DraftKings NFL Week 2 Buy Sell + Optimal DFS Lineups

Week 1 finally arrived and with it came massive performances, a handful of upsets, and, of course, plenty of fantasy goodness. As we head into Week 2, it’s important not to overreact to too much of what happened in Week 1 as one game is a painfully small sample size. Trust in year-over-year production and overall team trends rather than individual performances. We’ll be looking at some players the community is likely to fade after disappointing Week 1 performances, as those players will have lower ownership and provide excellent tournament values. We’ll also be looking at the most likely high-value performers in each price tier with a focus on cash games. Let’s dive into some of this week’s most enticing DFS plays on DraftKings.

Quarterbacks

Players I’m Buying

Lamar Jackson should be the top fantasy scorer among all players this week against the Texans, and even at $8,200, I’ll happily spend up on him. Jackson made some pinpoint downfield passes against the Browns and is a uniquely dangerous fantasy weapon when you factor in his rushing ability. Against a weak Texans’ defense, Jackson should be in for another strong performance. If you’re going to play Jackson, look to stack him with Marquise Brown or Mark Andrews to maximize your lineup’s success.

Aaron Rodgers was one of the best players of Week 1 and he finished with the most fantasy points at the quarterback position against the Vikings. This week, Rodgers takes on a Lions’ secondary that allowed Mitch Trubisky to finish as the QB6 last week and may be without Jeff Okudah and Desmond Trufant, their top two corners. I’m all in at $6,900 for Rodgers and I love the Rodgers-Davante Adams stack this week. Matthew Stafford should have to throw the ball early and often to keep up with the Packers, so I would play him at $6,200 as well.

I also love Dak Prescott against the Falcons this week, a defense that allowed Russell Wilson to throw all over them in Week 1. This should be an impressive bounce-back game for this offense given the matchup and I am very interested in stacking Prescott ($6,800) with Amari Cooper ($6,300) or Michael Gallup ($5,600). On the other side of the ball, Matt Ryan should have another strong game and is worth considering at $6,600.

Players I’m Selling

Patrick Mahomes is likely going to be a top-three fantasy quarterback by the end of the season, but this isn’t the week I feel comfortable spending up to have him in my lineup. At $7,700, you’re forfeiting some great wide receivers or running backs and I’m concerned about Mahomes against one of the best cornerback groups in the NFL. Two of Mahomes’s worst games last season came against the Chargers, as well.

I love Deshaun Watson, but I’m not putting him in my lineups for $6,400. I don’t trust his offensive line to keep him upright against a stout Ravens’ front and I don’t trust his receivers to consistently get open against some great cover corners in Baltimore. I would also stay away from Ben Roethlisberger at $6,300 against the Broncos and Carson Wentz at $6,000 against the Rams.

Running Backs

Players I’m Buying

Saquon Barkley ($8,400) and Ezekiel Elliott ($8,200) both have plus matchups this week and I’d rather spend up on one of them than the higher-priced Christian McCaffrey. Barkley plays a Bears defense that allowed a 35-year-old Adrian Peterson to rush for almost 100 yards and finish as the RB18 on the week. Elliott plays a Falcons’ defense that got decimated by Russell Wilson in Week 1 and is worse against the run game than the Week 1 stats suggest. Both of these guys are well worth paying up for this week.

Derrick Henry had a bit of a down game in Week 1 as he failed to reach the end zone, but he still rushed for 115 yards against one of the few teams that were effective at stopping him last season in the Broncos. Henry plays the Jaguars’ defense that allowed both Nyheim Hines (RB4) and Jonathan Taylor (RB16) to have incredible games in Week 1. The Titans will look to control possession on the ground per usual, and Henry should have much easier running lanes against the Jags. He’s a great target this week, and I would rather have him at this price than any of the three guys who are more expensive than him.

Austin Ekeler is a great value at $6,500 as he takes on the Chiefs defense that allowed David Johnson to finish with 19.9 PPR points in a top-10 Week 1 performance. Ekeler was outperformed by his backfield running mate, rookie Joshua Kelley, and finished with just one catch for three yards. Ekeler still had 19 carries and one catch is going to be an outlier performance for him, despite the team’s shift in the team’s scheme. The Chiefs should be able to get up early, despite the Chargers’ stout defense, and Ekeler should have more pass-catching opportunities in this week’s game script.

