FanDuel Daily Fantasy Football Preseason Helper: Thursday 8/10/17
Football is back -- sort of.
It's the preseason, and FanDuel is offering up some DFS slates. You might be thinking that preseason DFS isn't for you, but really, you can have a lot of success if you're tuned into the news and expected workloads for players.
At the very least, it'll give you a reason to tack on an extra four weeks to your football-viewing season.
Here's what you should know for tonight's seven-game slate. (Note that in the preseason, all FanDuel salaries are $6,000.)
Quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo, New England Patriots ($6,000) -- The first game of the preseason has belonged to Jimmy Garoppolo over the past few years, as he's piled up a total of 61 pass attempts in New England's preseason openers over the past three seasons. Last season, though, the Patriots let third-round pick Jacoby Brissett carve into his workload a bit, giving Garoppolo 58% of the snaps and 18 pass attempts to Brissett's 42% and 13 attempts. The good news is that New England has passed the ball fourth-most frequently of any team on this slate over the past three preseasons, so there should be enough volume to sustain both quarterbacks. Garoppolo is probably the safer pick, but Brissett's rushing ability makes him an interesting tournament pivot.
Brett Hundley, Green Bay Packers ($6,000) -- This preseason might be the most important month of Brett Hundley's career to date. The Packers and Hundley believe that he is (eventually) starting material, but a nagging ankle injury held him to just seven pass attempts in one abbreviated appearance last preseason. With just 10 regular season throws under his belt, he needs to show out in this preseason. In 2015, he showed the ability to be a monster in preseason daily fantasy, racking up 551 passing yards and six touchdowns in the third and fourth weeks of the preseason combined. He should take the start in this one, so will benefit from reps with the first-team offense, and he could be looking at a half of playing time. He is the top upside-quarterback play on the slate.
Matt McGloin, Philadelphia Eagles ($6,000) -- Matthew McGloin has reportedly not played well enough to warrant the Eagles keeping three quarterbacks thus far, so the next few games will likely be all he has to change that perception. Last season, the Philadelphia Eagles gave their second- and third-string quarterbacks 90% of the reps in this game, including 51 to their third-stringer. McGloin is a guy who, as recently as last season, had the opportunity to be a starting quarterback in the league, so if he ends up getting close to a half of football, he will be a terrific preseason play.
Nathan Peterman, Buffalo Bills ($6,000) -- Tyrod Taylor played only six percent of the snaps in the first week of the preseason last year, and he'll probably only be looking at a drive or two tonight. The Buffalo Bills have just T.J. Yates and Peterman after Taylor on the depth chart. They know what they have in Yates, a veteran who has spent time playing for current offensive coordinator, Rick Dennison, in Houston. Peterman, on the other hand, has impressed the OC during camp and is the more unknown commodity. It wouldn't be surprising for him to get most -- if not all -- of the second half.
Running Back
De'Angelo Henderson, Denver Broncos ($6,000) -- De'Angelo Henderson has been turning heads at Denver Broncos camp and should get every chance to shine in this game. Henderson is Denver's sixth-round pick from this year's draft, who ran a 4.48 at the combine and was extremely productive in his time with the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. Last season, Denver gave C.J. Anderson just 17% of the snaps in this game, instead electing to give their younger second- and third- string backs a combined 66% of the snaps. With Devontae Booker on the PUP, it would seem Henderson will be in line for a good chunk of those carries.
Corey Clement, Philadelphia Eagles ($6,000) -- Donnel Pumphrey and Wendell Smallwood both have dealt with minor hamstring injuries this week and are unsure to get much -- if any -- work in this game. With LeGarrette Blount and Darren Sproles both aging and locked into their roles, that leaves Corey Clement, who is expected to receive the majority of the carries. There are plenty of more talented backs available tonight, but few who will get the work Clement will. He is a viable play in all formats.
Samaje Perine, Washington Redskins ($6,000) -- Talented rookie back Samaje Perine is one of the most interesting running back candidates on this slate, as he's not guaranteed anywhere near the 50% of snaps that some backs could demand, but has the ability to put up points in a hurry. He should benefit from playing for a Washington Redskins team that has been more run-heavy than any team during the preseason over the past three seasons. The only question will be if there's enough volume to go around with five healthy backs. He will likely need a big run or touchdown to make his day, both of which are within reason, given his downhill running style.
Rex Burkhead, New England Patriots ($6,000) -- Mike Gillislee has been dealing with a nagging hamstring issue and won't get any work in this one. James White is locked into his role with New England at this point, leaving offseason acquisition Rex Burkhead to potentially shoulder a large workload in this game. Burkhead proved himself an efficient runner and pass catcher in his time in Cincinnati and could pile up points in a hurry if he sees the playing time.
Matthew Dayes, Cleveland Browns ($6,000) -- Dayes has been one of the most notable players to see their stock improve at camp, and he will look to further his cause in tonight's game. The Cleveland Browns know what they have in Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson, so it would make sense for them to give a large workload to the reserve back they are most excited about, as they did last season, when they gave 44% of the snaps to Terrell Watson. Dayes is a sneaky bet for big volume tonight.
