NFL DFS Player Pool: Preseason Week 2 (Friday, 8/17)

NFL DFS Player Pool: Preseason Week 2

After sweating out last night’s 3 game NFL DFS slate, we have a nice 5 game slate to analyze for tonight’s games. As always, it’s important to monitor the news as it comes out throughout the day with the most impactful news coming out about an hour prior to kickoff. A lot of things can change from the time you read this article and game’s kickoff so make sure to monitor injuries, in-actives and what beat reporters are saying prior to lock.

If you are new to preseason DFS, I touched on some tips to help with preseason last week which may be helpful to review.

Quarterback

• Patrick Mahomes: It’s being reported that the Chiefs starting offense will play the majority of the first half tonight which makes sense as Andy Reid is trying to get Mahomes and the offense ready for Week 1 after some mixed reviews throughout training camp. If we get further confirmation that this will be the case  for tonight than Mahomes is an amazing option tonight with his passing and rushing ability. Mahomes was 5-7 for 33 passing yards last week.  Although he only played 9 snaps last week, he was extremely impressive last season in the preseason (34-54 for 390 yards and 4 TDs) and in Week 17 of last year (22-35 for 284 passing yards with 1 INT and 10 rushing yards)

• Baker Mayfield: No need to over think this one, Baker Mayfield was extremely impressive last week in his firs appearance completing 11 passes for 212 yards and 2 touchdowns. Hue Jackson has hinted that the starters should play at least a quarter in this one leaving the 1st quarter to Tyrod.  So Baker should still see the overwhelming majority of the snaps and look to build on last week’s impressive performance.

• Josh Allen: I admittedly, am not the biggest Josh Allen fan but volume is King in DFS and Josh Allen played 34 snaps last week for the Bills. He had an average game completing 9 passes for 116 yards with 0 TDs. He had an absolutely terrible overthrow where he showed off his amazing arm strength and his lack of accuracy. That being said, I would expect Allen to get even more snaps this week as the Bill’s want to see what they have in the rookie. McCarron is expected to start the game and I could see Allen playing the 2nd and 3rd quarter with Peterman closing out the game in the 4th quarter.

NFL DFS Player Pool: Preseason Week 2

Running Backs

• Kareem Hunt: If the Chiefs starters do in fact play the entire 1st half than all of the skill position players on the Chief’s should be owned and are worthy of stacking. Kareem “The Dream” Hunt needs little explanation after bursting onto the scene as a rookie last year.

• Christian McCaffrey: So maybe it wasn’t just coach speak when Norv Turner claimed he wanted to feed McCaffrey the ball this year. McCaffrey was in on all 15 of the Panther’s starting unit snaps finished with 4 carries for 11 rushing yards, 1 TD  and 2 catches for 29 yards. The early reports that I’ve read expect the Panther’s starters to play majority of the first half which should give McCaffrey enough volume to warrant playing him given his high floor due to receptions.

• Nick Chubb: Was a huge bust for a lot of people last week but the volume he received justified why he was recommended. Although Chubb was very underwhelming with 11 rushing yards, he did receive 15 attempts which is absurd volume for a preseason slate. Hyde and Johnson are locked into their roles on the 1st string offense so I expect the Browns will try to get Chubb going in this one after they invested a high 2nd round pick in him this past season.

• Wayne Gallman: Saquon Barkely is nursing a hamstring strain and is most likely not going to play and Jonathan Stewart is a veteran that has dealt with his own fair share of injuries throughout his career so I don’t expect him to play much. Leaving RB reps to Wayne Gallman, Jalen Simmons and Robert Martin.. Gallman led the NYG backfield with 24 snaps last week  getting 3 carries, 4 receptions on 6 targets . I would expect for him to lead the backfield once again tonight and should provide a very safe floor given his ability to catch passes out of the backfield.

• Kerryon Johnson – The rookie out of Auburn was impressive last week flashing the ability to be a 3 down back as he did a formidable job in pass protection. He led the Lions RBs with 40 snaps last week to the tune of 67 yards from scrimmage. He should again lead the Lions RBs in snaps but may be best served as a GPP option until we get more clarity about how they plan to use their backfield tonight. Dwayne Washington didn’t play at all last week which may change going into this week. I expect them to limit Blount and Riddick’s touches yet again this week but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them give Ameer Abdullah more burn in the hopes of trading him before the regular season starts.

• Marcus Murphy: Murphy will look to build on his strong Week 1 performance where he had 7 carries for 35 rushing yards to go along with 4 receptions for 30 receiving yards. Another strong performance from Murphy could help him lock down a roster spot as the Bill’s #3 back.

