Let’s see if we can follow up a strong Week 1 with another set of winning cash game lineup plays in Week 2. My lineup construction in Week 2 is taking on a different look depending on the site this week.
On FanDuel, some mispriced studs allow us to fit in a couple of high-priced options to anchor our lineup. Meanwhile, on DraftKings, I’m looking to save some salary at running back while loading up in the mid-range at wide receiver, including one in the flex. Let’s get right to the good stuff…
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The players below are ones I’m looking at for cash game considerations for Week 2 main slates:
Quarterbacks
DraftKings
Dak Prescott (DAL): $6,800 vs. LAC
Getting up to Kyler Murray on DraftKings is difficult as the Cardinals quarterback is $700 more costly than the second option (Russell Wilson) and $1,000 more expensive than the third option (Josh Allen). So, I’m looking to save some money at the position.
Prescott showed no ill effects of last year’s season-ending injury or his shoulder in Week 1 when he threw for 403 yards with three scores. The Cowboys’ defense is still a wreck, so more shootouts will be coming for Prescott to keep his foot on the gas, including this week against the Chargers in a matchup with one of the highest Vegas totals on the slate.
Joe Burrow (CIN): $5,800 vs. CHI
I’m okay with going even lower at quarterback on DraftKings this week, as Burrow is currently my quarterback in my Cash game lineup. Burrow has a plethora of weapons around him and also performed well coming off last year’s season-ending injury with 261 passing yards and a pair of scores on just 27 attempts.
Look for those attempts and passing number to rise in Week 2 against a Bears pass defense that ranks 31st in Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) according to FootballOutsiders after they were shredded by Matthew Stafford and the Rams in Week 1.
Other notables: Tom Brady (TB): $6,900 vs. ATL, Justin Herbert (LAC): $6,700 vs. DAL
FanDuel
Kyler Murray (ARI): $8,700 vs. MIN
While finding the salary to pay up for Murray on DraftKings is more challenging it is actually quite easy on FanDuel with softer pricing. Murray was a DFS stud in Week 1 with five total touchdowns against the Titans.
This week the Cardinals are at home against the Vikings in a game with one of the highest Vegas totals on the slate. The Vikings pass defense ranks 21st DVOA after one week while giving up 9.7 yards per attempt (28th) to the Bengals. Of course, Murray can also do damage on the ground giving him a high floor and ceiling that is desired in any DFS format.
Justin Herbert (LAC): $7,600 vs. DAL
I’m going to assume that Dak Prescott and the Cowboys defense will continue to get into a shootout every week until I see evidence to the contrary. This week Herbert gets to participate in the fun against the Cowboys pass defense that coughed up 379 yards and four touchdown passes last week and is already missing a couple of key players heading into Week 2.
Herbert followed up an impressive rookie season with a strong line in Week 1 against a good Washington defense with 337 passing yards and a score through the air. He should be able to build on those numbers at home against the Cowboys in a matchup with the biggest Vegas total of the week.
Other notables: Dak Prescott (DAL): $8,000 vs. LAC, Matthew Stafford (LAR): $7,500 vs. IND
Running Backs
DraftKings
Ezekiel Elliott (DAL): $6,200 vs. LAC
The top echelon of running backs on DraftKings are expensive and don’t have the best matchups, so I’m looking to save salary at the position, starting with Elliott. Elliott was phased out of the offensive game plan in Week 1 against a top-notch Buccaneers run defense. However, now with a reduced salary and a much better matchup.
The Chargers allowed 107 rushing yards and 4.65 YPC to Washington running backs in Week 1. Elliot should get upwards of 20 looks (carries plus targets) in Week 2, including some red zone opportunities that could make him one of the top-scoring backs of the week.
Nyheim Hines (IND): $4,700 vs. LAR
I’ll give strong consideration to going even cheaper for my second running back this week with a pass-catching back like Hines or James White. Both backs should provide a solid floor with their receiving on a PPR site like DraftKings.
After cashing in off the field earlier in the week, Hines cashed in on the field in Week 1 with nine carries and eight targets as the Colts played catchup against the Seahawks. A similar game script could play out for the Colts again this week at home against the Rams.
Other notables: Najee Harris (PIT): $6,300 vs. LV, Chase Edmonds (ARI): $4,900 vs. MIN, James White (NE): $4,600 vs. NYJ
FanDuel
Nick Chubb (CLE): $8,400 vs. HOU
Chubb is somewhat of a value compared to the other top backs and has the best matchup and expected game environment of any back on the slate. Chubb produced a strong line in Week 1 against the Chiefs with 83 rushing yards and a pair of scores on the ground. He should get plenty of work this week with the Browns playing at home as a double-digit favorite against the Texans.
The Texans rode a favorable game script in Week 1 while leading all game to limit the Jaguars to just 69 rushing yards by running backs, but that was on just 14 carries as they allowed 4.93 YPC (26th) and rank 27th in DVOA against the run. A 100-yard game with one score seems like the floor for Chubb this week. Lock that production into your Cash game lineup on FanDuel.
