DraftKings NFL Bargain Plays: Week 2
DraftKings NFL Bargain Plays is back for Week 2. This is a fantasy football column dedicated to providing value plays with high upside to help you cash in on big prizes in DraftKings tournaments.
Let’s begin by recapping the DraftKings NFL Bargain Plays from Week 1. Carson Palmer tanked against the Lions, throwing three interceptions and only one touchdown. Brian Hoyer had an efficient game, but had difficulty gaining any significant yardage, finishing with a mere 5.22 DraftKings points. The third value quarterback, Carson Wentz, exceeded his value with 307 yards and two scores. He finished with 23.88 DraftKing points for only $5,300.
The running back picks split in Week 1 with Todd Gurley and Carlos Hyde posting serviceable numbers. Unfortunately, Duke Johnson Jr. and Bilal Powell underperformed. Gurley had an inefficient day on the ground, but finished with 20.6 DraftKings points due to his five receptions and 56 yards. The good news, the volume was there. Hyde’s 13.7 DraftKings points against the Panthers weren’t tournament winning, but his 5.0 YPC and six receptions were a bright spot in the 49ers poor offensive showing. Not to mention, his $4,600 price tag was too low not to have shares of. Johnson Jr. didn’t receive a single carry, while lining up in the slot on 90 percent of his snaps played. The Jets were as bad as expected, but the time share between Powell and Matt Forte cut into Powell’s performance.
The value pass catchers were a tough bunch last week. Palmer’s poor outing hurt John Brown’s performance, but his nine targets were worth the investment. The Chicago wide outs, Kevin White and Kendall Wright, had little fantasy production with White going down with a broken collarbone. Zay Jones caught an early pass for 20 yards, but was invisible for the rest the game. On the other hand, Zach Ertz shredded the Redskins for eight receptions and 93 yards and looks to be Wentz’s favorite target.
Our biggest value play of Week 1 came from the other side of the ball. The Rams defense feasted on Scott Tolzien and the Colts. They finished with 28 DraftKings points, scoring two touchdowns off two interceptions.
DraftKings is offering a handful of contests in Week 2. We’ll be covering the 14 games that run throughout Sunday with the best value plays to help put you in the best position for victory in DraftKings tournaments.
Up first, quarterbacks…
DraftKings NFL Bargain Plays: Week 2 – Quarterbacks
Carson Palmer ($6,000) vs. IND
I’m doubling down on Palmer. Sure, Week 1 was a swing and a miss, but I like his matchup against the Colts. Perhaps more importantly, David Johnson is now out for two to three months with a dislocated wrist, so I expect Palmer to be slinging all game long. The Cardinals had a 48:18 pass-to-run ration in Week 1 with their star running back playing over three-quarters. Kerwynn Williams and company should see some work, but don’t be surprised if Palmer finishes with the same amount of attempts, and better results.
Alex Smith ($5,700) vs. PHI
I’m not fully jumping on the Smith hype-train, but I am paying attention. Before the season began, there had been talks that Smith had been evolving out of game manager role and into a serious offensive threat. He proved it in the NFL opener against the Patriots and will be facing an Eagles defense that can be thrown on. Not to mention, Smith has the explosiveness of Tyreek Hill and Kareem Hunt to turn small gains into big ones should he revert back to his old ways.
Jared Goff ($5,100) vs. WAS
The new and improved Goff had a solid outing last week against the Colts, finishing with 19.44 DraftKings points. If his defense hadn’t been so dominate and scored two touchdowns of their own, Goff could have been in store for a huge game. Nevertheless, his salary has only climbed $300 and he’s going up against a Redskins secondary with quite a few holes. Between Sammy Watkins, Cooper Kupp and Todd Gurley, Goff has enough playmakers to put up a second consecutive solid fantasy performance.
DraftKings NFL Bargain Plays: Week 2 – Running Backs
Terrance West ($5,100) vs. CLE
Sure, Le’Veon Bell only put up 7.7 DraftKings points against the Browns last week, but I’m not giving Cleveland all the credit. The volume wasn’t there and we all know a running back’s value is based on volume. On the other hand, the Ravens were all about volume last week, finishing with an 18:42 pass-to-run ratio. West had 19 of the 42 team carries and was able to plunge in for a score. There are two factors that I believe will boost West’s value. First, the absence of Danny Woodhead who will miss time with a hamstring injury. Second, the recovery of Joe Flacco from a back injury. Javorius Allen will see some added time, but I expect West to see a large share of touches, while Allen moves into the Woodhead-role.
