Players to Target
Josh Allen (QB) - $8,200
Allen exploded in Week 1, throwing for 300+ yards and 2 TDs and added 57 yard rushing with an additional TD on the ground. He gets a Miami Dolphins defense this week that could not contain Cam Newton and he is priced well for a potential QB1 overall finish.
Teddy Bridgewater (QB) - $6,600
The Panthers offense is not going to be an issue this year. Coupled with a terrible defense and a matchup with Tom Brady's Bucs, Bridgewater will be throwing a lot this week.
DeAndre Hopkins (WR) - $8,300
Hopkins reeled in 14(!) catches last week from Kyler Murray against a formidable 49ers defense. If he puts that type of production up against a top tier defense, what do you think he can do against Washington this week? He's in a lot of my lineups.
Emmanuel Sanders (WR) - $5,700
Sanders will get a bump in targets with Michael Thomas being ruled out for Week 2. The Saints play the Raiders on Monday night this week. The Raiders defense isn't scaring anyone.
NFL: Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Derrick Henry (RB) - $8.300
Derrick Henry might be the only true bell-cow back left in the NFL. He grinded out 116 yards last week on 31 carries. No other TEN RB had a carry last week. The usage is there, and he gets a better match up against the Jags this week.
Kenyan Drake (RB) - $6,600
Arizona has a great match up this week against Washington, so it's no surprise that Cardinals players are going to be the foundation of most lineups. Drake could have an excellent day if he gets room to run.
Raheem Mostert (RB) - $6,200
Mostert's price still hasn't come up to his actual market value, so I am taking advantage again this week against a depleted Jets defense.
Mark Andrews (TE) - $7,500
Andrews showed why he is still a top 3 TE last week, reeling in 2 TD grabs from Lamar Jackson. Andrews is one of Jackson's first reads on every passing play, and he is worth a premium price this week against a Texans defense that could not stop Travis Kelce in week 1.
Arizona Cardinals (DEF) - $3,600
Not much to explain here, Cardinals defense is priced right for their opponent.
Pittsburgh Steelers (DEF) - $4,600
The Steelers should have their way with the Broncos and Drew Lock this week.
Players to Avoid
Deshaun Watson (QB) - $7,900
Watson gets an elite Baltimore defense this week. He's not worth the premium price.
Cam Newton (QB) - $7,800
Newton's 2 rushing TDs helped vault him into finishing as a Top 10 QB in week 1. This week he gets a much tougher Seattle defense and is very risky.
Josh Jacobs (RB) - $8,400
Jacobs took advantage of a terrible Panthers defense last week. He gets a top 5 Saints defense in Week 2. You can find better value than him this week.
David Johnson (RB) - $7,200
Johnson gets an elite Ravens defense who struggled against the Browns RBs in week 1, but game script will force the Texans into throwing more this week.
US Today
Michael Thomas (WR) - $8,700
Thomas is still in the system but will not play this week due to a high ankle sprain.
Keenan Allen (WR) - $6,900
Allen could only muster 30 yards on 3 catches last week with Tyrod Taylor at QB. He's not worth an upper tier price this week with Taylor at QB.
Darren Waller (TE) - $6,800
Waller gets a Saints defense that held all the Tampa Bay Buccaneers TEs in week 1 in check. You can find better match ups elsewhere this week.
Hayden Hurst (TE) - $5,700
Hurst had a respectable week against Seattle in week 1, but his timing with Matt Ryan is still developing.
New England Patriots (DEF) - $4,600
Seattle should put a lot more pressure on New England than Miami's offense did last week.
Denver Broncos (DEF) - $4,100
The Steelers' offensive weapons are enough for me to fade the Broncos this week.
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Jonathan Taylor is a great underdog option this week.AP Sports
Players to Target
Patrick Mahomes QB - $9300
I don't mind spending up on Mahomes this week as the TNF showdown with Houston should be a high scoring affair. When paying up for Mahomes you are going to have to go cheap somewhere else in your lineup though to make up for his high price.
Ben Roethlisberger QB - $7800
Roethlisberger has a great match up this week with the Giants on Monday night. I think you can almost get the same production out of Big Ben that you can get from Mahomes this week. The Giants defense is slated to be one of the worst in the league this year and the Steelers won't want to run Connor into the ground in Week 1.
Josh Allen QB - $7900
Allen gets a Jets defense minus CJ Mosley and Jamal Adams, arguably their two best play makers. Allen has top 5 potential this week, especially if he can add a TD on the ground.
Philip Rivers QB - $7200
Most people view Rivers as a game manager more than the gunslinger he was in LA. He has an elite offensive line and is going against a Jacksonville defense that is a shell of its former self.
Austin Ekeler RB - $7700
I think the Chargers are going to move more towards the running game becoming the central part of their offense. I like the Ekeler's match up against the Bengals this week.
