DraftKings & FanDuel NFL DFS Week 2 Tournament Strategy & Cash Picks

Sep 13, 2024

David Gonzales-Imagn Images

We now have a week of NFL data. It’s important not to overreact, but at the same time, it’s very exciting. We know so much more now than we did a week ago. Let’s go game-by-game, looking at what we learned last week (but not forgetting our priors) to figure out the best plays for this weekend.

We won’t talk about players if they don’t project well and don’t have a clear path to a slate-breaking outcome. We’ll break the players who should be played into two categories, targets and mass multi-entry (MME) plays. We’ll also note players who should be considered for cash games, and locks will be marked as such.

Targets are players to consider if playing 20 or fewer lineups. MME plays are players you should try to include in your player pool if you’re going to play 150 lineups in a large-field tournament.

Las Vegas Raiders (+8.5) at Baltimore Ravens (41.5)

Raiders

Implied Team Total: 16.5 (32/32)

We’re starting with the team with the lowest implied team total on the slate. Not the best place to find targets. Still, a couple interesting plays on the Raiders due to low projected ownership.

Targets

Brock Bowers ($4,400 DK/$5,300 FD): had a very promising rookie debut, running routes on 72.5% of dropbacks and seeing a team-high eight targets. At these price tags and low ownership, Bowers is a strong play this week.

MME Plays

Davante Adams ($7,300 DK/$7,100 FD): ran routes on 87.5% of Raiders dropbacks Week 1 and saw six targets. Adams does not project well for his price, so he’s only viable for very large field tournaments, but he’s one of the best receivers in the NFL, relatively inexpensive, and he’ll get next-to-no ownership.

Cash Considerations

Brock Bowers (FD)

Ravens

Implied Team Total: 25 (9/32)

This Raiders defense gave up 176 yards on the ground last week to an uninspiring Chargers offense. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are licking their lips.

Targets

Lamar Jackson ($7,700 DK/$8,800 FD): has the highest projection of any quarterback on the slate. While this Raiders defense limited Justin Herbert to 10.4 fantasy points last week, the Ravens are a lot trickier to stop. Some worried about how the addition of Henry would affect Jackson’s rushing upside, but it only helped in week 1, as Jackson rushed 16 times for 122 yards.

Derrick Henry ($6,700 DK/$7,500 FD): was out-snapped by Justice Hill in week 1, 36 to 38. Henry took 13 of 14 running back carries, but only ran eight routes and saw a single target, while Hill ran 26 routes and saw seven targets. Henry and Hill will likely be game script-sensitive all season, and with the Ravens heavily favored, this sets up as a great Henry spot.

MME Plays

Zay Flowers ($6,300 DK/$6,300 FD): led the Ravens with 90.4% route participation in Week 1, and he saw ten targets.

Mark Andrews ($5,000 DK/$6,800 FD): was third on the Ravens in route participation last week at 69.2%--not far off from his 72.9% route participation a season ago. Andrews had a tough first game, but the rumors of his demise are premature. It’s unclear to what extent Andrews is still recovering from injuries related to a preseason car crash, but the Chiefs’ defense made it a priority to stop him, frequently using double coverage last week.

Isaiah Likely ($4,800 DK/$5,800 FD): had the start to the season many expected from Andrews, leading the team with 12 targets, nine receptions, and 111 receiving yards despite running routes on just 59.6% of dropbacks. While it feels like a trap play, Likely is projected for very little ownership around the industry, so it might be worth finding out if the target share (or something close to it) is real.

Rashod Bateman ($3,900 DK/$4,800 FD): was second on the team in route participation last week at 80.8%, and led the team with 118 air yards, on five targets. Bateman never really got it going last year, but should be a weekly boom/bust option as long as the opportunities are still there.

Cash Considerations

Lamar Jackson (FD)

New Orleans Saints (+6) at Dallas Cowboys (46.5)

Saints

Implied Team Total: 20.25 (T21/32)

The Cowboys have one of the toughest defenses in the NFL, and the Saints have a weak offensive line. Derek Carr is unlikely to have much time to get the ball to his receivers downfield.

