NFL DFS is a game of conviction, and below you’ll find a list of flag plants that our panel of DFS analysts are high on for Week 2.
Don’t forget to check out our Lineup Builder if you like to hand build your lineups or our Lineup Optimizer for those of you that like to enter multiple lineups into tournaments.
Let’s get right into it.
Week 1 NFL DFS Flag Plants
Sean Koerner: Director of Predictive Analytics for Action Network
Darrell Henderson ($5,700 DraftKings; $6,200 FanDuel) (Cash)
Not only did Henderson draw the Week 1 start for the Rams, but he also operated as a true workhorse back, handling 72% of the rushing attempts while running a route on 78% of Matthew Stafford’s dropbacks. Given the post-game comments by Sean McVay, it is clear that Cam Akers is currently in the dog house. Its possible Akers will eventually be able to command a 50/50 committee or even take back the starting job in the coming weeks, however, I think Henderson is a very safe Week 2 bet.
The Rams will likely have a more run-heavy conservative game plan this week against a Falcons defense that currently ranks dead last in DVOA against the run.
Henderson is too cheap on all DFS sites, and he will be a staple in my cash lineups.
Chris Raybon: Action Network Analyst
Saquon Barkley ($7,300 DraftKings; $8,800 FanDuel) (Cash)
Barkley checks all the boxes. He’s a home-favorite running back (Giants are -1.5 vs. Carolina). He gets a huge workload (83% snaps, 24 touches last week). And he finds himself in a pristine matchup against a Panthers defense that got lit up for 213 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns by the Browns backfield last week.
Barkley is cheaper than Jonathan Taylor and Christian McCaffrey but has a similar floor-ceiling combo.
Matt LaMarca: FantasyLabs Contributor/Editor
Terry McLaurin (6,600 DraftKings; $7,300 FanDuel) (GPP)
McLaurin is flying a bit under the radar this week thanks to huge performances from two of his teammates in Week 1. Curtis Samuel was a usage monster – he had 11 targets and four carries – while Jahan Dotson scored two touchdowns.
Still, McLaurin profiles as the team’s WR1 after posting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. He led the team with a 94% route participation last week, and he managed 20% of the team’s air yards on just 8% of the targets. He also draws an excellent matchup in what should be one of the highest-scoring games of the week.
The Lions were shredded last week by A.J. Brown, and McLaurin possesses a similar skill set.
I like his chances for a big game.
Justin Bailey: FantasyLabs Senior Editor
Deebo Samuel ($7,800 DraftKings; $8,000 FanDuel) (GPP)
I almost never get this player correct, but Deebo Samuel has the third-highest ceiling with my projection inputs. His target volume isn’t always the highest, but the 49ers aren’t afraid to give him carries, and he still saw eight targets last week in terrible playing conditions.
This could be a nuclear spot against Seattle. I am just hoping the targets can hit the 7-10 range (which could be a big ask).
Notorious: RotoGrinders Analyst
Christian Kirk ($5,700 DraftKings; $6,500 FanDuel) (Cash and GPP)
My flag plant of the week is on the man the Jaguars gave a ton of money to this offseason. They brought in Kirk to be the WR1 and based on everything we have seen in the preseason and in Week 1, that’s exactly what he is going to be for this team.
Against the Commanders, he led the Jaguars in snaps (91%), target share (32%), and air yards share (38%). He’s always been known for his ability to beat zone coverage, and no team played more Cover-3 than the Colts in Week 1.
They like to keep everything in front of them, so Kirk should soak up targets over the middle of the field.
He’s affordable, and he has a path to double-digit targets given the fact that the Jaguars are 4-point underdogs at home.
Dan Gaspar: RotoGrinders Analyst
Chase Edmonds (5,200 DraftKings; $6,000 FanDuel) (GPP)
Edmonds remains extremely cheap after a middling Week 1 performance, but his usage was encouraging. Chase ran the third most routes on the team and out-touched RB2 Raheem Mostert 16-6. He’s the clear passing game back, mixes in on early downs, and should have the first crack at goal-line duties.
That’s a pretty solid role for just $6,000 on FanDuel and $5,200 on DraftKings. It’s highly unlikely you’ll see a 30 fantasy point performance out of Edmonds, but ~20 is within his range of outcomes and would go a long way at his price tag.
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