DFS NFL DraftKings/FanDuel Lineup Advice 8/18/18

First published 8/18/18 1:00 am ET

Updated 8/18/18 9:18 am ET

Well, Week 2 of the preseason started off with a bang for me. I played $40 on Thursday and won $1,400. Hopefully, my advice column from that night helped you as well.

DraftKings and FanDuel waited later than normal to post this slate of games, so I’m a little behind in my research. Depending on when you read this, it may not be 100 percent completed. I have the plays I like, but I may not have filled in all the blurbs about each player.

As always in the preseason, these picks are fluid. At any time one of these guys could get ruled out, or I may hear some news that makes me change my mind on a guy. I’ll do my best to keep it updated, but be sure to follow me on Twiter @geofflambert77 as I tweet out a lot of useful info right before lock.

The DailyFantasyNerd DraftKings/FanDuel Plays for Preseason Week 2

Quarterbacks

Jeff Driskel (CIN)

It’s been hinted from coaches that Driskel may get some reps behind the Bengals starting O-line. Andy Dalton, unlike most starting QBs, actually played 24 percent of the snaps in Week 1 and that would lead me to believe that he may not pay much more than that in this game as he gets ready for Week 3’s “dress rehearsal” game. That would leave Driskel and Matt Barkley competing for a good chunk of the snaps. Driskel’s athletism and running ability gives him a high-floor — well, high for a preseason game, so in other words, one of two points is his floor.

Cooper Rush (DAL)

Looking at the history, last year backup QB Kellen Moore got the majority of the snaps with Dak Prescott only getting 24 percent for the game. Rush is now the backup QB in Dallas, and he will need as many reps as he can get as he has only thrown three passes in the regular season for his career. He completed one of those three passes for 2 yards, so the Cowboys would be wise to get Rush as prepared as possible in case they were to lose Prescott for a game or two during the season. He was 15-for-23, 145 yards and one TD in last weeks game.

Joe Webb (HOU)

I’d expect Webb and Brandon Weeden to basically split snaps evenly as they did last week with Deshaun Watson throwing only one pass, but I give Webb the edge over Weeden due to his running ability. In fact, Webb was the Texans leading rusher last week with 42 yards. I don’t think the Texans give Watson more than one series, so Webb could play close to two quarters.

Update: Beat Reporter Aaron Wilson just tweeted that HC Bill O’Brian expects a similar workload for the starters as they had in Week 1, meaning Weeden and Webb should once again split the majority of the snaps. I expected this, but it’s nice to get confirmation from a beat reporter.

Geno Smith (LAC)

Smith was by far the best QB on the field for the Chargers in last week’s game against the Cardinals as he threw for over 200 yards and one TD. Philip Rivers is expected to play in this game, but his veteran status should afford him a short night.

Case Keenum (DEN)

The rumor is the Broncos starters are going to get a quarter and a half of work in this game, which puts all the Bronco starters firmly on the map for our lineups. Keenum didn’t do much last week, only throwing four passes, but he and Demaryius Thomas could be a nice stack this week.

Update: I’m hearing some good things about Chad Kelly as he makes a push for the No. 2 spot behind Keenum. CBC Sports like him as their top play, and since they have a bigger audience then I do, I’d expect him to be high owned, so maybe not a gpp play.

Running Backs

Week 2 of the preseason tends to be “rookie week”, meaning the rookies, especially those that aren’t expected to be a starter, will get a lot of playing time. Week 3 is the week for the starters, so the rookies don’t get much time in Week 3 and Week 4 is the “we don’t want anyone to get hurt, so all the guys we are going to cut get playing time” week, and that leaves Week 2 for the rookies to show you what they have. We have already seen a number of rookies get massive playing time with Steelers rookies Jaylen Samuels, Damoun Patterson and James Washington all playing at least 60 percent of the snaps and Trey Quinn of the Redskins getting 52 percent.

Mark Walton (CIN)

The Bengals spread the snaps around pretty evenly last week with Walton getting the most among RBs but only had 27 percent. I would expect the Bengals to give the rookie a larger chunk of snaps this week as Joe Mixon and Giovani Bernard will dominate the snaps in Week 3.

Tra Carson (CIN)

Walton will likely be higher owned as he is the rookie and rookies tend to get a little more hype. Carson, however, has played well in camp as he competes for a roster spot and would make for a good GPP pivot over Walton. He is a better play on Draftkings due to his receiving ability and DKs full-point PPR.

Bo Scarbrough (DAL)

As I mentioned in the opening to this position, it’s rookie week. Scarbrough was thought to be in contention for the No. 2 duties behind Ezekiel Elliott, but now it looks like that job will be given to Rod Smith. If Scarbrough is to put any pressure on him for the No.2 spot, he is going to have to do it tonight.

C.J. Prosise (SEA)

Yes, I know, he is extremely injury-prone, but as of right now, this very moment, he is healthy. That may change between now and kickoff, but we will have to wait and see. I wouldn’t use Prosise in any cash games, but as a GPP flyer, he is worth looking at. This game could decide his career. If he can’t show that he still has talent or if, god forbid, he gets hurt again, his career could be over. He knows that and should be extra motivated to do something.

