DraftKings NFL Preseason August 17th Picks

 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) should see a decent amount of playing time this week again for your DraftKings NFL lineups. Mayfield went 11 for 20 for 212 yards and 2 TDs in his NFL preseason debut. Be aware that starter Tyrod Taylor is expected to play more than 2 series on Friday night.

Kurt Benkert (Atlanta Falcons) threw for 125 yards last week and head coach Dan Quinn has indicated that things are trending up for Benkert. Benkert is a nice contrarian low owned pick that could win you a tournament.

Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) is a prime cash target on Friday nights preseason slate. Coach Andy Reid has stated that Mahomes and the starters will play the entire first half and provides great upside with his dual threat abilities.

DraftKings NFL Running Backs

Marcus Murphy (Buffalo Bills) was used in a variety of ways in the Bills first preseason game. Murphy was able to compile 35 yards rushing and 30 yards receiving on 4 catches. Murphy is in a roster battle for the 3rd RB spot so we like the coaching staffs incentive to give him another quality workload.

Nick Chubb (Cleveland Browns) if you look at the box score you’ll see that Chubb only managed to rack up 11 yards on the ground. The key stat to focus on is that Chubb was given 15 carries in that contest. Clearly behind Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson the Browns will want to feature Chubb this preseason as their prized rookie running back.

Justin Crawford (Atlanta Falcons) is competing for the 3rd string RB job with Ito Smith. Crawford displayed some PPR appeal in the first preseason game going for 29 yards off 4 receptions on 6 targets. Thats a pretty safe floor in preseason contests and he possesses some upside if he can get it going on the ground as well.

Kareem Hunt (Kansas City Chiefs) as indicated with Mahomes every starting Chief is in play as Andy Reid has stated all starters will play the entire first half. Hunt is too talented to be out there against backups and should be a staple in both cash and GPP lineups.

Senorise Perry (Miami Dolphins) should see increased opportunities on Friday with Kalen Ballage in concussion protocol. Kenyan Drake the incumbent starter and the elder Frank Gore should not see a ton of carries so that opens the door for Perry to have a repeat performance in which he totaled 45 yards and a TD last week.

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DraftKings NFL Wide Receivers

Tre’Quan Smith (New Orleans Saints) caught 4 balls for 48 yards in the preseason debut. While Smith is trending upward to make the roster, a few more strong preseason games could grant him a regular season role as a slot WR for the Saints explosive offense.

Christian Kirk (Arizona Cardinals) should see increased usage with Brice Butler ruled out for the contest. Kirk is currently battling for the #2 WR spot and showed some flashes as a punt returner last week.

Corey Coleman (Buffalo Bills) an early look at a true revenge game as Coleman will play at the Browns on Friday night. For anyone who’s watched Hard Knocks or read the articles they know that Coleman will want to show what the Browns are missing by trading him essentially for nothing.

Rashard Higgins (Cleveland Browns) a lot of people will be on Antonio Callaway after his big game last week but he is dealing with a ribs issue. Higgins is a good PPR cash play and expect him to put up a similar line to what he did his last week.

Tyreek Hill (Kansas City Chiefs) is another near must play guaranteed to play the entire first half. He makes for a nice stack with Mahomes as he’s one big play away from winning you a GPP contest.

DraftKings NFL Tight Ends

Devon Cajuste (Cleveland Browns) while everyone will be on David Njoku after his 2 TD game let’s not forget that Cajuste led the Browns TEs in snaps played. Njoku has a solidified starting role on the team as well so Cajuste is likely to lead them in snaps played again.

Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs) there is no reason to fade any major Chiefs unless you are making multiple lineups and wants to be contrarian. Tight End is one of the most challenging positions to select in preseason so don’t over think it and lock Kelce in.

Mike Gesicki (Miami Dolphins) with MarQeis Gray set to miss the game with a concussion, Gesicki should have his best opportunity to win the starting TE job. Gesicki is a very talented pass catching TE and could be low owned as he failed to haul in a catch in his preseason debut.

Best of luck in your DraftKings NFL contests and stay tuned to Fantasy CPR for all the latest DFS news and analysis!