By Chet Gresham – @ChetGresham
Updated Aug. 12, 2016.
Follow @walterfootball for updates.
Aug. 12 Games
Preseason DFS is a crazy game to get into, but it can be rewarding. Many people are just so happy to have the NFL back, they’ll put together a few teams to help their enjoyment of what are usually not overly enjoyable games, especially in the second half. And for your everyday fan, getting deep into researching preseason games is not at the top of their to-do list. So if you do take the extra time to research, you have a decent shot of winning, especially in 50/50s or Double Ups.
In today’s update, I look at Friday’s games and try to give some context with the information we have at hand, but be sure to stay on top of the news up to kickoff. Your main rule of thumb, if they are starters, don’t play them.
Detroit Lions (0-0) at Pittsburgh Steelers (0-0)
Le’Veon Bell, DeAngelo Williams, Antonio Brown, Ladarius Green and Markus Wheaton are all out for this game, so we should see plenty of Sammie Coates and Darrius Heyward-Bey. Coates is fighting to pass Wheaton on the depth chart and is going to have to prove he’s worth the jump during live action. I’ll likely have Coates on all my teams.
Now that news about Ladarius Green’s headaches is out, the Steelers are going to need to work on getting their tight end depth chart sorted. Jesse James is next in line and could get some red-zone work in this one, but he also could see fewer snaps since he could be the starter. Picking tight ends in preseason is the toughest of all the positions.
The Lions will likely limit Matthew Stafford, Ameer Abdullah, Golden Tate and Marvin Jones, while Eric Ebron is hurt and Steven Ridley just came off the PUP list. I’d like to know more about Ridley’s status for this game, but I’m looking at Zach Zenner right now as my play in this one. He’s trying to win a roster spot and early down work, so he should be motivated and get snaps.
With Ebron and Brandon Pettigrew out, there is a good chance for UDFA Cole Wick to make a splash. He’s been getting a lot of praise this offseason, and with the Lions most likely resting their starting wide receivers early, I could see Wick getting a decent amount of targets.
RB Zach Zenner
TE Cole Wick
Miami Dolphins (0-0) at New York Giants (0-0)
Arian Foster won’t play and Kenyan Drake hasn’t practiced since Friday. Jay Ajayi is back and practicing, but he could also see limited work coming off an injury. That would leave Damien Williams, Daniel Thomas and Isaiah Pead to play the majority of the snaps. None of these guys have a good chance to make the team, but Williams is probably in if someone ahead of him were to suffer an injury. He’s the back I’d want to use from those three.
I’m not even going to guess as to the breakdown of the Giants’ running backs, but rookie Paul Perkins will look to make a name for himself after not making a splash in practices. If Rashad Jennings and Shane Vereen are limited to a couple series, I could see Perkins putting up some points.
Ryan Nassib should see the majority of the work in this one and could be a worthwhile pick, as the Giants should work on going up-tempo. I doubt we see much of Odell Beckham Jr. or Sterling Shepard. Shepard is a rookie, but he has already solidified his role as the No. 2, and New York won’t want to risk him for too long, plus Victor Cruz probably won’t play after hurting his groin. Of course, there are plenty of receivers left to catch passes, but I’m going to lean toward Geremy Davis as my pick. I like his ability, and he should see a decent amount of time on the field.
Will Tye and Larry Donnell are competing for the starting tight end job and should see more work than players who already have jobs wrapped up. Tye is by far the better receiver, so he’s the guy I’ll be playing Friday night.
RB Paul Perkins
WR Geremy Davis
QB Ryan Nassib
TE Will Tye
Minnesota Vikings (0-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-0)
If I knew Jerick McKinnon would get a half of work with Adrian Peterson out, I’d be all over him, but news hasn’t come out of Minnesota yet. After McKinnon, I don’t like any of the Vikings’ running backs to be able to do much, so unless I hear McKinnon is going to get a half, I’m fading the running game. The same is true with the Bengals, who will most likely limit Gio Bernard and Jeremy Hill without much talent behind them.