• Kalen Ballage: Led the Dolphins RBs with 29 snaps last week on his way to 10 carries for 37 rushing yards and 3 receptions for 23 receiving yards. I would expect the Dolphins to limit Drake’s and Gore touches again this week so if Ballage plays (currently in concussion protocol), I expect the former ASU back to lead them in touches out of the backfield again.

NFL DFS Player Pool: Preseason Week 2

Wide Receivers

• Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins: Same as every Chiefs starter already mentioned, if we can get 2 quarters worth of both of these guys vs. Backups, lock’em in. Hill will probably be the more popular play given his established role in the offense and the fact that he had 2 catches last week while Sammy Watkins didn’t receive a target, Hill is the safer cash game play but Watkins makes for a great GPP play.

• DJ Moore: Moore showed fans why he was the 1st WR off the board in this years draft with a  strong week 1 performance where he caught 4 passes  (7 targets) for 87 yards and a 1 TD. He led Panthers WRs in snaps (34 Snaps in Week 1) and played into the 2nd half. I expect Moore to build upon last week’s performance and wouldn’t be shocked if he was the Panthers #1 WR this year over the slow-footed Funchess.

• Tre’Quan Smith:  Smith played 46 snaps last week (74% of all offensive snaps) and had 4 catches on 5 targets for 48 receiving yards. Cam Meredith is not expected to play in this game and we can assume we wont see very much of Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn and this match-up leaving a lot of opportunity for Smith to accumulate volume.

• Antonio Callaway: Only in Cleveland does punishment result in more playing time. Callaway played 52 snaps (78% of all offensive stats) which resulted in 3 receptions, 7 targets, 87 receiving yards and 1 TD. Callaway displayed why he was still drafted somewhat high in this years draft after sitting out all of last season due to a variety off the field incidents. While it’s still up in the air if Callaway will play after suffering a rib injury in last week’s game, if he does suit up he becomes a viable target yet again. In the event that Callaway is held out. Rashard Higgins becomes a very enticing play for the Browns.

• Christian Kirk: Bryce Butler has already been ruled out for this game which should increase Kirk’s playing time as he fights for a starting role in the offense. Kirk will look to build on last week’s performance where he had 2 catches on 3 targets for 9 yards.

NFL DFS Player Pool: Preseason Week 2

Tight Ends

: If Kelce plays majority of the 1st half like it’s being reported, just lock him in and forget about it. In limited snaps last week, Kelce caught 2 passes on 3 targets for 22 yards. Andy Reid’s offense is built around using Kelce in creative ways and Mahomes has already begun developing chemistry with Kelce. I think an interesting strategy that could help make a unique lineup tonight would be playing Kelce and possibly another TE in the Flex tonight.

More from FanSided

• Shohei Ohtani Rumors: The best trade package from every NL East team
• Cardinals Rumors: Surprise extension, Dylan Carlson-Yankees link, Rays trade idea
• USWNT vs. Vietnam: Key takeaways before they take on the Dutch
• NFL rumors: 49ers trending toward contract drama with defensive star
• Steelers avoid any camp drama with latest roster move

• David Njoku: Last week’s performance makes Hue Jackson’s decision to evenly play Njoku and Devlave last year a more head scratching decision. Njoku was a great athlete coming out of Miami and that athleticism was on full display last week as he had 2 receptions on  2 targets and 2 TDs (1 from Tyrod and 1 from Mayfield). He will most likely be the highest owned TE on the board next to Kelce. I envision myself playing them both in 1 GPP lineup to differentiate it from others.

• Mike Gesicki: The combine warrior let a lot of people down last week failing to secure either of his 2 targets. Furthermore, he was out-snapped 45-19 by Thomas Duarte who played on 63% of the Dolphin’s snaps last week. That being said, I expect the Dolphins to get Gesicki and the entire offense going this week as Tannehill needs the reps coming off an injured season and he only played 1 series last week which resulted in 4-6 passes for 32 passing yards.

• Ian Thomas: Thomas’ name has been a popular one all training camp out of Panthers camp. Although he was quiet last week  with 1 reception on 4 targets. He did play 35 snaps which was good for 57% of the Panther’s offensive snaps. Olsen is established veteran coming off a serious foot injury and the Panthers have no reason to risk him in the preseason so I expect Thomas to get a lot of snaps again.

Stay tuned to Fantasy CPR all season long for your NFL DFS and Fantasy Football coverage!