MME Plays

Alvin Kamara ($7,000 DK/ $7,800 FD): is in play on DraftKings for his point-per-reception upside. He’s not normally efficient, and he split carries with Jamaal Williams 15-to-11 last week, but Carr will likely need to get the ball out quickly, and Kamara, who saw 14 targets in a game two different times last year, is his preferred outlet.

Cowboys

Implied Team Total: 26.25 (4/32)

The Saints are likely a middling defense despite holding the Panthers to ten total points last week. The Cowboys managed to score 33 on a tough Browns defense last week, so even a middling defense could have a tough time stopping this offense.

Targets

CeeDee Lamb ($8,800 DK/$9,100 FD): had nine targets on 82.9% route participation last week, leading the Cowboys in both categories. Lamb is the top projected receiver on DraftKings by more than three fantasy points.

Dak Prescott ($6,700 DK/ $7,700 FD): is expected to draw single-digit ownership despite the Cowboys having the fourth-highest implied team total of the week. Prescott and Lamb make for a great “pay up to be contrarian” combo in mid- and large-field tournaments.

MME Plays

Rico Dowdle ($4,800 DK/ $5,300 FD) and Ezekiel Elliott ($5,700 DK/ $6,200 FD): each ran routes on 25.7% of dropbacks in Week 1, and Elliott out-carried Dowdle ten to eight. In what is expected to be a positive game script, both backs should have opportunities again. Dowdle is the slight preference due to the price tag.

Luke Schoonmaker ($2,900 DK/$4,800 FD): is the likeliest candidate to be the top tight end in Dallas while Jake Ferguson is out. He's in play mostly in stacks.

Cash Considerations

CeeDee Lamb (Both)

Los Angeles Chargers (-6) at Carolina Panthers (39)

Chargers

Implied Team Total: 22.75 (12/32)

The Panthers’ defense gave up 47 points to the Saints last week. The Chargers’ offense isn’t great; facing the Panthers might be the NFL equivalent of playing in Coors Field this year.

Targets

J.K. Dobbins ($5,400 DK/$6,800 FD): managed 135 rushing yards last week on just ten carries, and added three targets on 57.1% route participation. He should be able to run all over this Panthers defense.

Joshua Palmer ($5,000 DK/$5,600 FD): led the Chargers in route participation last week at 96.4%, and Palmer–who had receptions of 51, 60, and 79 yards last year–could thrive against a Panthers defense that gave up multiple splash plays last week.

Ladd McConkey ($4,900 DK/$5,700 FD): ran routes on 75% of dropbacks, and wasn’t as limited to the slot as many expected–he lined up wide on 38.1% of his routes. McConkey’s seven targets led the team in his very first NFL game.

MME Plays

Gus Edwards ($5,200 DK/$6,100 FD): managed just 26 yards on 11 carries, and ran routes on 17.9% of dropbacks in week 1. But this is the kind of matchup even Edwards might be able to exploit, at very low expected ownership.

Justin Herbert ($5,800 DK/$7,600 FD): is projected for virtually no ownership despite the cake matchup. A Herbert double stack is a strong bet for large-field GPPs.

Quentin Johnston ($4,200 DK/$5,100 FD): will probably leave you pulling your hair out if you play him, but he’s a strong play in theory. Johnston ran routes on 82.1% of dropbacks in Week 1 and saw five targets.

Hayden Hurst ($3,000 DK/$4,600 FD): was fourth on the Chargers with 64.3% route participation in Week 1 and saw three targets. He’s a fine play, especially in a stack with Herbert.

Cash Considerations

J.K. Dobbins (DK), Chargers DST (DK)

Panthers

Implied Team Total: 16.75 (31/32)

The Panthers have the second-lowest implied team total of the week despite a great matchup with the Chargers defense. This team will frequently be one we can skip completely, but when terrible offense meets terrible defense, chaos can ensue, and at low ownership. So, there are players worth targeting in full-game stacks.

