As with most weeks, many of this week’s value plays are opened up due to injuries from the previous week. Most notably the Chargers loss of Keenan Allen and the Browns loss of Robert Griffin III as Chargers and Browns players fill up most of the value plays for Week 2 in the NFL.
NFL DFS DraftKings Value Plays for Week 2
Quarterbacks
Philip Rivers (SD) vs JAC $6,400
Rivers may have lost his top wide receiver with Keenan Allen out for the season but he always finds ways to be productive with the various receiving options he has left. This week he will be at home against a Jaguars defense that allowed the 4th most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in a game that should be close and could turn into a shootout.
Josh McCown (CLE) vs BAL $5,000
McCown takes over for the injured Robert Griffin and represents a lot of value as a minimum priced QB. In eight starts last season, McCown averaged 263 yards and 1.5 TD passes per game, including two starts against this week’s opponent the Ravens where he threw for a combined 669 yards and three scores. The Browns are a more run-oriented team this season but McCown is still in a good position to outperform his $5,000 salary.
Running Backs
Danny Woodhead (SD) vs JAC $5,200 (DailyFantasyNerd Value Play of the Day)
Woodhead figures to be one of the Chargers receivers that benefit from the season-ending injury to Allen. This week Woodhead will face a Jaguars defense that gave up the 4th most receiving yards (897) to opposing running backs and five touchdowns in a game with two offenses that can move the ball up and down the field. Woodhead continues to get red zone targets with two in the opener including one that went for a score.
Jeremy Langford (CHI) vs PHI $4,600
Langford had a solid game to start the season last week with 57 rushing yards and a touchdown to go along with two catches for six yards. Maybe, more importantly, Langford was on the field for 96% of the Bears offensive snaps in Week 1. This week he will face an Eagles defense that allowed 120 rushing yards and a score last week to the Browns in a game that the Eagles led for most of the game. Look for Langford to get around 20 touches and maybe more if they are working with a lead at home as a small favorite.
Wide Receivers
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Stefon Diggs (MIN) vs GB $5,100
Diggs is a risk/reward value option this week with Sam Bradford likely making his first start for the Vikings to open up their new stadium this weekend against the Packers. I expect Bradford to lock in on Diggs and tight end Kyle Rudolph as he continues to learn the playbook. Meanwhile, the Packers could be without their top CB Sam Shields who is in the concussion protocol.
Travis Benjamin (SD) vs JAC $4,400
Continuing the trend of recommending Chargers in a potentially high-scoring game without Allen, we come to the WR position where I expect both Benjamin and Tyrell Williams to see an increase in targets. With Benjamin priced at just $700 more than Williams, I would give an edge to him on a PPR site like DraftKings as he received eight targets catching seven balls for 32 yards in the opener. He should be able to build on those number this week to easily clear 3-5 times his salary this week.
Tight Ends
Gary Barnidge (CLE) vs BAL $4,000
Barnidge saw his fantasy value increase with Josh McCown taking over at quarterback for the injured Robert Griffin III. Last season Barnidge averaged over eight targets for about six receptions, 80 yards and 0.75 TD per game with McCown under center. He also had two big games against the Ravens totaling 15 catches on 21 targets for 230 yards and one touchdown.
Eric Ebron (DET) vs TEN $3,500
Ebron caught all five of his targets for 46 yards and a red zone touchdown in the Lions’ opener. I expect Ebron to continue to fill the red zone target role in place of Calvin Johnson this season as the Lions biggest receiver. This week Ebron and the Lions take on the Titans who gave up the third most touchdowns (11) to tight ends last season.
Defense
Patriots (NE) vs MIA $3,000
The Patriots record three sacks in their Week 1 matchup with the Cardinals, while the Seahawks sacked Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill four times in Week 1. The Patriots will look to continue the trend of getting to the quarterback this week playing at home as about a touchdown favorite.
Raiders (OAK) vs ATL $2,700
If the Raiders can jump out to an early lead at home as a five-point favorite against the Falcons their defense which is expected to be improved this season could start to generate sacks and turnovers at a low salary.
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