NFL football is finally back. And yes, the preseason counts as real football. The news. The stories. The starters playing one series. The backups vying for roster spots. The veterans clinging to their football lives playing deep into games. The rookies getting their first taste of real action. It’s all so beautiful. And when it comes to preseason DFS, all of that stuff matters. As DBro says, “preseason DFS is gawd’s game.”
Preseason DFS may be for the true degens, but it’s also for those trying to cash in on soft lines from DFS sites. And if you’re following our NFL News Desk and chatting with experts like DBro in the FantasyPros Discord, you’ll have all the information you need to gain an edge over the other degens. In this series of articles, we’re providing our top targets from every team, for every matchup throughout the preseason. In addition to the picks we’re providing, be sure to check out DBro’s Guide to NFL Preseason DFS for help determining your overall strategy.
- How to Approach NFL Preseason DFS
- 2023 NFL Training Camp News for Every Team
- Fitz’s Draft Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
- 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit
Colts vs. Bills NFL Preseason DFS Picks
Indianapolis Colts Targets
Everyone and their mothers will be starting QB Anthony Richardson in DFS on Saturday, providing the perfect opportunity to take a contrarian edge in this NFL Preseason Week 1. Richardson will not see much more than a few drives if that, and incumbent “second stringer” Gardner Minshew should play the remainder of the first half.
With only three quarterbacks on the entire Colts’ roster, that should leave nearly a full half of play for third-year QB, Sam Ehlinger. Ehlinger is battling for the backup role in Indy, and Colts’ brass will surely want to see how he performs throughout the preseason. He’ll have the benefit of going up against third and fourth-string defenders on Saturday as a quarterback that has already made three career NFL regular season starts.
With Jonathan Taylor away from the team and both Zack Moss and Deon Jackson going down to injuries in the past couple of weeks, no player has a greater chance to make a name for himself than rookie back Evan Hull. Plucked up in the fifth round back in April, Hull managed a 488-2417-18 rushing line across four collegiate seasons at Northwestern.
Knowing that he will need a strong preseason performance to secure a roster spot in what could be a wide-open competition for the Colts, Hull will surely be running with a chip on his shoulder this Saturday. He will also likely see extensive run, given the current state of the Indy RB room. He should be a popular DFS pick across the board, and one that could plunge into the endzone once or twice.
Buffalo Bills Targets
A longshot to make the Bills’ roster in such a crowded receiver room, rookie pass catcher Justin Shorter will need to ball out exclusively during his time on the field this preseason. The 23-year-old has prototypical size at 6-foot-4 and 229 pounds and he should be looking to utilize that frame against the Colts’ backup DBs on Saturday. By all accounts, Shorter has had a solid camp for Buffalo so far, and he will look to take that momentum into live game action for the first time this weekend.
Competing for the second-string role in the Bills’ backfield, aging veteran Latavius Murray is looking to make a mark for his fifth team over the past four seasons. The 33-year-old could very well start in the Bills’ first preseason showing, as RB James Cook could be rested, while Damien Harris may not play due to injury. That would leave just Murray and recently signed Darrynton Evans as backfield options. I really like Murray’s odds to score a short touchdown on Saturday if those predictions all stay true.
Titans vs. Bears NFL Preseason DFS Picks
Tennessee Titans Targets
An obvious pick for DFS purposes alongside Levis, last year’s rookie QB Malik Willis is another name to consider at the position on Saturday’s slate. The expectation is that Ryan Tannehill will not see any action in Preseason Week 1, allowing for both the rookie and sophomore to handle the entire exhibition. With the expectation that both Levis and Willis will likely see one half each, there is merit to both sides here.
I will go with Levis, who is looking to make a push for the starting job with Tennessee as early as this season. By all accounts, Levis and Willis have been neck-and-neck in training camp for backup duties thus far, and the rookie will look to separate himself beginning with game action this weekend.
Rookie running back Tyjae Spears has been a training camp standout, continuously being touted by both Titans’ brass and outside analysts alike. He’s reportedly made numerous highlight-reel plays over the past few weeks, and he should garner the start on Saturday against Chicago with Derrick Henry almost certainly sitting that one out. Initially listed as the third-string RB behind Hassan Haskins on the Titans’ first depth chart of 2023, Spears has vaulted up, quickly made his presence known, and will look to do damage against Chicago on Saturday.
Chicago Bears Targets
The 133rd overall pick by Chicago back in April, Tyler Scott is set to make his in-game NFL debut against Tennessee on Saturday. The blazing rookie has reportedly impressed throughout camp, having been noted as a fast learner, while making the most of his opportunities. That next opportunity will come at noon on Saturday, as Scott should see ample playing time with many of the Bears’ incumbent starters likely to be riding the pine. Scott has the capability of outrunning a defense at any point in time, and it would not be shocking if he put up some gaudy numbers against the Titans’ backups this weekend.
