NFL Preseason DFS Week 2 Breakdown: Thursday Slate

Aug 15, 2019

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Week 2 of preseason NFL DFS is all about deciphering which unit each coaching staff plans to leave on the field the longest.

Week 2 of the preseason is usually the trickiest week in terms of projecting playing time because coaches approach it from different perspectives. Week 1 and 4 we usually see mostly reserve players. The starters get the most time in Week 3, sometimes upwards of three quarters. But Week 2 could see anything from starters being rested to them playing an entire half. It’s crucial to have your finger on the pulse of how each coach plans on approaching their second exhibition game. Here are some notes dug up from press conferences and interviews regarding snap shares for Week 2.

Editor's note: Follow this twitter list of NFL News and Beat Writers created by 4for4's John Paulsen.

Update: Beat writers have mentioned they think it's going to be the "Cody Kessler show" in Jacksonville tonight, indication he may play into the 2nd half. He is in play now for sure.

Update: Looks like the Jaguars will only have Alfred Blue, Thomas Rawls, and Devanta Mays available tonight, so I'm adding Rawls and Mays to viable plays.

Eagles at Jaguars

Nate Sudfeld is injured and won’t suit up. Doug Pederson made it sound like Wentz will also not play. That leaves only Cody Kessler or Clayton Thorson. While they aren’t amazing talents, they will both see around two quarters at quarterback if Wentz doesn’t play. While neither quarterback drums up any optimism in me, two quarters of work is as much as you can ask for in Week 2.

JJ Arcega-Whiteside is interesting to me because he played with the first team in Week 1. I could see a scenario in which he rotates in with the ones even if Agholor and Jeffrey play against the Jaguars. Arcega-Whiteside could then get additional reps as a second unit player. His red-zone threat gives him the touchdown equity that can make all the difference in preseason games.

I want to get excited about Miles Sanders, but if he is having as stellar of a camp as beat writers claim, Pederson might have some trepidation about playing him a ton. He’s worth a spot in your player pool, but I won’t go crazy.

Josh Perkins is a sneaky play at tight end. Dallas Goedert and Richard Rogers are injured, and Zach Ertz isn’t going to get much time, if any. That leaves the Eagles short-handed at tight end. Perkins could be in line for extended run.

I’m a big fan of Gardner Minshew and generally any player who plays for Mike Leach. However, the Jaguars looked absolutely abysmal in their first preseason game. I’m not sure I can trust Minshew.

I’m looking for more information on Ryquell Armstead’s concussion from last week. He entered the concussion protocol during the game. There hasn’t been much reported on it, but if he can’t go Alfred Blue would probably see a hefty dose of work with the first and second units. Then Devonta Mays would get involved thereafter. Armstead’s availability clouds the backfield a bit, so we’ll have to keep our eyes peeled for news on that as kickoff approaches.

I’m not in love with any Jaguars pass-catchers either. Tre McBride had five targets last week and turned them into a 3/42/0 line. He could potentially get the entire second half to rack up catches.

With Marqise Lee on the PUP and Dede Westbrook banged up as well, D.J. Chark and Chris Conley will most likely play with the first team. Keelan Cole is someone who has flashed in his career before and should get a bit of work if Dede Westbrook is out. Overall, the Jags pass-catching unit is crowded and they don’t have the best signal-callers slinging them the ball.