MME Plays

Chuba Hubbard ($5,300 DK/$5,900 FD): led a backfield that had 15 total carries in its first game after new head coach Dave Canales announced he was “excited about proving to you how stubborn I can be with the running game.” Hubbard had six carries and zero targets, but he did run routes on 43.6% of the team’s dropbacks. Hubbard showed his floor last week, but in large field tournaments, he’s a good bet for a bounceback at low ownership.

Diontae Johnson ($5,300 DK/$5,500 FD): was second on the team last in both route participation, at 66.7%, and targets, with six. He’s my favorite in a group of fairly thin bets at wide receiver for the Panthers.

New York Giants (+1.5) at Washington Commanders (43.5)

Giants

Implied Team Total: 21 (T18/32)

The Commanders gave up the most fantasy points to wide receivers of any defense last year, and they gave up the second-most in Week 1. They also gave up the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs last year, though they improved somewhat in week one, giving up the 13th-most. This is another spot we will likely target all year.

Targets

Malik Nabers ($5,900 DK/$6,400 FD): led the Giants in route participation in his first game by a wide margin, at 98%. He was also second in targets, with seven. Nabers has been limited at practice this week with a knee injury, but all indications are that it’s just precautionary.

Devin Singletary ($5,700 DK/$6,100 FD): had a solid workload in week 1, taking 10 of the team’s 14 running back carries and adding five targets on 42.9% route participation.

MME Plays

Daniel Jones ($5,300 DK/$6,900 FD): had about as terrible a first game as a quarterback can have, throwing for 186 yards and zero touchdowns with two interceptions on 42 pass attempts. He added just 15 rushing yards on six attempts. We wouldn’t need to consider him in most matchups. But a quarterback who rushed for 700 yards just two years ago, playing against a defense that can’t stop the run or the pass, at zero ownership, is a quarterback we need to consider in large field tournaments (at his DK price tag).

WanDale Robinson ($4,300 DK/$5,400 FD): saw 11 targets last week while running routes on just 65.3% of dropbacks. He’s a strong value bet in this matchup, particularly on DraftKings due to his point-per-reception upside.

Theo Johnson ($2,600 DK/$4,500 FD): is in play if you need a tight end near the minimum salary, as he ran routes on 67.3% of dropbacks and saw four targets in his NFL debut.

Commanders

Implied Team Total: 22.5 (13/32)

The Giants gave up the fifth-most fantasy points to wide receivers last year, and the eighth-most to running backs. They gave up the fourteenth-most to wide receivers in Week 1, and the 11th-most to running backs.

Targets

Jayden Daniels ($6,200 DK/$7,900 FD): had a quarterback rating of just 43.1 in his first NFL game, yet he still scored 28.2 fantasy points due to 88 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

MME Plays

Terry McLaurin ($5,700 DK/$6,000 FD): led the Commanders in route participation last week at 75.8% and tied for the lead with four targets. Not exactly elite usage, but McLaurin is the team’s best receiver and if he can get on the same page with Daniels, they could be a fun fantasy tandem.

Brian Robinson ($5,800 DK/$6,200 FD): led the backfield with 12 rushing attempts last week and also saw four targets, although he only ran routes on 21.2% of dropbacks.

Zach Ertz ($3,500 DK/$4,800 FD): was second on the team in route participation last week at 72.7% and tied for the team lead with four targets.

Luke McCaffrey ($3,800 DK/$4,300 FD): saw three targets on 60.6% route participation in week 1. Offensive Coordinator Matt LaFleur spoke highly of McCaffrey after the game, and suggested he will have more opportunities going forward. It's unclear how involved McCaffrey will be this week, but he doesn't need a huge role to pay off this price tag, and he'll be very low-owned.

