What a wild and crazy Week 1! Hopefully your DFS teams fared better than mine. If you read Week 1’s article, you were on track to succeed. Let’s take a quick look at some of my best recommendations from Week.
QB- Tua Tagovailoa- 21.62, Baker Mayfield- 29.66, Jayden Daniels- 28.16
RB- Joe Mixon- 29.8, Kenneth Walker- 21.9, James Conner- 19.3, De’Von Achane- 23
WR- Tyreek Hill- 29, Mike Evans- 23.1, Stefon Diggs- 21.9, Brian Thomas Jr.- 14.7
Before we start on Week 2, I’ll share my best scoring GPP lineup.
QB- Baker Mayfield- 29.66
RB- Devin Singletary- 9.2
RB- JK Dobbins- 25.9
WR- Justin Jefferson- 15.9
WR- Amari Cooper- 3.6
WR- Tank Dell- 8.9
TE- Jonnu Smith- 1.7
FLEX- Mike Evans- 23.1
D/ST- Texans- 4
This lineup was too contrarian for Week 1. The Tampa stack worked nicely and got a hit on a 4.2% rostered JK Dobbins.
Unfortunately, Singletary and Cooper underwhelmed, and Justin Jefferson had an average day in the office.
Let’s continue to find great plays for Week 2.
Week 2 DraftKings slate
Games to target:
1. TB @ DET – 51.5 O/U
Implied totals: TB 22.25; DET 29.25
2. SF @ MIN - 45.5 O/U
Implied totals: SF 25.75; MIN 19.75
3. LAR @ ARI - 49 O/U
Implied totals: LAR 23.75; ARI 25.25
4. CIN @ KC – 47.5 O/U
Implied totals: CIN- 20; KC- 26.75
Top Cash Plays:
Quarterbacks
Jayden Daniels ($6,200)
We just saw QB Sam Darnold torch this Giants defense for 208 yards and 2 TDs. Daniels is game-script proof and doesn’t need to throw to crush his $6,200 salary this week. The Machine has Daniels projected for 19.83 points, and that’s a median projection folks!
Anthony Richardson ($6,800)
Richardson is an alien and HC Shane Steichen is a genius. Richardson can hurt teams via the air or ground. The Colts rank #1 in yards per attempt (11.2), 3rd in air yards per attempt (10.9) and #1 in yards per completion (23.6).
The Colts also draw a positive matchup against a Packers team that just let QB Jalen Hurts put up 278 yards and 2 TDs. The only concern here is if the Packers offense can’t keep up with the Colts fast pace.
Patrick Mahomes ($7,000)
Mahomes just missed the 300 yard bonus in Week 1 vs the Ravens tough defense. Enter the Bengals, who ranked as the 11th best matchup for QBs last season. Mahomes should start his MVP campaign this week.
Other options: Jalen Hurts ($7,200)
Running Back
J.K Dobbins ($5,400)
Dobbins is dirt cheap, has an excellent offensive line, and faces a Panthers defense that was torched for 180 rushing yards and 2 TDs in Week 1. Dobbins stomped the Raiders defense in Week 1 for 135 yards and a rushing TD. I would expect more of the same in Week 2.
James Conner ($6,400)
Conner had 20 touches in a hard fought Week 1 loss at the Bills. Conner currently ranks 14th in WOPR and 11th in opportunity share among RBs. After one week, the Rams have allowed the 8th most rushing yards and tied for 4th most rushing first downs allowed. Trust Conner to maintain his workhorse status in Week 2.
Other options: Josh Jacobs ($6,500), Rachaad White ($6,300), Derrick Henry ($6,700)- the Raiders are currently allowing the 2nd highest yards per carry and are heavy dogs (+8.5) on the road against the Ravens in Week 2.
Wide Receiver
Cooper Kupp ($7,600)
Kupp certainly gets a boost with Fellow WR Puka Nacua on IR. In fact, with Nacua out last week, Kupp had 21 targets and recorded 14 receptions for 110 yards and a TD in Week 1. With Nacua out and a date with a Cardinals secondary that just allowed over 230 receiving yards and 2 TDs, Kupp should be a monster again in Week 2.
Mike Evans ($7,500)
Evans produced last week (5/61/2) and is set to smash again in the game with the highest projected total points in Week 2. The Lions were gouged by WR Cooper Kupp last week to the tune of 110 yards and a TD and I expect Evans to produce similar results.
Rashee Rice ($6,700)
After a strong Week 1, Rice sits 6th amongst WRs in target share. Rice finished with a 7/103 line against a tough Ravens defense. The Chiefs are tied for the 2nd highest implied point total (26.5) in Week 2.
Other options: Chris Godwin ($6,000), Malik Nabers ($5,900)- the Commanders defense has allowed the 4th most passing yards and the most passing TDs after one week.
Tight End
Trey McBride ($6,000)
McBride sported a 43% WOPR and a 20% target share last year. McBride draws the 9th best matchup for TEs in the Bills. He is the most expensive TE on the Week 1 slate, but is well worth it in a game that has the 3rd highest O/U.
Colby Parkinson ($3,100)
Parkinson should get an uptick in targets with WR Puka Nacua on the shelf. Parkinson finished 3rd in targets in Week 1. The Machine has Parkinson projected for the 11th most fantasy points for a TE in Week 2.
D/ST
Pittsburgh Steelers ($3,500)
The Broncos allowed the 6th highest pressure rate last week against the Seahawks. Enter Week 2, where the Broncos now face the defense with the 4th highest pressure rate (32.1%) in the Steelers. QB Bo Nix was sacked twice and threw 2 INTs in Week 1 and I would expect more of the same in Week 2.
