We are officially on to Week 2 of the NFL Preseason. Ultimately, not much changes from Week 1 to Week 2. Some teams will opt to get their starters some work, will others will choose to lean on their backups.
Saturday will feature the biggest day of preseason action to date, including an eight-game main slate starting at 7:00 p.m. ET. As usual, the games with the biggest totals tend to correlate with the teams that are expected to play their starters most, so that’s not necessarily the best indicator for preseason DFS.
The Steelers are the only team that has confirmed that their starters will be in action, with the goal being four series. The Dolphins have also stated that “select” starters will play, while the Commanders will have “limited snaps for some starters.” That makes me think that the quarterbacks and top position players will probably be among those held out.
If you’re new to preseason DFS, there are a few key trends to keep in mind:
1. Defenses & Kickers are Your Friends
In general, scoring in the preseason is lower than it is during the regular season. There are worse quarterbacks getting most of the snaps, which can also lead to more turnovers.
Defense is also the only position that is guaranteed to be on the field for the entire game. It doesn’t matter if the first-, second-, or third-string defenders are out there, they all rack up fantasy points for the defensive unit.
That results in a massive boon for the value of fantasy defenses. Fantasy defenses average just under eight points per game during the preseason, which is nearly two full points more than every other position (per Establish the Run).
We can only play one kicker and defense in the traditional format, but loading up multiple during showdown slates is definitely viable.
2. Target Playing Time Over Talent
This is probably true for regular-season DFS as well, but it’s imperative in the preseason. Finding out how teams plan to distribute their snaps to each position group is the biggest challenge of the preseason. If you can identify which quarterbacks, running backs, and receivers are going to see the most opportunities, you’re halfway towards building a winning lineup.
That’s particularly true early in the preseason. Most teams are going to lean very heavily on the bottom of their depth charts in the Hall of Fame Game and Week 1. Some select starters may see a drive or two, but this is the time when coaches and GMs figure out the bottom of their 53-man roster. Getting to the regular season with their starters healthy is typically more important than shaking off any rust accumulated during the offseason.
If you can find a quarterback who is set to play big snaps, they are an extremely difficult fade in the preseason. They become the best plays on the slate, while running backs typically have more value than receivers.
3. Tight Ends Don’t Matter
Unless you’re forced to roster a tight end, don’t do it. The position is an absolute dumpster fire during the preseason. You’ll typically see a bunch of players fighting for one spot on the field, and that spot isn’t even particularly valuable. There are exceptions, but on average, tight end is the lowest-scoring position in preseason DFS by a country mile.
We do have to roster a tight end in the traditional format, but by no means should you consider using one in the flex spot.
With the general strategy out of the way, let’s dive into some specific thoughts for Sunday’s slate.
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NFL DFS Quarterback Picks
Jeff Driskel
Driskel stands out as my favorite QB option on this slate. The Commanders did choose to give Jayden Daniels some reps during their first preseason contest, but he exited after 11 snaps. He’ll likely play a drive or two at most if he does end up getting the nod on Saturday.
After Daniels, Driskel is basically the only healthy body left in the Commanders’ QB room. Marcus Mariota and Sam Hartman have both been ruled out, while Trace McSorley only signed with the team on Thursday. That leaves Driskel to handle the vast majority of the opportunities at the position.
Driskel wasn’t particularly efficient in his first outing, but he’s displayed some preseason upside in the past. He had three touchdown passes on just 30 attempts in 2022, and he brings a smidge of rushing upside to the table as well (23 rushing yards in Week 1). Ultimately, he’s the best combination of opportunity and ability on this slate.
Other Options
- Sam Howell – Howell and P.J. Walker split the QB snaps in Week 1, with Howell getting 70% of the opportunities. He responded with 130 yards and a touchdown, and as someone with starting NFL experience, he’s better than most of the guys who will see big snaps on Saturday.
- Stetson Bennett – The Rams are trying to figure out if Bennett can serve as the team’s backup quarterback during the first two weeks of the season with Jimmy Garoppolo serving a suspension. He certainly didn’t look the part in Week 1, tossing four interceptions vs. the Cowboys. Still, the fact that he got to throw the ball 36 times gives him excellent upside for the preseason. No QB threw for more than his 226 yards in Week 1.
- Trey Lance – Like Bennett, Lance got to play nearly a full game for the Cowboys in their first preseason contest. Cooper Rush might get more than one drive in their second outing, but Lance still figures to get the lion’s share of the playing time. His passing production leaves a lot to be desired, but his legs give him some added fantasy appeal.
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NFL DFS Running Back Picks
Mike Boone
The Panthers have yet to reveal their plans for their starters on Saturday, but after a week of joint practices, it wouldn’t be a shock if they’re held out once again. Jonathan Brooks and Chuba Hubbard are already sidelined with injuries, while Miles Sanders and Raheem Blackshear got the night off in Week 1.
If Sanders and Blackshear are sidelined once again, it opens the door for Boone to handle one of the biggest workloads at the position. He played on 56% of the team’s snaps in their first preseason contest, and he responded with eight carries and four targets.