Cash Considerations

Jayden Daniels (Both), Commanders DST (Both)

Indianapolis Colts (-3) at Green Bay Packers (41)

Colts

Implied Team Total: 22 (T15/32)

The Colts face a Packers defense that gave up the most fantasy points in the league to running backs last week. That was likely a fluke, as Saquon Barkley scored three touchdowns, but the team also gave up the 12th-most fantasy points to running backs last year. The Packers gave up the 22nd-most fantasy points to wide receivers last year, but the eighth-most in Week 1. Again, likely due to the tough Eagles matchup.

Targets

Anthony Richardson ($6,800 DK/$8,500 FD): has played just five NFL games, and completed three of them. He has averaged 26.2 fantasy points in the three games he has completed. It’s a small sample size, but if he can keep it up, this price tag won’t last long.

MME Plays

Jonathan Taylor ($7,700 DK/$8,200 FD): had the ultimate bell-cow role in week 1, playing 95.3% of snaps, taking all 16 of the team’s running back carries, and running routes on 70.8% of dropbacks–though he wasn’t targeted. The lack of running back targets from a rushing quarterback are largely expected, but still concerning. Taylor is still in play because he’s live for over 100 rushing yards and a touchdown in this matchup.

Michael Pittman ($6,600 DK/$6,400 FD): was the focal point of the passing game in week 1, as expected, as he led the team in route participation at 83.3% and targets, with eight.

Adonai Mitchell ($4,000 DK/$5,300 FD): saw five targets in his first game, on 75% route participation. A solid stacking partner with Richardson.

Cash Considerations

Colts DST (DK)

Packers

Implied Team Total: 19 (27/32)

The Colts' defense gave up the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs last year, though they gave up just the 19th to wide receivers. The defense was widely expected to struggle this season, and they did in Week 1, giving up the fourth-most fantasy points to wide receivers and fifth-most to running backs. The problem? Jordan Love is hurt, and Malik Willis will start this week.

MME Plays

Josh Jacobs ($6,500 DK/$7,100 FD): took 16 of the Packers’ 20 running back carries and saw three targets on 45.9% route participation in Week 1. Jacobs might see an uptick in usage with Love out.

San Francisco 49ers (-5.5) at Minnesota Vikings (45.5)

49ers

Implied Team Total: 25.5 (T6/32)

The 49ers take on a Vikings defense that was expected to take a step forward this season, and they did in Week 1, allowing just 240 total yards to the Giants. The 49ers can score on anybody, though, as they showed last week against the Jets. Christian McCaffrey still has an outside chance to play this week, but more likely it will be the Jordan Mason show again.

Targets

Jordan Mason ($5,200 DK/$5,500 FD): took all 28 of the 49ers’ running back rushing attempts in Week 1, and added one target on 60.6% route participation. Assuming he starts this game, Mason will be incredibly chalky. It is difficult to fail with that type of workload, running behind one of the best offensive lines in the league as long as Trent Williams is healthy.

Deebo Samuel ($6,800/$7,300 FD): had eight rushing attempts in week 1 with McCaffrey out, and saw nine targets on top of it. Samuel would be a fine play at this price tag with McCaffrey healthy, but with McCaffrey out, he is one of the top point-per-dollar receivers on the slate.

MME Plays

George Kittle ($5,500 DK/$6,400 FD): typically sees increased usage when other stars are out. In week 1, Kittle led the team in route participation at 87.9%, and tied for second with five targets.

Brandon Aiyuk ($6,500 DK/$7,000 FD): was expected to be “limited” in Week 1 according to head coach Kyle Shanahan, but his 75.8% route participation was third on the team, and his four targets were fourth. Aiyuk may still be limited on a short week, but he should benefit from McCaffrey’s expected absence.

Cash Considerations

Jordan Mason (Both Lock), Deebo Samuel (Both Lock)

Vikings

Implied Team Total: 20 (23/32)

The 49ers’ defense held Breece Hall to just 3.38 yards per carry last week. They allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to receivers, but many of those came in garbage time. This should be an elite defense.

MME Plays

Justin Jefferson ($8,300 DK/$8,900 FD): led the Vikings in route participation at 92.3% and targets with six last week. Jefferson remains one of the best receivers in the NFL, and he’s worth considering any time his ownership is in the single digits, even in a tough matchup.

