After getting a big-slate taste of the NFL preseason last night, today we have a modest two-game offering that kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET. With just four teams playing, the pickings are pretty slim. As was the case yesterday, we’ll probably want to target second- and third-stringers, since established veterans rarely play more than a couple of series in Week 1 of the preseason.
If you haven’t played preseason daily fantasy before, check out my five DFS guidelines for dominating the NFL preseason as well as the recent episode of “The Daily Fantasy Flex” in which I break down the secrets of the preseason schedule.
For more preseason guidance, see our industry-leading Models, which contain preseason player projections for subscribers. If you’re a redraft player or sports bettor, check out our FREE standard and point-per-reception rankings as well as our favorite Week 1 NFL preseason picks.
Be sure to keep an eye out for late-breaking news on player availability before lineups lock.
Quarterbacks
Sam Darnold (Jets): The No. 3 pick and youngest quarterback in NFL history looks to get in his first action as a professional following a lengthy holdout. With the team knowing what it has in the veteran Josh McCown, it’s likely that Darnold will get plenty of playing time in his Jets debut. In his final college season, Darnold was a steady producer at Southern California, passing for 4,143 yards and 26 touchdowns as just a redshirt sophomore.
EJ Manuel (Raiders): Manuel isn’t a great (or even good) quarterback, but with only two games on the night he might be one of the best options available. A longtime veteran, Manuel has something of an elevated floor thanks to his rushing ability, which has been a part of his game going back to Florida State. He also has proven himself to be a competent preseason producer, going 24-of-39 passing for 216 yards and a touchdown last August. Head coach Jon Gruden has already stated that starting quarterback Derek Carr will play little or not at all.
Running Backs
Kerryon Johnson (Lions): A young and productive SEC second-rounder, Johnson was drafted to be a future lead back, but right now he’s lower on the depth chart, stuck behind veterans LeGarrette Blount, Theo Riddick and maybe even Ameer Abdullah, which means he could see some extended run this game against run-of-the-mill second- and third-stringers. A prolific scorer at Auburn (20 scrimmage touchdowns in 2017), Johnson has the potential to be the preseason MVP.
Ito Smith (Falcons): A surprise fourth-round mid-major selection, Smith is small, but he’s athletic and capable of doing everything necessary to be a three-down back. In each of his three final collegiate seasons, Smith had at least 1,000 yards rushing, 40 receptions and 13 total touchdowns. Third on the depth chart behind Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, established veterans who are unlikely to see much preseason action, Smith is in a great spot to get extended playing time.
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Wide Receivers
Teo Redding (Lions): An undrafted rookie, Redding is no better than fifth on the receiver depth chart, and he didn’t do much at Bowling Green (94-1,328-14 for his career), but he has been the talk of Lions camp. Built like a thinner Marvin Jones (6-feet-1, 181 pounds), Redding is a down-the-field receiver who will likely have the opportunity to make a few big plays in Week 1, given that Jones and Golden Tate should play no more than a couple series.
Chad Hansen (Jets): Hansen saw limited action last year as a rookie (9-94-0 receiving), but in the preseason he was solid (7-87-0). He trails Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa and Jermaine Kearse on the depth chart, but he spent July working out with Darnold, who will likely be his primary preseason quarterback, and he has the size (6-feet-2, 202 pounds) and athleticism (6.73-second three-cone) to line up all over the formation. Given his elite production at Cal (92-1,249-11 in 10 games as a redshirt junior), Hansen is a high-ceiling option.
Tight End
Eric Saubert (Falcons): A second-year small-school fifth-rounder, Saubert wasn’t even targeted as a rookie, but he has a training camp buzz and has been talked up in advance of the first preseason game. Third on the depth chart behind veterans Austin Hooper and Logan Paulsen, Saubert could get extended playing time and was a strong player at Drake, where he led his team with a 56-776-10 receiving line in 2016.
Defense
Detroit: The Lions currently have the highest median projections in our Models and are likely to play most if not all of the game against backup quarterbacks. But there isn’t much separating them from the Falcons, Raiders and even Jets, not with so much unknown in the preseason.
Photo credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Pictured above: Sam Darnold
