Last week provided preseason degenerates with an appetizer that didn’t quite fill us up. The NFL Hall of Fame Game was cut short due to inclement weather. This upcoming weekend will be the main course, however, starting with a two-game slate on Thursday night. Since this isn’t a showdown slate, we are going to have to roster every position. If you’re inclined to stick to showdown during the preseason, remember that defenses and kickers are always good plays, even if last week burned those who went heavy on the defenses. One word of caution: The New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers each have competition at kicker.
As mentioned last week, breaking news and inactives can come at you fast during the preseason. If you’re in the FantasyPros discord channel, we will be doing our best to keep you updated up until kickoff.
Lions vs. Giants NFL Preseason DFS Picks
Before getting into the targets for each team, this game comes with an important caveat: The Giants and Lions had two joint practices this week.
Brian Daboll won’t reveal his plans for playing starters or not Thursday. Dan Campbell says Jared Goff won’t play in the game and he doesn’t see his key guys playing much in preseason if they do #Giants #Lions
– Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) August 6, 2024
A ton of snaps for younger players are likely incoming, particularly for the Lions. “Following joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022, Detroit subsequently held out 20 of their top players in the game. In 2023, the Lions rested 28 players-including 21 starters-after joint practices with the Giants, then another 27 players after joint practices with the Jacksonville Jaguars.”
Detroit Lions Targets
Hendon Hooker (QB – Lions)
Thursday night’s game will be the first time that Hooker takes a snap in an NFL game. The Lions used the 68th overall pick on Hooker in last year’s draft, however, he was still recovering from an ACL injury he suffered at Tennessee. In the words of Dan Campbell, Hooker needs “reps.” Thus far in camp, Hooker hasn’t supplanted veteran Nate Sudfeld as the primary backup to Jared Goff. His up-and-down camp has partially been attributed to a dislocated ring finger from OTAs.
Kaden Davis (WR – Lions)
Davis’ impressive training camp has raised a lot of eyebrows in Detroit. He’s gotten snaps with the starters on several occasions, including during the joint practices with the Giants. Davis hasn’t taken a snap in a regular season game, however last preseason with the Arizona Cardinals he was targeted 11 times catching 8 passes for 73 yards and a touchdown. Previously he was on the Denver Broncos’ practice squad. He also played in the USFL last season with the Michigan Panthers.
Davis has been impressing the Lions back to their rookie mini-camp where he was a tryout. Listed as a fourth-string wide receiver, Davis is the epitome of a potential preseason hero who plays his way onto a team.
Big contested catch by Kaden Davis #NYGiants #Lions pic.twitter.com/mcisvc150A
– Big Blue In The Bronx ???? Alex Gajovich-Protich (@BBlueintheBronx) August 6, 2024
New York Giants Targets
Tommy DeVito (QB – Giants)
Daniel Jones is not going to play in this game. Last year in the Giants’ first preseason game, Tyrod Taylor played eight snaps and DeVito played the rest of the game, resulting in a whopping 51 snaps. While Drew Lock might get a bit more playing time in this contest (estimating a quarter), DeVito will get the bulk of the work.
Dante Miller (RB – Giants)
Tyrone Tracy Jr. has garnered a lot of buzz in dynasty circles, and this will be our first chance to see him in an NFL game. Currently listed third on the depth chart, Tracy should get some run in this game, but it is another Giants running back that I have my eyes on. Dante “Turbo” Miller has been having a great camp and is in the running to challenge Eric Gray‘s roster spot as the third running back. While he’s on the smaller side, that hasn’t stopped the large buzz around Miller thus far. He’s even earned snaps with the first team lately. It would be unconventional, but there’s a case to be made that both Giants running backs could be on a lineup together.
Theo Johnson (TE – Giants)
Another dynasty darling, Johnson is having a terrific camp thus far and could emerge as the top tight end in the Giants’ offense. Johnson also benefits from a position group that is battling injuries. Lawrence Cager (hamstring) and Jack Stoll (concussion) could miss this game. Daniel Bellinger might see limited snaps. Johnson could ultimately be on the field for a quarter to a half. Tyree Jackson is also available at tight end for the Giants.
John Jiles (WR – Giants)
Mention the words “UDFA” and “Giants” and you’ll likely be inundated with stories of Victor Cruz. While Jiles likely won’t have that big of an impact on the Giants’ season this year, he will get a lot of snaps in this game and has had a connection with DeVito in camp. At 6’3 and 205 lbs., Jiles has a great catch radius but is raw in every other area as a receiver.
