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Week 2 DraftKings Plays: Derrick Henry, Kyler Murray, and More

Week 2 DraftKings Plays; With Week 1 in the books, here are players to target in daily fantasy in Week 2 for cash games or tournaments.

Just like that, opening week in the NFL has come and gone. It seems like just yesterday that fans were longing for fantasy football and now it’s a reality. One of the best aspects of fantasy football has become playing on DraftKings. Every week is like a new puzzle to figure out. Whether you are more of a cash game or tournament player, each presents a unique challenge. Below is a look at some of the best Week 2 DraftKings plays.

Week 2 DraftKings Plays

Week 1 Recap

It’s always good to be completely transparent and demonstrate accountability. That should be everyone’s approach to aspect of their lives, including fantasy football. Whether it’s bold takes or DraftKings recommendations, there needs to be accountability and a tracking of wins and losses.

Looking back at Week 1, 50% of my recommendations hit the 2.5x value we look for in cash game lineups. Quarterback was the best group at an 83.3% success rate. Meanwhile, tight end brought up the rear down at a 33.3% success rate. Overall, it wasn’t a very successful week.

  • Week 1 – $295 ⇒ $41 ($254 LOSS)
  • Year Total – $295 ⇒ $41 ($254 LOSS)

Week 2 DraftKings Plays

Quarterbacks

Lamar Jackson (BAL) – $8,100 v CLE

So much for all that regression. Lamar Jackson picked up right where he left off and looked to be in MVP form against the Cleveland Browns in Week 1. He picked apart the Browns defense on his way to 27.5 fantasy points. That was with “only” 45 yards on the ground. That’s scary stuff there. This week Jackson has another nice matchup against the Houston Texans. This matchup will be even more enticing than last week’s if Houston can keep the game a bit closer than Cleveland did and this game turns into more of a shootout. Regardless, nobody has the floor/ceiling combination that Lamar has and he’s always a safe bet if you are looking to pay up at quarterback.

Kyler Murray (ARI) – $6,100 v WAS

Kyler Murray was one of “the guys” heading into this season and is a dark-horse MVP candidate. He started off his sophomore campaign hot as he put up 27.3 points against a tough San Francisco 49ers defense, including 91 rushing yards and a score on the ground. He was able to do that without being that sharp through the air either. This week he gets to face off against the  Washington Football Team. The defensive line for Washington is a nasty group but the defense as a whole isn’t as strong. Murray, like Jackson, presents such a high floor due to the rushing aspect of his game and he’s always a strong cash game consideration.

Josh Allen (BUF) – $6,700 @ MIA

This feels a little bit like chasing points as Josh Allen is coming off arguably the best game of his career in Week 1. It was his first game throwing for more than 300 yards. He also rushed 14 times for 57 yards and a touchdown on his way to 33.2 points. This week he also gets an extremely favorable matchup against the Miami Dolphins. He’s torched Miami so far in his short career. In four games against the Fins, Allen’s finishes are QB1, QB1, QB2, and QB7. Like Jackson and Murray, Allen’s ability on the ground gives him such a high floor. Chances are good he puts up another high-end performance.

Others to Consider: Matt Ryan (ATL) – $6,600 @ DAL, Jared Goff (LAR) – $5,800 @ PHI, Dak Prescott (DAL) – $6,800 v ATL

Running Backs

Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) – $8,200 v ATL

Ezekiel Elliot looks to be in a smash spot this week against a soft Atlanta Falcons defense. Atlanta just got lit up by Russell Wilson and company and that included a good game from Chris Carson, despite not seeing anywhere near the snap share and opportunities that Elliott did. Carson was also surprisingly involved in the passing game as well and Zeke saw four targets in Week 1. This game has the highest O/U on the entire slate and the Cowboys are the fastest-paced team in the NFL so there should be plenty of fantasy goodness in this one. Zeke is one of the few workhorses left and should turn out to be one of the best plays when it’s all said and done.

Derrick Henry (TEN) – $7,900 v JAX

Speaking of smash spots, Derrick Henry gets to take on the Jags this week. This should be a matchup where Henry should see another 30+ touches and eat the Jacksonville defense alive. If A.J. Brown is out this week, the Titans could lean on the run game even more than normal. The only small concern for Henry is always the pass game usage. He did see three targets in the first week which was slightly encouraging, but this game script should be heavily in his favor making him a safe play in cash lineups.

Jonathan Taylor (IND) – $5,700 v MIN

Fans knew Jonathan Taylor SZN was coming but it came a lot quicker than most expected. Marlon Mack suffered an unfortunate season-ending Achilles injury in Week 1. It is always terrible to see any player go down, but when it happens, other players see an opportunity to step up. This should be pretty straight forward as Taylor should handle most of the workload this week. Taylor looked good in bursts in his debut and the most encouraging sign was the six targets and receptions. The Minnesota Vikings defense isn’t what it once was and Taylor should see a healthy workload.

Kenyan Drake (ARI) – $5,900 v WAS

Kenyan Drake didn’t have a great game in Week 1, but it wasn’t bad either. Playing against San Francisco, he was still able to take on a workhorse role coming off an injury (70% snap rate). Chase Edmonds saw some action, but Drake still played more than most running backs in the NFL. The Cardinals are one of the fastest-paced teams in the NFL, trailing only the Cowboys. Their opponent this week, Washington, is another fast-paced team. Simply put, $5,900 for a three-down back in a good offense and a fast-paced game is just way too cheap.