Jets vs. Panthers NFL Preseason DFS Picks
New York Jets Targets
Robert Salah confirmed that Zach Wilson and Tim Boyle will get the quarterback reps in their game against the Panthers. Wilson went 3-for-5 from the field and added 65 yards. He’s an experienced quarterback who looks to have more fun on the field this year. The pressure is off of him. Now he can go out there and learn the game to prepare for future starting jobs. Wilson showed off his arm in the HOF Game, adding a 57-yard completion to Malik Taylor. He’s capable of doing more of that in this game.
Meanwhile, Israel Abanikanda added nine rushes for 27 yards and a touchdown. He’ll likely earn that same amount of volume. With Dalvin Cook potentially going to the Dolphins, Abanikanda has the potential to earn that third running back spot for the Jets.
Carolina Panthers Targets
On the other hand, we haven’t seen the Panthers in action this year. But Raheem Blackshear could be an exciting look. He’s a fantastic pass-catcher in the backfield and has had some highlights surface from practice on Twitter. He’s shifty and runs hard. If he can break one, he can go the distance. He’ll add some receptions to the box score, too.
Cowboys vs. Jaguars NFL Preseason DFS Picks
Dallas Cowboys Targets
Malik Davis (RB – DAL)
The first Cowboys depth chart was released, and one thing to note is that Malik Davis was listed third behind Rico Dowdle. Dowdle appeared in five games last year but hasn’t recorded a carry since 2020, while Davis had 38 for 161 yards last season in 12 games. I like Davis to use this as ammo, and we should see plenty of touches early on to establish his role as the backup to Tony Pollard.
Deuce Vaughn (RB – DAL)
Continuing with the Cowboys’ running backs, a dark horse pick I like is Vaughn. At 5’6″, he can stay low to the ground, and he has a quick burst that makes him almost impossible to take him down. He should get playing time later in the game and could show off.
Jacksonville Jaguars Targets
Tank Bigsby (RB – JAC)
The Jaguars rookie has been showing off in camp, with coaches and fans impressed early on. What kind of role he’ll have remains to be seen, but this game will be an early indication. Head coach Doug Peterson has indicated that his starters will play, so we should also see Travis Etienne but don’t be surprised if Bigsby gets most of the work.
Eagles vs. Ravens NFL Preseason DFS Picks
Philadelphia Eagles Targets
Preseason DFS leans towards playing the defense, especially when that defense recorded over 70 sacks last season. Expect pressure, and as I always say in my weekly articles, pressures + sacks = turnovers.
Joseph Ngata fits our model for height and weight (6’3, 216 lbs) while running with the first team squad for multiple reps. During the Eagle’s live practice, he was targeted in the red zone numerous times, and that’s what we need from our wide receivers in DFS. Ngata can shine in this preseason game with the primary three targets (A.J. Brown, Devonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert) resting.
Mariota has struggled with accuracy in his career and during this preseason. However, he should receive two-quarters of snaps. So mix his playing time with his ability to scramble and sprinkle in backup defenders. It’s a recipe for success on your slate.
Dan Arnold is 6’6 and weighs 240 lbs. He has prior experience as a seasoned veteran in the NFL who has produced for daily fantasy sports. He also has ample playing time as he competes with the other tight ends for the backup position behind Dallas Goedert. Dan Arnold produces a high athleticism score, which we admire in the tight-end position and should produce fantasy gold.
Baltimore Ravens Targets
Two things happen in the preseason every year: the Baltimore Ravens win games, and Tyler Huntley can produce fantasy gold for our lineups. Tyler Huntley is a mobile quarterback, and chasing the Konami Code upside is always something we recommend for your lineup.
Isaiah Likely stands at 6’4 and weighs 241 lbs while possessing an athletic profile we admire. He is an advanced route-runner who sets his defenders up with his stems. Likely also often runs routes on the outside of the formation, blending him into a hybrid between a wide receiver and a Move TE. We have also seen him produce at the NFL level already. Expect the Baltimore Ravens to use Likely’s speed against this brand-new linebacker room in Philadelphia.
We spoke about the reasons why you use a defense in preseason above, and the same rules apply here, especially with Marcus Mariota‘s inaccuracy.
Rams vs. Chargers NFL Preseason DFS Picks
Los Angeles Rams Targets
The Rams will not be playing their starters, so rookie Bennett could open up the game under center. This will be his first action since winning his second-straight National Championship at Georgia, and I feel like McVay will let him show off his arm to see if he is worthy of being the QB2.
As mentioned, the Rams will keep their starters off the field, including Cam Akers. As much as we believe Akers is the starter in this offense, McVay has been known to take his touches away for the hot hand. That could be down second-year back Kyren Williams and rookie Zach Evans. It is worth noting the Rams did trade up to get Evans, so that could indicate how much they like him. Evans is a brute back and could be used in the short-yardage and goal-line situations, so he could have the chance to punch one in.
Los Angeles Chargers Targets
Another rookie quarterback to watch out for is Duggan. He had a stellar 2022 at TCU, throwing for 3,698 yards, 32 passing touchdowns, 423 rushing yards, and nine rushing touchdowns, and was a Heisman finalist. He could see a lot of action in this game, and his ability to throw the long ball and scramble could result in a lot of yards. Maybe even see a connection with his former TCU teammate and Chargers first-round pick Quentin Johnston.
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