An outbreak of injuries at the quarterback position has created chaos in the NFL. Trade demands from defensive superstars could further change the landscape of the league as well. As of right now, however, we still don’t know a lot, but the picture is getting a little bit clearer. We know the bad teams in the league. Identifiable mismatches are becoming clear.
With data beginning to compile more and more, there’s always room for improvement. Bad strategy and money management can lead you astray. If the beginning of the NFL season has been successful for you fantasy-wise, it doesn’t necessarily mean everything you’re doing is correct.
Week 1 started with just $10.00 and was successful despite an over-reliance on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Week 2 almost derailed my cash game lineup in the first half of the 1:00 p.m. EST games. Ben Roethlisberger‘s injury capped my quarterback production at just three points. As a result of his injury, adjustments were critical for hitting the cash line. For transparency’s sake, my results on Fanduel for Week 2 are here and here.
A standard PSA that bears repeating each and every week: It’s important to take advantage of late swapping. This isn’t even a DFS strategy. Always maintain smart roster construction practices. Keep the player with the latest start time in the FLEX spot so you can always adjust to breaking news in the late games. This is simple information that goes a long way. Pay attention to the small details. They’ll save you money over the long run.
Now that the Public Service Announcement is over, here are the players I’m targeting for cash game considerations:
Play in our Week 2 Beat the Experts Contest to win cash at FanDuel 
Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson (BAL): $8,500 @ Kansas City Chiefs
I’m not sure what needs to be said about having exposure to one of the best players in one of the highest projected scoring games on the slate. The only question surrounding Jackson is whether to use him as a standalone QB or whether you’ll want to pair him with either Marquise Brown or Mark Andrews.
A look at where @Lj_era8 ranks in NFL passing categories as the @Ravens prep to battle @PatrickMahomes & the @Chiefs this Sunday. #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/F3Zuhs800e
— Patrick Gleason (@PMGleason) September 16, 2019
Russell Wilson (SEA): $7,600 vs. New Orleans Saints
Wilson is a home favorite and gets a Saints defense that has been gashed by opposing quarterbacks thus far. Last season the Saints allowed 350 or more passing yards six times. While Wilson might not approach 350 yards passing in this contest, he could find success with both his arm and his legs. After all, both Jared Goff and Deshaun Watson rushed for touchdowns against the Saints. As for Wilson’s arm, he’s been exceptionally efficient with his throws thus far.
Outside of throws to his top 2 WRs, Russell Wilson has completed 25-of-27 passes to his three backs, two tight ends, and Malik Turner. He's 18-of-27 to DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, gaining 273 yards on those throws for 10 yards per target.
— Field Gulls (@FieldGulls) September 16, 2019
Other notables:
Josh Allen (BUF): $7,500 vs CIN
Matthew Stafford (DET): $6,900 @ PHI
Running Backs
Ezekiel Elliott (DAL): $8,800 @ Miami Dolphins
There’s really not much that needs to be said about this matchup and why Zeke should be a cash game lock. The Dolphins are a certifiable dumpster fire and they no longer have Minkah Fitzpatrick. To say that their defense has been bad is just scratching the surface.
Through two weeks, this is how each defense has been at limiting (or in the case of the Dolphins, not limiting) offensive efficiency on their opponent's first 15 plays: pic.twitter.com/w4g1pmE6wC
— Eric Eager 📊🏈 (@PFF_Eric) September 17, 2019
The only real question surrounding Elliott is whether he’ll play a full complement of snaps this weekend. As long as he’s above 65%, he’s going to eat.
Austin Ekeler (LAC): $7,600 vs. Houston Texans
What was originally thought as a split-backfield in order to replace Melvin Gordon has become Ekeler’s backfield. In the first two games of the season, Ekeler has posted snap counts of 48 (75%) and 49 (73%) compared to Justin Jackson with 16 (25%) and 18 (27%) snaps, respectively. Ekeler is second on the Chargers with a 19% target share. Opposing running backs have had some success as dual threats. Leonard Fournette hauled in four receptions for 40 yards against the Texans. Alvin Kamara snagged seven catches against them. Expecting a heavy dose of Ekeler seems like a safe bet. He’s also getting plenty of opportunity to score touchdowns. His lone red-zone target came inside the 10-yard line. Ekeler is second in the NFL in carries inside the five with three carries. He has two red zone rushing touchdowns.
