Only one more week of NFL preseason action remains, which inevitably means that roster makeup and timeshares are FINALLY starting to truly take shape. As such, we have some major stocks going up and down this week, and most NFL DFS and Best Ball drafters are not nearly in tune enough. Here are the major takeaways from Week 2 of the preseason that we can use for NFL DFS and Best Ball.
Preseason Week 2 Best Ball & NFL DFS Takeaways
Get ready for our NFL DFS Projections! For NFL Week 1, we’ll be offering our top-tier data to give you the best NFL DFS projections projections available, helping you create winning lineups from the very beginning.
Quarterback News
The Raiders have named Gardner Minshew as their starting quarterback, making him a strong late-round option in Best Ball drafts on Underdog, especially for contests that have been running all season. With less than 1% cumulative ownership, Minshew offers significant upside for those looking to differentiate their lineups.
Running Back Notes
The Athletic is now reporting that Kimani Vidal is likely to make the Chargers’ 53-man roster after a solid performance. This makes him a viable draft option once again.
Reports of Javonte Williams’ decline were greatly exaggerated. He is expected to be the starter in Denver, with Jaleel McLaughlin taking on a third-down passing back role, while Audric Estime may see limited action, including goal line work.
Braelon Allen appears to have secured the backup running back position for the Jets. He’s an excellent high-upside zero-RB option in Best Ball drafts. If Breece Hall were to get injured, Allen would likely step into a near bell-cow role.
Jaylen Warren injured his ankle on Saturday, putting his Week 1 status in doubt.
Tank Bigsby has locked down the RB2 role in Jacksonville and is currently being drafted lower than he should, considering who is being picked around him.
There might be a developing timeshare for the Raiders, as Alexander Mattison rotated in with the starters, and they may use Dylan Laube in a third-down role.
Wide Receiver Notes
Jahan Dotson appears to have secured the starting slot role in the Commanders offense despite earlier reports suggesting otherwise this preseason.
Khalil Shakir’s fantasy value is trending downward, as he didn’t play in two-wide receiver sets against the Steelers. It seems Mack Hollins may have overtaken him on the depth chart.
On the other hand, Chargers wide receiver Brenden Rice’s stock is rising. He played with the starters against the Rams, making him a strong late-round addition in Best Ball formats that have been drafting all summer, where he will likely have low ownership.
The Chiefs starting wide receivers currently look to be Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown.
Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick had a strong performance last night, playing with the first team and catching four passes from Bo Nix. Meanwhile, Marvin Mims doesn’t seem to be in line for a starting role, making him undraftable in Best Ball at the moment.
DeMario Douglas played primarily in the slot and may not be featured in two-receiver sets to start the year, which has led to a dip in his stock. Similarly, Ja’Lynn Polk seems set to back up K.J. Osborn to begin the season, impacting his value as well.
Devontez Walker is not playing with the starters in Baltimore.
If you were to rank the wide receivers in Houston for fantasy purposes, it would likely be WR1 Nico Collins, WR2 Stefon Diggs and WR3 Tank Dell.
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Tight End Notes
Things are not looking good for Cole Kmet in the Bears offense, as he’s only played 40% of the snaps with the first team. At this point, he should be considered more of a late pick in Best Ball drafts. On the other hand, Gerald Everett is a great last-round flier with very low ownership in contests like Best Ball Mania.
In Miami, there may be a tight end timeshare developing, with Jonnu Smith expected to rotate in and out. Durham Smythe could also see a fair amount of playing time.
The Steelers are running a lot of two-tight end sets this preseason, which has boosted Darnell Washington’s stock. He’s another late-round flier with upside.
Ja’Tavion Sanders looks set to rotate with Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble, at least early in the season.
Jelani Woods might not make the Colts 53-man roster. His usage against the Cardinals was not promising, and he is likely fourth or fifth on the depth chart.
Taysom Hill still appears to be a significant part of the Saints offense, playing all over the field and participating in 75% of the first-string offense’s snaps, though Juwan Johnson remains on the PUP list.