Clyde Edwards Heliare RB - $7200
Heliare is priced nicely this week. I expect his price to go up even more as the season goes on, so a potential shootout with Houston is a good time to take advantage of this price tag.
Jonathan Taylor RB - $5300
Taylor may not get the start this week against Jacksonville, but game script will allow him to get plenty of work in the 3rd and 4th quarters in a game that Indianapolis should be up big by halftime.
Jonathan Williams RB - $4800
A real boom or bust pick this week, Williams looks he is going to get the nod over Devine Ozighbo to lead Jacksonville's backfield, at least for Week 1. He's going to need to find the end zone once or twice to make this pick worth it, but if you have spent up at other positions, he's a good lower priced option with high upside.
JuJu Smith-Schuster WR - $7100
As I talked about with Heliare, Smith-Schuster's price is only going to go up as the season goes on. He's got a great match up against the Giants this week.
Stefon Diggs WR - $6600
Diggs is going up against a weak Jets defense, and I have a feeling the Bills are going to want to show off their new WR and will get him involved early and often in this weeks game script.
TY Hilton WR - $6500
Hilton is priced decently this week, and gets a bottom 5 defense in Jacksonville. He's a great mid tier option when building your lineup this week.
Emmanuel Sanders WR - $5400
Sanders could be in for a nice day in what looks like it will be an offensive shootout with the Bucs. At $5400, Sanders looks like a steal this week. I have him in lots of my lineups.
George Kittle TE - $8000
Another player where I feel like it is going to be OK to pay up this week is Kittle. He is almost match up proof and will be one of the main targets for Garoppollo this week with all the questions the 49ers have at wide receiver.
Jared Cook TE - $5900
Cook gets the nod because of the high scoring potential the Saints-Bucs match up has this week. Drew Brees will be spreading the ball around this week.
Blake Jarwin TE - $5300
Jarwin looks like a decent play this week if you are trying to save money to spend in other spots of your lineup. The Rams-Cowboys game could have the potential to be a shootout.
Eric Ebron TE - $5000
Ebron is decent play for the same reason as Jarwin, Bad defense, with good QB play. He is a fine play if you want to save money at the TE position this week.
Buffalo Bills DEF - $4700
The Bills get a Jets offense that has looked awful this summer. They should eat this week.
Tennessee Titans DEF - $4000
The Titans landed Jadeveon Clowney earlier this week and added a top tier pass rusher to an already formidable unit. They get Denver this week, and could force Drew Lock into some bad decisions. You can do worse with other defenses this week.
Detroit Lions DEF - $3700
The Lions are a dark horse this week to score some points against a turnover prone Bears offense. Trubisky is starting for the Bears and he is always good for a turnover or two.
Indianapolis Colts DEF - $3700
The Colts are a great play this week against the Jaguars, especially at this price. I am targeting them on a lot of my teams and putting that money in other places on my team.
Matt Ryan is a fade this week going against an improved Seattle Defense.atlantafalcons.com
Players to Avoid:
Drew Brees QB - $8100
Drew Brees is going to be a nice play in regular leagues this week, but his price is too high for my liking. For that reason I am fading him this week.
Matt Ryan QB - $7800
Ryan has a high price and is facing a much improved Seattle Defense. I'll pass this week.
Kyler Murray QB - $7700
Like Ryan, Murray is high priced and facing an elite defense in the 49ers. You can do worse at QB, but he is a risky play this week.
Carson Wentz QB - $7700
Wentz is down two starting offensive lineman and facing a formidable Washington defensive line, he isn't going to have much time with that pass rush.
Christian McCaffrey RB - $10000
McCaffrey is elite, but also is the most expensive player in FanDuel this week. The Raiders aren't a very good defense, but he is not going to produce enough points to justify that price point.
Dalvin Cook RB - $8700
Cook held out all training camp and is slated to play Week 1. He'll most likely be on a snap count and may take a game or two to get into shape. Not a risk I am willing to take at that price.
Todd Gurley RB - $7100
Too many unknowns with Gurley's usage going into the season. Pair that with a tough Seattle D and I am fading him this week.
Kenyan Drake RB - $6600
Drake was electric last year, but the 49ers defense is suffocating and game script my force the Cardinals into passing more as the game progresses.
Davante Adams WR - $8000
I just don't see Adams producing and elite stat line this week against Minnesota. He's a fade for me but will be worth that price in spots down the road.
Keenan Allen WR - $7000
Allen will not see the pass volume to justify this price. Tyrod Taylor has been a check down QB his entire career, and unless Allen breaks a quick pass for a long score, he won't be very playable this year.
Terry McLaurin WR - $6500
McLaurin is most likely going to see a healthy dose of Darius Slay this week. That's enough for me to stay away.
Jamison Crowder WR - $6000
Crowder is about the only WR you may be able to get production from this year on the Jets. He has a tough match up with the Bills this week.