Top draft pick Laquon Treadwell is still in need of reps, as he’s yet to pass Charles Johnson on the depth chart, so he should be used enough to be worth a roster spot in this game. The Bengals could do the same with Tyler Boyd, but he has a firmer grasp on the offense according to reports.
With Tyler Eifert and Tyler Kroft out, the Bengals will want to give C.J. Uzomah plenty of work because they will probably need him to start Week 1. He’s also got plenty of ability and could do some real damage.
TE C.J. Uzomah
Cleveland Browns (0-0) at Green Bay Packers (0-0)
Corey Coleman and Andrew Hawkins won’t play in this game, which makes Rashard Higgins and Terrelle Pryor two players who could do some damage. Both need the work and are in the running to see regular-season game time and will want to build some chemistry with Robert Griffin III.
The Packers won’t have Aaron Rodgers or Jordy Nelson, but the third wide receiver position is up for grabs, so Davante Adams, Jared Abbrederis and Jeff Janis should see a healthy amount of work. If Ty Montgomery, who just got off the PUP list, plays, it would muck things up a bit, so keep an eye on the news there.
Rodgers is out, but so is Brett Hundley, which will give UDFA Joe Callahan the start. He should play at least a half, so I’m on board with him as a DFS play.
Jared Cook just came off the PUP list and has already been making big plays in camp. He is currently behind Richard Rodgers on the depth chart, so I expect Cook to get plenty of work as long as the Packers feel comfortable with his health.
WR Terrelle Pryor
QB Joe Callahan
WR Davante Adams
TE Jared Cook
The Cardinals won’t play their starters for more than a series, and then, they’ll spread things out quite a bit. No single player is probably going to get a big chunk of work, but of course, that’s the way with most preseason games, but I’m going to stay away from Cardinals players.
The Raiders won’t spread the ball around quite as much as the Cardinals and I expect DeAndre Washington, Andre Holmes and Seth Roberts to get a decent amount of looks. I especially like Washington to see a lot of work this preseason so Oakland can get a good gauge of where he is.
WR Andre Holmes
WR Seth Roberts
Aug. 11 Games
Preseason DFS is a crazy game to get into, but it can be rewarding. Many people are just so happy to have the NFL back, they’ll put together a few teams to help their enjoyment of what are usually not overly enjoyable games, especially in the second half. And for your everyday fan, getting deep into researching preseason games is not at the top of their to-do list. So if you do take the extra time to research, you have a decent shot of winning, especially in 50/50s or Double Ups.
Here, I look at Thursday’s games and try to give some context with the information we have at hand, but be sure to stay on top of the news up to kickoff. Your main rule of thumb, if they are starters, don’t play them.
Washington Redskins (0-0) at Atlanta Falcons (0-0)
Terron Ward has a hand injury, which should keep him out of this game. Add to that limited snaps, if any, for Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, and you have just a few running backs to choose from for the Falcons. Gus Johnson is my favorite of the group for snaps with Brandon Wilds right up there as well.
Matt Jones is the current No. 1 running back in Washington, but Keith Marshall isn’t far behind. Reports for Marshall have been good out of camp, and now the Redskins will want to see what he can do in game action.
Neither starting quarterback is going to play much, so backups will rule the day. There isn’t much clarity on who will get the most time on the field, but Matt Simms and Nate Sudfeld are the two I would target. Both need the work and the coaching staff will want to see what they have in live action.
The Washington receivers will be without Josh Doctson due to injury, while DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Jamison Crowder should be limited to keep them from injury. If I were risking a receiver here, it would be Ryan Grant or Rashad Ross. Both are competing for playing time and should be used extensively.
The Falcons won’t risk Julio Jones or Mohammed Sanu, but could get Justin Hardy more looks, as coach Dan Quinn has wanted to see more separation from him. After Hardy, I would take a hard look at Devin Fuller, who should see plenty of snaps and could get lucky with a touchdown return.
