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.
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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 matchup at New Orleans. The Saints have struggled in their secondary over the past couple of seasons and they made Sam Bradford look amazing 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.
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.
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 big 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 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.
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Kaz is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Kaz, follow him @DraftStars_Kaz. You can find more of Kaz’s work at DraftStars.net.
