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DraftKings NFL Value Plays: Week 2

DraftKings NFL Value Plays: Week 2

The long offseason wait until the start of football feels like forever, but once it begins, it flies by. Appreciate each and every week; take it all in. Enjoy it, because there’s nothing like a week of NFL football. Week 1 was everything we could have asked for and more, from shocking upsets to vintage primetime comebacks. It was a good week for fantasy football, as there were a lot of big performances from big-time players. It’s time to set our sights on Week 2, but before doing so, let’s examine the results from last week’s article.

*Point values are for full-point PPR

QB: Dak Prescott – 9.7 FP
RB: James White – 15.6 FP
RB: Ty Montgomery – 4.8 FP
WR: Kenny Stills – 26.6 FP
WR: John Ross – 7.3 FP
TE: Ben Watson 8.4 FP

Prescott and Montgomery were disappointing, but everyone else did enough to be worth the price. Ross, White, and Stills got in the end zone a combined four times, and Watson provided his safe floor, as he always does. Let’s look for a little more consistency across the board as we prepare for Week 2.

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Quarterback

Mitch Trubisky (CHI): $5,200 vs. SEA
Trubisky finished last week’s game against the Packers with 15 fantasy points, and that was with only 171 passing yards and no passing touchdowns. He provides a safe floor because of his rushing ability, as he ran for 32 yards and a touchdown on Sunday night. In a game that had Chicago leading almost the whole night, Head coach Matt Nagy opted for a very conservative game plan in the second half, hurting Trubisky’s passing numbers. Considering that this was Chicago’s first game in a brand new offense, I think it’s safe to say that there can only be improvement. We should expect more passing volume going forward.

This week, Trubisky takes on Seattle’s pass defense, one that’s nowhere near what it used to be. The Seahawks gave up 329 passing yards and three touchdowns to Case Keenum last week, and I believe Trubisky is the superior talent of the two. Taking into account the expected increase in attempts through the air, solid rushing totals, and a favorable matchup, Trubisky is a safe play who comes with some upside if he gets into the end zone again with his legs.

Other options: Tyrod Taylor ($5,900), Case Keenum ($5,800)

Running Backs

Javorius Allen (BAL): $4,300 at CIN
There’s a handful of reasons I like Allen this week, but the first is that Kenneth Dixon is being placed on IR as I’m writing this. Dixon suffered a knee injury against Buffalo on Sunday, and his time with the Ravens might be over, considering he’s been injured the majority of the time he’s been on the roster. This leaves us with Alex Collins and Allen as the only options at running back for Thursday.

The second reason I like Allen is because Collins fumbled against Buffalo, and was benched for a lot of the game as a result. This reveals that the coaching staff doesn’t exactly trust Collins as much as his fantasy owners would have hoped. This opens the door for Allen to get a big workload if Collins were to put the ball on the turf again against Cincinnati.

Finally, Allen has the third-down role locked up in this offense. The reason this is important is because Cincinnati gave up 10 receptions to running backs last week (seven to Nyheim Hines, and three to Jordan Wilkins). Allen plays in a similar role to the one Hines played on Sunday, which led to 12.2 PPR points. Allen had five catches of his own last week, and as long as Vontaze Burfict is out (four-game PED suspension), Cincinnati will struggle to defend the area of the field in which Allen primarily operates. I’d expect double-digit touches this week, and a solid PPR floor.

Royce Freeman (DEN): $4,300 vs. OAK
I get it, Phillip Lindsay looked awesome last week. However, we need to remember that Freeman was the one Denver drafted (third-round pick), while Lindsay was an undrafted free agent. This isn’t to say that Lindsay can’t make an impact, but the fact that Lindsay ($4,400) is now priced higher than Freeman after one week is jumping the gun a bit. Have people forgotten that Freeman was perhaps better than any other running back in the preseason? He looked explosive, powerful, and had a nose for the end zone, scoring three touchdowns in three preseason games.

