FanDuel, DraftKings Fantasy Football: Players to avoid in Week 2

These are the players you want to avoid in DFS play on DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 2 of the NFL and Fantasy Football season.

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Everyone is always looking for the weekly breakout players and sleepers but just as important are the players to avoid. One bad pick can cripple your daily fantasy roster.

Here are some players you should look to avoid in DFS play for Week 2 of the NFL season.

Quarterbacks

Marcus Mariota ($6,400 DK/$7,900 FD) at Jacksonville

Mariota has a bright outlook moving forward this season, but he could hit a bit of a rough patch when he travels to Jacksonville this weekend. The Jaguar defense held Tom Savage and Deshaun Watson to just 164 yards passing, while adding one interception, three fumble recoveries and 10 sacks! Amazingly, that is not a typo. Expect a heavy dose of DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry in this low scoring, defensive battle.

Running Backs

Kareem Hunt ($6,800 DK/$7,800 FD) vs. Philadelphia

Last week I had Le’Veon Bell in this spot and I’m sure you all thought I was crazy. Bell was held to just 7.7 fantasy points in PPR formats. This week, you’re going to think I’m even crazier, but just hear me out. I’m not saying flat out avoid Kareem Hunt. However, it is something you should at least consider. With a very reasonable price tag he will likely be the most owned player in both FanDuel and DraftKings.

This is all based on one game. Look, I like the guy and I think he will be a top five PPR RB this season but I’ve learned that the key in DFS is to go against the grain. If by chance Hunt is held in check, you could be one of the 20-30 percent of people to benefit. Thus, giving you an advantage over the majority of the competition.

Carlos Hyde ($4,900 DK/$6,400 FD) at Seattle

This one is more matchup and situation based. Before we dive into the stats, we can assume that Seattle will be playing with a comfortable lead for most of this matchup. Right off the bat, that puts Hyde in a tough spot as San Francisco could be forced to throw the ball more than they would like. The Seattle defense is among one of the toughest to run against, finishing top five in fantasy points against to the RB position in 2016.

Wide Receivers

Antonio Brown ($9,400 DK/$9,400 FD) vs. Minnesota

Brown looked like his normal self, hauling in 11 receptions for 182 yards in Week 1. It seems just about impossible to shut him down, but if anyone can at least slow him down it’s Xavier Rhodes of the Minnesota Vikings. The All-Pro cornerback has established himself as one of the best cover corners in the NFL and he put his skills on display while holding Michael Thomas to five catches for just 45 yards on Monday Night Football.

Let others pay top price for the brand name of Brown. Meanwhile, you can find a cheaper alternative and strengthen the rest of your lineup. Business is not going to be booming for Brown in Week 2.

Dez Bryant ($6,600 DK/$7,600 FD) at Denver

Another guy with an absolutely brutal matchup this week is Dez Bryant. Whether he draws Aqib Talib or Chris Harris in coverage won’t matter as both guys should be able to hold Dez in check. Since losing Tony Romo as his quarterback, the All-Pro receiver has not been able to produce consistent numbers against good defenses.

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Last week was a prime example as Janoris Jenkins blanketed Dez for most of the game and held him to just two receptions on nine targets. The Broncos defense was ranked number one last season, surrendering fewer than 14 points per game to opposing wide receivers.

Tight Ends

Hunter Henry ($3,600 DK/$5,700 FD) vs. Miami

Henry was one of my favorite sleepers heading into 2017 and that may still pan out, but for the time being he belongs on your bench. The second year tight end failed to record a single catch on Monday Night, and perhaps more alarming was the fact that he continues to play behind the 37-year old, Antonio Gates. Henry did not see the field at all in the fourth quarter, which is a major red flag when considering him for your lineups this week. Keep him on your bench and off your DFS lineups until we see him make an impact in the receiving game.

Jesse James ($3,200 DK/$5,400 FD) vs. Minnesota

This selection may seem somewhat obvious, but I’m sure there are people considering the third year tight end after seeing him haul in two touchdowns in Week 1. Just remember that coming into the season, he had gone 11 games without scoring a touchdown and without compiling more than 60 receiving yards in a single game. He is a low floor, low ceiling play, and is best avoided in DFS lineups.

Defense/Special Teams

Denver Broncos ($3,400 DK/$4,900 FD) vs. Dallas

It’s never easy to suggest sitting one of the best defenses in all of football, yet I am going to recommend it this week as the Broncos travel to Dallas. For starters, the Cowboys have the best offensive line in football, and they are a run-first team. The more run plays, the less likely a turnover or sack will happen.

When Dallas does pass, Dak Prescott has been extremely efficient and has only thrown two interceptions in a single game just once. Denver always are a threat to create turnovers and sacks, but they might be limited to very few of each in this difficult matchup.

Next: NFL 2017: Picks against the spread for Week 2

Philadelphia Eagles ($2,900 DK/$4,400 FD) at Kansas City

Here is another unfavorable matchup for a pretty good defense. You would have to go all the way back to 2015 to find the last time Alex Smith has thrown two interceptions in a single game. The often-conservative approach of Smith and the Kansas City offense limits mistakes and turnovers, which translates to few points for opposing defenses.

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