a low-scoring game

A defense doesn't necessarily need to shut out its opponent.

Sacks, interceptions, fumbles and touchdowns can create significant fantasy scoring.

In tournaments, I also like considering defenses that may have a path to a defensive touchdown.

Step 7: Look at Your Remaining Salary

Now comes one of the most overlooked parts of lineup construction.

Look at how much salary you have left.

Don't automatically spend every dollar.

Your remaining salary should help you evaluate whether you've allocated your money efficiently.

If you have $3,000 left, for example, don't suddenly convince yourself that you need to find a player at exactly $3,000.

Instead, go back through your lineup.

Ask:

"Is there a better use of this salary?"

Sometimes leaving a little money unused is perfectly reasonable.

The objective isn't to spend every dollar.

The objective is to build the strongest lineup possible.

Step 8: Add Correlation

This is where lineup construction becomes more interesting.

NFL scoring is naturally interconnected.

If a quarterback throws three touchdown passes, somebody has to catch them.

That's why quarterback/wide receiver stacks are so popular.

For example, if you believe a quarterback is going to have a big passing game, pairing him with one of his primary receivers allows your lineup to benefit from that same game environment.

You can also consider opposing players.

If one team builds a large lead, the opposing team may be forced to throw more frequently.

Suddenly, a running back on one side and a receiver on the other can create an interesting lineup story.

You aren't simply picking players.

You're asking:

"How do I think this game is going to unfold?"

Step 9: Think About Floor and Ceiling

Now step back and look at the entire lineup.

Does it have enough floor?

Does it have enough ceiling?

For a Double-Up or Head-to-Head, I want to see a lineup where most players have relatively dependable opportunities.

For a Single-Entry tournament, I'm looking for more upside.

That doesn't mean every player needs to be a low-owned dart throw.

In fact, that's usually not something I'd recommend.

Instead, I want a foundation of strong plays combined with several players who have the potential to exceed their expectations.

Step 10: Review Ownership

Ownership is another important piece of the puzzle.

In cash games, there's generally less reason to avoid a highly owned player simply because he's popular.

If he's one of the strongest plays on the slate, you can use him.

Single-entry tournaments are different.

If you have two players with similar projections and one is expected to be significantly lower owned, that can become an opportunity to differentiate your lineup.

But don't force it.

Being different isn't the same as being right.

The goal is to find smart differentiation.

Step 11: Check the Latest News

This may be the most important step before lineup lock.

NFL information changes quickly.

Check:

Injury reports
Inactive players
Starting lineups
Weather
Snap expectations
Depth-chart changes
Unexpected player limitations

An injury can completely change a team's offensive structure.

A backup running back suddenly becoming the starter can turn a player from irrelevant to one of the best values on the slate.

Likewise, an unexpected inactive receiver can increase the target opportunity for his teammates.

Don't build your lineup and forget about it.

Build it. Review it. Then review it again.

Step 12: Perform the Final Lineup Test

Before submitting, I like to look at the lineup as a complete unit rather than nine individual players.

Ask yourself:

Does the lineup make sense?

Are you expecting a particular game environment?

Do the players fit together?

Is there unnecessary conflict between your selections?

Is there enough opportunity?

Are your players actually expected to be involved?

Is the salary being used efficiently?

Did you spend money where you believe it provides the most value?

Is there enough upside?

Especially in a tournament, can this lineup realistically produce a score capable of competing near the top?

Did you check the news?

Never skip this one.

Cash Games vs. Single-Entry Tournaments

The same basic blueprint can be used for both formats, but your priorities should change.

Double-Ups and Head-to-Heads

Emphasize:

Floor
Volume
Consistency
Reliable workloads
Strong values
Reduced volatility

You're primarily trying to avoid a lineup disaster.

Single-Entry Tournaments

Emphasize:

Ceiling
Ownership
Leverage
Correlation
Game stacks
Differentiation
Upside

You're trying to build a lineup capable of beating a much larger field.

That's an important distinction.

My Simple NFL DFS Blueprint

If I had to reduce the entire process to one checklist, it would be:

1. Find your quarterback.

2. Identify running backs with legitimate workloads.

3. Find receivers with meaningful target opportunities.

4. Evaluate tight end based on role and upside.

5. Leave FLEX until you've evaluated the rest of the lineup.

6. Find a defense with opportunities for sacks and turnovers.

7. Review your remaining salary.

8. Look for logical correlations.

9. Evaluate floor versus ceiling.

10. Review ownership if playing tournaments.

11. Check late-breaking news.

12. Look at the entire lineup one final time.

That's the process.

It won't guarantee a winning lineup. Nothing can.

But it gives you a repeatable framework for making decisions instead of simply clicking on players because they happen to be popular that week.

Final Thoughts

NFL DFS is ultimately a game of uncertainty.

Nobody knows which player is going to score three touchdowns on Sunday.

Nobody knows when an unexpected backup is going to become the star of the slate.

And nobody gets every decision right.

That's part of what makes it fun.

What you can control is your process.

Build around opportunity. Understand the difference between floor and ceiling. Use your salary intelligently. Look for correlation. Consider ownership when appropriate. Pay attention to late news. And always remember which contest you're playing.

A Double-Up lineup shouldn't necessarily look like a Single-Entry tournament lineup.

They're different games with different objectives.

The best thing you can do is develop a process you trust and use it consistently.

You're not trying to predict everything that will happen on Sunday.

You're trying to build one lineup where the players, salaries, matchups and game environments make sense—and then let the games take care of the rest.

That's the NFL DFS Lineup Blueprint.

Check out my Facebook Page or go to DraftKings

The NFL DraftKings Lineup Blueprint: A Step-by-Step Strategy for Cash Games and Single-Entry Tournament