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Week 1 of the NFL season is in the books and now we shift our focus onto Week 2 and what value plays we can find on the main slate in DFS competitions.
In this weekly piece, I will examine some undervalued sneaky targets. By selecting these players, you will have more flexibility in other positions to secure a high-end player elsewhere in your lineup. No matter what competition you are playing in DFS, finding a budget player with a safe floor and room for upside is the recipe for success.
I will include the DraftKings (DK) and FanDuel (FD) prices for each player in the main slate competition. However, when discussing which players are valued, I will focus primarily on their DraftKings price compared to other players on that platform. Even though both platforms have a few minor differences in scoring, a value is usually playable on any format given their relation to other highly priced players at their position.
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Quarterback NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 2
Derek Carr, NO at DAL | DK: $5,300, FD: $7,200
Carr surprised many last week as he went 19-of-23 for 200 yards and three scores in a dominant victory over the Carolina Panthers. While the matchup may have helped him, Carr still performed exceptionally well and showed a willingness to push the ball downfield.
In this game, he averaged a 9.8 average depth of target (aDOT) and threw four passes of over 20+ air yards. With two great deep-threat receivers, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, Carr could continue to enjoy numerous spike weeks.
Week 2 presents a tougher challenge for Carr as he faces the Dallas Cowboys, who dismantled the Browns offense last week. However, with how effective the Dallas offense is, Carr may be forced to push the ball downfield even more, setting him up for another potentially big day.
Baker Mayfield, TB at DET | DK: $5,900, FD: $7,400
Mayfield showed that his strong 2023 was not a one-year wonder with a victory over the Washington Commanders in Week 1. Mayfield looked incredibly poised as he went 24-of-30 with 289 yards and four touchdowns.
Baker Mayfield's 3rd down reel vs. Washington is INSANE #Bucsfilm2024wk1 pic.twitter.com/zg5gv5bD6P
— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah) September 11, 2024
Like Carr, the matchup played a role, but that should not understate Mayfield’s passing ability. His Week 2 matchup against the Detroit Lions, currently set at the highest point total of the week at 51, could be a shootout. Like Matthew Stafford's success against this defense last week, Mayfield should be able to light up the scoreboard.
With his two elite pass-catchers, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and emerging rookie wideout Jalen McMillan, Mayfield could finish near the top of the position rankings again after Week 2.
Running Back NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 2
Jordan Mason, SF at MIN | DK: $5,200, FD: $5,500
Jordan Mason got the starting nod in Week 1 and looked quite impressive as he ran for 147 yards and a score on 28 carries. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Christian McCaffrey (calf) is also unlikely to play in Week 2, which could set up another RB1 week for Mason.
Mason could become a popular chalk play at his current price, but the value is too great to ignore. He will face the Minnesota Vikings, who shut down the Giants' run game last week, but that is more a reflection of the Giants' dreadful passing attack.
Najee Harris, PIT at DEN | DK: $5,500, FD: $6,600
Najee Harris dominated the Pittsburgh backfield in the opening game. He was on the field for twice as many snaps (38 to 19) compared to his backfield mate Jaylen Warren. In addition, he had 20 rushing attempts to Warren’s two.
Great run by Najee Harris. Nimble cutback to have No. 93 grabbing air. Strong finish breaking two tackles and churning legs.
Turns what should've been a loss/no gain into 20 yards. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/d41s7iGk5I
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) September 10, 2024
However, Warren battled a hamstring injury during the final weeks of the preseason, which could have limited his game action. While I expect this backfield to revert closer to a 50/50 split as the season progresses, Harris presents us with immense value for now.
The Alabama product is being priced as a low-end RB2 this weekend and should easily produce for managers at that cost. He will face a Denver defense that allowed Kenneth Walker III to rush for over 100 yards in the season opener.
Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN vs. PIT | DK: $4,500, FD: $5,200
Our final RB is looking like a steal at his current price. McLaughlin is $1,000 cheaper (on DraftKings) than the presumed RB1 in Denver, Javonte Williams.
However, their Week 1 game script suggests this backfield is more of a committee than what the prices suggest. Even though Williams logged 12 more snaps, McLaughlin saw two more attempts and three more receptions.
While this may flip weekly, seeing McLaughlin get more opportunities while playing in fewer snaps is a good sign in the short term. In addition, the more rookie Bo Nix gets accustomed to the pros, the more the Broncos offense will improve. Take a potential 1A running back at a significant discount.
Wide Receiver NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 2
Greg Dortch, ARI vs. LAR | DK: $4,600, FD: $4,900
Greg Dortch led the Arizona passing attack in a Week 1 shootout against the Buffalo Bills. While rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. will eventually become the leader in the Cardinals wide receiver room, Dortch could have another big game as they face their division rival, the Los Angeles Rams.
Dortch was deployed as the primary slot option (75.0% of routes ran from the slot) and saw a hefty eight targets, the most out of any Cardinals wide receiver and second only to tight end Trey McBride, who saw nine passes thrown his way.
This game is projected to be a shootout, as it currently has a hefty 49.5 O/U spread. If the Rams move down the field as quickly as the Bills did last week, Kyler Murray will be forced to respond, which could result in another productive day for Dortch.
Jalen McMillan, TB at DET | DK: $3,600, FD: $5,200
Even though the 22-year-old caught only one pass in his NFL debut (a 32-yard TD), he logged the most snaps on the team at his position and ran a route on 64.7% of team dropbacks (equal to Mike Evans).
Facing the Detroit Lions in a potentially high-scoring affair makes him a solid WR3 with upside and a great stack with Baker Mayfield.
Jameson Williams, DET vs. TB | DK: $5,300, FD: $5,700
Is the breakout finally here? After a rough two years to start his professional career, the former first-round pick began to slowly grow into his role down the stretch of last season. Williams led the Detroit passing attack last week with 121 yards and a score, highlighted by an impressive 52-yard touchdown.
Can Jameson Williams be a pro bowl WR this season for the Detroit Lions? #OnePride pic.twitter.com/7DFruoEbNW
— Crunch Time Sports (@officialctpod) September 10, 2024
Given his elite speed, it was only a matter of time before the 23-year-old began to find his footing in the NFL. In Week 2, the Lions could find themselves in another high-scoring affair against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
At his price, there is no other receiver with the floor and the elite upside Williams possesses. If he has another strong outing, expect his price to skyrocket in Week 3.
Tight End NFL DFS Value Plays - Week 2
Tucker Kraft, GB vs. IND | DK: $3,300, FD: $5,000
Kraft was showcased as Green Bay's clear No. 2 tight end in its Week 1 matchup against the Eagles, as he saw a hefty 55 snaps compared to projected starter Luke Musgrave’s 15. While Kraft’s target share was not impressive, he ran a route on 56.8% of team dropbacks, which is a sign that better days are ahead.
Malik Willis will be starting for Green Bay this weekend, and Kraft could become a safety valve for the young quarterback. Priced as a low-end TE2, Kraft should easily outperform that cost.
Colby Parkinson, LAR at ARI | DK: $3,100, FD: $4,800
The final value on this week’s slate is Colby Parkinson. With Puka Nacua (knee) ruled out for at least the next four weeks, someone in the Rams' passing attack must step up. While Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson will see increased reps at wide receiver, I would instead pivot to the tight end.
In Week 1, Parkinson saw five targets in his Rams debut, which was the fourth most on the team. However, in a high-scoring affair against the Arizona Cardinals, Parkinson should provide a safe floor.
While he may not be the top option for his offense, without Nacua, the Rams will have to spread the ball around, and Cooper Kupp can’t do everything (or can he?). At his price, Parkinson is a clear value and should have numerous red-zone opportunities in a potential shootout.
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