Panthers vs. Patriots NFL Preseason DFS Picks
Carolina Panthers Targets
Jack Plummer (QB – Panthers)
Plummer comes as a close second behind DeVito at quarterback on this slate. Bryce Young won’t play and Andy Dalton is injured. The Panthers recently signed Jake Luton but Plummer should still see a lot of snaps. Dave Canales has been praising Plummer thus far in camp as well.
With no Bryce Thursday and Andy Dalton dinged up, Jack Plummer will get a lot of work.
Said he’s been impressed with the rookie so far, saying he was “sharp” with changes at the line and athletic.
– Darin Gantt (@daringantt) August 6, 2024
Ja’Tavion Sanders (TE – Panthers)
Can you say “rookie fever” folks? Sanders, much like Johnson, will benefit from a tight-end group decimated by injuries and starters sitting out. Largely Sanders’ only healthy competition in this game is Jordan Matthews, who hasn’t caught a regular season pass since 2019, and Feleipe Franks.
Ja’Tavion Sanders continues to impress at Panthers training camp ????
The rookie TE came away with a beautiful back shoulder grab during 1on1’s. Sanders will certainly be a player to keep an eye on during the preseason.#KeepPounding | @wyffnews4 pic.twitter.com/48D5WuVCS8
– Chase Justice WYFF News 4 (@ChaseJusticeTV) August 6, 2024
Deven Thompkins (WR – Panthers)
Thompkins played with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season under Canales (offensive coordinator). While he’s only been on the team for a short period, beat writers repeatedly mention that he’s making plays in camp. The Panthers wide receiver room has a lot of injuries and a lot of possibilities for young guys to make their mark. A solid performance against live opponents could give Thompkins a shot at the 53-man roster.
Deven Thompkins has been doing this since he got here pic.twitter.com/vX6MNw7gCR
– Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) August 6, 2024
Jalen Coker (WR – Panthers)
Coker is a metric king. He performed well at the combine and the Panthers liked him enough as an undrafted free agent to give him a $25,000 signing bonus and $225,000 in salary guarantees. Expect Coker to see a good amount of playing time Thursday night and to be a popular piece in DFS builds.
Jalen Coker‘s RAS
???? I didn’t realize he recorded a position-best 42.5 Vert at the Combine this year…
So he has hands, is an excellent route runner, and has bunnies. He clearly fell because of his 40 and the fact he played at Holy Cross. pic.twitter.com/K9GUMLvhVc
– Keep Purring Podcast (Ben) (@KeepPurringBen) July 31, 2024
New England Patriots Targets
Drake Maye (QB – Patriots)
I am not going to go crazy here on Maye, but I do think a little bit of exposure to the rookie could be beneficial. The underlying issue with the Patriots is that head coach Jarod Mayo has openly stated he intends to play all four quarterbacks.
A call to arms: Jerod Mayo expects all four Patriots quarterbacks to play in preseason opener vs. the Panthershttps://t.co/OoxC1682sy
– Christopher Price (@cpriceglobe) August 6, 2024
Maye has had his up-and-downs thus far in camp. His supporting cast hasn’t done him any favors either. Whether it’s been a questionable offensive line performance or dropped passes from his receivers, Maye hasn’t been able to string together enough good days to challenge presumed starter Jacoby Brissett. Maye is also adjusting to playing under center in the NFL, as he predominantly was in the shotgun at UNC. Getting Maye adjusted to the NFL is the priority in the preseason for the Patriots.
Kevin Harris and JaMycal Hasty (RB – Patriots)
Choosing the correct Patriots running back will be quite the feat on this slate. As of right now, it appears that both Harris and Hasty will be getting a lot of opportunities in this game. This is Harris’ third season with the Patriots. Hasty meanwhile is in his fifth NFL season. They’re both likely fighting for one spot on the 53-man roster. Neither running back has been consistent enough to pull ahead of the other.
Javon Baker (WR – Patriots)
Baker’s spot on the roster isn’t in question, but if the Patriots are playing their starters, I am playing Baker in my lineups. He has looked like an alpha receiver for the Patriots thus far in camp despite being taken 73 picks after Ja’Lynn Polk. One big play from Baker could be all that is needed to make it into the optimal lineup.
I don’t know how the hell in the world Javon Baker fell to pick 110 https://t.co/OCfvUem0NS pic.twitter.com/kdcPYbbqlq
– Joe O’Leary (@TheHQNerd) August 3, 2024
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