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.
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Jaguars vs. Lions NFL Preseason DFS Picks
Jacksonville Jaguars Targets
Tank Bigsby (RB – JAC)
Tank Bisgby has been the darling of the Jaguars’ training camp so far and understandably so. At six feet tall and 216lbs pounds, Tank Bigsby lives up to his nickname. Bigsby game models Damien Harris which is excellent for goal-line situations on a great offense in Jacksonville.
Brenton Strange (TE – JAC)
Brenton Strange has been making waves in training camp in 2023. His size (6’4/253lbs) and 86 percentile burst score give the Jaguars another weapon in the tight-end room. In the first preseason game, we watched this come to fruition as the Jaguars used 13 personnel (three tight ends) multiple times. Expect more of the same in this preseason game against the Detroit Lions.
Detroit Lions Targets
Nate Sudfeld (QB – DET)
This selection is simple. Jared Goff is the starter and should be protected after a few series. Teddy Bridgewater has a limited understanding of the playbook due to just joining the team. Hendon Hooker is still recovering from injury. Sudfeld should become an “innings eater” at the quarterback position.
Remember that bother defense squads and kickers should be in use during this preseason game. The defense selections were because, in the preseason, we have more pressures, sacks, and turnovers due to the level of competition. Kickers should be involved in your player pool because this game is in the dome in Detroit, so we have no issues with the weather.
Dolphins vs. Texans NFL Preseason DFS Picks
Miami Dolphins Targets
Myles Gaskin (RB – MIA) + De’Von Achane (RB – MIA)
This selection is a simple process. The Houston Texans had the worst run defense in the league in 2023. They allowed the most yards on the ground, the most rushing touchdowns and the most fantasy points per game to the running back position. With Jeff Wilson dealing with minor nagging injuries and Raheem Mostert‘s advanced age, these two running backs should handle the bulk of the weight in this preseason game.
Miami Defense
C.J. Stroud was under pressure all night in week one. The offensive line is struggling, which forced the rookie to work under pressure throughout the night. Expect more of the same with the Dolphins’ defense as they push the rookie quarterback to try and beat them.
Houston Texans Targets
Tank Dell (WR – HOU) + Xavier Hutchinson (WR – HOU)
Tank Dell has spent every day of camp giving us highlight after highlight. Even during the first week of preseason against the New England Patriots, Tank Dell shined. Dell lined up in the slot and outside, which shows us that he will be a significant part of this Houston Texans offense in 2023.
Xavier Hutchinson stands at 6’2 and weighs over 200 pounds. His game resembles Romeo Doubs, and like Doubs, we could see a possession receiver being born throughout this offseason.
Bills vs. Steelers NFL Preseason DFS Picks
Buffalo Bills Targets
Andy Isabella (WR – BUF)
Andy Isabella is much smaller than the wide receivers we usually target, but this preseason he has been helpful for the Buffalo Bills. Isabella caught all three of his targets for 42 yards against the Colts in week one of the preseason and has earned more time during camp in drills; expect Isabella to play into this preseason game in a big way with his 4.3 speed.
Khalil Shakir (WR – BUF)
Khalil Shakir needs to play better to earn the slot role within this offense. Last week he caught two of his four targets for 25 yards. Reports say he has been average at best during camp, and that motivation, height (6′), and 4.4 speed should help him deliver in this preseason game.
Pittsburgh Steelers Targets
Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT)
Mike Tomlin stated that Najee Harris would see few preseason snaps as an older veteran. Warren will have the chance to deliver with a plethora of carries in this preseason game. He has been wowing coaches throughout training camp in 2023, and we expect more of the same in this game.
Calvin Austin (WR – PIT)
Calvin Austin has been impressive throughout training camp so far. Even as an undersized burner, Austin has shined in a limited time in the pros. According to a friend of our company Matt Harmon, in college, he posted a 71% success rate against men and 84% against the zone; we should see more of that against the Buffalo Bills.
Darnell Washington (TE – PIT)
Darnell Washington is a monster of a man making waves in training camp. You will be used in goalline packages when you stand 6’7 and weigh 264 lbs. With tight ends we want our big, athletic tight ends to fall in the endzone, and with that size, Washington always has a chance.
