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Andrew Swanson | Archive | Email |
Staff Writer


DFS Targets for Week 2
9/15/18
Jimmy Garoppolo

Looking for a modest priced quartetback? It's Jimmy Garoppolo's turn to bash the Lions defense.


Note: Salary amounts are Draftkings pricing

Quarterbacks

H2H/Cash - Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Detroit ($6,000)

The handsome one started the season off on a bad note with a 261-yard, three-interception game against the Vikings in a tough road matchup at US Bank Stadium. Don’t let the numbers fool you. The 49ers played the Vikings tougher than the box score suggests and multiple injuries to the offensive line allowed the Vikings to key in and put pressure on Garoppolo. With a home matchup this week against the hapless Lions who made Sam Darnold look like a seasoned vet in his NFL debut, Jimmy G will bounce back in a big way this week and is a nice value play at $6,000.

Other options to consider - Drew Brees vs. Cleveland & Alex Smith vs. Indianapolis

GPP - Tyrod Taylor @ New Orleans ($5,900)

The Bucs punched the Saints in the mouth last week to the tune of 529 total yards of offense and 48 points as Ryan Fitzpatrick delivered the performance of the early season. While I don’t anticipate a massive scoring contest and the Saints will likely sure up some deficiencies on defense, I do think Drew Brees and the Saints will be able to score a ton against Cleveland, and Tyrod Taylor will be throwing a ton to Josh Gordon and Jarvis Landry. Pair Taylor and Gordon for a GPP stack.

Other options to consider - Case Keenum vs. Oakland & Patrick Mahomes @ Pittsburgh

Fade - Aaron Rodgers vs. Minnesota ($6,800)

Although Rodgers is the GOAT and put up four touchdowns against the Vikings the last time the two teams played in Green Bay, the knee strain is a cause of concern, and it might make sense for Mike McCarthy and the coaching staff to give Rodgers the week off to heal against the vaunted Vikings defense.

Running Backs

H2H/Cash - Christian McCaffrey ($7,000)

McCaffrey is the play of the week in all formats for a number of reasons. First, a foot injury to Greg Olson will lead to even more targets for McCaffrey in what could be a shootout at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Add in the fact that the Falcons will be without two of their best playmakers on defense in Keanu Neal and Deion Jones, and you have the recipe for a monster game for McCaffrey.

Other options to consider - Melvin Gordon @ Buffalo & Alvin Kamara vs. Cleveland

GPP - Adrian Peterson vs. Indianapolis ($5,500)

The ageless one looked like an old shell of himself on Sunday against a Cardinal team that we all presumed would be strong against the run. There are no assumptions about the ineptitude of the rushing defense for the Colts, and Peterson will once again be used heavily by Jay Gruden this week.

Other options to consider - James Conner vs. Kansas City & Nyheim Hines vs. Washington

Fade - David Johnson @ Los Angeles Rams ($8,200)

A back injury mixed in with a tough road matchup against the Rams makes Johnson a natural fade this week. Don’t spend $8k on Johnson when you have much better options in McCaffrey and Conner.

Wide Receivers

H2H/Cash - Antonio Brown vs. Kansas City ($8,800)

In certain circumstances, you need to pay a premium for a player in a perfect situation that may lead to fantasy gold. In the case of Antonio Brown playing at home against a Chiefs defense that just allowed over 400 passing yards to Philip Rivers, I feel confident that Brown is worth the premium price. Pair him with Big Ben in cash games for an excellent foundation to go along with a monster ceiling.

Other options to consider - Julio Jones vs. Carolina & Jarvis Landry @ New Orleans

GPP - Josh Gordon @ New Orleans ($5,500)

Gordon salvaged opening week three target dud with a touchdown late from Tyrod Taylor. Hue Jackson said they plan to get Gordon more involved and the Browns will likely need to play catchup in the second half to keep pace with the Saints. I am planning on using a Gordon and Tyrod stack in GPP to finish in the green.

Other options to consider - Devin Funchess @ Atlanta & Dante Pettis vs. Detroit

Fade - Davante Adams vs. Minnesota ($6,800)

Although I am a big Adams apologist and believe he will be a top-five fantasy WR at the end of the year, his injured shoulder along with Rodgers’ knee injury, has me fading all Packers this week. If McCarthy and the Packers coaching staff were smart, they would sit Adams and Rodgers to live to fight another day.

Tight End

H2H/Cash - George Kittle vs. Detroit ($3,800)

Kittle was a target monster last week after Marquise Goodwin went down and projects once again to be a favorite target for Jimmy Garoppolo against the Lions. Although I understand the argument to play him in both cash and tournament formats, Kittle’s floor of six targets makes me feel confident that he is an excellent low-cost option. If you have extra money left over and can pay up for a top tight end Zach Ertz against the Bucs is your play.

Other options to consider - Rob Gronkowski @ Jacksonville & Kyle Rudolph @ Green Bay

GPP - Jonnu Smith vs. Houston ($3,100)

A season-ending injury to Delanie Walker opened the door for Smith to get a shot to be the tight end of the future for Tennessee. A SPARQ score freak and favorite of the fantasy community, Smith is worth the home run play in tournaments this week against a Houston team that was torched by Gronk and Brady last week.

Other options to consider - Jesse James/Vance McDonald vs. Kansas City & Ian Thomas @ Atlanta

Fade - Jimmy Graham vs. Minnesota ($4,800)

I thought about recommending to fade Gronk based on his tough matchup on the road against Jaylen Ramsey and the Jags, but thought better of it and wouldn’t be surprised to see Gronk destroy the Jags for multiple scores to prove a point to the trash talking cornerback. Instead, I will stick with my theme of avoiding Packers against the Vikings and will fade Graham in a tough matchup that could go sideways if Rodgers doesn’t play.

Defense & Special Teams

I am paying up for the Rams ($3700) this week in a home tilt against a Cardinals team that looked lost against the Redskins. I have serious doubts the Sam Bradford will play the whole game as Aaron Donald, and the Rams will be in the backfield early and often against Arizona.

If you are looking for a cheap play, I would consider the Texans ($2600) against the Titans.