RADIO
Hey there Rotoballers! In this article I will be taking a look at some of my favorite plays of the week for the upcoming NFL slate. These picks are based on a multitude of factors including matchup, talent, recent performance, and pricing on Fantasy Aces.
Let's get to the picks!
Editor's Note: Be sure to check out FantasyAces DFS contests for Week 2. New users that sign up on Fantasy Aces and make a $20 deposit will receive RotoBaller's full season NFL Premium Pass for free (including Premium DFS), normally a $59.99 value. Expert DFS research, sample lineups, matchup ratings and lots more!
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Quarterback Plays for Fantasy Aces
Derek Carr (vs. ATL, $6,300)
Everyone is going to be on the Giants-Saints game this weekend, and rightfully so after the offensive explosion that occurred when these teams hooked up in 2015. Both Drew Brees and Eli Manning are fine plays for this weekend, but let's look past them for what should be a lower-owned option with just as much upside. Derek Carr did a great job leading his offense against the Saints last week. He only finished with one touchdown, but that's because the Raiders scored three times on the ground. Don't expect that number to be so skewed going forward. Carr should be able to roast a Falcons defense that is fresh off allowing Jameis Winston to shred them for 281 yards and four touchdowns.
Running Back Plays for Fantasy Aces
C.J. Anderson (vs. IND, $5,700)
It appears that Anderson is going to be a perfect fit in head coach Gary Kubiak's run-friendly scheme, now that Kubiak can run the offense he wants to with Peyton Manning retired. Anderson looked absolutely beastly in Week 1, showing good burst, elusiveness, and toughness on the way to scoring twice against a Carolina defense that is normally stout against the run. Now he will take on a Colts defense that could legitimately be one of the worst in the league this season. One final reason to like Anderson is that his pass-catching skills make him valuable even if the game script favors the passing game.
T.J. Yeldon (@ SD, $4,800)
Yeldon posted RB2 numbers in Week 1 thanks to a touchdown and four catches for 30 yards. While he only picked up 39 yards on 21 carries, he should find much easier sledding this week against a Chargers defense that is one of the worst in the league against the run. San Diego was demolished on the ground and via the air by Spencer Ware last week. Yeldon is a better pass catcher than Ware and has a chance to do some serious damage against the Chargers in Week 2. This is another game that should be high-scoring that is worth targeting if you want to fade the Saints-Giants game.
Wide Receiver Plays for Fantasy Aces
Odell Beckham, Jr. (vs. NO, $6,350)
If you are paying up for a top receiver this week, Beckham is your guy. He has the best matchup by far among the top options as he will welcome the leaky pass defense of the Saints into town. New Orleans lost top cornerback Delvin Breaux last week and their pass defense wasn't all that good even before Breaux got hurt. Beckham turned in a slow (by his standards) performance in Week 1, but he will be more than ready to make up for that in Week 2. Beckham hasn't gone two straight games without a touchdown since Weeks 9 and 10 in 2014, his rookie season. Don't expect that streak to end against the Saints this weekend.
Alshon Jeffery (vs. PHI, $5,200)
Jeffery had a big start to his Week 1, hauling in four passes for 104 yards against the Texans in Week 1. Look for Jeffery to build upon that big effort against the Eagles this weekend. While the Eagles defense, and pass rush especially, looked fierce against the Browns in Week 1, they did show some vulnerability in the secondary. Philadelphia let both Terrelle Pryor and Corey Coleman pick up huge gains on deep throws in the game, with Pryor outmuscling smaller Nolan Carroll for the ball. Jeffery, obviously, is a much better receiver than either of those Browns players mentioned. Jeffery is priced as a WR2 on Fantasy Aces, but he has WR1 upside this Monday night.
Tight End Play for Fantasy Aces
Antonio Gates (vs. JAX, $4,400)
Shake off Gates' slow performance in Week 1 as the veteran tight end finds himself in a great spot on Sunday. With the season-ending injury to Keenan Allen, look for Gates to take a primary role in the team's passing game. While he's not the athlete he one was, Gates still knows how to get open in the middle of the field and is still an elite red zone option. He has multi-touchdown upside whenever he takes the field, which should be the number one thing to consider when looking at tight ends for daily formats. The Jaguars were among the worst teams in the league when it came to defending tight ends last season.
