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It's never too early to start your NFL season with some daily fantasy football plays. No need to wait for the regular 2017 season to start, we've got you covered starting Week 1 of the NFL preseason!
Here are some DFS picks at each position for DraftKings lineups that could pay off. With a limited amount of playing time for starters and uncertainty surrounding each position, it's a bit trickier in the preseason.
That said, here are our recommended DFS plays for Friday, August 11, 2017 on DraftKings for NFL.
Editor's Note: Stay on top of your draft prep with RotoBaller’s fantasy football rankings, featuring expert analysis, ADPs, and draft insights for both PPR and non-PPR leagues.
DraftKings DFS Quarterbacks
Patrick Mahomes (vs San Francisco 49ers)
Simply put, the Chiefs know what they have in Alex Smith. He likely will not suit up, but if he does, he will not play more than two series. That leaves plenty of time for Kansas City to evaluate their rookie quarterback. Mahomes is a strong-armed quarterback that has no fears on the throw. He’s a gunslinger type of thrower, but was careful with the ball throughout his career in Texas Tech’s air raid offense. The most important part of Mahomes game is that he has elite running ability. Dual threat quarterbacks bring the most upside to fantasy, and Mahomes should see more than enough snaps to score fantasy points.
Joshua Dobbs (at New York Giants)
It has been stated that the Steelers are preparing for life after Ben Roethlisberger, and that life starts with Joshua Dobbs. They selected Dobbs in the fourth round, and he is going to see plenty of snaps with Roethlisberger and Landry Jones taking the night off. Dobbs continued to progress as a player through his four years at Tennessee, and it would not be shocking to see progression to his game through the offseason rookie programs. He’s also a player that is known for using his legs, which only adds to his upside. Once again, this play is based more on volume than current talent.
DraftKings DFS Running Backs
Kareem Hunt (vs San Francisco 49ers)
The Chiefs have a backfield filled with veterans, which means Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West, and CJ Spiller have already proven their talents in the NFL. In other words, the Chiefs do not have to spend the preseason evaluating them. Hunt is a different story, though. He has quickly ascended up the depth chart, as there have been reports of him taking first team reps. He’ll need a big preseason to unseat Ware as the starter, and the Chiefs will likely give him plenty of opportunities to do so after trading up in the NFL Draft for him. Hunt is a complete back that can play three downs, and he has been player that has been able to seize his opportunities throughout his colligate career.
Elijah McGuire (vs Tennessee Titans)
Matt Forte and Bilal Powell have been dealing with injuries, which means they are likely going to sit this game out. McGuire has been the player to take over the first team reps during practice, and he will likely run with the starters this week. There is not much notable depth behind McGuire, which suggests he could potential play more than a half in this game, as the Jets try to find out what they have in their rookie. He isn’t an athletic player, but he was consistent throughout college, and will be able to produce in a volume driven role.
DraftKings DFS Wide Receivers
Travis Rudolph (vs Pittsburgh Steelers)
Rudolph is fighting for a roster spot, and he’s in an elite position tonight. Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, Sterling Shepard, Tavarres King, and Kevin Snead are all unlikely to play in this game. That leaves Dwayne Harris ahead of Rudolph on the depth chart, but he will not play more than a couple drives, if he plays at all. That leaves only a few wide receivers left on the roster, including Rudolph. He could have been drafted significantly higher if he had stayed another season in college, but it has been well noted that Rudolph has been performing well during camp. He should see plenty of volume in this game, making him an elite option.
Chris Godwin (at Cincinnati Bengals)
Neither Mike Evans nor DeSean Jackson have anything to prove in preseason, which opens the door for Godwin to draw the start. Godwin has earned praise throughout the season, as there have been reports that he is a secret weapon for the Bucs and that he does not play like a rookie. He’ll have the platform to prove them right this weekend, as he should see plenty of action. He’s a player that knows how to use his body, which should result in a few red zone targets. Touchdowns count for a premium when players are only playing limited snaps, which makes Godwin such an enticing player.
DraftKings DFS Tight End
Rico Gathers (at Los Angeles Rams)
Gathers is a player that is likely going to be owned at an extremely high rate this week, and for good reason. He was star basketball player at Baylor University before transitioning to the NFL after his senior season. Dallas has been talking Gathers up since signing him, and there is a lot to like about him. At this point, he simply needs reps, which he saw during the Hall of Fame game. In that game, he recorded three catches for 59 yards and one touchdown. He was also open on a second touchdown, but was not thrown to. The preseason is about snaps, and Gathers will get as many as he can handle. He’s nearly a must start at tight end.
