DraftKings NFL Preseason Week 1 Primer

LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 20: Running back Rob Kelley #32 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after scoring a fourth quarter touchdown against the Green Bay Packers at FedExField on November 20, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) DraftKings NFL /

Welcome to our four-week series that will be previewing the preseason DraftKings NFL slate. Each article will analyze several players that you should be targeting in your lineups. All players are listed as $5,500 on DraftKings in preseason contests so it’s important to target players with something to prove. Roster your team with players competing for roster spots or rookies that will be showcased. Now without further ado let’s get to the picks.

DraftKings NFL Quarterbacks

Baker Mayfield (Cleveland Browns) will be a very popular target on Thursday making his NFL Debut. Coach Hue Jackson has said that Mayfield “will play quite a bit” and provides upside with his duel threat abilities.

Nate Sudfeld (Philadelphia Eagles) could see plenty of snaps with Carson Wentz out and Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles dealing with upper body soreness. Sudfeld also seems to be the favorite for the third string quarterback slot and the Eagles may want to get a long look at him on Thursday.

Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills) it’s hard to imagine the Bills not showcasing their prized draft pick at home in their preseason opener. Allen can exceed expectations if matched up against the 3rd string Carolina Panthers defense.

Austin Davis (Seattle Seahawks) is in a direct competition with Alex McGough for the backup QB spot behind Russell Wilson. Davis has some NFL experience and should be able to showcase it against a weak Indianapolis Colts defense.

Brian Hoyer/Danny Etling (New England Patriots) are both interesting targets as the only QBs on the roster besides Tom Brady who we don’t expect to play much if he suits up at all.

DraftKings NFL Running Backs

Boston Scott (New Orleans Saints) has impressed in training camp with his route running ability. With Mark Ingram‘s suspension the Saints will want to see what they have in Scott, his ability to catch the ball helps his floor on DraftKings.

Nick Chubb (Cleveland Browns) will surely get opportunities to make plays in his first NFL game. Chubb makes for a safe cash target and mini stack with Baker Mayfield.

Saquon Barkley (New York Giants) similar to Chubb the Giants will want to let Barkley get his NFL legs under him. His home run hitting ability makes him a huge upside play on the first preseason slate.

Rob Kelley (Washington Redskins) has slimmed down to 221 pounds in order to make his game more versatile. In a fight for snaps with Derrius Guice, Samaje Perine and Chris Thompson, he will need a big preseason to ensure regular season snaps.

Alfred Blue (Houston Texans) will be playing for his NFL career this preseason. Blue’s knowledge of the system and experience should give him the edge and make him a productive preseason DFS player to target.

Joe Williams (San Francisco 49ers) will be competing for the 3rd string RB spot and has looked good in training camp thus far as he’s made head coach Kyle Shanahan a believer.

Trenton Cannon (New York Jets) be sure to monitor as he left Mondays practice with a foot/ankle injury, before that he was turning heads in Jets camp.

PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 31: Rashard Higgins #81 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates with DeShone Kizer #7 after a 5 yard touchdown reception in the third quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 31, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NFL – Wide Receivers

Cordarrelle Patterson (New England Patriots) is another player turning heads in training camp making highlight reel catches look routine. The Patriots desperately need a WR to step up and Patterson definitely has the talent to do so.

Tre’Quan Smith (New Orleans Saints) will get increased opportunities after Brandon Coleman was cut. Smith who is currently listed as the 4th WR on the depth chart is a deep play guy that can separate you in big tournaments.

Javon Wims (Chicago Bears) caught 7 passes for 89 yards off 10 targets in last weeks Hall of Fame game. Wims seems to have a good rapport with backup QB Tyler Bray and will look to build on that in the Bears second preseason game.

Dante Pettis (San Francisco 49ers) has shown a good connection with Jimmy Garoppolo in camp so far and received a lot of praise. With slot WR Trent Taylor currently banged up this preseason presents a great opportunity for the 2nd round pick Pettis to earn snaps.

Cody Core (Cincinnati Bengals) has had multiple good camp days so far and finds himself in a roster battle for the final WR roster spot.

Rashard Higgins (Cleveland Browns) is a WR we liked a lot in DFS preseason last season and we like him a lot this year. He is currently slated as the third WR on the roster and should get plenty of opportunities this preseason.

Michael Gallup (Dallas Cowboys) the Cowboys may have the weakest WR depth in the entire NFL. Gallup the third round pick is a player that they will need to step up and we can see them using him heavily on Thursday.

Maurice Harris (Washington Redskins) received high praise from coach Jay Gruden as he said Harris “may be the best route runner on the team”.

Equanimeous St. Brown (Green Bay Packers) partly here for his name but also here because he is in a 3 way battle for the 4th WR spot for the Packers. St. Brown stands at 6’5 and could use his physical tools to make the roster as a red zone threat.

Brandon Reilly (Buffalo Bills) has seen some first team reps with the entire Bills WR corps up in the air after Kelvin Benjamin and the newly acquired Corey Coleman. Reilly a member of the Bills practice squad last season should have familiarity with the playbook and can make an impact in their first preseason game.

CANTON, OH – AUGUST 02: Hayden Hurst #81 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a touchdown reception against the Chicago Bears in the third quarter of the Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

DraftKings NFL – Tight Ends

Hayden Hurst (Baltimore Ravens) caught 3 of 4 targets for a TD in the Hall of Fame game last week. Hurst looked impressive as he was able to find the open spots in the defense. Hurst the Ravens first round pick will be given a lot of opportunities this preseason to prove himself.

More from DFS

Blake Jarwin (Dallas Cowboys) has been reported to be the best pass catcher in the Cowboys training camp so far. Jarwin has a chance to establish himself as the Cowboys 2nd TE if he can showcase his pass catching abilities this preseason.

Mike Gesicki (Miami Dolphins) is by far the most talented pass catching TE on the Dolphins roster. He may be a shaky blocker but the Dolphins would be wise to see what they have in the rookie as he could prove to be a top pass catching option in Miami this season.

Ian Thomas (Carolina Panthers) seems to be in line for the 2nd TE role behind Greg Olsen with Chris Manhertz on the PUP list.

Defenses

Both defenses are in play in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons @ New York Jets games if the forecast is still rain come kickoff. The Jaguars, Texans, Rams and Panthers are other defenses to keep on your radar when constructing your lineups.

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Thanks for checking out our first installment of our NFL primer, as always stay up to date on all your NFL news by following and tweeting us @SteveZimkouski and @FantasyCPR.