Always remember that defenses and kickers are in your player pool.
Bears vs. Colts NFL Preseason DFS Picks
Chicago Bears Targets
Justin Fields (QB – CHI)
In the first preseason game, Fields put up a stellar stat line, going 3-3 with 129 and two touchdowns. Although he did it on -7 air yards, that doesn’t play a factor in DFS. We’ll see some passes go past the line of scrimmage this time.
DJ Moore (WR – CHI)
The tandem of Moore and Fields could become one of the league’s best this season. We saw that early on when he took one of those passes in the flat and went to the house for a 62-yard touchdown. Look for them to continue to build this chemistry.
Indianapolis Colts Targets
Deon Jackson (RB – IND)
There is a good chance we’ll never see Jonathan Taylor again on the field for the Colts. This means the team must find someone to fill that role. Deon Jackson got a lot of playing time last year when Taylor was out with an injury, and he was the most efficient runner in the first preseason game, gaining 5.8 yards per carry.
Buccaneers vs. Jets NFL Preseason DFS Picks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New York Jets Targets
Tim Boyle (QB – NYJ)
Israel Abanikanda (RB – NYJ)
Trey Palmer (WR – TB)
The New York Jets have already played two games in the preseason. In both games, Tim Boyle has thrown at least ten passing attempts. However, the Jets released Chris Strevler last week due to an injury. He stole playing time from Tim Boyle in that first game. In the second preseason game, Boyle went 9-for-10, adding two touchdowns and an interception. New York had 16 different receivers catch a pass in its win against the Panthers.
Meanwhile, Israel Abanikanda has been the featured back for the Jets’ running game. He added 12 carries for 56 yards last weekend and finished with three receptions for 31 yards. Abanikanda touched the ball 15 times and was inches away from scoring a touchdown last week.
On the other hand, did anyone see Trey Palmer beating Sauce Gardner one-on-one in joint practice? I certainly did. With Russell Gage out of the mix, Trey Palmer figures to be a big piece of the Tampa Bay offense now. He added four receptions for 33 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers last weekend. I think he can mimic that again.
Patriots vs. Packers NFL Preseason DFS Picks
New England Patriots vs. Green Bay Packers Targets
Malik Cunningham (QB – NE)
Emanuel Wilson (RB – GB)
Dontayvion Wicks (WR – GB)
The New England Patriots scored nine points on 164 yards of offense in Week 1 of the preseason. The offense was miserable, but Malik Cunningham shined. Cunningham was quarterback for Louisville, but he’s not a hybrid player for the Patriots. Cunningham went 3-for-4 as a quarterback and finished with five carries, 34 yards, and a rushing touchdown. Cunningham also lined up as a receiver and has the potential to catch passes. At quarterback, Cunningham’s a no-brainer in fantasy when on the field.
On the other hand, the Packers found a gem in Emanuel Wilson. Green Bay ran the ball 26 times but didn’t give any running back over six carries. Wilson earned six carries and scored two touchdowns on 111 yards rushing. He’s incredible speed and has started making a name for himself in the league.
Finally, the Packers will likely allow Sean Clifford to play most of this game at quarterback. He finished 20-for-26 and was very accurate. Dontayvion Wicks saw four targets and caught three of them for 68 yards. He averaged 22.7 yards per catch, thanks to a 47-yard play. Wicks has considerable play-making ability.
Titans vs. Vikings NFL Preseason DFS Picks
Tennessee Titans vs. Minnesota Vikings Targets
Malik Willis (QB – TEN)
Tyjae Spears (RB – TEN)
Mason Kinsey (WR – TEN)
The Minnesota offense didn’t impress me against the Seahawks. The Vikings added 13 points behind Nick Mullins and Jaren Hall. Hall completed just 6-for-14 and averaged 2.6 yards in the air.
Meanwhile, the Titans weren’t much better. The offenses added 17 points against the Bears. However, the offense still added 372 yards, 20 first downs, and 73 plays against the Bears in Week 1 of the preseason.
Malik Willis had his ups and downs. But I thought he was much better than Will Levis in that game. Willis completed 16-of-25 passes and added 189 yards with one interception. However, he earned a touchdown on the ground and rushed thrice for 22 yards. Willis and Levis were both sacked four times and didn’t have much time in the pocket. But Willis is a little bit more seasoned.
