Just like that, we are onto Week 2 of the DFS season.
Last week, this article identified the QB2 (Baker Mayfield) and RB11 (Ken Walker) while faring middle-0f-the-road on a few others. Still, there were some brutal calls in that article. I’m looking at you, Andrei Iosivas, and that pitiful excuse for a Bengals offense we saw last week.
But, I digress…
NFL Week 2 DFS Value Plays: Targets & Advice
This article is aimed at deciphering values in the lobbies. It is not meant to be a roster builder. Instead, it will help identify some players priced below their production potential based on various factors for both DraftKings and FanDuel.
Let’s get down to business.
Quarterbacks
Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR) vs. ARI | $6,000 (DraftKings)
After the conclusion of Week 1, guess which quarterback led the league in pass attempts (49), had a 69.4% completion percentage and was one of two quarterbacks to clear the 300-yard mark? You got it, Matthew Stafford. Not only that, but his play was enough to put receivers like Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson on waiver wire articles for redraft leagues. Those two receivers were not coveted based on their abilities, they were targets because Matthew Stafford is the kind of quarterback that can elevate the players around him.
For this slate, Stafford and company face the Arizona Cardinals, who allowed the third-highest yards per pass attempt in Week 1.
For full transparency, not having Puka Nacua available does diminish his perceived ceiling, but should have little to no impact on his volume. Stafford has the 11th-highest salary for Week 2 but maintains a return on investment (ROI) appeal based on volume. He is preferred in tournaments over cash games due to an expected dip in roster percentage.
Daniel Jones (QB – NYG) vs. WAS | $6,900 (FanDuel)
Wait. Don’t scroll away yet, there is a process here.
First, allow me to summarize something J.J. Zachariason said on his podcast. Since the beginning of last season, only three quarterbacks have failed to post a top-12 finish against the Commanders. Joshua Dobbs, Mac Jones and Trevor Siemian. That’s it, that’s the list.
The Commanders allowed 289 passing yards, an 80% completion rate and four passing touchdowns to Baker Mayfield last week. Jones did not look remotely impressive as a passer last week. However, he offers some rushing upside and draws an enticing matchup for this contest.
It is a get-right game for Jones and quite possibly one of the few opportunities to use him in DFS. That being said, he is a tournament-only option and best used for multiple lineup users.
Running Backs
Zach Charbonnet (RB – SEA) vs. NE | $5,800 (DraftKings)
Easily one of the highest risers in roster percentage of the last 24 hours, Zach Charbonnet is headed to Chalk Town. At the time of writing, Ken Walker was listed as doubtful to play. Charbonnet was already operating as the pass-catching back. Now he gets a bump in carries to accompany his receiving allure. He did finish Week 1 with a 26-yard receiving touchdown.
The Patriots only allowed a combined 55 rushing yards and one score to the Bengals last week. That feels misleading because the Bengals’ offense struggled mightily on all levels. And that might be putting it nicely. In two contests last season without Walker, Charbonnet notched 14 and 19 carries.
Charbonnet has a nice skill set and should easily see double-digit carries in this matchup. With the expected chalkiness of this play, he is best suited to cash games.
Isiah Pacheco (RB – KC) vs. CIN | $7,400 (FanDuel)
Isiah Pacheco remains one of the toughest runners we have witnessed in the NFL in quite some time. He runs hard, every time, and is constantly churning through contact.
Last week he turned 17 total touches into 78 scrimmage yards and one score.
Last week, the Bengals allowed 120 rushing yards and a score to Rhamondre Stevenson. If this game gets one-sided early in favor of the Chiefs, expect Pacheco to be the closer.
His salary is the 11th-highest, putting him at a good price point to overachieve the cost.
Wide Receivers
Malik Nabers (WR – NYG) vs. WAS | $5,900 (DraftKings)
Malik Nabers finished his first professional game as the WR32 after notching 66 scoreless yards on five receptions. While not overly impressive, he was a bright spot for an offense that only managed six points in a losing effort.
This week, the Giants face the Commanders, who allowed 176 yards and four touchdowns to receivers last week.
This is a get-right game for Daniel Jones and the beneficiary should be Nabers. Nabers did make an appearance on the injury report earlier this week. He logged a full practice session Friday and is good to go for this contest. Expect him to receive the squeaky-wheel treatment in a juicy matchup that features a 43.5 over/under.
Adonai Mitchell (WR – IND) vs. GB | $5,300 (FanDuel)
There is a difference between just seeing the stat line and actually watching the game. Adonai Mitchell’s stat line was nothing to write home about. The five targets were encouraging, but he only reeled in one for two yards.
That does not tell the whole story, though. Two of those missed targets would have easily been touchdowns.
A healthy Anthony Richardson is more prone to look downfield than search for a check-down, which favors Mitchell’s skill set.
There is an inherent risk in this play if Josh Downs is active, so be sure to check injury reports before locking rosters. Mitchell is a high-upside tournament play if Downs does not suit up.
Tight Ends
Brock Bowers (TE – LV) vs. BAL | $4,400 (DraftKings)
Brock Bowers finished his career debut with the third-most targets at the position last week. The target share and utilization are encouraging as they moved him all over the formation. The usage solidified some of the coachspeak uttered from camp through preseason. Bowers led the team with a 24.2% target share.
The Ravens are not typically a friendly matchup for opposing tight ends. They allowed Travis Kelce and Noah Gray a combined 71 yards last week. However, if the Raiders are committed to the utilization displayed in Week 1, they’ll find creative ways to get targets for Bowers.
Bowers’ volume remains a safe bet and his roster percentage will take a slight dip in a tougher matchup. At cost, he can be rolled out in both cash and GPP contests.
Trey McBride (TE – ARI) vs. LAR | $6,200 (FanDuel)
As a rule, I am far less likely to pay up for a tight end than I am to search for replaceable production for cheaper. However, there are always exceptions. Trey McBride is one of them this week.
He finished week one as the TE11 but had the second-most targets of the position. That trend does not seem to be in danger of changing anytime soon.
This week, Kyler Murray and company face the L.A. Rams, who allowed 45 yards and four receptions to Sam LaPorta last week.
With the expectation McBride continues to operate as a premier target, he should be involved early and often in this matchup. McBride is more suited to cash games due to cost.
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John Hesterman is a featured writer and Expert Consensus Ranker at FantasyPros. He also writes for DynastyLeagueFootball.com. For more from John, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter/X @John_Hesterman.