The bargain basement DFS plays are back for Week 2. Everyone knows to start Aaron Rodgers and Julio Jones most weeks. What can bring home the money in DFS is finding players who will produce at a lower salary but might not be on many lineup cards.
Here’s a look at some players in Week 2 who have low salaries but are worth considering for your rosters:
Quarterbacks
Marcus Mariota, Titans
DraftKings: $6,000
FanDuel: $7,500
Mariota had a bad matchup in Week 1 going up against the tough Vikings defense. He threw for 271 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Mariota should have a much easier time this Sunday when he takes on the Lions.
After one week, the Lions have allowed the most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Granted, Detroit’s defense did have to face Andrew Luck last week but they still gave up 385 yards and four touchdowns through the air.
The Titans couldn’t get their running game going on Sunday and Mariota was harassed all game long. The Lions defense likely isn’t as bad as it showed against the Colts but Mariota is going to have opportunities to rack up fantasy points in this game.
The Lions defense also comes into this game allowing the most fantasy points to tight ends and the seventh most to wide receivers. Pairing Tajae Sharpe ($4,100) and tight end Delanie Walker with Mariota ($4,500) is a high-ceiling/low-cost stack for Week 2.
Josh McCown, Browns
DraftKings: $5,000
FanDuel: $6,000
Robert Griffin lasted a whopping one game as the Browns starting quarterback. McCown is back under center and that’s probably a good thing for Cleveland’s skill position players.
McCown went 1-7 as a starter last year but he was more productive as a fantasy quarterback. He scored 20+ fantasy points in four of eight games. McCown’s best performance in 2015 came against the Ravens when he threw for 457 yards, two scores and finished with 38 fantasy points.
The Ravens defense shut down Tyrod Taylor in Week 1, so McCown won’t be highly owned. McCown is an interesting stack option with Gary Barnidge ($4,000), Corey Coleman ($4,700) and Terrelle Pryor ($3,700).
Running Backs
Shaun Draughn, 49ers
DraftKings: $3,700
FanDuel: $4,800
Draughn isn’t going to be highly owned this week but he’s a sneaky good play given how the game could play out against the Panthers.
Draughn worked as the clear No. 2 back behind Carlos Hyde in Week 1. He got nine touches against the Rams and scored a touchdown. Draughn also received two red zone carries that led to that scoring opportunity.
Many times game situation can dictate fantasy success. There’s a good chance the 49ers will be playing from behind on Sunday. Draughn is San Francisco’s pass catching back. He got nine touches in a blowout win. If the 49ers are trailing as expected against the Panthers (They’re close to a two touchdown underdog), Draughn should easily see double-digit touches.
Draughn is an out-of-the-box DFS play but how many times this year is San Francisco going to be on the right side of a blowout win? Draughn will be a bigger fantasy factor when the 49ers are forced to throw more, which should be the case this week against Carolina.
James White, Patriots
DraftKings: $4,000
FanDuel: $5,600
White didn’t have a huge game against the Cardinals (5 catches 40 yards) but he was targeted seven times. Arizona is also a tough defense for running backs to catch passes against because they often stay in to block.
The most important thing to take away from the first week is White was heavily involved in the offense. The seven targets are encouraging moving forward and White dominated snaps as the Patriots passing down back with Dion Lewis injured.
The Dolphins allowed six receptions to running backs in Week 1. White doesn’t have the highest ceiling but for a low-salary running back option he can get you in the 15-20 point range. That’s what you’re looking for from a $4,000 DK running back.
Wide Receivers
Vincent Jackson, Buccaneers
DraftKings: $4,000
FanDuel: $5,400
Jameis Winston had a big fantasy day in Week 1, throwing for 281 yards and four touchdowns. Despite Winston’s strong game, Jackson (2 catches 18 yards) didn’t make an impact against the Falcons.
On the surface, it may look like the aging Jackson is being phased out of the offense. Looking a little deeper, Jackson and Mike Evans were both targeted seven times on Sunday. The difference is Evans capitalized on his opportunities by catching five balls for 99 yards and a touchdown.
Arizona’s defense allowed the 10th most fantasy points to receivers. The Cardinals have major issues right now at their second cornerback spot. In Week 1 rookie Brandon Williams – a former running back – started opposite Patrick Peterson. He was targeted eight times, allowing four completions for 74 yards and a touchdown. The Cardinals only other options are Justin Bethel and Marcus Cooper.
Winston is undervalued right now. He’ll be a strong DFS play all season. After his Week 1 dud not many people will be looking at Jackson but the targets were there and he has a matchup to exploit. Jackson is certainly worth consideration this week at his salary.
Tajae Sharpe, Titans
DraftKings: $4,100
FanDuel: $6,000
I mentioned above Sharpe and Mariota are a good QB/WR stack this week. Sharpe has clearly established himself as Mariota’s favorite target among the Tennessee receivers.
Sharpe’s impressive preseason carried over to the opener. He caught seven balls for 76 yards on 11 targets. Detroit’s defense allowed the seventh most fantasy points to receivers last week. Against the Colts, the Lions gave up 16 receptions, 237 yards and a score on 25 targets to receivers.
Sharpe is still extremely undervalued early in the year. Now is the time to take advantage of his bargain basement salary before it rises. The matchup is favorable and the targets are there.
Tight End
Virgil Green, Broncos
DraftKings: $2,800
FanDuel: $4,600
Green only caught four balls for 28 yards in the Broncos first game. Those aren’t great numbers by any means but keep in mind Green missed an easy touchdown when he was wide open in the end zone and Trevor Siemen’s pass got batted down.
Green faces a Colts defense this week that’s decimated with injuries in the secondary. The Colts allowed the fourth most fantasy points to tight ends in Week 1 after giving up six receptions, 51 yards and a touchdown on six targets.
Green isn’t a high-volume reception player but he’ll continue to see targets in the red zone. He has one of the best matchups he’ll see all season. At his salary, it’s a good week to roster Green.
Defense
Green Bay Packers
DraftKings: $3,200
FanDuel: $4,400
The Packers are more of a value on FanDuel than DraftKings this week but they make a strong play at either place.
The Titans defense wasn’t able to exploit the Vikings shaky quarterback situation. The Packers aggressive defense will make it much tougher on either Shaun Hill or newly signed Sam Bradford Sunday.
Green Bay recorded three sacks and an interception against an explosive Jaguars offense in Week 1. Bradford will probably get the start. Either way, the Packers defense is one of the top DFS value plays this week.