Jonathan Taylor has massive upside moving forward after the injury to Marlon Mack and could be a top-12 running back moving forward with his talent and the opportunity ahead of him behind one of the league’s best offensive lines. The Vikings’ defense is in shambles right now and I absolutely love Taylor’s price of $5,700. He’ll be featured in a ton of my lineups this week.

Players I’m Selling

As usual, Christian McCaffrey is the most expensive running back in DraftKings after finishing as the RB2 in Week 1. I’m fading McCaffrey this week, however, as he takes on the Bucs’ defense that allowed the 2nd-fewest fantasy points to running backs last year. McCaffrey also rushed for under 3.0 yards per carry in both games against this defense last year. If you have CMC in a season-long league, obviously you’re still starting him, but I’d rather use that hefty amount of money elsewhere this week in DFS lineups. I am also staying away from Clyde-Edwards Helaire as the Chiefs’ running back takes on a Chargers’ defense that shut down Joe Mixon in Week 1.

As of now, I would be staying away from James Conner ($6,800) and Miles Sanders ($6,600) as both players are currently questionable for Week 2. Conner is a stay-away this week no matter what for me against the Broncos’ defense after his shockingly bad Week 1 performance and the way Denver’s defense corralled Derrick Henry for the majority of the game. However, Sanders could be very productive if he plays, which he is hopeful. The Rams’ defense was far more effective in stopping the Cowboys’ passing game than handling Zeke and if Sanders plays, he’ll be utilized in both the rushing and passing game.

Raheem Mostert was one of the standout players of Week 1, but I’m fading him in Week 2. If you take away his 76-yard breakaway touchdown catch, it would have been a very modest 10.5 PPR-point game for him – he would have finished as the RB34 instead of the RB6. Yes, the Jets lost Jamal Adams this offseason, but their run defense was elite last year and their front seven is still very talented – they held Buffalo to just 3.1 yards per carry in Week 1. Tevin Coleman was limited this week but he’ll be more involved as the season goes on, as will Jerick McKinnon who is working his way back from a multi-year injury. The competition for touches and the tough matchup make Mostert a hard sell this week.

Kenyan Drake was a sell for me last week and he finished as the RB17 against a stout 49ers’ front seven. In Week 2, he’ll take on a Washington front seven that looked absolutely dominant in Week 1. Drake provides a solid floor given his role in the pass-catching game, but in this matchup, he doesn’t have the upside to justify his price of $5,800. David Johnson also has a tough matchup against the Ravens’ defense that boasts a stout defensive line. I’m not going to overreact to what was a surprisingly efficient rushing performance by the Browns – the Ravens allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs last season and added Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe over the offseason.

Wide Receivers

Players I’m Buying

Davante Adams is the highest-priced wideout this week at $8,100 and for good reason after his massive performance of 14 catches for 156 yards and 2 touchdowns in Week 1. The Lions’ secondary is a mess right now with Jeff Okudah and Desmond Trufant injured and I’m confident Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams can take advantage. I also like Adam Thielen, even at $7,200, as the Colts’ secondary did not look good in Week 1 and I expect this to be a higher-scoring game. If you spend up for Adams or Thielen, consider stacking them with Rodgers or Cousins at quarterback.

I’m not going to advise selling DeAndre Hopkins again – he’s proven he’s pretty much matchup proof and with Kyler Murray’s ability to scramble, it almost doesn’t matter what front seven they’re playing. You should be aware that Chase Young and co. are going to be bearing down on Murray, but Hopkins is a WR1 every week. At $6,100 and $7,700, respectively, Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins are an interesting stack option.

Julio Jones ($7,400) and Calvin Ridley ($6,800) are going to be buys just about every week as I expect the Falcons to be at or near the top of the league in passing attempts this season. The Cowboys’ defense held the Rams in check in Week 1, but they just don’t have the personnel to capably cover both of these elite wideouts. On the other side of the ball, I’m looking for Amari Cooper ($6,300) and Michael Gallup ($5,600) to have great games against a weak Falcons’ secondary.