After Boone departs, Jaden Shirden and Dillon Johnson should split the remaining opportunities. That said, they combined for just six carries and two targets in Week 1. Boone is definitely the guy you want in this backfield if the starters sit, so make sure to stay up-to-date on the latest information.
Other Options
- Sean Tucker – Todd Bowles is “leaning” towards the starters not playing on Saturday, which should open the door once again for Tucker. He followed Bucky Irving in their first contest and responded with 10 carries for 68 yards. He has reportedly had a strong camp and is challenging Chase Edmonds for the RB3 job, so the team might want to get another extended look at him.
- Evan Hull & Tyler Goodson – After getting their starters a smidge of work in Week 1, the Colts will rest their regulars in Week 2. Hull and Goodson were the Colts’ most active backs in their first preseason outing, and I would expect that to continue on Saturday. Hull led the backfield in carries, while Goodson led the position in snaps, routes, and targets.
- Jalen Wright – The Dolphins drafted another dynamic playmaker for their offense in Wright, and he looked the part in his first preseason contest. He tallied 10 carries, 55 yards, and a touchdown vs. the Falcons, and with Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane entrenched at the top of the depth chart and Jeff Wilson Jr. missing practice, the door could be open for another healthy workload.
- Hassan Haskins & Julius Chestnut – These two are battling for the No. 3 RB job in Tennessee, so expect them both to see plenty of action again on Saturday. Haskins out-carried Chestnut eight-to-five in their first preseason contest, though neither player was very productive.
NFL DFS Wide Receiver Picks
Jordan Whittington
I’m looking to find someone who loves me the same way that Sean McVay loves taxing rookies in the preseason. Whittington was Bennett’s top target in their first preseason game, turning nine looks into six grabs for 74 yards. That included a 30-yard reception, so he was easily the Rams’ most productive pass-catcher.
Whittington is a big-bodied sixth-round pick out of Texas, and he put his physicality on display vs. the Cowboys. His roster spot remains far from a lock, but another strong preseason showing would go a long way toward convincing McVay.
Sam Wiglusz wasn’t nearly as impressive as Whittington, but he also deserves consideration after an eight-target performance vs. the Cowboys.
Other Options
- Anthony Gould – Gould tied with D.J. Montgomery and Laquan Treadwell for the most snaps at the position for the Colts, with each player seeing a 38% share. That said, Gould stands out as the clear preferred option of the trio. He’s a slot receiver, and there could be more snaps available in the slot with Ethan Fernea hitting the IR.
- Ihmir Smith-Marsette – It doesn’t really matter who he’s playing for – Smith-Marsette remains one of the best preseason DFS receivers in football. He racked up six targets in his first preseason contest with the Panthers, and he played on 56% of the snaps.
- Tejhaun Palmer – Another rookie sixth-round pick, Palmer played on 46% of the Cardinals’ offensive snaps in Week 1. He responded with a team-high 25 routes and six targets, though his production was ultimately disappointing (one catch for 13 yards). Xavier Weaver saw a greater than 50% snap share, so he’s also worth considering for Arizona.
- Jahan Dotson & Luke McCaffrey – These guys have more draft pedigree than the typical preseason DFS play, but they both saw plenty of action in Week 1. They’re reportedly battling for a starting job in Washington, so the coaching staff is apparently going to let them settle it on the field.
NFL DFS Tight End Picks
Ben Sinnott
Like Dotson and McCaffrey, Sinnot is not someone you’d expect to see get a ton of snaps in the preseason. He was drafted in the second round in 2024, and he has a chance to be a part of the Commanders’ regular-season rotation. However, Sinnot played on 37% of the team’s snaps in Week 1 and responded with three catches for 57 yards.
If the Commanders are going to put Sinnott on the field, we should 100% be taking advantage. He is an extremely talented pass-catcher, hauling in 80 passes over his final two years at Kansas State. He also stands out athletically, blazing a 4.68 40-yard dash while ranking in the 95th percentile for agility score and 98th percentile for burst score (per Player Profiler).
At a notoriously weak position, that kind of production cannot be ignored.
Other Options
- Pat Freiermuth – Four drives from Freiermuth could be a heck of a lot better than most of the tight ends on this slate. He had a down season in 2023, but the team will feature a new QB in 2024. Justin Field has historically loved leaning on his tight end, and Fields will get the starting nod on Saturday.
- Jody Fortson Jr. – Fortson saw a healthy workload in Week 1 for the Dolphins and has been a big-time preseason producer throughout his career. He’s racked up 17 catches, 163 yards, and three touchdowns in 10 career contests.
- David Martin-Robinson – Had a snap share of 54% in the Titans’ first preseason contest, and he caught nearly 100 balls in college.
- Josiah Deguara – Deguara was a third-round pick in 2020 and is looking to catch on in a new home in Jacksonville. He saw a healthy 22 snaps in Week 1, which he converted in four targets and 42 yards.
