Marcus Mariota and the Titans could be a great value against Detroit this week. (Getty Images)
– John Bandinelli
Welcome to week 2 daily fantasy fans. If you stacked Brees and Co., sprinkled in some Oakland receivers with Spencer Ware you probably cashed in everything you entered this past weekend. I didn’t do so bad myself, but there’s always room for improvement. And like my Math professor says “Practice, make it perfect like Michael Jordan.” Here are this week’s picks, hopefully they help fill out your lineups.
QB
High End
Eli Manning (NYG) – $7600
This is probably the most I’m willing to spend on any QB this week. Brees has trouble with road games and I think he’ll be overly owned this week. I know this matchup is going to be tempting to load up on for a lot of people based on last weekend’s NO/OAK game. This game has potential for a shootout but basing your picks off of last week’s performance is not advised in my opinion. If the Giants get up early expect them to use Jennings to manage the clock and keep Brees off the field. I’d also like to note that there is a 60% chance of rain for game time.
Solid Starts
Marcus Mariota (TEN) – $6000
Coming off of a productive week, Marcus faces a Detroit defense that allowed 450 yards of total offense last week. I’m hoping he’ll be low owned and have him in plugged more than any other QB. There is a real shootout possibility here and this is my favorite QB pick of the week.
Joe Flacco – (BAL) – $6500
Joe plays a much softer defense in Cleveland this week. He has lots of weapons to distribute the ball to and appears in sync with the newly acquired Mike Wallace. I don’t love him this week but certainly a good pick that could be overlooked this week.
Blake Bortles (JAX) – $6700
I’m not sure if Blake reaches his value this week but coming off an impressive 300+ passing game against a Packers defense. He has the weapons to take advantage of the San Diego defense this week.
Bargain Bin
Trevor Siemian (DEN) – $5200
Even without D. Thomas there’s a possibility that Siemian picks apart an Indy defense that gave up 3 TDs to Matthew Stafford last week.
Notables
Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) – $7500
Matthew Stafford (DET) – $7300
Phillip Rivers (SD) – $6400
RB
High End
David Johnson should see an increase in touches this week, he could take your lineup over the top. (Getty Images)
David Johnson (ARI) – $7600
Guaranteed to get the majority of the work at home this week. A solid option if you want to pay up for it. Always possible that he breaks out a huge run and he can catch out of the backfield.
Lamar Miller (HOU) – $7200
Another high volume back. 100+ rushing yards last week. Can’t really see how you could go wrong here. Kansas City is ranked 29th against the run allowing 150+ yards rushing last week.
Solid Starts
C.J. Anderson (DEN) – $6800
One of my favorite RB picks for this week, going against a terrible Indy defense. He can catch out of the backfield and looks like he’s picked up right where he left off last year.
DeMarco Murray (TEN) – $5700
I really like Tennessee’s matchup this week and Murray has a high ceiling this week. He got a great start to his season last week. Another pass catching back here who will likely see a good amount of touches. Did you see that flip last week!? If not go look it up and try to tell me that he doesn’t want to get into that end zone.
Bargain Bin
T.J. Yeldon (JAX) – $4700
Ivory is ruled out again this week for a general medical issue (whatever that means) so Yeldon will get the majority of the work again. He has a better matchup this week after the Packers last week. He played 63 out 72 offensive snaps against the Pack.
Danny Woodhead (SD) – $5200
Danny Woodhead with a good matchup is always a tremendous value.
With Keenan Allen out, look for Rivers to check down often to Woodhead coming out of the backfield. A potential dual threat with significant rushing yardage last week.
WR
High End
A.J. Green (CIN) – $8900
Odell Beckham Jr. (NYG) – $9500
Both of these guys are tier one operators. I think you get what you pay for here and both have great weeks. I like Green a little more because of the game script but either of these guys could have huge weeks with big play always a possibility. Both will be highly owned.
Solid Starts
No real middle ground here for me this week, I’m spending big elsewhere and grabbing low value high upside guys. If you’re looking for someone in the middle, I’ll list off a few here worth looking into yourself.
Jordy Nelson (GB) – $7500
Emmanuel Sanders (DEN) – $6000 (D. Thomas is questionable as of right now.)
Amari Cooper – $7600 / Michael Crabtree $6100 (OAK)
Bargain Bin
Will Fuller (HOU) – $4200
I’m surprised DraftKings didn’t raise his stocks higher this week. Plug this WR2 into your lineups as a WR3. Brock Osweiler likes this rookie A LOT.
Tajae Sharpe (TEN) – $4100
Another Titan here that I like for their matchup this week. And another rookie, with 7 receptions on 11 targets for 76 yards. It’s only a matter of time before Mariota feeds this kid a TD and this week could be the week.
Victor Cruz (NYG) – $4300
Victor Cruz returning to his old self could be great value until his price increases. (Getty Images)
The Salsa is back! I have no idea why Cruz is priced this low. If anything was proved last week, it’s that Cruz still has his step in more ways than one.
Other Bargains
Chris Hogan (NE) – $3500 * Questionable as of right now. *
Cole Beasley (DAL) – $3200
Jeremy Kerley (SF) – $3000
TE
Solid Starts
Delanie Walker (TEN) – $4500
Another Titan (Surprise!) One of Mariota’s favorite targets. Should get plenty of red zone looks.
Dwayne Allen (IND) – $3600
Playing the majority of the offensive snaps last week. Allen had a TD and a 2-point conversion so I think he’s a major target for Luck in the end zone.
Bargain Bin
Dennis Pitta (BAL) – $2800
The whole receiving corps in Baltimore is up for grabs and I think any given Sunday someone could have a big week. Pitta is trying to earn his way back from on and off seasons. He has a good match up to do it with this week.
DEF
Solid Starts
Baltimore – $3000
After a tight defensive battle with Buffalo last week expect the Ravens to take advantage of Josh McCown and the Bears.
Bargain Bin
Miami – $2500
With Tom Brady still suspended an improved Dolphins defensive looks to get to an inexperienced Garoppolo in a crucial division game.
That’s it for Week 2! Feel free to tweet me with lineup questions or any other Daily Fantasy questions you might have. Good luck this week.
– John Bandinelli (Twitter)
HARD FOUL SPORTS 