Chris Godwin ($7,000) should have an excellent opportunity for success against the Panthers’ secondary, and while the offense didn’t quite click in Week 1, I’m expecting Godwin to continue to see a ton of targets out of the slot. I also love Allen Robinson ($6,400) against the Giants’ defense that allowed JuJu Smith-Schuster to finish as the WR7 in Week 1. T.Y. Hilton at $5,600 represents awesome value for a highly-talented WR1 in what should be a pass-heavy game on both sides. As Philip Rivers and his top receiver gain more chemistry, there should be some awesome fantasy production this season. Against the Vikings’ defense, this duo could do big things.

Players I’m Selling

Tyreek Hill salvaged his Week 1 for fantasy with a touchdown, but that can’t be counted on week in and week out. Hill is going to be a hit-or-miss option with some massive games, as always, but the Chargers have one of the best cornerback groups in the NFL. I would fade Hill at a price of $7,500 this week. I’m also out on Cooper Kupp in Week 2 at $6,700. His 5 targets in Week 1 were far fewer than fantasy players were hoping for and he’ll see a lot of Darius Slay, who locked up Terry McLaurin in Week 1.

Stefon Diggs’s price was bumped up to $6,500 after a stellar Week 1 game, but I’m fading him a bit against the Dolphins. Miami’s run defense looked awful in Week 1 and there’s a good chance the Bills won’t need to throw very much to win this game. For the same reason, I would stay away from John Brown at $5,600. DeVante Parker will also have a tough matchup against Tre’Davious White and the Bills’ defense, so I’m not putting him in my lineups this week.

I would also stay away from D.J. Moore at a price of $6,300 as the Bucs defense looked dominant in Week 1 and I don’t trust the Carolina offensive line to buy Teddy Bridgewater enough time to push the ball downfield effectively in this matchup. Will Fuller had a strong Week 1, but Brandin Cooks should be more involved as he’s further removed from his injury. The Ravens also have a strong secondary that should keep Deshaun Watson at bay this week.

I’m also concerned about A.J. Brown at a price of $6,100 against the Jaguars. The Titans will be running the ball a lot more than they did in Week 1 and I expect them to be much more successful on the ground against Jacksonville. I’m also hesitant to play Brown due to how exceptional rookie C.J. Henderson looked in Week 1. I would also be hesitant to play Terry McLaurin at $5,900 – the Cardinals’ defense looked awesome in Week 1 and Dwayne Haskins did not look like the improved second-year QB I expected to see last week.

Tight Ends

Players I’m Buying

Travis Kelce is a great option for Week 2, even at $7,000, as he’s one of the safest and most consistent players in fantasy football. If the Chargers’ defense does have a weakness, it’s defending tight ends, so I expect Kelce to have success in this matchup. I also love Mark Andrews against the Texans’ defense that Kelce carved up in Week 1. Andrews is one of Lamar Jackson’s favorite targets and when you factor in his involvement in the red zone, Andrews is one of the top plays at tight end every week. I love the option of stacking Jackson and Andrews at $8,200 and $6,300, respectively, although you would be burning a lot of cash on QB and TE.

Evan Engram was disappointing in Week 1 as he only came down with 2 catches on 7 targets, but he should have a better game against the Bears’ defense. T.J. Hockenson dominated Chicago in Week 1 and I trust Engram’s talent to help him bounce back from a poor effort. Hunter Henry saw 8 targets from Tyrod Taylor last week and he’s clearly a top priority in the offense. Henry’s game fits well with Taylor and I expect the two of them to continue to produce together.

Hayden Hurst let down a lot of fantasy players last week, including me, but I still see him as a strong option at $4,600. The Falcons are going to throw the ball a ton again and Hurst should get more involved in the offense as he gains more chemistry with Matt Ryan. The Cowboys allowed the most catches in the NFL to tight ends last year, so this is a plus matchup as well. I also expect T.J. Hockenson to have another strong performance after finishing as the TE5 in Week 1. Kenny Golladay is expected to be back for this game, but the Lions are going to need to throw a lot to keep up with the Packers and Hockenson is a consistent threat for Stafford, especially in the red zone.