I also liked what I saw out of Tyjae Spears. He added 32 yards on six carries, averaging 5.3 yards per rush. Spears was incredible with Tulane last season and should be a nice little underdog story for Tennessee moving forward.
Lastly, Mason Kinsey saw a team-high six targets for the Titans last weekend. He hauled in four of those balls for 40 yards and had a long of 21 yards. Kinsey earned at least two more targets than anyone on the team against the Bears.
Broncos vs. 49ers NFL Preseason DFS Picks
Denver Broncos Targets
Tyler Badie (RB – DEN)
I admit I’m baffled that Javonte Williams is playing in this game. That said, I can’t imagine it’s anything significant and there’s no reason to give Samaje Perine extended run either. This should mean plenty of run for Badie, who finished his senior year at Missouri with 1,934 yards from scrimmage. Badie’s small frame is made up for with blazing speed (90th percentile 40-yard dash).
San Francisco 49ers Targets
Trey Lance (QB – SF)
According to coach Shanahan, there is a chance Brock Purdy plays 1-2 series in the first preseason game as he recovers from his UCL injury. I imagine they’ll be super careful, which leaves the Niners to roll out some combination of Lance, Sam Darnold, and Brandon Allen at QB. All are viable options for DFS, but Lance’s rushing upside gives him the most ceiling even if he only plays a quarter. Remember, the former 1.03 overall pick ran an 80th percentile 40-yard dash and has averaged 33.5 rush yards per game in his starts. In his first preseason game, Lance went 10-15 for 121 yards with a TD and no picks, but he almost threw two and also took four sacks.
Jordan Mason (RB – SF)
It’s almost a certainty that Christian McCaffrey will not be on the field for more than 1-2 series (if any), so a good amount of carries should fall to Jordan Mason and Tyrion Davis-Price. It’s preseason week one, so the bigger workload could go to either, but it’s Mason who offers a bit more ceiling in a short amount of work. Both were relatively ineffective in the first game, but Mason has averaged a robust 6.0 YPC in his short career.
Raiders vs. Rams NFL Preseason DFS Picks
Las Vegas Raiders Targets
Aidan O’Connell (QB – LV)
Aidan O’Connell is fresh off a school record for completion % at Purdue, and showcased that hyper efficiency last weekend against the 49ers. O’Connell completed 15 of 18 passes for 141 yards and a TD, and should get full run again tonight. There’s no way Jimmy Garoppolo is going to get extended preseason action, and veteran Brian Hoyer has absolutely nothing to prove.
Zamir White (RB – LV)
There’s still no sign of Josh Jacobs, and it’s clear that Zamir White will be the guy in the worst-case scenario. White only averaged 3.3 YPC in the preseason opener, but he carried the ball 13 times and scored a TD. There’s room for upside in the matchup, however, as the Rams were just gashed for a whopping 6.8 YPC in their first preseason game.
Los Angeles Rams Targets
Puka Nacua (WR – LAR)
The Rams will be taking every precaution with star WR Cooper Kupp, and Nacua scored a TD in the first week of preseason action on five targets. The Rams’ WR depth chart is alarmingly thin behind Kupp. Nacua averaged an insane 18.1 YPR in college and should get ample preseason work.
Cowboys vs. Seahawks NFL Preseason DFS Picks
Dallas Cowboys Targets
Will Grier (QB – DAL)
Grier saw most of the playing time with Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush firmly locked in as the one and two on the depth chart. He played well in the first game going 22-31 for 199 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, and he should get the volume playing time to put up some numbers.
Deuce Vaughn (RB – DAL)
Vaughan made a case that he needs to be involved in the offense this season. Last week, he led the running backs with 58 rushing yards and 6.3 yards per carry. At 5’6″, he has the ability to slip through the line scrimmage and has a burst to break through the secondary
Seattle Seahawks Targets
Drew Lock (QB – SEA)
Lock won’t have the opportunity to be in a quarterback competition like last year, but he should get a chance to be under center for the bulk of the game. He was a viable DFS pick, throwing for 191 yards and two touchdowns last week.
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