Others to Consider: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC) – $7,400 @ LAC, Miles Sanders (PHI) – $6,000 v LAR, Nyheim Hines (IND) – $5,300 v MIN, Ronald Jones (TB) – $5,200 v CAR

Wide Receivers

Davante Adams (GB) – $8,100 v DET

Davante Adams had 17 targets in Week 1. That’s how many times Aaron Rodgers threw it Adams way in the opener on Sunday. Adams was able to haul in 14 of those targets for 156 yards and two scores, which was good for 44.6 DraftKings points. That number was easily the best among any receiver in Week 1. This week he gets another mouth-watering matchup against a depleted Detroit Lions secondary. If Detroit can keep this contest close, Adams is a near-lock for another double-digit target day. The only risk here is that the Packers jump out to an early lead and lean on Aaron Jones and the run game. Even still, Adams is about as safe a play as there is.

DeAndre Hopkins (ARI) – $7,700 v WAS

What a debut for DeAndre Hopkins! So much for the notion that receivers take a dip in production after they move to a new team. Maybe that doesn’t apply to one of the best wide receivers in the league, especially when he goes to one of the best schemes in the NFL. Nuk was able to put up a similar line to Adams, just without the touchdowns. He saw 16 targets and hauled in 14 of them for 151 yards. Not bad against one of the better defenses in the NFL. This week Hopkins should produce once again in what should be a very fast-paced matchup between Washington and Arizona. Hopkins should  see another double-digit target game come Sunday.

Diontae Johnson (PIT) – $4,500 v DEN

The pricing on Diontae Johnson is just far too low. This is a situation of the pricing coming out before the Monday Night Football game, which fantasy players can take advantage of. After starting off rough, Johnson settled in as the game moved on. When the dust settled, he played 55 of 64 snaps and saw ten targets. He only finished with six receptions for 57 yards. Not bad, but it could have been a lot better. Either way, it’s clear that he and JuJu Smith-Schuster are the primary pass catchers and will be featured. A price of $4,500 is just far too cheap for a player with that level of snap count and target share.

Corey Davis (TEN) – $4,000 v JAX

Corey Davis has been a perennial disappointment to this point in his career. Coming into this season, many people had written him off completely, but some thought he was one of the most popular candidates to become this year’s, DeVante Parker. So far, so good. In Week 1, Davis saw eight targets and turned them into seven receptions for 101 yards. He outshined sophomore sensation A.J. Brown. Brown was looking to bounce back this week himself, but he’s been ruled out with a bone bruise in his knee. That leaves Davis and tight end, Jonnu Smith, as the main two weapons in the passing game. Against a bad Jaguars defense, Corey Davis could keep the good times going in Week 2.

Others to Consider:  Mike Evans (TB) – $6,400 v CAR, Amari Cooper (DAL) – $6,300 v ATL, Marvin Jones (DET) – $5,700 @ GB, Mike Williams (LAC) – $4,200 v KC, Parris Campbell (IND) – $4,500 v MIN, Allen Robinson (CHI) – $6,400 v NYG

Tight Ends

Mark Andrews (BAL) – $6,300 @ HOU

If you are looking to pay up at the tight end position this week, Mark Andrews might be the best play. He looks to be in an absolute smash spot against the Houston Texans this week. The biggest question with Andrews was if he could continue the high efficiency and if not, could he offset it by playing a higher snap count. How about both? In Week 1, Andrews set a career-high in snap rate at 71%, besting his previous high of 57.6%. He also led all tight ends in end-zone targets and was fourth among all tight ends in target share. As mentioned with regards to Lamar Jackson, the Texans could keep this game somewhat competitive and turn it into a shootout which would bode well for both Jackson and Andrews.

Tyler Higbee (LAR) – $4,700 @ PHI

If you played Tyler Higbee in Week 1 it didn’t go well. He finished with three catches for 40 yards, good for seven points. That was the bad news. The good news is that he finished tied for second on the team in yards and third in targets and receptions. He also played on nearly 90% of snaps in Week 1 and ran a route on nearly 70% of dropbacks. These are all good signs that he’s playing a similar role to what he did down the stretch in 2019. This week he gets a nicer matchup against an Eagles team that just allowed Logan Thomas to have a very nice game against them. Higbee could be a great option in both cash games and GPPs.

Chris Herndon (NYJ) – $3,400 v SF

It might just work to go back to the well with Chris Herndon this week. It’s another tough matchup against San Francisco, but this play is all about the volume at price point. Herndon returned value last week even if he didn’t have a great game by any means. He did, however, have extremely encouraging usage as only four tight ends had more targets in Week 1 and only Dallas Goedert had more receptions. Teammate Jamison Crowder has been ruled out for this matchup. Herndon could see double-digit targets in this one and easily pay off his salary.

Others to Consider: Logan Thomas (WAS) – $3,600 @ ARI, Hayden Hurst (ATL) – $4,600 @ DAL, Jonnu Smith (TEN) – $4,200 v JAX

Defense/Special Teams

In terms of choosing a defense/special teams, it’s the last spot fantasy players should fill each week. It’s pretty random but there are a few areas to gain an advantage. Fantasy players can try to target the heavily favorited teams as they usually are playing with a lead. This forces their opponent to throw it more often which can help lead to extra sacks and turnovers and hopefully a touchdown. Another aspect to target is turnover and sack-prone quarterbacks. With that being said, the best plan is to fill out the rest of your lineup first and then pick the best available D/ST out of the remaining money.

Tentative Cash Game Lineup

  • QB – Kyler Murray
  • RB – Ezekiel Elliott
  • RB – Derrick Henry
  • WR – DeAndre Hopkins
  • WR – Parris Campbell
  • WR – Diontae Johnson
  • TE – Chris Herndon
  • Flex – Jonathan Taylor
  • DST – New York Jets

Make sure to tune in next week to see the results from my Week 2 DraftKings plays and to see the best picks for Week 3.

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