FanDuel NFL Lineups: Preseason Week 1 Thursday

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With the Hall of Fame game in the books, we’re turning our attention to the true first week of preseason NFL games.  During the HoF game, we did nail some of the picks, with Rico Gathers have a great day for the Cowboys and Andre Ellington finding the end zone.

Still, this first week of FanDuel NFL can be overwhelming.  There are so many options to pick through for each lineup spot, everyone has relatively the same price ($6,000), and it’s hard to nail down who will have the best match ups, or greatest opportunity for points due to limited time on the field.

Here’s a look at the scheduled games for the Preseason Week 1 Thursday slate:

Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins (7pm EDT)

Minnesota Vikings at Buffalo Bills (7pm EDT)

Washington Redskins at Baltimore Ravens (7:30pm EDT)

Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots (7:30pm EDT)

New Orleans Saints at Cleveland Browns (8pm EDT)

Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers (8pm EDT)

Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears (8pm EDT)

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With all players having a similar salary, we need to eliminate the value component of our picks for FanDuel NFL preseason.  We are focused mostly on who has the most time on the field, but also may have the greatest opportunity for yards and touchdowns.  Thursday has seven games on the NFL Schedule, the most of the week, so there’s plenty of options.  We’ll check each game, narrow down who will see the most time on the field, and highlight to top options.  We’ll also check an initial list of lineup picks for this slate.

FanDuel NFL Lineups: Preseason Week 1 Thursday – Quarterbacks

Falcons vs. Dolphins

With the Dolphins Tannehill out with a partially torn ACL, the natural reaction is to look for Cutler, but he’s not on FanDuel’s list, since he wasn’t signed when it was published.  That narrows the Dolphins QB’s down to Matt Moore ($6,000), Brandon Doughty ($6,000), and David Fales ($6,000).

Moore should get the bulk of the throws in the first half, and is the most valuable of the three.  But Matt is 33 years-old and Doughty has more upside than Fales.  Moore or Doughty should be your best QB bet from the Dolphins.

With Matt Ryan ($6,000) and Matt Shaub ($6,000) each established QB’s on the top of the depth chart, I would expect to see Matt Simms ($6,000) take the field most of the game.  With a great WR depth chart, good blocking, and a great running game, Simms is a great pick at QB for Thursday.

Vikings vs. Bills

The Vikings Sam Bradford ($6,000) could get some snaps, but it’s mostly Case Keenum ($6,000) and Taylor Heinicke ($6,000) battling out for the backup spot tonight.  Tyrod Taylor ($6,000) is the Bills starter and will see limited snaps, but you have to expect the Bills coaching staff to see what he can do with new weapons.  Still, T.J. Yates ($6,000) and rookie Nathan Peterman ($6,000) get the bulk of the snaps.

Redskins vs. Ravens

In the ‘Battle of the Beltway’, we should see most of the QB time from Colt McCoy ($6,000) and Nate Sudfeld ($6,000).  Sudfeld has more to prove, but McCoy was hot last preseason and would be the better pick.  With Flacco battling a back issue, he’s not expected to suit up, but we’ll see plenty of action from Ryan Mallett ($6,000), Dustin Vaughan ($6,000), and Josh Woodrum ($6,000).  Mallett is the most proven of the three, should get plenty of time from the start, and has the greatest upside.

Jaguars vs. Patriots

Now 40-year-old Tom Brady is very unlikely to play much on Thursday night, and has been seldom used during preseason lately.  So it’s down to Jimmy Garoppolo ($6,000) and Jacoby Brissett ($6,000) for the Pats at QB.  While Garoppolo is an intriguing option, it’s more likely Brissett plays most of the game and he did show upside during the regular season last year.  Jacoby is another very good pick at QB for Thursday’s preseason slate.

Blake Bortles ($6,000) could start for the Jags on Thursday, but Brandon Allen ($6,000) and Chad Henne ($6,000) will get the bulk of the snaps, with eyes mostly on Allen this game.

Saints vs. Browns

Brock Osweiler ($6,000) gets the starting nod for the Browns, but I’m more interested to see what Cody Kessler ($6,000) can do for the Browns on Thursday.  Kessler is second on the depth chart now, but in my opinion Cody is the future at QB for the Browns and had some very good passing stats before an injury in 2016.

Ryan Nassib ($6,000) and Garrett Grayson ($6,000) are your top snap-takers for the Saints on Thursday, with Grayson getting the longer look.

Eagles vs. Packers

Wentz and Rodgers are clearly the starting quarterbacks for these two teams.  Foles is second in the depth chart for the Eagles but has elbow soreness.  So it’s mostly the Matt McGloin ($6,000) show for the Birds.  For the Packers, Brett Hundley ($6,000) should get plenty of playing time, as the Packers and their fans think about the future at quarterback.  I don’t expect this to be a high-scoring match up, but watching those two will be fun.