Jalen Nailor ($3,900 DK/$5,300 FD): doesn't project extremely well around the industry despite stepping into a bigger role with Jordan Addison out. As a result, Nailor will come in at low ownership, and he has the speed to break a big play or two and far exceed expectations.

Cleveland Browns (+3) at Jacksonville Jaguars (41.5)

Browns

Implied Team Total: 19.25 (26/32)

This Browns put up 17 points last week, and it might just be broken until they replace Deshaun Watson at quarterback. But David Njoku’s injury opens up some opportunities for potentially fantasy-relevant players.

Targets

Jordan Akins ($3,000 DK/$4,700): ran routes on 77.8% of dropbacks in the fourth quarter after Njoku left the game last week, and saw three total second-half targets. Akins could be in for a significant role while Njoku is out.

Jerome Ford ($5,900 DK/$6,300 FD): handled 12 of the Browns’ 14 running back rushing attempts last week, and added seven targets on 63.6% route participation.

MME Plays

Amari Cooper ($6,200 DK/$6,300 FD): led the Browns in targets with nine last week, and tied for the team in route participation at 92.7%.

Cash Considerations

Jordan Akins (DK)

Jaguars

Implied Team Total: 22.25 (14/32)

This Browns defense is one of the best in the league, and the prices on the Jaguars’ best offensive pieces makes it difficult to prioritize them.

MME Plays

Evan Engram ($5,400 DK/$5,900 FD): was third on the Jaguars in route participation at 68%, and his four targets tied for the team lead. Engram is in play at a thin tight end position.

Cash Considerations

Jaguars DST (Both)

Seattle Seahawks (-3.5) at New England Patriots (38.5)

Seahawks

Implied Team Total: 21 (T18/32)

This Patriots defense answered some questions about how it would do without Bill Belichick last week, holding the Bengals to ten points while sacking Joe Burrow three times. The Seahawks should have a good offense this year, but the tough matchup is reflected in their mediocre implied team total.

Targets

Zach Charbonnet ($5,800 DK/$6,300 FD): should see elite usage with Kenneth Walker sidelined. Even in a tough matchup, Charbonnet projects extremely well.

MME Plays

DK Metcalf ($5,900 DK/$6,600 FD): led the Seahawks in route participation at 85.7% last week and tied for second with four targets, behind only Tyler Lockett’s six.

Noah Fant ($3,600/$4,800 FD): matched Metcalf’s four targets and was third in route participation at 67.9% last week.

Cash Considerations

Seahawks DST (DK), Zach Charbonnet (Both)

Patriots

Implied Team Total: 17.5 (29/32)

The Seahawks allowed just 64 yards on the ground to running backs last week against the Broncos. Unfortunately, the Patriots’ offense might not be a lot better than the Broncos right now, so there are not many Patriots fantasy players we can comfortably play this week.

Targets

Rhamondre Stevenson ($6,200 DK/$6,900 FD): took 25 of 32 Patriots running back carries last week, and added three carries on 72.4% route participation. This type of volume is hard to ignore even on a struggling offense.

Cash Considerations

Rhamondre Stevenson (FD), Patriots DST (FD)

New York Jets (-4) at Tennessee Titans (40.5)

Jets

Implied Team Total: 22 (T15/32)

The Titans’ defense held the Bears’ offense to 93 passing yards and 84 rushing yards last week.

Targets

Breece Hall ($7,400 DK/$8,500 FD): is simply too cheap for his talent and role in this Jets offense. Hall had 16 of the Patriots’ 17 rushing attempts last week, and added six targets on 64.5% route participation.

MME Plays

Garrett Wilson ($7,100 DK/$8,100 FD): saw 11 targets last week, and should benefit significantly from a quarterback upgrade this year.

Allen Lazard ($3,300 DK/$4,500 FD): matched Wilson for the team lead in route participation at 90.3% last week, and was second on the team with nine targets.