Austin Hooper should see plenty of time at tight end for Atlanta in this game. Jacob Tamme is ahead of him and probably won’t play much, but the Falcons want to see what they have in Hooper.
RB Gus Johnson
TE Austin Hooper
WR Devin Fuller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0) at Philadelphia Eagles (0-0)
The Buccaneers won’t give Doug Martin much work and Charles Sims is nursing an ankle injury, so we should see quite a bit of work for Mike James. Storm Johnson and Peyton Barber should also see work, so this isn’t a slam-dunk, but James is my pick.
Ryan Mathews returned to practice last Friday, but the Eagles will probably be careful with him in this first week of preseason. Wendell Smallwood hurt his quad and won’t play, while Darren Sproles is 33 years old and the Eagles know what they have with him. That leaves just two running backs, Kenjon Barner and Byron Marshall. Barner will get plenty of run and will return kicks, so he’s my pick from the two, but I also would not balk at throwing Marshall into some lineups.
I’m also a fan of both Eagles quarterbacks in this game. Chase Daniel will get most of the first half after Bradford goes a couple series, and then, Carson Wentz will start much of the second half. Wentz will probably see the most time, but I like Daniel a bit more as he knows the offense and has put up big numbers in preseason in the past.
Philadelphia receiver Jordan Matthews is out with a bone bruise, but wouldn’t have seen much work as it is. After him there is a bit of a cluster effect, but Nelson Agholor appears to have the No. 2 job, even though he still has plenty to prove. I am looking at Rueben Randle and Chris Givens in this game, as both are looking to win that No. 3 receiver position and should see plenty of work with Bradford and Daniel.
The Buccaneers’ tight end situation has Cameron Brate ahead of Austin Seferian-Jenkins, but we know the latter has some real offensive ability when his head is on straight. I think both will get work, but Seferian-Jenkins is my pick here, as he has a lot to prove.
The Eagles know what they have in Zach Ertz and Brent Celek, so I expect we’ll see a lot of Trey Burton in this game. Burton has been putting on a show at camp, and the coaches will want to see if he can do it during a game.
QB Carson Wentz
RB Kenjon Barner
RB Mike James
WR Chris Givens
TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins
TE Trey Burton
New Orleans Saints (0-0) at New England Patriots (0-0)
The Patriots are a tough team to pin down as usual, but their running back situation could be one of the best going in DFS. Dion Lewis is still on the PUP list and LeGarrette Blount is a known commodity who the Patriots wouldn’t mind keeping healthy, but Tyler Gaffney is someone who they hope can back up Blount and has shown the athletic ability to play well in the NFL, but injuries have derailed him so far. He should get a lot of work Thursday night and will probably be on all my teams.
Jimmy Garoppolo will start the first four games of the regular season, so we might expect to see him limited, but Bill Belichick wants him to be ready for Week 1, and that means playing. Last preseason, Jimmy G. put up 30 passes in the first game despite the belief that he would be the starter Week 1 then as well. Then, add in a poor Saints secondary, and I think you have a high upside pick in Jimmy.
Drew Brees won’t play much, but I do like Garrett Grayson, who, according to beat reporter Jeff Duncan, should have most of the second half to toss the ball all over the field.
New England’s receivers are dinged up pretty good, with Julian Edelman back, but limited after an injury scare and Danny Amendola still on the PUP list. With Garoppolo likely playing a good amount, I expect Chris Hogan and Malcolm Mitchell to get a lot of run, as they are the best of the rest on the team.