Javorius Allen, Baltimore Ravens ($6,000) -- It would be surprising to see the already-banged-up Baltimore Ravens play it anything but extremely cautious with their top guys in this game, including the likes of Terrance West and Danny Woodhead, who seemingly have their positions locked up. This game could end up being an open competition between Javorius Allen and Taquan "Smoke" Mizzell. Both have impressed at times in camp and are in a heated battle for the third-running back spot after the injury to Kenneth Dixon. We have seen Allen have some success at the NFL level, and he has reportedly matured this offseason and has something to prove. Both backs are viable plays.
Bishop Sankey, Minnesota Vikings ($6,000) -- Both Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon have dealt with injuries recently, while C.J. Ham has moved to fullback, leaving the Minnesota Vikings with rookie Dalvin Cook, Bishop Sankey, and undrafted rookie Terrell Newby to carry the load in this game. With their backfield already banged up, it would really be surprising to see Cook get significant work. The more logical move would be to let Sankey and Newby handle the bulk of the load as they battle for roster -- or more likely -- practice squad spots. Based off of expected volume, Sankey is a value here.
Wide Receiver
Leonte Carroo, Miami Dolphins ($6,000) -- Leonte Carroo played 75% of the snaps in this game last season. Since then, the former third-round pick has done nothing to improve his standing with the Miami Dolphins, finding himself in an identical spot on the depth chart to where he was at this time last season. With several reports that he has been making good progress at Dolphins camp thus far, Carroo should get plenty of looks in this game again.
Brandon Coleman, New Orleans Saints ($6,000) -- As a 6'6" athletic standout, it's not hard to get excited about Brandon Coleman's potential in the New Orleans offense. If you're a true fantasy degenerate, you know that, because that has been the case for three straight offseasons now. Coleman has been noted as one of the camp standouts so far, and realizes the importance of this preseason for his career. "It's time," he's said this summer. "It's time. It's my fourth training camp here, and the time is now. There's no tomorrow. I'm starting to realize that now." Both he and the Saints have motivation to get him the ball in this game, which shouldn't be difficult, as they have been the league's most pass-heavy team over the past three preseasons.
Michael Floyd, Minnesota Vikings ($6,000) -- Michael Floyd has reportedly had a strong camp. Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen already have secure roles in the passing game, so they likely won't see much time in the opener, while Laquon Treadwell is banged up heading into this game and not expected to play. As a result, Floyd should have every opportunity to shine. We've seen coaches ride players who are suspended early on in the regular season in past preseasons, and that could very well be the case tonight with Floyd.
Rod Streater, Buffalo Bills ($6,000) -- Rod Streater has been one of the main story lines at Bills camp in his attempt to revamp his career and should play a large role in this game. With Sammy Watkins and Anquan Boldin unlikely to play much, if at all, the likes of Streater and preseason staple Rashad Ross should get the chance to shine in this game.
Michael Clark, Green Bay Packers ($6,000) -- Clark, a 6'6" undrafted rookie for the Packers has been gaining steam heading into this game, using his basketball background to his advantage and dominating jump balls in practice -- even catching Aaron Rodgers' eye. Last year, Green Bay used this game to give then-hyped receivers, such as Geronimo Allison and Jared Abbrederis, each over 40% of the snaps, a number that seems attainable for Clark. He's still raw and thus a risky option, but he is an exciting tournament dart-throw with tons of upside.
Tanner Gentry, Chicago Bears ($6,000) -- Gentry had another outstanding day at camp this week and has been all the rage for Chicago thus far. His storyline to this point is reminiscent of Daniel Braverman, who was last season's training camp standout, and consequently played 67% of the snaps in the preseason opener. Gentry probably isn't someone to run out in cash games, but he is an intriguing low-owned option.
Tight End
Nick Boyle, Baltimore Ravens ($6,000) -- Susprise, surprise, the Ravens have the most-injured depth chart at tight end, too. After Benjamin Watson, Nick Boyle might be the only healthy tight end Baltimore has tonight. Based on volume alone, he is worth a roster spot at a tight end position that is always hard to fill in preseason.
Seth DeValve, Cleveland Browns ($6,000) -- Seth DeValve, Cleveland's fourth-round pick from 2016, has drawn constant praise this offseason and could see a lot of action tonight with David Njoku a little banged-up. He is a slightly riskier option than Boyle, but is likely to carry lower ownership.
Kicker
Choosing a preseason kicker is about as mind-numbing a task as there is, so make it simple and the ones who will at least get 100% of the opportunities. On this slate, the ones that stand out are Stephen Gostkowski, Justin Tucker, Steven Hauschka, Mason Crosby and Caleb Sturgis.
Defense
The Washington D/ST will be facing Ryan Mallett and a depleted Ravens depth chart. Sign me up. The New England D/ST seem like a good bet for at least one turnover against Blake Bortles, while the Denver D/ST are also a strong play against an uninspiring Chicago Bears squad.