Tyler Conklin ($3,500 DK/$4,800 FD): saw just two targets last week, but he was third on the team in route participation at 77.4%.

Cash Considerations

Breece Hall (Both Lock), Allen Lazard (DK)

Titans

Implied Team Total: 18.5 (28/32)

The Titans are largely a team to avoid this week against a stout Jets defense. It is worth noting, however, that this Jets defense was uncharacteristically bad against the run last week, giving up 5.3 yards per carry to Jordan Mason. It is unclear how much that was a defensive issue, or an issue with the 49ers’ dominant offensive line.

MME Plays

Tony Pollard ($5,900 DK/$6,700 FD): was the clear leader in this backfield last week, taking 16 of the Titans’ 20 running back carries and adding four targets on 36.8% route participation.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+7.5) at Detroit Lions (51.5)

Buccaneers

Implied Team Total: 22 (T15/32)

The Buccaneers face a Lions defense that is expected to be above average, but they gave up the most fantasy points in the league to wide receivers against the Rams last week.

Targets

Chris Godwin ($6,000 DK/$6,200 FD): lined up from the slot 50% of the time last week, up from 38.4% last year. Godwin has excelled from the slot in the past, and said this offseason he welcomed the opportunity to move back more often. Godwin put up 22.3 point-per-reception fantasy points, a number he beat just once last year. A promising sign, though worth remembering that game was against the Commanders.

MME Plays

Mike Evans ($7,500 DK/$8,000 FD): was second on the team with six targets last week, and tied for the team lead in route participation at 70.6%.

Jalen McMillan ($3,600 DK/$5,200 FD): tied Godwin for third in route participation last week at 64.7%. McMillan saw just three targets, but his 54 air yards were second on the team.

Rachaad White ($6,300 DK/$7,600 FD): took 15 of the team’s 24 running back carries in Week 1, and added six targets on 58.8% route participation. While it’s not the best matchup against a Lions defense that gave up the 26th-most fantasy points to running backs last week, White’s volume significantly increases his floor and ceiling.

Baker Mayfield ($5,800 DK/$7,400 FD): scored the second-most fantasy points of any quarterback in the league last week. We don’t want to overreact to a performance against the Commanders, but Mayfield looked good, and his condensed target tree make him easier to stack, and the price tag on DraftKings in particular is fair.

Cash Considerations

Chris Godwin (DK)

Lions

Implied Team Total: 29.5 (1/32)

The Lions have the highest implied team total on the slate.

Targets

Amon-Ra St. Brown ($8,100 DK/$9,000 FD): was second on the Lions in targets last week with six, and he tied for the team lead with 90.3% route participation. St. Brown could have a massive week against this Buccaneers secondary.

Jameson Williams ($5,300 DK/$5,700 FD): had the best game of his career last week, catching five of his team-high nine targets last week for 121 yards and a touchdown. Williams has always been a big play threat, and more spike weeks are likely in store for him.

Jahmyr Gibbs ($6,600 DK/$7,900 FD): had 11 carries and six targets on 54.8% route participation last week. This should be a good season for Lions running backs behind an elite offensive line.

MME Plays

Sam LaPorta ($6,300 DK/$7,900 FD): scored the most fantasy points of any tight end in the NFL last year. LaPorta’s five targets in week 1 were third on the team, as was his 77.4% route participation. It is not time to panic yet on how Williams’ potential emergence could impact LaPorta’s value.

David Montgomery ($6,000 DK/$7,200 FD): led the Lions with 17 of the team’s 28 carries last week, and added one target on 35.5% route participation.

Cash Considerations

Jahmyr Gibbs (DK)

Los Angeles Rams (+1.5) at Arizona Cardinals (49)

Rams

Implied Team Total: 23.75 (10/32)

Two exciting offenses face two of the worst defenses in the league. This is a game to target in DFS this week. The Rams will be without Puka Nacua.