Players I’m Selling

I’m fading Zach Ertz right now, which I hate because I love him as a player. I had concerns going into the season about how much the pass-catching weapons in this offense had improved – I didn’t expect Ertz’s target share to remain as high as it was last year. The catch percentage wasn’t actually the problem in Week 1 – Ertz had 7 targets and scored a touchdown – but his 42.9% catch rate and 6.0 yards per reception were not impressive. With some tensions about Ertz’s contract situation bubbling over and Dallas Goedert continuing to emerge as a high-level tight end, I don’t feel great about Ertz right now. I would rather play Goedert at $5,000 than Ertz at $5,600.

I would also be a little hesitant to play Noah Fant this week. He was the TE3 for Week 1 as he came down with 5 catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. However, Courtland Sutton is expected to make a return this week and the Steelers’ defense is going to make life tough on Fant. Evan Engram had a massive bust game in Week 1 against this defense, and I want to see a tight end play well against them before it’s a matchup I target in DFS.

Bargain Bin

In this section, I’ll break down a couple of cheap options at each position that I think have a great chance of outperforming their current price. I’ll pay special attention to matchups, game script, and personnel changes to find diamonds in the rough.

Quarterbacks: The Colts and Vikings both looked overwhelmed in terms of pass defense in Week 1 and I expect that to continue for the time being as neither team’s cornerback personnel is particularly impressive. I like both Philip Rivers and Kirk Cousins at their price – both $5,900 – as I expect this game to be high-scoring and both quarterbacks to open up the offense. If you’re playing Rivers or Cousins, make sure to stack them with either T.Y. Hilton or Adam Thielen.

Running Backs: Ronald Jones is priced at just $5,200, massive value for the starting running back for an offense of the Bucs’ caliber. Jones is clearly the starter for now after he significantly outpaced any other running back on the team in touches in Week 1. The Panthers’ run defense is going to be a DFS target all year long and I love Jones in this matchup. Nyheim Hines is also enticing at $5,300 – Philip Rivers loves to throw to his running backs and Hines should see a lot of touches with Marlon Mack out.

Wide Receivers: Jamison Crowder had a stellar Week 1 and is priced at just $5,400 this week. The Jets have very few proven pass-catchers, especially now that Le’Veon Bell is injured. Crowder should benefit from a ton of garbage time catches in this game. CeeDee Lamb is also a really interesting option at $4,700 – he impressed in his debut with five catches for 59 yards and the Cowboys are going to run a ton of three-wide sets after losing Blake Jarwin for the year. Lamb should see plenty of playing time and opportunities to succeed against one of the worst secondaries in football.

Tight End: Jonnu Smith looked great against a solid Broncos’ defense in Week 1 as he finished with four catches for 36 yards and a touchdown. He should have more opportunities to succeed against a weak Jacksonville defense in Week 2, and at just $4,200 I’m very intrigued. O.J. Howard looked explosive in Week 1 while Rob Gronkowski was lackluster, and it seems like Howard will be a consistent target in this offense. Against Carolina’s porous defense and at just $3,900, I love O.J. Howard this week.

Sample Lineups

In this section, I’m going to build a couple of sample lineups using the players I discussed above for you to reference when making your lineups this week. As always, I’m going to build a stack into all of these lineups with a quarterback and wide receiver/tight end. I believe stacks are the best way to maximize your potential to dominate in tournaments and win cash prizes on DraftKings. Here’s a few ideas for how you can build your lineup this week.

Lineup #1:

QB: Philip Rivers $5,900
RB: Derrick Henry $7,900
RB: Ronald Jones $5,200
WR: T.Y. Hilton $5,700
WR: Calvin Ridley $6,800
WR: Allen Robinson $6,400
TE: Hayden Hurst $4,600
FLEX: CeeDee Lamb $4,700
DST: LA Rams $2,800

Lineup #2:

QB: Dak Prescott $6,800
RB: Austin Ekeler $6,500
RB: Jonathan Taylor $5,700
WR: Julio Jones $7,400
WR: Michael Gallup $5,600
WR: Jamison Crowder $5,400
TE: Jonnu Smith $4,200
FLEX: Parris Campbell $4,500
DST: Buffalo Bills $3,900

Lineup #3:

QB: Lamar Jackson $8,200
RB: Ezekiel Elliott $8,200
RB: Ronald Jones $5,200
WR: Allen Robinson $6,400
WR: Diontae Johnson $4,500
WR: Corey Davis $4,000
TE: Mark Andrews $6,300
FLEX: James Robinson $4,400
DST: LA Rams $2,800