Fantasy Football, Week 2: DFS Bargains on DraftKings
By Drew DeLuca
DFS fantasy football success comes from maximizing value at every spot in your lineup. Huddle up as we call the Week 2 plays to help you cash in on DraftKings.
When it comes to playing DFS fantasy football on DraftKings, there are many things you have to do if you want to build a winning lineup. Some are more obvious than others, like needing to pick players that are going to perform well in a given week. But perhaps the most critical and certainly less obvious aspect is finding value wherever you can in your lineup.
No matter which week we’re talking about, there is great value to be had in DFS fantasy football at every position. The key is picking the right ones and riding them to a win in a DraftKings matchup or tournament. That’s what we’re going to do here for Week 2 (and every week, for that matter).
These players are all priced outside the top 12 at their position for Week 2. Slip a few in your lineup along with some can’t-miss, higher-priced talent to reap the benefits. Consult our position-by-position breakdown to help you craft a winning DFS lineup on DraftKings.
Quarterbacks
Baker Mayfield, CLE (at NYJ), $6,000: In Sam Darnold‘s absence, the Jets are likely to give Mayfield with more opportunities, thanks to reduced offensive efficiency and turnovers. Week 1 busts can yield Week 2 boons, and odds are against Mayfield falling flat in two consecutive games. Stacking him with Odell Beckham, Jr. in his return to the stadium he once called home is an intriguing option.
Jared Goff, LAR (vs. NO), $5,900: Following this theme, let’s add in the notion that offenses often take a bit longer to fire on all cylinders at the start of a season. Betting against the multitude of weapons at Goff’s disposal due to a disappointing Week 1 outcome is a fool’s errand.
Andy Dalton, CIN (vs. SF), $5,400: The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback seems to be benefiting from offseason coaching changes, as Zac Taylor’s offense suits Dalton well. The team is moving the chains even with A.J. Green out: Dalton threw for over 400 yards last week, two Bengals receivers, John Ross and Tyler Boyd, saw 11 or more targets, and Tyler Eifert is (knock on wood) healthy.
Josh Allen, BUF (at NYG), $5,300: Allen ran for only 38 yards last week, but managed to cross the stripe. The anomaly here isn’t the touchdown; he averaged 53 rushing yards per game last season. He is showing signs of maturity as a passer, so expect a full-on assault of a subpar New York Giants defense this week, regardless of game script.
Matthew Stafford, DET (vs. LAC), $5,200: Stafford threw for 385 yards and three touchdowns last week and didn’t throw an interception. Some of that came in overtime, but a steady veteran like Stafford should exploit a Chargers secondary that will most likely be missing three key members: Derwin James, Trevor Williams and Michael Davis.