Targets

Cooper Kupp ($7,600 DK/$7,700 FD): saw 21 (not a typo) targets last week on 98% route participation. Kupp is simply too cheap for his role in this offense, particularly in an elite matchup. He’ll be chalky, but it’s well-deserved.

Demarcus Robinson ($4,000 DK/$5,200 FD): steps into the wide receiver two role with Nacua out. Robinson saw seven targets last week on 86.3% route participation.

Kyren Williams ($6,800 DK/$8,000 FD): took 18 of the team’s 20 running back carries last week and added three targets on 74.5% route participation. The role remains elite.

Colby Parkinson ($3,100 DK/$4,800 FD): was targeted five times on 84.3% route participation last week and should be a strong fantasy option at least until Tyler Higbee returns.

Tyler Johnson ($3,300 DK/$4,000 FD): is the “next man up” with Nacua out, according to offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. While Johnson nominally steps into the wide receiver three role, it is possible he immediately leapfrogs Robinson and has a pretty significant role in this offense. He’s a strong play at low ownership this week.

Cash Considerations

Cooper Kupp (Both Lock), Kyren Williams (Both), Demarcus Robinson (DK), Colby Parkinson (Both), Tyler Johnson (FD)

Cardinals

Implied Team Total: 25.25 (8/32)

This Rams defense gave up the sixth-most DraftKings points to running backs last week and the fifteenth-most to wide receivers. Marvin Harrison Jr. had a nightmarish first game last week with a single catch for four yards on three targets. There were 25 mile-per-hour winds in that game, however, and the Cardinals were playing a tough Bills defense that focused on stopping the rookie. This could be a bounce-back spot for Harrison, or it could be time to boost how we view the teammates competing with him for targets.

Targets

Trey McBride ($6,000 DK/$6,200 FD): led the team with nine targets on 84.2% route participation last week.

James Conner ($6,400 DK/$6,500 FD): handled 16 of the Rams’ 19 running back carries last week and added three targets on 39.5% route participation.

MME Plays

Marvin Harrison Jr. ($6,900 DK/$6,500 FD): led the team in route participation last week at 89.5% and may be a bigger focal point of the offense with lesser winds and a lesser defense. The price tag feels steep after last week’s outing, but ownership will be low as a result.

Michael Wilson ($4,300 DK/$4,900 FD): was targeted just twice last week, but he saw the team’s only end zone target, and his 86.8% route participation was second on the team.

Cash Considerations

Trey McBride (Both), James Conner (FD)

Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5) at Denver Broncos (36.5)

Steelers

Implied Team Total: 19.5 (25/32)

This Steelers offense will likely be a mess all season, but the matchup isn’t bad for some large-field tournament plays.

MME Plays

Najee Harris ($5,500 DK/$6,600 FD): was the undisputed lead back for the Steelers in week 1, taking 20 of the team’s 26 running back carries and adding two targets on 26.7% route participation.

Justin Fields ($5,400 DK/$7,000 FD): scored just 11.9 fantasy points last week, but he did carry the ball 14 times. Fields still has enormous upside if he can get into the end zone multiple times.

George Pickens ($5,800 DK/$6,600 FD): probably only makes sense in Fields stacks. Pickens led the team with seven targets last week, and was second in route participation at 66.7%.

Cash Considerations

Justin Fields (Both)

Broncos

Implied Team Total: 17 (30/32)

This is an offense we can avoid altogether against a stout Steelers defense.

Cash Considerations

Broncos DST (Both)

Cincinnati Bengals (+5.5) at Kansas City Chiefs (47.5)

Bengals

Implied Team Total: 20.75 (20/32)

The Bengals struggled last week against a tough Patriots defense, and they get another tough defense this week. The passing attack should see significant volume while they try to keep up with the Chiefs’ offense, though, and Tee Higgins’ absence opens up some value.

Targets

Andrei Iosivas ($3,800 DK/$5,200 FD): stepped into the wide receiver two role with Higgins out and tied for the team lead with six targets on a team-high 94.3% route participation.