The Saints will probably use Brandin Cooks, Coby Fleener and Willie Snead sparingly, so I’m looking hard at Michael Thomas, who has been getting rave reviews in camp. Brandon Coleman could also be a nice pick, but I think New Orleans will want to see Thomas more, as he’s a rookie, and one who could start if he does well in game action.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo
WR Malcolm Mitchell
WR Chris Hogan
WR Michael Thomas
RB Tyler Gaffney
Carolina Panthers (0-0) at Baltimore Ravens (0-0)
The Ravens will most likely be without Steve Smith, Breshad Perriman, Dennis Pitta, Crockett Gillmore, Michael Campanaro, Chris Matthews and Chris Moore, which leaves a lot of playing time for others. Unfortunately, the running backs are all in line to play, with Justin Forsett the incumbent probably not getting a ton of snaps. Terrance West has been going crazy in camp and probably will take that energy into this game, which gives him a bit of a boost in my mind, but we will also see Buck Allen, Kenneth Dixon and Lorenzo Taliaferro get work.
The Panthers won’t risk Jonathan Stewart’s health. and they know what they have in Mike Tolbert and Fozzy Whittaker. We will probably see plenty of Cameron Artis-Payne, but I could really see Devon Johnson getting a long look in this game. He’s my pick of the group.
Joe Flacco and Cam Newton will barely play, if at all, so I’m looking at Josh Johnson and Joe Webb as possible plays. Don Markus of the Baltimore Sun believes Johnson will get a lot of work in the second half. I also like Joe Webb, who can get you points with his legs. He’s risky, but I like his upside.
With so many Ravens out, we should be able to predict a decent amount of field time for their receivers and tight ends. Jeremy Butler should get extensive use in this game, while Darren Waller should get a large percentage of the tight end snaps.
On the other side of the field, I expect Keyarris Garrett to do all he can to make the team and prove he should have been drafted.
WR Jeremy Butler
TE Darren Waller
QB Joe Webb
RB Devon Johnson
WR Keyarris Garrett
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-0) at New York Jets (0-0)
Matt Forte and Bernard Pierce won’t play in this game, and I doubt the Jets will work Bilal Powell too hard, as he’d be the lone starter if Forte were to go down. Khiry Robinson could see work, but he has yet to put in a full practice since coming of the PUP list. That leaves the dynamic duo of Dominique Williams and Romar Morris, but Williams is the player who New York will want to see more from.
The Jaguars need more injuries and information to help me narrow down these picks, so until something pops up, I’ll probably fade them.
We most likely won’t see much of Brandon Marshall or Eric Decker. and I could even see Quincy Enunwa seeing limited time if he’s already gotten the slot position under wraps. If I’m going with any Jets pass catcher, it’s probably going to be tight end Jace Amaro. He seems to finally be coming around, but still needs plenty of work, and preseason is a good time to get that for him.
TE Jace Amaro
Denver Broncos (0-0) at Chicago Bears (0-0)
Chicago’s running back situation is full of situational players, so it’s going to be tough figuring out who gets the touches week to week. The same is true for preseason. I’ll most likely fade the Bears, but I could see Jordan Howard grab a goal-line touchdown, as that is one of the jobs they’ll want him to hold down.
I doubt we see much of C.J. Anderson, which should give rookie Devontae Booker a decent amount of work. Ronnie Hillman, Kapri Bibbs and Juwan Howard are the guys fighting for a roster spot, but I feel a bit safer with Booker and his ability.
Paxton Lynch may be the third-string quarterback in this game, but he is slated to get most, if not all, of the second half to himself. That’s a lot of time to put up some fantasy points, and with his scrambling ability, I like his chances.
I expect the Bears will work on their running game to see where their young backs are, but I also expect Daniel Braverman should get plenty of work with Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White most likely getting bubble wrapped and Eddie Royal coming off a concussion. Braverman has been getting rave reviews from camp as well and will get his chances to show his ability.
The Broncos are still trying to figure out who their starting tight end will be, which puts Virgil Green and Jeff Heuerman in competition. Green is No. 1 on the depth chart, so Heuerman could see a bit more run, but I think both have an opportunity to do something in this game.
RB Devontae Booker
WR Daniel Braverman
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