Favorite stacks:
1. Patrick Mahomes + Rashee Rice + Xavier Worthy/Isiah Pacheco. A bring-back isn’t necessary, however if you wanted to, Chase Brown or Andrei Iosivas would be ideal choices.
2. J.K Dobbins + LAC D/ST.
3. Najee Harris + PIT D/ST.
4. Dak Prescott + CeeDee Lamb with Alvin Kamara/Chris Olave or Rashid Shaheed bring -back.
There are several rushing QBs I like this week that do not have the best stacking partners. I’ll be doing more game-stacking through one off pieces of game vs double-stacking with a QB.
GPP Plays:
Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson ($7,700)
The concern with using Lamar this week is the Ravens blowing out the Raiders and Lamar not scoring points. However, Lamar could be the reason that the Ravens are demolishing the Raiders and is always live to break a slate. I also like my cash QB recommendations for GPPs.
Running Back
Najee Harris ($5,500)
It’s only one week, yet Harris dominated the Steelers backfield in Week 1 with 20 vs Cordarrelle Patterson’s 4 and Jaylen Warren’s 2. The Broncos were the 2nd best matchup for opposing RBs last year and RB Kenneth Walker punished them for 103 yards and touchdown. Let everyone overlook Harris because of the stench of OC Arthur Smith.
Kyren Williams ($6,800)
While everyone’s eyes were glued to WR Cooper Kupp’s 21 targets, Williams quietly dominated the Rams backfield with 18 carries and 3 targets. The Cardinals allowed the Bills to run for 130 yards and 2 TDs in Week 1 and ranked as the 4th best matchup for opposing RBs last season. I like my cash options at RB as well for GPPs this week.
Wide Receivers
Adonai Mitchell ($4,000)
Mitchell missed out on 2 long TDs last week and is obviously more talented than fellow WR Alec Pierce. Mitchell was the buzz of camp and the Colts offense will continue to attack teams downfield. The Packers have allowed the 5th most passing yards after one week of play.
Jameson Williams ($5,300)
It’s been a difficult start to Williams’ career, however he may finally becoming the player the Lions expected him to be. Williams currently sits 5th in WOPR and 12th in target share. Trust Lions’ OC Ben Johnson to get Williams involved early and often in the highest implied point total of the week.
Deebo Samuel ($6,800)
Deebo is continuing his dominant ways (9 targets and 8 carries), playing both WR and RB and racking up fantasy points. With RB Christian McCaffrey potentially out again, Deebo should garner another heavy workload in Week 2 against a significantly weaker pass defense in the Vikings. I also like my cash options for GPPs this week.
Tight Ends
For TE this week, especially in GPPs, I’ll be looking to pay up since the elite options (Travis Kelce, Sam LaPorta, Mark Andrews) left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth in Week 1.
TE Brock Bowers ($4,400)
The Raven’s defense clamped down on TE Travis Kelce in Week 1, limiting him to 3 catches for 34 yards. However, I envision the Ravens scoring early and often (-8.5 point favorites) in Week 2, leaving the Raiders in catchup mode. Bowers should be the recipient of most of that garbage time work being that he led the Raiders in targets in Week 1.
D/ST
Los Angeles Chargers ($3,400)
QB Bryce Young has struggled mightily early in his career and things won’t get any easier with a matchup against the Chargers. The Chargers forced 2 fumbles, 4 sacks and one INT against a helpless Raiders offense that at least had weapons (WR Davante Adams, TE Brock Bowers). Expect Young to continue to struggle against the dynamic duo of Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.
Jacksonville Jaguars ($3,200)
QB Deshaun Watson has looked awful and unable to push the ball downfield. The Browns are tied for 4th worst completed air yards at 67, 3rd worst completed air yards per completion (2.8), and 2nd worst completed air yards per pass attempt (1.5). The Jaguars defense limited the Dolphins to just 20 points in Week 1 while sacking QB Tua Tagovailoa 3 times. Expect another subpar performance for Watson in Week 2.
Lone Ranger (sub $5,000 player that can score over 10 fantasy points)
With WR Curtis Samuel still hurt and WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba flailing in Week 1, I’m starting the season 1-2. Shoutout to Brian Thomas Jr., who scored 14.7 points in his Week 1 debut. Let’s get back on track in Week 2.
WR Ladd McConkey ($4,900), Greg Dortch ($4,600), Wan’Dale Robinson ($4,300).
Ladd McConkey led the Chargers in targets (7) in Week 1 and I would expect that trend to continue in Week 2. Even with the running game dominating in Week 1, QB Justin Herbert still had 26 passing attempts, which should be enough for McConkey to hit double digit fantasy points.
Greg Dortch had 8 targets and was Kyler Murray’s go-to in Week 1’s tilt against the Bills. Murray and rookie 1st round pick Marvin Harrison Jr. still need time to develop chemistry, leaving Dortch as the temporary #1. In a game with an O/U of 49.5, Dortch should be busy against a new-look Rams secondary.
Although rookie WR Malik Nabers was productive (5/66), WR Wan’Dale Robinson was QB Daniel Jones’ security blanket (12 targets). With the Giants looking overall inept, I’d expect Jones to pepper Robinson frequently against the Commanders.
Have a great Week 2 of NFL DFS! Make sure to go to advancedsportslogic.com and checkout The Machine – DFS Lineup Optimizer