MME Plays

Ja’Marr Chase ($7,800 DK/$8,700 FD): said he would be limited if he played last week, but still ended up tying for the team lead with six targets, and his 85.7% route participation was second on the team.

Cash Considerations

Andrei Iosivas (DK)

Chiefs

Implied Team Total: 26.75 (T2/32)

This Chiefs offense is a mismatch for a bottom-ten Bengals defense.

Targets

Travis Kelce ($6,200 DK/$7,400 FD): played 89% of the Chiefs’ snaps in Week 1, a percentage he only matched or exceeded twice all of last year.

Patrick Mahomes ($7,000 DK/$8,700 FD): has the second-best projection of any quarterback on the slate.

Rashee Rice ($6,700 DK/$6,900 FD): led the team with nine targets last week and tied for the team lead in route participation at 74.2%. He should thrive as the team’s top receiver again this year.

Isiah Pacheco ($6,900 DK/$7,400 FD): handled 15 of the team’s 17 running back carries last week and added three targets on 61.3% route participation. This game script could favor a heavy workload for Pacheco.

MME Plays

Xavier Worthy ($6,100 DK/$6,200 FD): feels expensive for a player who saw just three targets last week, but he tied for the team lead in route participation, and the ultra-speedy Worthy may just be extremely efficient with limited touches, even if we can’t expect him to keep up his rate from last week (two touchdowns on four touches).

Cash Considerations

Rashee Rice (Both), Patrick Mahomes (Both), Isiah Pacheco (FD)

Chicago Bears (+6.5) at Houston Texans (45.5) (Fanduel Only)

Bears

Implied Team Total: 19.5 (T24/32)

The Bears are far too expensive across the board for a team with the 24th-highest implied team total of the week against a tough Texans defense.

MME Plays

DJ Moore ($6,800 FD): is explosive enough to get there on a splash play or two, and could benefit if either Keenan Allen or Rome Odunze–both questionable on the injury report–miss the game.

Texans

Implied Team Total: 26 (T5/32)

Great offense meets great defense. Somebody from the Texans likely puts up a decent fantasy score, but it will be difficult to predict who from week to week.

MME Plays

Tank Dell ($6,100 FD): is the best bet from this group due to his price tag and big play upside at reduced ownership. Dell ran just two fewer routes than Diggs and Collins last week, 81.6% participation, and tied for the team high with seven targets.

Brevin Jordan ($4,500 FD): is in play if Dalton Schultz, currently questionable, has to miss the game.

Single Entry Targets:

A full Rams-Cardinals game stack with 1-3 options from both sides should be considered in a single entry. Kyler Murray is the preferred quarterback. One or both of James Conner and Kyren Williams can be included. Trey McBride the cleanest stacking option, but Marvin Harrison Jr. will receive virtually no ownership. Cooper Kupp a very strong option in all formats. Tyler Johnson is a fun dart throw with huge upside. Demarcus Robinson will get more ownership but he’s also safer and a great point-per-dollar play. Colby Parkinson also had a great role for the Rams last week, though it’s probably best to choose one or the other of Parkinson and McBride, rather than going double tight end.

A skinny stack of Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb will also be low-owned, but the upside is clear.

Cash Locks are players you should almost certainly include in your cash game lineup. Cash Options are generally strong cash game options to consider. If you have more than two players in your cash lineup that don't fall into either category, you are likely making a mistake.

DraftKings Cash Locks: Breece Hall, Jordan Mason, Cooper Kupp, Deebo Samuel

DraftKings Cash Options: Jayden Daniels, Patrick Mahomes, Justin Fields, Kyler Murray, Kyren Williams, J.K. Dobbins, Zach Charbonnet, Jahmyr Gibbs, Andrei Iosivas, Rashee Rice, Allen Lazard, Chris Godwin, Demarcus Robinson, CeeDee Lamb, Colby Parkinson, Jordan Akins, Mike Gesicki, Trey McBride, Jaguars DST, Chargers DST, Broncos DST, Seahawks DST, Commanders DST