For those of you that played the slate that included the Thursday night’s game, I hope you played Vance McDonald. Now that the new Week 2 slate is up, I thought I would update my calls. I’m leaving all the players that have yet to play from my previous published article, but I’m going to add a few that I like.
Let’s get to it…
Quarterbacks
Jeff Driskel (SF) vs HOU
I wasn’t sure if DraftKings was going to create a slate that included this game or not, but I’m glad they did because I like a few players in this game. As far as Driskel goes, this will be more of a volume play then it is an endorsement of Driskel. Colin Kaepernick is dealing with some shoulder fatigue and may not play. Incumbent starter Blaine Gabbert will likely see only a few series, leaving Thad Lewis and Driskel splitting the rest of the snaps. Both players can be viable today, but the 49ers already know what Thad Lewis is, they’ll want to see what the rookie can do.
A.J. McCaron (CIN) @ DET
Andy Dalton did not play a single snap in Week 1 of the preseason, and if he sees any snaps in this game it will only be for a series or two. McCaron played well in the preseason opener and is further solidifying his place as the clear-cut No. 2 QB in Cincy, but he is far from a polished product and needs these preseason reps in case Dalton goes down again in the regular season.
Jimmy Garoppolo (NE) vs CHI
Garoppolo looked like a capable QB in the preseason opener going 11 for 18 and 168 yards. The Patriots need him to be as ready as they can get him, so they mine as well do it in before the games start to count. Look for him to play a little more than he did in last week’s game.
Chase Daniel, (PHI) @ PIT *updated pick
Man, was he bad in the preseason opener or what? He went 4/10 for 15 yards! Yikes! So why do I believe in him now? Volume and opportunity are kings in fantasy football and it’s an even bigger deal in preseason daily fantasy. Carson Wentz was injured in the opener and will not play in this one, Sam Bradford is the Week 1 starter and unlikely to play more than a series or two, and McLeod Bethel-Thompson literally threw one pass last week. Daniels will get the lions share of the work against the Steelers simply because there isn’t anyone else.
Running Backs
*Wendell Smallwood (PHI) @ PIT
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Smallwood missed the opener and is already behind Kenjon Barner on the depth chart. If he wants the chance to be No. 3 on the Eagles opening day roster he needs to get on the field and perform. Check his status before the game, if he is limited in any way, pivot to Barner as the RB to own in Philly.
Daryl Richardson (PIT) vs PHI
I honestly forgot this guy was still in the league, and now potentially could serve as the No. 2 RB in Pittsburg behind DeAngelo Williams for the first four games. Fitzgerald Touissant is the favorite to take that spot, but if the preseason opener was any indication, Richardson will give him a good fight for it.
Zach Zenner (DET) vs CHI
The darling of last preseason had a decent start to the 2016 version. He had 56 total yards in the game against the Bengals and will look to build on that this week with the Bears in town. I’m expecting similar usage from him this week.
George Atkinson (OAK) @ GB
After what he did last week (5 car 97 yds 2 TDs) the Raiders will have to give him a few more snaps this week to see what he can do. While I don’t expect a repeat performance, he should see double-digit touches, and we have already seen what he can do in the open field.
Tyler Gaffney (NE) vs CHI *updated pick
Anytime you run for a 44yd TD, you are bound to get a little more work no matter if it’s preseason or not. This guy, due to injury, had his first two years in the league end before they even began, and is now looking to make a push for a place on the Patriots roster. Dion Lewis won’t play in this one, and I doubt we see much of LeGarrette Blount either — so once again, “volume and opportunity”, it’s the theme in the preseason.
Wide Receivers
Laquon Treadwell (MIN) @ SEA
Treadwell is currently behind Charles Johnson on the depth chart, but I don’t expect that to last long. While he wasn’t otherworldly in the opener, he was solid, and it’s something he can build on as we progress through the preseason. I expect a few more targets going his way, and hopefully, he’ll be on the field with Teddy Bridgewater for at least one series in this one.
Will Fuller (HOU) @ SF
Fuller is now the favorite to win the starting job next to DeAndre Hopkins as a result of his impressive camp thus far. Jalen Strong figures to give him the biggest challenge, and both of them could be good plays in this game, but I’m going to give the edge to Fuller.
Bruce Ellington (SF) vs HOU
Ellington has been invisible, to say the least, in his first few years in San Francisco, but by all accounts is having his best camp as a pro and is the favorite to win the slot role in Chip Kelly’s offense. The slot role has value in this offense and many are expecting a breakout season for him, but first he needs to prove he can do it in live action and not just in camp. The 49ers receiving corps is one of, if not the, worst in the NFL, so I would expect Ellington to see a lot of snaps with both the first and second team.
*Corey Coleman (CLE) vs ATL (has been ruled out)
Coleman didn’t play in the first preseason game and hopes to be ready by Thursday. I won’t waste much time with the analysis here, but he has the potential to put up huge numbers by preseason standards if he can get on the field.
Aldrick Robinson (ATL) @ CLE
The darling WR of Week 1, he was the only WR to go over 100 yards (pending the SF/Hou game) despite only catching three passes. I’m not predicting he will do it again, but I have to put him here out of principle, his Week 1 numbers can’t be overlooked.
Sammie Coates (PIT) vs PHI *updated pick
He had an awful Week 1 performance, but, “In Sammie Coates, I believe!” I think he has been itching to get back on the field and prove himself. With so many pieces missing from the Steelers, he will have a big role this year and they need him ready to play, expect him to get an extended run at WR tonight.
Tight Ends
Vance McDonald (SF) vs HOU
I had a hard time finding anyone I liked at tight end and so far Vance McDonald is all I’ve been able to come up with. He is the favorite to get the starting spot for the 49ers, but he hasn’t done much in his career thus far to inspire confidence. I’ll be updating this as we get closer to Thursdays games, so if you don’t like McDonald, I’d suggest plugging in another tight end that’s not playing Sunday night and you can always switch him out as we get more information.
A.J. Derby (NE) vs CHI *updated pick
I’ve picked this game pretty heavily, but I think there is a lot of value to be had, so I’m going to the well once more. Rob Gronkowski will not see the field obviously, Martellus Bennett will get a series or two against his former teammates, but A.J. Derby who impressed in limited time last week will get the most snaps. At 6-foot-5-inches 255-pounds, Derby is a clear RedZone threat, and I’ll go out on that limb and say he scores in this one.
Defense
Houston Texans @ SF
The 49ers are bad, real bad, trust me, I’m a fan of the team. The Texans will have no trouble holding them in check.
Atlanta Falcons @ CLE
The Browns are bad, real bad, trust me… you get the point.
Raiders @ GB *updated pick
Green Bay’s roster is more or less set, so it’s all about the young guys, which means poor execution and turnovers.
*check status before kickoff
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