Here we are again with another DFS discussion and with a new week, comes new hope. It’s never easy to predict which lineup will be the most successful. The key to winning at DFS is finding value choices that could outproduce their projections. But on any given week it’s hard to know which players will rise to the occasion and which will fall flat. But here are a few names for you to keep in mind as you create your lineups. I will continue to include both high-end options, as well as some of my favorite value picks so that you have a big picture view of the landscape. Good luck.
DFS Cash Games: Week 2
Quarterback Top Option:
Lamar Jackson (DraftKings: $7,700, FanDuel: $8,800) completed 26 of 41 pass attempts for 273 yards and one touchdown against Kansas City last week. Against the He also added 122 yards on the ground. He is a human cheat code in fantasy and now gets to face a flailing Raiders team. The Raiders did hold Justin Herbert to just 144 yards and one touchdown through the air, but they gave up 135 rushing yards and a touchdown to J.K. Dobbins on just ten carries. With his ability to create plays with his legs, Jackson could finish as the overall QB1 this week.
Quarterback Value Option:
Baker Mayfield (DraftKings: $5,900, FanDuel: $7,400) picked up right where he left off in 2023. He only attempted 30 passes against the Commanders but he completed 24 of them for 289 yards and four touchdowns and added 21 yards on the ground. This came to nearly 30 fantasy points and made him the No. 2 QB of the week. Mayfield clearly fits in the Buccaneers’ system. With weapons like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Rachaad White he could keep rolling against Detroit in a game that should be a shootout.
Running Back Top Option:
Breece Hall (DraftKings: $7,400, FanDuel: $8,500) had a difficult matchup when he faced San Francisco this past week. In that game, he managed 54 yards on 16 carries (3.38 yards per carry) and a touchdown. But it was his involvement in the passing game that should give you hope. Hall caught five passes for 39 yards and could be called upon again against the Titans. Tennessee is good at stopping the run, but if Hall continues to be targeted and finds the end zone he will reward his managers.
Running Back Value Option:
Tony Pollard (DraftKings: $5,900, FanDuel: $6,700) is a great value in DFS this week. Against the Bears in his first regular season game as a Titan, Pollard received nearly 20 touches which culminated in 94 yards and one touchdown. There is talk that the team may look to distribute the workload more evenly between Pollard and his teammate Tyjae Spears, but I’ll believe it when I see it. Until then, I intend to keep plugging him into my lineup and so should you, especially against a Jets defense that just allowed backup Jordan Mason to run for 147 yards and a score.
Wide Receiver Top Option:
Cooper Kupp (DraftKings: $7,600, FanDuel: $7,700) is worth the price this week after receiving 21 targets against the Lions. He turned those targets into 14 receptions for 110 yards and a score. Now with no Puka Nacua for at least four weeks and facing a leaky Arizona secondary, Kupp has the inside track to being the overall No. 1 WR in Week 2. DFS is a balancing act between determining who is worth their high price and who is a value. In the case of Kupp, I’d pay up (I think I just invented a slogan.)
Wide Receiver Value Option:
Chris Godwin (DraftKings: $6,000, FanDuel: $6,200) had a lot of buzz coming into the season. There was talk that he was reverting to the slot where he is most comfortable and has found the most success. This is precisely what happened. Against Washington, Godwin ran 44.4% of his routes out of the slot, catching all eight of his targets for 83 yards and a touchdown. He will now face the Lions in what is sure to be a shootout. He’s my favorite value this week regardless of position.
Tight End Top Option:
Trey McBride (DraftKings: $6,000, FanDuel: $6,200) was underwhelming this past week when he went up against Buffalo, only mustering five catches for 30 yards. While this was enough to make him top 12 at the position, it was disappointing to those who were hoping for him to be the next great tight end. But the entire Arizona passing game was out of sorts and the nine targets were encouraging. They will have a chance to redeem themselves against a Rams team that will make them throw the ball. McBride could be in store for a lot of work this week.
Tight End Value Option:
Isaiah Likely (DraftKings: $4,800, FanDuel: $5,800) could end up being a one-week wonder, but after finishing as the overall No. 1 tight end this past week it would be foolish to write him off. Mark Andrews was on the field more and ran more routes, but it was Likely who drew the targets (12) and had the production (nine catches for 111 yards and a score.) Until we see Andrews take back his role in the passing game, it would be unwise to underestimate Likely.
Defense Top Option:
Baltimore Ravens DST (DraftKings: $3,700, FanDuel: $4,800) did not have a great showing their first time out. But they were facing a potent Kansas City offense. Las Vegas should present an easier matchup. The Raiders offense is far from electric. Gardner Minshew tossed one interception and took four sacks against the Chargers this past week, so the Ravens should have plenty of opportunities to produce.
Defense Value Option:
Los Angeles Chargers (DraftKings: $3,400, FanDuel: $4,400) was the No. 4 defense in the first week. That was against an anemic Las Vegas offense, and now they get to face an even worse offense in Week 2 when they go head-to-head with Carolina. The Panthers’ offense was a train wreck against the Saints and allowed their defense to finish as a top-five unit. The Chargers will be good for an interception or two and a handful of sacks in what should be a low-scoring affair (at least on Carolina’s side.)
