DraftKings Call of Duty: Friday Cheat Sheet

Games (EDT)

• 1:00 p.m. Paris Legion vs. Florida Mutineeers
• 2:30 p.m. London Royal Ravens vs. Dallas Empire
• 3:40 p.m. New York Subliners vs. OpTic Gaming
• 5:30 p.m. Atlanta FaZe vs. Toronto Ultra

PAR (6-10) vs. FLA (13-8)

We are back and ready to kick things off with the Minnesota Home Series winners, the Mutineers, against the Legion in the latter's "by-name-only," home tournament. 

It's comical to see Owakening as the second-highest priced player after starting at near minimum price just a week ago. That's what happens when you put together the most Hardpoint kills (240) across the entire Minnesota tournament, along with the seventh-highest hill time per game across the three-day event. Yes, Florida played more games than anyone else, which helped rack up the high kill totals, but when it comes to Call of Duty DFS, that's the whole point of the game.

Unfortunately, that's exactly why I don't feel great about recommending Owakening in this case, as I see the Mutineers as a far superior team compared to their Paris adversaries. Last time we saw the Legion, they won two maps in two games, against the Huntsmen and OpTic Gaming, respectively, during the Seattle Home Series. Both of those maps were respawns (Domination against the Huntsmen and Hardpoint against OpTic), so I think it's possible for Paris to at least push the series to a fourth game. Owakening is the only questionable one in that scenario, as it's entirely possible Florida outright sweeps the Legion, which would torpedo anyone rostering the $10,000 player. I feel way better suggesting Skyz or Havok, who stand to benefit almost as much as their young teammate in the event the series does go past three games, but at a fraction of the price.

Considering the long layoff for the Legion, I'd be cautious trying to fit most of the players into your lineup, at least until we see them actually play a sanctioned series.

Prediction: FLA 3-1

PAR Players to Target: Shockz ($7,200)

FLA Players to Target: Skyz ($7,600), Havok ($7,400)

LON (8-9) vs. DAL (15-8)

You're going to notice a theme for Friday's slate, as this is another one that I could easily see go at least four games. The Royal Ravens took second place during their most recent tournament, the Seattle Home Series, after inserting Zer0 into their starting lineup. A 4-1 record during Search and Destroys in that tournament is the key stat for me, considering the Empire is probably weakest at S&D of the three game modes.

Of course, it all comes down to which maps these teams play on, but at least based on the knowledge we have now, I feel safest saying we'll get a second Hardpoint out of this game. That opens the door for Shotzzy, who is the highest priced player at $10,200, at least in cash games, and Huke, who was kept in check against the Mutineers last week but otherwise excelled.

On the side of the Royal Ravens, I'm not sure it makes much sense to pay up for Zer0, as there's a number of other options in that $8,500-$9,500 range who you could target that give more baseline kill figures. I know it's only one tournament, but at least during the Seattle homestand, he just didn't get enough Hardpoint time to consistently rely on, unlike Shotzzy. Ironically, that's exactly why I like Seany at $6,400 because he's the sole HP benefactor for the Royal Ravens. I don't know if you really need such a low-priced player in this slate, but he's definitely the one I'd target for a cheap 80-100 points.

Prediction: DAL 3-1

LON Players to Target: Skrapz ($7,800), Seany ($6,400)

DAL Players to Target: Shotzyy ($10,200), Huke ($8,400), iLLeY ($7,000)

NYS (6-12) vs. OGLA (7-11)

It's a risky decision, but at least when it comes to tournament lineups, I think I'm putting most of my salary here. Both the Subliners and OpTic Gaming can be inconsistent, amazing or whatever the middle of those two is, at any given time. That's the recipe for a pro-longed series, and unlike the Guerrillas and Ultra last week, you know you're going to be getting a ton of slaying from this matchup.

SlasheR was absolutely automatic in the Seattle home series, to the point where he's going to be a lock in most lineups, and considering his salary it's hard for me to suggest otherwise. But I think you'll see ownership across the board down for this matchup, if only because there's a bit more name recognition elsewhere across the slate.

The MP5, I mean SMG matchups, will be particularly fun to watch in this one, and while I suspect neither ZooMaa and Kuavo to have sub 1.00 KDs, they are still going to be in enough engagements to be well worth their price provided this series goes at least four games. To see TJHaly priced as low as he is, despite four-plus games with at least 90 DK points, is a travesty that I plan to take full advantage of as well. Stacking in Call of Duty DFS can be frustrating, particularly in a slate as difficult to predict such as this one, but you'll need at least two of these players from this game to be competitive in tournaments, at minimum.

Prediction: OGLA 3-2

NYS Players to Target: MackMelts ($9,400), ZooMaa ($7,000)

OGLA Players to Target: SlasheR ($9,600), Kuavo ($7,600), TJHaly ($6,600)

ATL (18-3) vs. TOR (4-10)

We round out the Friday breakdown with what should be the easiest series to call, though the same could have been said last week and FaZe ultimately needed an embarrassing amount of Game 5's in order to make it to the finals.

This series is the least likely to go four games, but I wouldn't rule it out, particularly with how inconsistent FaZe looked at Search and Destroy during the Minnesota home series, and with how good the Ultra typically are in the game mode. Now, that means little for DFS purposes considering Toronto wasn't much of a slaying force last week, but they're priced cheap enough where you have to at least consider the possibility. The names listed below should probably be looked at more as one-offs as opposed to another stacking candidate, but there's admittedly a number of guys who could do well should the unlikely occur.

I'll put together at least one tournament lineup with the idea FaZe somehow bumble their way into another elongated series, but when it comes to writing these pieces I always feel obligated to assume the most likely outcome will occur. The most likely outcome is Atlanta showing the Call of Duty League just what they are capable of, especially against an inferior opponent like the Ultra.

UPDATE TO INCLUDE NEW STARTING LINEUP WITH CLEANX

We thought the Ultra would ultimately insert their young slayer in the starting lineup last week, but I suppose the change is better late than never. With a bevy of cheap options already available across the slate who are more well known, I don't think you have to dive into the CleanX quagmire unless you want to. I'm admittedly a little intrigued considering just how many new starters have burst onto the scene in recent weeks, but I'll probably be more confident suggesting him one way or another come Saturday after we've seen him play.

Prediction: ATL 3-0

ATL Players to Target: Cellium ($9,200), MajorManiak ($7,200), FaZe Team ($3,000)

TOR Players to Target: MeTTalZ ($6,800)