Broncos vs. Bears

With no clear dominate quarterback for either the Broncos or the Bears, I’m fading this game as an option.  But Mike Glennon ($6,000) and Trevor Siemian ($6,000) should start and get plenty of time on the field as each time has a battle at the QB position this summer.

FanDuel NFL Lineups: Preseason Week 1 Thursday – Running Backs

Saints vs. Browns

For the Browns, Isaiah Crowell ($6,000) is the likely three-down back, but Duke Johnson ($6,000) is emerging as a unique passing back option, similar to the Eagles Sproles.  The Browns sound eager to test DJ as a wide-out, along with the tail-back role.  The duel-role Johnson should play presents upside for our FanDuel NFL lineups on Thursday, and he’s one of my favorite backs to target.

The Saints running back depth chart is muddled and dangerous for fantasy players this season. It’s going to be difficult to know when Ingram vs. Peterson will be getting the most work, and Alvin Kamara ($6,000) is an intriguing rookie talent also pressing for carries.  For Thursday’s preseason game, Kamara is the best Saints back to target.

Vikings vs. Bills

By far the most exciting option at running back is Dalvin Cook ($6,000) who’s sitting at the top of the Vikings Depth Chart.  Most starters won’t see much action in the first week of preseason, but Cook is still fighting for the spot and should get plenty of carries and targets on the field.  A Duke Johnson and Dalvin Cook combination at RB will be very exciting.

With McCoy not getting much work, Joe Banyard ($6,000) and Taiwan Jones ($6,000) are both fighting for a roster spot and should get several carries.

Falcons vs. Dolphins

Damien Williams ($6,000) and Storm Johnson ($6,000) are the most likely to get the bulk of the touches for the Dolphins, and the Falcons will test-drive Brian Hill ($6,000).  But I’m more interested in the passing game for this match up.

Redskins vs. Ravens

Matt Jones ($6,000) is likely on the ‘outs’ with the Redskins but may see the ball a lot to get a chance to stay on the roster.  But by far the biggest potential comes from rookie Samaje Perine ($6,000).  Samaje is another guy you could tag-team with Johnson or Cook for a big point total at RB.

Terrance West ($6,000), Javorius Allen ($6,000), and Bobby Rainey ($6,000) all have potential for 40 to 60 yards against the Skins on Thursday.

Jaguars vs. Patriots

Leonard Fournette ($6,000) is another very exciting rookie running back making his NFL debut this preseason on Thursday night.  It’s likely the Jags want to see Fournette run hard and often against a decent Pats run defense, so he’s a good play.

On the Pats side of the line, Dion Lewis ($6,000) may see some action after getting a good chunk of the season off in 2016, but for the most part I’m fading due to the unknown.

Eagles vs. Packers

After having one of the weakest running back corps in the NFL, the Eagles suddenly look stacked. Smallwood is likely sitting this one out, and the aging Sproles should be on the field often, if suited.  That leaves us with Donnel Pumphfrey ($6,000) and Byron Marshall ($6,000) fighting for a role behind Blout, who shouldn’t see more than a few snaps.

After Montgomery, the Packers have five rookie running backs fighting for one or two spots on the roster.  Too much going on there, and definitely a fade for DFS FanDuel NFL on Thursday.

Broncos vs. Bears

With so many injuries to the Broncos running back corps, we have to drop all the way down to De’Angelo Henderson ($6,000) to get any production from their running game.  I’m fading the Broncos run option, but Henderson has some potential.

The Bears have Jeremy Langford ($6,000) and Ka’Deem Carey ($6,000) each battling for a spot behind Howard.  A Bears running back stack with these two is one of the better options on the board for Thursday’s running backs.

FanDuel NFL Lineups: Preseason Week 1 Thursday – Wide Receivers

Unfortunately, it’s again going to be easy to miss at the WR position.  Each team will likely spread the targets around the receiving corps, and there’s a big luck factor in a receiver scoring.  However, after pouring through each team’s depth charts and reviewing their camps, we can highlight the guys we believe have the best chances of seeing the most targets, and time in the end zone.

Falcons vs. Dolphins

We’re high on the Falcons QB’s for Thursday’s preseason slate, so it’s worth considering a QB and WR stack with the Falcons.  Most of the targets are likely going to Justin Hardy ($6,000) and Andre Roberts ($6,000).  Both are likely fighting for the final roster spots on the depth chart.