Kerwynn Williams ($4,800) vs. IND
Expect Williams to have high ownership this week. With David Johnson on IR, Williams being named as the team’s new number one back and a favorable matchup against the Colts, high ownership is justified. Williams will have the first opportunity out of the backfield and if the Cardinals can get out to an early lead, he should be in line for a solid day. Now, not to be contradictory, but fading Williams could be equally justified by the fact that the Cardinals have Andre Ellington and newly resigned Chris Johnson on the depth chart as well. Also, the Cardinals looked bad offensively in Week 1.
Thomas Rawls ($4,600) vs. SF
After being held out the season opener with an ankle injury, it appears Rawls has a better chance to play this week. This comes at a good time with Eddie Lacy‘s dismal performance, the unclarity of Chris Carson‘s role and C.J. Prosise sticking to passing downs. Rawls could have an inside track to taking over the starting running back role in Seattle and a sneaky play this week. The matchup is good. The price is low. And a lot DraftKings players will overlook Rawls since he’s coming off an injury.
DraftKings NFL Bargain Plays: Week 2 – Wide Receivers
Chris Hogan ($5,600) vs. NO
Hogan busted in Week 1, as did most of the Patriots offense not named Mike Gillislee. The other solid performance went to Danny Amendola, but was cut short due to a concussion, which will likely keep him out of this week’s game against the Saints. Insert Hogan. He has big play ability on a dominant offensive in a matchup against one of the worst pass defenses. The formula looks good for Hogan (and any other Patriots offensive weapon) who should be in line to outperform his $5,600 price tag.
Ted Ginn Jr. ($4,800) vs. NE
Ginn is the Saints version of Chris Hogan. All it takes is one big touchdown for Ginn to provide a solid return. The Patriots defense had trouble handling the Chiefs in Week 1, and will now be facing a significantly more lethal offense in the Saints. Drew Brees is one of the league’s most accurate deep ball passers and in this shootout Ginn should find himself on the receiving end of at least a few big plays.
Cooper Kupp ($4,100) vs. WAS
If Jared Goff is in this column, it would be tough not to include Kupp. The rookie posted an impressive 17.6 DraftKings points last week. Coming up against another subpar defense, Kupp should be able to find his way through the secondary easy enough to outperform his low salary. PPR scoring increases Kupp’s value coming out of the slot and could be part of this column for weeks to come until his salary is dramatically increased. Note, the Kupp hype is real, so know that you won’t be the only one making this investment.
DraftKings NFL Bargain Plays: Week 2 – Tight Ends
Jared Cook ($3,300) vs. NYJ
The Raiders tight end is the clear-cut third receiving option behind Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. He caught five passes on as many targets last week and should see at least that amount against the Jets. He’s only played one game with his new team, but the connection between Cook and Derek Carr seems to be there. Don’t be surprised by a similar Week 1 stat line, but with an added touchdown this week.
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Zach Miller ($2,900) vs. TB
My second double down of the week goes to Miller. And just like my first double down, Carson Palmer, I whiffed on Miller in Week 1. I claimed that the Bears had no choice but to throw to either Miller, or the combination of Kevin White and Kendall Wright. Well, Tarik Cohen obviously had other plans. I’m not going down that easy. The Bears lost White to a broken collarbone, so it appears that they legitimately are running out receiving options. The Buccaneers are in any interesting spot after having a Week 1 bye. They’re either going to be well prepared, or rusty. This bargain play goes along with the opinion that the Bucs come out of the gates slow.
DraftKings NFL Bargain Plays: Week 2 – Defense
Jaguars ($3,100) vs. TEN
This isn’t the most ideal matchup for the Jaguars going up against Marcus Mariota and DeMarco Murray. However, the Titans didn’t overly impress last week against the Raiders in what was supposed to be a high scoring affair. Now, the Jaguars most likely won’t duplicate their 28 DraftKings points, but if you’re looking to pay down at defense, this is my choice. The Jaguars look good on paper, and after last week it appears they are a legitimate defense. The Jaguars will look to run the ball and dominate possession in this one.
Next: FanDuel Week 2 NFL Top Plays
Best of luck in your DraftKings NFL contests this week and stay tuned to Fantasy CPR for all your DFS news and analysis leading up to the kick-off of Week 2!