J.D. McKissic (SEA)

I whiffed on him last week, but I still think he is a big play waiting to happen. He is another GPP dart throw, but it would only take one big play to make is all worth it.

Jeremy McNichols (SF)

Jerick McKinnon and Matt Breida are both out for this game, leaving a handful of running backs that include Joe Williams and Raheem Mostert to compete for snaps. McNichols has been running with the first team all week, meaning he likely starts this game and should get a good chunk of snaps.

Update: Coach Shanahan said he wants the carries spread out as evenly as possible between the 3 RBs, limiting the upside of Williams, Mostert and McNichols. I still lean McNichols if you plan to use one as he will get time with the starters.

Royce Freeman (DEN)

Freeman was the only RB to do much of anything in last week’s game for the Broncos. He had 38 yards on only four carries that included a nifty 23 yard TD run in which he completely left a defender with broken ankles. The Denver starters are supposed to play at least a quarter of more, but I’d expect Freeman to be in even beyond that mark.

Ronald Jones (TB)

I’ve heard nothing good coming out of camp about Mr. Rojo, but it’s rookie week and it’s time to put up or shut up. Payton Barber was named the starter earlier this week, but I can guarantee that’s not what the Bucs want and may be using the public statement to motivate Jones. He makes for another good dart throw in GPPs.

Austin Ekeler (LAC)

Ekeler has had a good camp so far and has all but locked up No. 2 duties behind Melvin Gordon. The fact that he has that locked up, more or less, makes me slightly hesitant to use him here as he might not play enough snaps. However, with Philip Rivers expected to play some, Ekeler could be used as the passing down RB with Rivers on the field, and Rivers loves checking down to his RBs.

Wide Receivers

Demaryius Thomas (DEN)

As I stated before, the Broncos starters are expected to play at least a quarter, if not more, and Thomas has been Keenum’s top target in camp thus far. Thomas is like a much bigger, much faster Adam Thielen who was Keenum’s top target last season. They both run the underneath routes, and Keenum made a living throwing that route last season.

Josh Malone/Auden Tate (CIN)

I put both of them here because I think both offer some value. There is reason to believe Malone may not play as he sat out a practice recently, but all signs point to him being ready to go for this game. Tate is a TD lottery ticket as a 6-foot-5 230 pound WR. They both have upside and they are both competing for that No. 4 WR spot and if Malone is indeed ruled out, I’m going to lock in Tate, I mean, it’s rookie week after all. If I win big again this week, I’m going to make “rookie week” a thing.

Braxton Miller (HOU)

I whiffed on Miller last week — well, sorta. He led the entire team in snaps with 65 percent, was second on the team for targets and yards, and tied with the most receptions, unfortunately, he did nothing with those looks and snaps. Word is, once again, Miller has looked good in the joint practices with the 49ers this week, so I’m going to give him another shot.

Marcus Johnson (SEA)

Preseason DFS sometimes comes down to attrition, and that’s where Johnson comes in. Doug Baldwin is out, Tyler Lockett has a toe injury and likely out and Amara Darboh has a hip injury that is going to keep him out. In other words, Johnson is going to get playing time just based on the fact that isn’t a ton of depth right now. Johnson isn’t a slouch by no means either, with 4.3 speed and the fact that the Seahawks traded for him this offseason, he may surprise in this game.

Justin Watson (TB)

An athletic freak with a SPARQ of 91st-percentile, Watson is a physical freak that should have his way with some of the third and fourth string CBs. Red zone threat as well.

Michael Gallup (DAL)

Gallup only had one catch last week, but he made the most of it as it was a 30-yard TD from Prescott. He played 34 percent of the snaps last week, third-most among the WRs, and he should see at least that much this week as the Cowboys need to get the rookie ready for what should be a large role during the regular season.

Taywan Taylor / Tajae Sharpe (TEN)

Both receivers have been playing with the ones as Rishard Matthews is still out with an unknown injury. Reportedly, both have flashed in camp and should both see a good chunk of snaps in this game.

Dante Pettis (SF)

I’ll beat the dead horse, but it’s rookie week. Pettis looked good last week catching one of his four targets for 53 yards. He was third among WRs in snaps last week with 39 percent, and he should see at least that, if not more in this game.

Tight Ends

Jordan Akins (HOU)

Talk about making the most of your opportunity, Akins only caught two passes last week — both for TDs. The Texans are very thin a TE behind injury-prone starter Ryan Griffin, meaning Akins has a good chance to secure a meaningful role in this offense with another good showing in this game.

Jake Butt (DEN)

Rookie TEs don’t usually make an impact in their first year, but the Broncos might need to rely on Butt to contribute this season as their depth chart at TE is horrific — Jeff Heuerman is listed as their starter on Ourlads.com. Butt will need more snaps than the 9 percent he saw last week if he is to show the Broncos he can be counted on during the regular season.

Defense

Broncos DEF vs CHI

If the offensive starters are playing a quarter of more, I’d expect the defensive starters to play at least that much. The Bears QBs don’t scare me and they could turn the ball over a few times.

Chargers DEF vs SEA

I don’t expect Russell Wilson to see many snaps in this game and the QBs behind him are terrible with Austin Davis and rookie Alex McGough listed as the backups.

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