Freeman and Lindsay each ran 15 times for 71 yards on Sunday, but Lindsay also added some work in the passing game. I think this may have been Denver’s plan all along, to use the more versatile back to exploit the absence of K.J. Wright from Seattle’s linebacking corps. Freeman should bounce back in a big way this week. Oakland comes to town after being gashed by Todd Gurley for 108 rushing yards on 5.4 yards per carry on Monday night. With the goal-line role secured, as well as a favorable matchup, I believe Freeman is way underpriced this week, so take advantage.

Other options: Carlos Hyde ($4,900), Theo Riddick ($4,000)

Wide Receivers

Brandon Marshall (SEA): $4,300 at CHI
This recommendation isn’t based on the belief that Marshall is “back” or anything like that. It’s quite simply because Russell Wilson has no one else to throw to. Having already lost Jimmy Graham and Paul Richardson over the offseason, the last thing the Seahawks needed was to lose a receiver on their roster this year to injury. Well, it happened. Doug Baldwin went down with a knee injury on Sunday before even collecting a catch, a devastating loss to the team’s aerial attack. In Baldwin’s absence, Marshall put together a 3-46-1 stat line, and had another score called back.

Marshall looked like a red zone weapon against Denver, which was by no means an easy matchup. His matchup with Chicago this week is better, as he’ll be facing Prince Amukamara and Kyle Fuller the majority of the time. While those two aren’t bad cover guys, they aren’t players you feel the need to stay away from. All three starting Green Bay receivers scored a touchdown last week against the Chicago pass defense, and each had at least 17.9 PPR points. For this price, you’re getting a guy who might lead the team in targets and also has the best chance of catching a touchdown pass.

Cole Beasley (DAL): $4,200 vs. NYG
Of all the pass catchers in the Dallas offense, Beasley is the only one who has some established chemistry with Prescott. That showed last week in his seven-catch, 76-yard performance, while no other teammate had more than three catches. If the Cowboys want to move the ball this week, it better be coming from Beasley in the slot, because none of their outside receivers stand a chance against Janoris Jenkins.

Last week, Jacksonville’s most productive receiver against the Giants was Dede Westbrook, who posted a 5-54 stat line. Knowing that he played the majority of his snaps from the slot, this should come as no surprise. That’s where you should attack this New York defense.

With how decimated the Dallas offensive line has become, it would be smart for the Giants to pressure Prescott early and often. There’s even a chance that Olivier Vernon returns this week for the G-Men, which would only increase the likelihood that Prescott has to make short, quick throws to his slot guy. Beasley should be able to replicate Westbrook’s numbers with upside for more, considering he’s far and away the most reliable option in the passing game.

Other options: Quincy Enunwa ($4,700), John Brown ($4,400)

Tight End

Jared Cook (OAK): $3,600
I can’t believe I’m doing it, but I’m doing it. Cook has lifted the hopes of every fantasy owner at least once in their lifetime, only to continually let them down. Cook has always oozed with potential, due to his dominant size and occasional colossal game, but has always lacked consistency. However, it’s impossible to ignore 180 yards, no matter who it is. Nine catches for 180 yards on 12 targets was his stat line on Monday night, looking like a man among boys.

Additionally, the Rams have arguably a top-five defensive unit in the NFL. While the Broncos also boast a solid defense, they specifically struggled with tight ends last season, and already gave up a 3-105-1 stat line to Seattle’s Will Dissly in Week 1. Denver gave up an average of 14.9 PPR FPPG last year to the tight end position, which was third worst in the league.

It’s hard to get myself to recommend Cook due to his inconsistency in the past, but if there was ever a time for Cook to put together two big outings in a row, this is it. If it doesn’t work out, you only spent $3,600, but if it does work out, you may find yourself in the money this week. If forced to choose between the two, I would prefer Cook in tournaments to cash games.

Other options: George Kittle ($3,800), Ben Watson ($3,400)

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Nick Swantek is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Nick, check out his archive and follow him @nick_swantek.

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