Other notables:
Devin Singletary (BUF): $5,800 vs. CIN (if active)
Dalvin Cook (MIN): $7,800 vs. OAK
Wide Receivers
Kenny Golladay (DET): $7,000 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Currently, fourth in the NFL in air yards, Golladay is in a smash spot as road underdogs against this Eagles secondary. Golladay has a 36% market share of the air yards and a 25% target share for the Lions. Now he gets Rasul Douglas or Ronald Darby? Yes, please.
Notable No. 1 WRs vs. the Eagles since Week 1 2018:
Amari Cooper 10-217-3
Michael Thomas 12-171-1, 4-92-1
Julio Jones 10-169-0, 5-106-2
Corey Davis 9-161-1
A-Rob 10-143-1
Adam Thielen 7-116-1
Stefon Diggs 10-91-0
DeAndre Hopkins 9-104-0
Mike Evans 10-83-1
Terry McLaurin 5-125-1— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) September 18, 2019
Nelson Agholor (PHI): $4,800 vs. Detroit Lions
Ever wonder how Thanos’ snap affected the NFL in those Avengers movies? Just take a look at the Eagles’ receiving corps this week. Agholor will start in the slot and be joined by rookie J.J. Arcega-Whiteside and third-year receiver Mack Hollins. Darrius Slay has spent 23% of his snaps in the slot this season, which is encouraging for Agholor, since he likely won’t see an excessive amount of work on the outside.
Nelson Agholor has caught eight passes in three of the four games without Alshon Jeffery over the last two seasons (if you count Week 2). #Eagles
– Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) September 19, 2019
Eagles fans have been aware of the glaring inconsistencies in Agholor’s game over the years. His inconsistency was on full display against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. With great power comes great responsibility. Peter Parker eventually learned from his mistake. Can Agholor?
Other notables:
John Brown (BUF): $5,500 vs. CIN
Keenan Allen (LAC): $7,000 vs. HOU
Tight Ends
Zach Ertz (PHI): $6,900 vs. Detroit Lions
This is solely a volume play. We know it’s going to be there with Ertz. Current he is second in the NFL behind Emmanuel Sanders for red-zone targets. Yeah, you’re going to have to pay up to get there, but who else is Carson Wentz going to throw to?
The Eagles are currently set to head into Sunday’s Lions game with …
3 healthy receivers: Nelson Agholor, Mack Hollins, JJ Arcega-Whiteside
and
2 healthy tight ends: Zach Ertz, Alex Ellis https://t.co/FZxUpdf5RJ
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) September 19, 2019
Greg Olsen (CAR): $6,100 @ Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are bleeding fantasy points to opposing tight ends thus far this season. T.J. Hockenson went 6-131-1 and Mark Andrews followed that up with a 8-112-1 the next week. Even Hayden Hurst has a touchdown against the Cardinals this year. Olsen is one of just three players with a red zone target this season for the Panthers this season. With a 23% market share of air yards and a 20% target share, Olsen is primed to be an integral part of the passing offense regardless of who is at quarterback. Of course, it helps that Olsen’s relatively low aDOT (9.8) is Kyle Allen‘s sweet spot. Expect a good amount of work for the grizzled grey beard.
Other notables:
Evan Engram (NYG): $6,400 @ TB
Defense
Dallas Cowboys DST: $5,000 @ Miami Dolphins
A road start for Josh Rosen against the Cowboys. Paying this much for a defense seems somewhat foolish, but the Dolphins own the market in foolish. It’s becoming difficult to project a win at this point for the Dolphins. If you want sacks, interceptions and potentially touchdowns, this is a safe pick.
Other notables:
Green Bay DST: $4,500 vs. DEN
Los Angeles Chargers DST: $2,500 vs. HOU
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Matt Giraldi is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Matt, check out his archive or follow him @Mgiraldi.