Najee Harris (PIT): $6,100 vs. LV
As expected, Harris was the bellcow back for the Steelers in Week 1 as the rookie played on 100% of the offensive snaps. The production wasn’t there with just 49 total yards on 17 touches, but the volume is what we want in our Cash game lineups and gives Harris a shot for big games in the right matchups.
One of those favorable matchups comes in Week 2, with the Steelers playing at home as a favorite against the Raiders coming off a short week. The Raiders allowed 4.67 YPC (24th) to running backs in Week 1 after allowing 4.78 YPC (27th) last season. Add in a high rushing touchdown rate, and Harris could be on his way to a big Week 2.
Other notables: Ezekiel Elliott (DAL): $7,500 vs. LV, Jonathan Taylor (IND): $7,200 vs. LAR, Eli Mitchell (SF): $5,800 vs. PHI
Wide Receivers
DraftKings
Keenan Allen (LAC): $7,000 vs. DAL
Allen will face a Cowboys pass defense that slot receiver Chris Godwin just shredded with nine catches for 105 yards and a score on 14 targets. And that is for an offense with three legit wideouts and a tight end involved in the passing game.
Allen doesn’t have as much competition for targets as the Chargers’ top wideout saw a 27.7% target share in Week 1, finishing with nine catches for 100 yards on 13 looks against Washington. A double-digit reception game is well within reach for Allen in this matchup and game environment, which is like gold at his reasonable salary on a PPR site.
Cooper Kupp (LAR): $6,000 vs. IND
Kupp had double-digit targets in Week 1, resulting in seven receptions for 108 yards and a score. He led the team in targets and showed an instant rapport with new Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Kupp gets another favorable matchup this week while working out of the slot against the Colts, who just gave up four grabs for 100 yards and a pair of scores to slot-man Tyler Lockett of the Seahawks. The game includes a fairly high Vegas total and a tight line which could have the Rams passing more than 26 times this week.
Other notables: Amari Cooper (DAL): $6,800 vs. LAC, Chris Godwin (TB): $6,600 vs. ATL, Christian Kirk (ARI): $5,000 vs. MIN
FanDuel
DK Metcalf (SEA): $7,000 vs. TEN
Metcalf played second fiddle to Tyler Lockett in the Seahawks opener but still had a productive day with four catches for 60 yards and a score. I don’t know what FanDuel is doing with his salary being this low as just the 12th highest salary at the position coming off the season he had last year and a great game environment with a high Vegas total.
The Titans’ pass defense just got chewed up by a similar alpha wide receiver last week when DeAndre Hopkins had six catches for 83 yards and two scores. Lockett is an interesting pivot in GPPs, but Metcalf is one of the first players locked into my Cash lineup on FanDuel.
Julio Jones (TEN): $6,300 vs. SEA
I’ll be honest. I’m a little bit concerned about putting Jones into my Cash game lineup after his pedestrian line in his Titans debut with just six targets resulting in three catches for 29 yards. However, his price tag, ability, and great game environment this week against the Seahawks are too much for me to pass up, even in Cash lineups.
The Seahawks allowed two touchdown receptions to the Colts wide receivers last week, and Jones has a distinct matchup advantage against the Seahawks secondary according to ProFootballFocus WR/CB matchups. In a game with a high Vegas total in which the Titans could be playing from behind, Jones has too much talent at this price to ignore.
Other notables: CeeDee Lamb (DAL): $6,800 vs. LAC, Christian Kirk (ARI): $5,600 vs. MIN, Mike Williams (LAC): $5,600 vs. DAL
Tight Ends
DraftKings
George Kittle (SF): $6,400 vs. PHI
I rarely pay up at tight end in Cash games on DraftKings, but this could be a week to do it with Kittle. The 49ers only passed 25 times in Week 1 as they controlled the game against the Lions. Kittle was limited to just five targets converting them into four catches for 78 yards. Look for Kittle to be forced into a bigger role getting more targets in Week 2 in a closer matchup against the Eagles.
Other notables: Rob Gronkowski (TB): $4,700 vs. ATL, Tyler Higbee (LAR): $4,100 vs. IND
FanDuel
George Kittle (SF): $6,700 vs. PHI
If you are paying up at tight end on FanDuel in Cash games, and I recommend you do, then Kittle is your guy. See above.
Other notables: Rob Gronkowski (TB): $5,800 vs. ATL, Gerald Everett (SEA): $5,000 vs. TEN
Defense/Special Teams
DraftKings
Jets (NYJ): $2,200 vs. NE
I’m on the “just play the defense that fits” mentality in Cash games. The Jets are near min-price this week while playing at home against the Patriots and a rookie quarterback making just his second start (first on the road).
Other notables: Cardinals (ARI): $2,900 vs. MIN, Eagles (PHI): $2,400 vs. SF
FanDuel
Seahawks (SEA): $3,700 vs. TEN
Ryan Tannehill was sacked six times last week by the Cardinals as the Titans also coughed up the ball three times. The Seahawks are a home favorite in this matchup, and a similar game script could play out, giving the Seahawks plenty of opportunities to pressure the quarterback.
Other notables: Eagles (PHI): $3,900 vs. SF, Jets (NYJ): $3,400 vs. NE
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