We get two massive NFL Preseason DFS slates at DraftKings on Saturday. The bummer? There is not a ton of clear-cut news when it comes to playing time and general player availability.
There is enough to make some decisions, but especially on the early slate (which starts at noon CT), I’d play lightly. With that, here are my favorite plays at each main position (my core) for the early slate:
Quarterback: Dillon Gabriel (Browns)
Gabriel has a hamstring injury he’s been dealing with, but he returned to practice this week and is said to be today’s starter if he avoids a random setback. Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders, and Kenny Pickett are all expected to be out, so Gabriel is probably starting and playing an entire half.
If he’s out, we can look to Tyler Huntley, who would then start in his place and play possibly the entire game. If that were to happen, Huntley would be the best QB play of the early slate.
I have to think Cleveland wants a long look at their 3rd round pick. I will say there are several viable QB options that could play up to a half, but given the narrative, I like him the most.
Other Options: Malik Willis and Sam Howell
Both of these guys are likely looking at a half of play. Jordan Love won’t play (thumb), so Willis should start and see about a half of work. Howell is starting for Minnesota, as JJ McCarthy also won’t be playing, and he is another very solid pivot off of Gabriel.
Running Back: Zavier Scott (Vikings)
Scott looked good last week and saw a good amount of work, and I am anticipating that again on Saturday. With other Vikings starters not playing, I’d be surprised for Aaron Jones to suit up and if he did, he’d be very limited.
Scott should see work behind Jordan Mason and get plenty of field time to pay off.
Other RBs: Ollie Gordon, Woody Marks, DJ Giddens
There are a ton of running backs to consider on a 6 game slate and most are going to be viable. Heck, the Raiders might let Ashton Jeanty play “a good bit” and we might see Jonathan Taylor for the Colts.
I’d still lean into guys we feel pretty good about seeing 1-2 full quarters, which is why I start with Scott.
Wide Receiver: Darius Cooper (Eagles)
Cooper crushed last week and got a ton of targets his way. Is that a lock to repeat? No, but he clearly put his ability on display and he has a connection with Tanner McKee. If there’s a chance at him repeating a similar role, I want to take advantage of it.
With Philly dealing with injuries at WR and unlikely to play their starters much (if at all), he and teammate Johnny Wilson look like excellent options.
Other options: Isaac TeSlaa, Jimmy Horn, and Kyle Williams
Much like RBs, there are a ton of solid WRs we can give a try. It’s Preseason, so literally everyone comes with risk. However, Detroit has fed third round pick TeSlaa early and often and I have to think they will keep giving him opportunities to win the 3rd WR spot.
Jimmy Horn got solid volume in week one and is a shifty, electrifying talent that still needs to earn his keep in Carolina. I expect him to get a decent amount of work, while Kyle Williams is a training camp darling that still has to prove he’s deserving of a big role.
Tight End: Tyler Warren (Colts)
Warren had three catches in week one, so we know Indy wants to get the kid involved. They also have an ongoing quarterback competition, so the Colts are likely to let their main guys play as long as those quarterbacks do.
Other options: Harold Fannin Jr. and Ben Sims
I don’t know how much the Browns will play Fannin, but he’s a talented rookie that was super productive in college. It would make sense to give Gabriel someone to play with, and if he is out there I like him quite a bit.
Green Bay shouldn’t play Tucker Kraft or Luke Musgrave too long, which open the door to multiple quarters out of Ben Sims. He’s no stud, but playing time would be the key here.
The Raiders said their starters are going to play “quite a bit”. If we can trust that, I don’t hate a sprinkling of Brock Bowers if he starts.
Looking for picks for the second batch of Saturday games? Check out my top NFL DFS core plays for the main slate.
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