DFS Strategy Week 2: Best Bargains On DraftKings
The best way to cash on weekly fantasy football sites is to load up on as many stars with good matchups as possible. Due to budget restraints, however, fantasy players must sacrifice other positions to nab the stars they want.
Here, you'll find the top bargains at each position on Draft Kings that will let you splurge elsewhere. And remember, scoring is IMPORTANT. Here is Draft Kings’ scoring system.
The bargains are listed in the order I like them.
Quarterback
Eli Manning, Giants ($5,500): Manning’s stats were underwhelming in Week 1, but I wouldn’t judge him too harshly. He looked good in the pocket vs. the No. 1 defense from last season, his best receiver, Odell Beckham Jr., looked fantastic, and he has some of the best weapons in the league at his disposal. The Cowboys’ defense is much friendlier, and his price tag allows you to draft studs elsewhere, including stacking him with Beckham, Sterling Shepard, or Evan Engram at tight end. I’m a big fan of playing Eli in the right matchup this season, and this one looks juicy.
Mitch Trubisky, Bears ($5,200): I have the same questions about Trubisky now that I did all throughout last season, the biggest one being “is he an NFL quarterback?” But I did see something vs. the Packers that makes him usable for DraftKings – his rushing ability. Trubisky rushed seven times for 32 yards and a touchdown last week; his athleticism is undeniable, and Chicago wisely worked in some designed runs. Even the worst QBs can have value in formats that award four points for passing TDs and six for rushing TDs, and Trubisky is up against a Seahawks defense that’s a far cry from its prime. I am not in love with this choice, but there is competent upside to him.
Sam Darnold, Jets ($5,100): Darnold received a lot of hype after the Jets powerbombed the Lions on primetime last night, but it’d be wise to pump the brakes a little bit in terms of what Darnold offers fantasy-wise. The Jets will wisely be a run-first team while Darnold navigates his learning curve, so that’s why he costs slightly more than a backup. With that said, Darnold is mobile, has a big-time deep threat in Robby Anderson, and has the physical tools to put up big numbers if any given game erupts into a shootout. Miami’s defense is decidedly mediocre, so Darnold can give you an above-average game while you spend your money elsewhere.
Running Back
Adrian Peterson, Redskins ($5,500): Peterson may be old, but he’s a workhorse, a physical marvel, and someone about whom I have no doubt can produce big numbers with volume. Peterson’s value will crater any time the Redskins fall behind, but against the Colts this week he’s possibly my favorite play at any position this week. Last week he churned out 96 yards and a TD on 26 totes. If he gets that much work again vs. the Colts we’re looking at a Top 10 RB in Week 2. Start AP.
Isaiah Crowell, Jets ($4,600): Crowell might prove frustrating because he’s in a timeshare with Bilal Powell, but he ran the ball super hard against the Lions and flashed his big-play potential with a 60+-yard touchdown. Crowell has the reputation of a banger, but averaged just under five yards per carry two years ago and has a career 4.3 yards-per-carry mark. The Jets showed they can run the ball effectively last week, and if the coaching staff was impressed enough by Crowell, maybe he starts to tilt that timeshare in his favor. If so, this is a steal.
Duke Johnson, Browns ($4,200): Johnson only had one catch last week and was a disappointment overall, but don’t cut bait. He saw six targets from Tyrod Taylor; it’s just that Taylor was woefully inaccurate in Week 1. The Browns get the Saints in Week 2, so a shootout is likely in the cards. If that’s the case, Johnson will lead the crowded Browns backfield in snaps and touches, making him a great bet in DraftKings’ full-PPR format.
Wide Receiver
Chris Hogan, Patriots ($5,400): Hogan is a fine buy-low opportunity in DFS and in regular season-long fantasy. The Patriots rarely do the same thing two weeks in a row, so don’t freak out about Hogan’s one-catch dud. Now that Phillip Dorsett is in the spotlight, watch Tom Brady feed Hogan double-digit targets. If anything, Hogan’s no-show might keep star Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey off him, allowing him to get free for some big plays. Jacksonville’s defense is stellar, but the Pats are going to get theirs; Rob Gronkowski will be the focal point, and it’s likely Dorsett draws more attention on the outside.
Quincy Enunwa, Jets ($4,700): Enunwa is back, and he was impressive on Monday night. Enunwa was expected to be a target hound last season, but a neck injury ruined his year and let Robby Anderson emerge. With Enunwa back in the fold, however, his size made him an early Darnold favorite. Enunwa finished the game with six catches, 63 yards and a touchdown, with the touchdown being an impressive display of his brute strength. I entered the season loving Anderson, and immediately switched over to Enunwa as my favorite Jets pass catcher this season. Anderson will still provide plenty of flash, but Enunwa is going to be the most-targeted Jets receiver, and Darnold’s third-down safety blanket.
Brandon Marshall, Seahawks ($4,300): Most people thought Marshall’s career was dead, but with an elite QB like Russell Wilson under center, Marshall can become a high-end red zone threat at this stage of his career. The Seahawks got Jimmy Graham’s corpse 10 touchdowns last season, and Marshall is much more spry. Not only that, Doug Baldwin is likely out for this week’s tilt, leaving Marshall as arguably Seattle’s No. 1 receiving option. A WR1 for $4,300 is unheard of, and the matchup with the Bears isn’t scary at all.
Tight End
Eric Ebron, Colts ($3,500): Andrew Luck is back, which means Colts TE is a position that matters. Luck has made fantasy producers out of the likes of Dwayne Allen and Jack Doyle, so handing him a talent like Ebron is going to be fascinating. Ebron is off to a good start, putting up 51 yards and a touchdown in his debut. There will be more to come, especially with the Colts’ sporting a subpar receiving corps beyond T.Y. Hilton.
Jared Cook, Raiders ($3,600): Cook, like Ebron, is a highly talented player who has consistently underachieved regardless of situation. But last week can’t be ignored. Cook was targeted 12 times, a shocking number, and he exploded for nine catches and 180 freakin’ yards. That’s insane. It’s not sustainable for him to continue at that pace, but a dozen targets means he’s a big part of Jon Gruden’s game plan. Use him now while he is still priced like a backup. He won’t cost less than $4,000 for long.
O.J. Howard, Buccaneers ($3,200): Howard is still an enigma. He’s very much in the Ebron and Cook mold, only he’s even bigger and faster than the first two. The problem is usage; despite producing big plays when he gets the chance, his chances are few and far between. Last week he turned a measly two targets into two catches for 54 yards. Howard is a weekly threat to turn in a zero, but the upside is extremely high for a meager cost.