DFS NFL FanDuel Week 2: Mini Slate Lineup Advice

DFS NFL FanDuel Week 2: Mini Slate Lineup Advice

Welcome to the Week 2 NFL FanDuel Mini article. In this article, we will be taking a look at a relatively new slate that was introduced about halfway through the MLB season this year. Unlike a traditional FanDuel NFL lineup, you only have to roster five players (QB, RB, RB, WR, WR) in the FanDuel Mini format. One other slight difference is that all tight ends also appear as wide receivers, so you do have the option of using a tight end if you choose to do so. The total salary cap ($60,000) is the exact same as a traditional NFL FanDuel lineup, but they do scale the salaries up a little bit to accommodate for the smaller roster size. Let’s take a look at some of my favorite options for the FanDuel Mini slate in Week 2.

Quarterback

Tom Brady (NE): $14,000 at NO
The Chiefs’ defense made Tom Brady look human last Thursday night. However, he will be in a great spot to redeem himself in a great matchup at New Orleans. The Saints have struggled in their secondary over the past couple of seasons and they made Sam Bradford look invisible on Monday night. This game currently has a projected total of 56 points in Vegas and should definitely be a fun one to watch between two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks.

Drew Brees (NOS): $13,500 vs. NEP
On the opposite side of the field from Brady is another excellent option to use in Week 2. Drew Brees has historically been much greater at home than he has on the road. In one less home game during his career, Brees has thrown 74 more touchdowns than on the road.  There are a ton of outstanding options to choose from at the top end of the spectrum in Week 2. Therefore, I highly discourage you from going the value route at quarterback this week and pay up for one of the elite studs.

Running Back

Le’Veon Bell (PIT): $11,000 vs. MIN
Le’Veon Bell is another player who struggled in Week 1, but I’m also confident he will bounce back in a huge way. Historically, the Steelers’ offense has somewhat struggled on the road during the Ben Roethlisberger era and there is a possibility that Bell was not quite prepared for the season since he did not participate in any of the team’s pre-season activities during his contract hold out. Overall the Vikings have a pretty solid defensive unit. However, they were only middle of the pack against the run last season.

Melvin Gordon (LAC): $11,000 vs. MIA
Melvin Gordon had a solid performance on Monday night when you consider that he went against one of the better defensive units in the NFL. Gordon was able to accumulate a total of 79 yards on 18 rushing attempts and five receptions, while also scoring a touchdown. Gordon has an outstanding matchup against the Dolphins, who will be playing their first game of the season after Week 1 was postponed due to Hurricane Irma. The Dolphins were atrocious against the run in 2016, allowing 4.8 yards per carry which tied for the worst in the NFL.

Ty Montgomery (GB): $9,500 at ATL
Many assumed that Ty Montgomery and Jamaal Williams would have a timeshare entering this season since Montgomery’s running back skills are still pretty raw. That definitely not the case last Sunday when Montgomery had 19 carries and four receptions compared to Williams’ two carries. Montgomery was not that efficient last week, but to be fair the matchup was pretty difficult against the Seahawks. This week he will have a much easier matchup against the Falcons, who really struggled to stop opposing running backs in 2016. Montgomery is solid value option if you would rather choose to pay up at both wide receiver spots this week.

Wide Receiver

Doug Baldwin (SEA): $11,000 vs. SF
Doug Baldwin did not have a great performance in Week 1 against the Packers, but he didn’t kill FanDuel lineups either. The Seahawks struggled up front with their offensive line, which made it difficult for Baldwin to have enough time to get down the field for a big reception. This week the Seahawks have a much better matchup against the 49ers at home. I expect a huge bounce back performance for the whole Seahawks offense and Baldwin should have a huge role in the outburst.

Travis Kelce (KC): $9,500 vs. PHI
For the sake of this format, Travis Kelce is in fact a wide receiver. I think Kelce is safe in cash game lineups, but he very well could be contrarian in GPP lineups as well since not many people will likely use a tight end if they don’t have to. Kelce did not have a great game against the Patriots in Week 1, but I think that had more to do with the Bill Belichick philosophy of taking away the opponent’s best offensive weapon. The Eagle were decent at defending opposing tight ends in 2016, but Kelce is essentially matchup proof as arguably one of the top two receiving tight ends in the entire NFL.

Amari Cooper (OAK): $12,000 vs. NYJ
Coming into this season I believed that Amari Cooper very well could take another leap forward and could become a legitimate WR1 for season long leagues. Week 1 was a solid start for that prediction with 62 receiving yards and one touchdown. Cooper did not haul in his first touchdown last season until Week 5. This week he has an outstanding matchup against the Jets, who are arguably the worst football team in the NFL right now.

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