DFS Strategies Week 2

The goal of your casual DraftKings player is often to try and find “sleepers” and use them to take town large field tournaments. While very rewarding when you hit, I’ll be the first to tell you that it’s damn difficult to do.

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I’ve become primarily a cash player over the years, which means playing in double ups, 50-50s and head-to-heads, with the hopes of finishing in the top half of the field and doubling my investment in that week’s slate. Of course, you’ll want to take that lineup and enter it into a tournament in case it goes off, but the larger goal is to just be above average.

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The best way to do that is to identify two things:

1. Which players have the safest/highest floor/ceiling combo?

2. Which players are going to command high ownership?

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Here are some players for the Week 2 13-game main slate on DK that I’d consider cash viable plays:

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Patrick Mahomes ($7,500) @OAK — Always the most consistent option, even without Tyreek Hill. Scored 30 DK points in JAX, and topped that mark in OAK last year.

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Lamar Jackson ($6,700) vs. ARI — Big Week 1 will fuel ownership numbers, but the hype should continue into a home matchup against the Cardinals. Another great matchup for Jackson, who should use his legs more.

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Deshaun Watson ($6,600) vs. JAX — Watson shredded the Saints’ secondary, and will now return home to face a JAX defense missing plenty of key pieces.

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Jared Goff ($5,900) vs. NO — Modest Week 1 numbers keep his salary extremely affordable for a much better matchup at home. To go-to-guy for under $6k.

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Alvin Kamara ($8,200) @LAR — Kamara was $8,500 vs. HOU on MNF, but his salary inexplicably drops after 13 carries for 97 yards, and seven receptions (on eight targets) for 72 yards. DK salaries are worth taking advantage of on player that played MNF the week before since salaries come out on Sunday. There will be edges, as you’ll notice with OAK players.

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Austin Ekeler ($6,100) @DET — The Chargers reminded us how much they don’t need Melvin Gordon in the Week 1 OT victory over the Colts. Ekeler dominated on his 18 touches, ripping off yards and scoring three times.

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Mark Ingram ($6,000) vs. ARI — The $6k price-point is a crucial one et RB this week. Ingram dominated the Dolphins on just 14 carries, but was pulled with tons of time left. Expect more dominance, and a larger workload against Arizona.

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Derrick Henry ($6,000) vs. IND — Even if we take away his 75-yard TD reception in Week 1, Henry looked great against the Browns. Expect 20+ touches hosting IND.

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Josh Jacobs ($4,700) vs. KC — Jacobs should be the highest owned player on this slate. He was priced before we saw his 24-touch workhorse role on MNF against the Broncos. He’d be $6,000 if we saw him play before he was priced.

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DeAndre Hopkins ($8,100) vs. JAX — Hopkins had a dominant 8-11-2 line on 13 targets in NO. He’s fared very well against JAX in the past, and will be at home for this one.

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JuJu Smith-Schuster ($7,500) vs. SEA — JuJu could’ve been better in Week 1, but I expect a few more targets for him at home against SEA. He should do more with them too, John Ross ripped this secondary apart last week.

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Robert Woods ($6,400) vs. NO — Always a consistent options to pair with Goff. Eight grabs for 70 yards on 13 targets in Week 1, and now faces NO defense.

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Larry Fitzgerald ($4,600) @BAL — Mr. Professional got it going late with Kyler Murray in his debut. Monster 8-113-1 line on 13 targets in Week 1 leaves him underpriced, even in BAL.

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Tyrell Williams ($4,400) vs. KC — Another Raider underpriced. AB out means Williams is the WR1, and he thrived — 6-105-1. Chiefs are a good matchup, and game script sets up for OAK to be throwing from behind.

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Evan Engram ($5,200) vs. BUF — Engram is the Giants’ only real pass-catcher. Turned 14 targets into 11-116-1 in Week 1.

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Darren Waller ($3,300) vs. KC — Waller lived up to the offseason hype, bringing in 7-of-8 targets for 70 yards against Denver.

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T.J. Hockenson ($3,000) vs. LAC — Hockenson went off in his NFL debut for 6-131-1 on nine targets. Tough to pass up for $3,000, and didn’t look like a fluke.

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D/ST

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Patriots ($3,700) @MIA —You saw what the Dolphins did last week. The Pats held the Steelers to three points.

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Broncos ($2,700) vs. CHI — The Bears offense managed three points at home against the Packers. Denver’s a very tough place to play early in the season, and has some monsters on D.

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Follow Julian on Twitter @JulianEdlow