While DeVante Parker ($6,000) is projected to start, and shouldn’t see too much time on the field. We have to wonder if the Dolphins will be eager to see if Cutler and Parker can develop any Chemistry.  Parker is very risky but also has enormous upside on Thursday.

Vikings vs. Bills

The Vikings young talented wide receiver Laquon Treadwell ($6,000) has battled injuries early in camp.  But if healthy, the Vikings are likely dying to see Treadwell perform for an extended period on the field this preseason.  If he’s active, definitely consider Laquon at the WR spot.

The Bills are loaded at wide receiver heading into the 2017 season, and now is a great time to get a look at rookie Zay Jones ($6,000) on an NFL field.  The addition of Boldin to the WR depth chart hurts Jones in the short-term, but Zay has enormous long-term potential and the Bills will want to test-drive their potential star WR on Thursday.

Redskins vs. Ravens

With Doctson hurt, Terrell Pryor ($6,000) could get several looks to start the game, and Brian Quick ($6,000) is fighting for a roster spot.  The Ravens Maclin, Perriman, and Wallace should all be getting a rest, opening the door for Chris Matthews ($6,000), Chris Moore ($6,000), and Mike Campanaro ($6,000) for the most targets.

Jaguars vs. Patriots

Marquise Lee ($6,000), Rashad Greene ($6,000) if healthy, and Dede Westbrook ($6,000) are likely top targets for the Jags on Thursday, and the Pats should throw to Brandin Cooks ($6,000) early to get some fresh looks from him as a starter.  Also, Malcolm Mitchell ($6,000) and Austin Carr ($6,000) are two other Pats to target.

Saints vs. Browns

Brandon Coleman ($6,000) and Corey Fuller ($6,000) are two guys the Saints likely want to see a lot of targets from.  Even thought its preseason week one, we could see the Browns throw to Kenny Britt ($6,000) and Corey Coleman ($6,000) to begin developing the rapport with their quarterbacks during the game, given the injuries and roster movements over the last 12 months.

Eagles vs. Packers

It won’t last long, but the Eagles have Wentz starting the game and it’s very likely they’ll target Alshon Jeffrey ($6,000) and Torrey Smith ($6,000) early and often.  Mack Hollins ($6,000) and Bryce Treggs ($6,000) should also see a lot of action for the Eagles.

Meanwhile, Davante Adams ($6,000), who’s working on a high percentage of dropped balls, should see early targets followed by a bunch to Jeff Janis ($6,000) by mid-game.

Broncos vs. Bears

Cameron Meredith ($6,000) and Markus Wheaton ($6,000) could see the ball often to start the game, followed by big targets to Rueben Randle ($6,000) and Kendall Wright ($6,000) for the Bears.  But don’t expect a great passing game from this squad.

Meanwhile, Cody Latimer ($6,000), Jordan Taylor ($6,000), and Carlos Henderson ($6,000) are my favorite targets for the Broncos.

FanDuel NFL Lineups: Preseason Week 1 Thursday – Tight End / Kicker / Defense

Once again, we have limited options at tight end, and many of these picks won’t even see targets. So to narrow down our choices, we looked at the hot names in camp, and among this great Seth DeValve ($6,000) is the top option.

Like our Dallas Cowboys Rico Gathers ($6,000) pick on Thursday, who scored a touchdown, the Browns are very high on DeValve after he emerged as a top TE option on the team late last year. With a heavy focus on who the top snap-caller will be, it’s safe to assume the Browns will have Seth on the field often, especially in the first half.

Reviewing the 14 kicker options, some of these guys may not even suit up.  But the Redskins only have Hopkins on the depth chart and Dustin is likely to get several kicking opportunities on Thursday, so he’s our top pick for kicker.

Among the defensive options, nothing is more attractive than the Broncos ($6,000) facing the Bears.  Chicago is struggling to build anything that resembles an NFL offense and the Broncos have, again, one of the better defensive squads in football.

So after reviewing all the options, we put together our favorite lineup for the night. Here’s a look at our Final FanDuel NFL Preseason Week 1 Thursday Lineup:

QB – Simms (ATL) or Brissett (NE)

RB – Johnson (CLE)

RB – Cook (MIN)

WR – Hardy (ATL)

WR – Jones (BUF)

WR – Hollins (PHI)

TE – DeValve (CLE)

K – Hopkins (WAS)

D – Denver Broncos

We have $6,000 left over, but we can blame FanDuel for that.  There’s no way to avoid it.  Still, we should also thank FanDuel for finding a way to make the first week of preseason a more enjoyable event!

Next: Dolphins Fantasy Breakout, Bust, or Sleeper

Good luck with your FanDuel NFL plays Thursday, and stay tuned to Fantasy CPR on Twitter for all the late breaking lineup news and roster updates!