NFL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel: Preseason Week 2 (Sunday, 8/17/25)

The top daily fantasy football lineup picks for DraftKings, FanDuel -- NFL preseason Week 2 on Sunday, August 17, 2025. Doug's NFL DFS analysis and sleepers picks.

Week 2 of the 2025 NFL preseason wraps up with a two-game slate on Sunday and an island game on Monday night. Sunday’s slate, which this article will dive into, is highlighted by the 2025 preseason debut of Caleb Williams in the new-look Chicago Bears offense. Buffalo coach Sean McDermott is being coy about Josh Allen, but it’s unlikely that the reigning MVP will see the field before Week 1 of the regular season.

Much like the other slates we’ve had this weekend, today’s lineups will feature players on roster bubbles trying to get an NFL job. One of those players is Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, and although he’s assured of a roster spot, he’s fighting with Spencer Rattler to be the starting quarterback. On the other side of the field, Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars’ starters will see the field as they try to correct the mistakes they’ve been making in training camp. For a small slate, there's certainly a lot to discuss. 

Here you will be provided daily fantasy football picks on FanDuel and DraftKings for the Sunday two-game slate of Week 2 of the NFL preseason on 8/17/25. These NFL DFS lineup picks can vary from high-end players and elite options to backup and contrarian players on both DraftKings and FanDuel. Thanks for reading, and good luck, RotoBallers!

Preseason NFL DFS - Quarterbacks

Tyler Shough (NO vs JAX) (DK: $5,500 | FD: $6,000)

Shough is going to be given every opportunity to win the starting job for the New Orleans Saints this weekend. It wouldn’t be shocking if he were given more than an entire half to show the team what he’s capable of, especially against the first-team offense for the Jaguars. It would be shocking if he didn’t have the most passing yards of any quarterback on this short slate. 

He looked strong last week, completing 68% of his passes, including a 54-yard touchdown pass. Shough has also been pulling ahead during camp, impressing the coaching staff enough to give him the start in this game. He is your cash game option without question, and is a tournament option as well. 

I wrote yesterday at @LASportsDotNet why I believed the #Saints starting Shough Sunday was the right call from an evaluation standpoint.

Being a starter is about much more than getting the first snaps. https://t.co/pkBAOc0UvP

— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) August 16, 2025

ALSO CONSIDER: Mike White (BUF), Caleb Williams (CHI)

Preseason NFL DFS - Running Backs

Travis Etienne (JAX at NO) (DK: $5,500 | FD: $6,000)

After a shaky start at the beginning of camp, Travis Etienne has been back running with the starters in Jacksonville for the past two weeks. Lawrence and the rest of the 1’s will be playing in this game, and given how poor they’ve looked in scrimmages, it would be a shock if they weren’t given at least a quarter or more to correct their sloppy play. Rumors are coming out of camp that the team is interested in trading Etienne and that they plan to feature him early in this game to raise his value. 

If that’s true, he’s going to get plenty of run to show teams what he’s capable of. If it’s a false rumor and he truly is entrenched as the starter, then he still will be on the field with Lawrence and company in a juicy matchup against the Saints. Either way, Etienne stands to get a good amount of work this weekend, and on a short slate, that’s more than enough to use him in a tournament lineup. 

Ray Davis (BUF at CHI) (DK: $5,500 | FD: $6,000)

James Cook just signed a big contract with the Bills, further cementing him as the starter at the running back position. After sitting out last week’s game against the Giants, he may get some run in this game, but his time on the field will be short before he gives way to the backups. Ray Davis will be the first running back on the field after Cook, and after seeing only four carries last weekend, the coaching staff will want to get him a little more work to get ready for Week 1 of the regular season. 

There’s a battle going on between Mitch Trubisky and Mike White for the backup quarterback job, and if the team wants to give them equal footing, then it wouldn’t be a shock for Davis to be on the field with each of them before he takes a seat for backups like Frank Gore Jr. and Darrynton Evans. 

ALSO CONSIDER: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (NO), Bhayshul Tuten (JAX), Kyle Monangai (CHI)

Want more NFL DFS tools and content? Our NFL Premium package includes our DFS Cheat Sheets, Research Station, Lineup Optimizer, access to our Premium Slack Chatrooms where members can chat with our NFL analysts, and so much more. Check out this big win from RotoBaller's RealTalkRaph using our Premium tools - join in on the winning!

https://twitter.com/RealTalkRaph/status/1348654711168229377

Preseason NFL DFS - Wide Receivers

Eli Pancol (JAX at NO) (DK: $5,500 | FD: $6,000)

There may be only one wide receiver spot still available for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and reports out of camp suggest that Eli Pancol could be the player to grab it. He’s impressed in camp and has developed a rapport with the backup quarterbacks, who should see the field plenty after Trevor Lawrence gets through his reps.

Pancol caught two of three targets last weekend, which included a team-long reception of 27 yards. He should see a similar, if not increased, workload this weekend against the Saints as he tries to make a final push for a roster spot. 

A surprise Jaguars UDFA just emerged as a darkhorse who could disrupt the WR depth chart.https://t.co/jOIBWPbJQs

— Carlos Sánchez (@HaeruHariken) July 31, 2025

Tyrell Shavers (BUF at CHI) (DK: $5,500 | FD: $6,000)

There is some speculation that the inclusion of Tyrell Shavers on the Buffalo roster is a foregone conclusion, but one more good game won’t hurt his chances of making the final 53. He was on the field a ton last weekend and looked great, hauling in a 58-yard reception along with another 12-yard grab. Shavers was targeted four times overall, and given the quarterback battle for the backup job, he should expect to see plenty more targets this weekend.  

Mason Tipton (NO vs JAX) (DK: $5,500 | FD: $6,000)

Mason Tipton only caught one of his three targets last weekend, but that one reception was a 54-yard touchdown from Tyler Shough. Shough is getting the start this weekend, and it’s evident that the two have a connection. Despite being on the team last year and appearing in 11 games, Tipton isn’t a lock to make the Week 1 roster.

This weekend, he should be given every opportunity to show the team his worth. One of his main competitors for that roster spot was Bub Means, but he got injured and is out for the season, opening the door for Tipton if he has another strong outing this weekend. 

ALSO CONSIDER: Joshua Cephus (JAX), Rome Odunze (CHI), Kevin Austin Jr. (NO)

Preseason NFL DFS - Tight Ends

Colston Loveland (CHI vs BUF) (DK: $5,500 | FD: $6,000)

 The Chicago Bears are going to have all of their starters available in this game, and that includes starting quarterback Williams. This will be the first live-game action for the 1’s in Ben Johnson’s new offensive system, and the team is going to want to look crisp and execute. 

Rookie tight end Colston Loveland has been clicking with Williams in camp, repeatedly connecting on explosive plays down the field. He may not play for more than a quarter, but all it takes is one big catch for Loveland to lap the field at a position where even three or four points can make a huge difference. 

Caleb Williams connected with Colston Loveland for a huge gain that caused the Camp crowd to erupt! 🔥👀 pic.twitter.com/6hFYhkYlHJ

— BearsMuse (@ChiBearsMuse) August 15, 2025

ALSO CONSIDER: Hunter Long (JAX)

Thanks for checking this out, and good luck!

More Fantasy Football Analysis