Evan Engram TE - $6300
Engram is going to have a good year, he'll finish as a top 5 TE scoring wise, but a match up with an elite Steelers defense is not a smart play this week.
Hunter Henry TE - $6000
Henry may see a garbage score this week on a goal line gadget play, but we need to see Tyrod in this offense a little bit before we justify spending up on Henry.
Austin Hooper TE - $5700
Hooper going up against an elite Raven defense is hard pass for me. He'll have startable weeks, but not in Week 1.
Hayden Hurst TE - $5300
I think Hurst has a great chance to be a top 10 TE this year. But a Seattle Defense that added Jamal Adams is enough for me to fade him this week.
Kansas City Chiefs DEF - $4200
TNF is going to be a shootout, not a good week for the Chiefs Defense.
New Orleans Saints DEF - $4100
Another shootout possibility with the Bucs this week has me fading the New Orleans Defense.
New England Patriots DEF - $4600
The Patriots get the Dolphins, but at $4600, there is too much assuming going on right now for me to be comfortable starting them. They lost 3 starters due to COVID opt outs, so I need to see a week or two before I start them in DFS
New York Jets DEF - $3900
The Jets are down Jamal Adams and CJ Mosley, going against a much improved Bills offense. No thanks.
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Michael Porter of the Denver Nuggets has been enjoying basketball in the bubble.
Point Guard
DENVER NUGGETS VS TORONTO RAPTORS, NBA REGULAR SEASON
DP
Monte Morris Denver Nuggets - $4,500
With Jamal Murray still sidelined due to a hamstring injury, it's allowed Morris to get starts in his place. Morris has shown he is able to post big fantasy scores when given the extra minutes and he hasn't disappointed with the added opportunity as he has produced 30.8 and 30.4 fantasy points the past 2 games. At $4,500 he's someone you can rely on for scoring, and the extra court time should boost rebounds and assists. Even if Murray were to come back today against the Trail Blazers, he would do so in a limited capacity leaving the lion's share of time for Morris.
Shooting Guard
Charlotte Hornets v Milwaukee Bucks
Getty Images
Khris Middleton Milwaukee Bucks - $6,500
The all star is at times a forgotten as the shadow cast by Giannis is so big, but Middleton possesses the ability to take over games himself. He's a threat from virtually anywhere on the court, as his long reach allows him to shoot over nearly anyone guarding him and opposing teams have no choice but to game plan around Antetokounmpo. The Bucks are coming off a loss to the Nets, and I think they will be looking to get back on track. That means heavy doses of Middleton and Giannis today versus the Heat, who, by the way, will be without Jimmy Butler, which should only help Middleton today.
Small Forward
TJ Warren and Tobias Harris compete in bubble basketballCBS Sports
T. J. Warren Indiana Pacers - $8,800
Today's game against the Phoenix Suns may be the end of a prolific run for Warren, but if it is I want to be a part of it. Averaging just north of 64 fantasy points the past 3 games, Warren has been one of the biggest surprises of the restart and someone to root for. His price is increasing to match his play now sitting at a hefty $8,800 but the matchup with the Suns isn't a tough defensive opponent. I fully expect Warren to fall off this current pace but I think it may continue for this game today. We saved some money on inserting Monte Morris so I feel comfortable spending a couple thousand more than I normally would on a player riding a hot streak.
Power Forward
Anthony Davis
AP
Anthony Davis Los Angeles Lakers - $10,500
I really wanted to put Michael Porter here, but I just like Davis too much today. Coming off his worst offensive performance of the season and a bad loss to Oklahoma City, the Lakers should look to get back on track against a worthy playoff opponent in Houston. Due to the matchups that Houston can present Davis, it's likely that Davis will get involved early and often, and don't expect him to slow down if he gets in rhythm. It was only three days ago that he put 42 on Utah (73.4 fantasy points). Keep in mind that this may be the last game we see Laker stars logging major minutes until the start of the playoffs. I don't see them resting today, though, as coach Frank Vogel will likely see this as their tune up game for the playoffs.
Center
Atlanta v Indiana
Getty Images
Myles Turner Indiana Pacers - $6,400
This was a tough position to pick today: I tend to go with top centers for DFS because the production level drops off quickly once you get out of the first couple of tiers. A problem with today's slate of games is that the top 4 options at the position all play against each other. Jusuf Nurkic and the Trail Blazers play Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets, and Deandre Ayton and the Suns take on Myles Turner's Pacers. While Turner is probably the least proficient offensively, he is very good on defense and will rarely post goose eggs in the blocks and steals column for your fantasy lineup. Ayton, on the other hand, is a little lacking in defensive skills at this point in his career, and that may mean a slight increase in scoring from Turner today. If you pair that with his usual helping of a handful of blocks and steals, Turner is a good value at $6,400, compared to Nurkic ($9,100), Jokic ($8,900), and Ayton ($7,500) in front of him.
