Yahoo DFS Football: Week 2 Picks

Yahoo DFS Football: Week 2 Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Football series.

TOURNAMENTS (GPP – GUARANTEED PRIZE POOL)

QB: Aaron Rodgers (GB, $37)

Rodgers threw for 311 yards, though he only found the end zone once, in a tough matchup with Seattle. Things will get significantly easier this week when he faces the Falcons, who lack the depth to hang with this passing attack. Also, the Packers may choose to shy away from the running game, and since Atlanta has a huge weakness against RBs who catch the ball, Ty Montgomery could be very busy as a receiver. As a result, Rodgers may reach 40 pass attempts, making him worth his salary in a tournament.

RB: Alvin Kamara (NO, $10)

The rookie had seven rushing attempts and six targets against a tough Minnesota defense last week, and he tied with Mark Ingram for the most touches on the team. This week he'll face a Patriots' defense that was eviscerated by Kareem Hunt, and Kamara may have his coming out party this week as he shows the league just how explosive he can be.

WR: John Brown (ARI, $11)

Brown was second on the Cards with nine targets last week, but he only caught four passes for 32 yards, so recency bias may have him going under-owned. However, with David Johnson out, Carson Palmer may have more opportunity than usual to air the ball out, and the Colts will again be without top CB Vontae Davis. This is the type of week that Brown has multi-TD upside.

Other Against-the-Grainers

QB: Jacoby Brissett (IND, $20), Jameis Winston (TB $31)
RB: Ty Montgomery (GB, $18), Javorius Allen (BAL, $14)
WR: Julio Jones (ATL, $40), Davante Adams (GB, $21), DeVante Parker (MIA, $18)
TE: Cameron Brate (TB, $19), Zach Miller (CHI, $12)
DST: Cleveland Browns ($10)

CASH GAMES (H2H, 50/50s and DOUBLE UPS)

Quarterback

Tom Brady (NE, $39)

Watching Brady in Week 1 was a scary sight, and although the Pats might be able to run the ball frequently against the Saints, as odd as it sounds, the coaching staff needs to get their superstar back on track. Having a performance that justifies this salary shouldn't be difficult against a defense that was torched by Sam Bradford for 346 yards and three TDs. Don't overthink this one!

Running Back

Ezekiel Elliott (DAL, $34)

Even in a very difficult matchup against the Giants, Elliott posted 140 yards, and that could be a below- average performance for him by the time the season ends. This week he'll be facing the Broncos, and although they held Melvin Gordon to 3.0 yards per carry last week, it's extremely unlikely that they'll have an answer for Elliott and especially the Cowboys' offensive line. In addition, Dallas may not even waste their time challenging the excellent secondary of the Broncos, as they'll have little trouble riding their workhorse RB.

Leonard Fournette (JAC, $21)

Although the Jaguars won't have a defensive performance like they did in Week 1, this is an excellent defense at all levels, and there's a strong likelihood that the team will either play with a lead or keep the team in a close game. If game script goes as expected, we saw the blueprint last week, as Jacksonville rode their rookie RB to the tune of 26 carries and three targets. He'll face a Titans' defense that gave up over four yards a carry to Marshawn Lynch, and Fournette should get more than enough carries to earn value.

Marshawn Lynch (OAK, $21)

Going into the season, there was plenty of talk about Lynch having a conservative work load. Eighteen carries and one reception later, we're seeing that the Raiders have no fear of using him. This week he'll have a cupcake matchup against the once-ferocious Jets' run defense, but with an overhauled LB corps and DE Sheldon Richardson no longer in town, Beast Mode should get enough carries to be productive, and he should be in a great spot to add his first TD while wearing the black and silver.

Wide Receiver

Corey Davis, (TEN, $12)

After missing the preseason Davis was expected to see limited action right away, but after leading the Titans in targets with 10 it looks like he's ready to be the dominant alpha receiver that the team spent a top-five pick in this year's draft to acquire. Even though he'll be facing a tough Jaguars' defense, at $12, he won't need to do very much to earn value and allow fantasy players to spend up elsewhere.

Adam Thielen (MIN, $17)

Thielen not only played as an outside receiver in two-WR sets, but he also moved to the slot when the Vikings put three receivers on the field last week against the Saints. We're not chasing the nine-catch, 157-yard performance from last week, but he led the team in targets, and easily could do so again this week. He's facing a Steelers' secondary that teams don't fear, he'll have a fantastic matchup whenever he's in the slot, and at $17, he's very fairly priced.

Demaryius Thomas, (DEN $20)

After a few years away from the Broncos, offensive coordinator Mike McCoy is back, and it only took him one game to make sure that Thomas led the team in targets and yardage. In addition, it was even better news that Trevor Siemian was able to get him the ball against a very good Chargers' secondary. This week, he'll have a much easier draw against a Dallas secondary that just had to deal with CB Orlando Scandrick breaking his hand in Week 1, and he should have little trouble being productive for the second week in a row.

Tight End

Zach Ertz (PHI, $22)

As mentioned last week, with Jordan Matthews no longer with the Eagles, Ertz will feast in the middle of the field while opposing defenses have to deal with Alshon Jeffery and their field-stretcher, Torrey Smith. A week ago, this would've been a brutal matchup for Ertz, but with the Chiefs having lost Eric Berry for the season, one of the greatest strengths of that defense has been taken away, and now it's an extremely favorable situation for Ertz.

Defense/Special Teams

Arizona Cardinals ($21)

Even if Jacoby Brissett starts this game, it's difficult to imagine that the Cardinals won't be able to overpower an undermanned Colts' OL and generate sacks as well as takeaways. Also, should Indy try to air the ball out, the Cards secondary should have little trouble keeping their WRs in check.

Honorable Mentions

QB: Russell Wilson (SEA, $31), Drew Brees (NO, $34)
RB: Jay Ajayi (MIA, $31), Le'Veon Bell (PIT $35)
WR: Corey Coleman (CLE, $17), Stefon Diggs (MIN, $18), Jamison Crowder (WAS, $17)
TE: Rob Gronkowski (NE, $26)
DST: Oakland Raiders ($20)

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Jim Coventry plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: mvp1986, DraftKings: mvp1986.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jim Coventry
Coventry was a finalist for the FSWA football writer of the year in 2022. He started playing fantasy football in 1994 and won a national contest in 1996. He also nabbed five top-50 finishes in national contests from 2008 to 2012 before turning his attention to DFS. He's been an industry analyst since 2007, though he joined RotoWire in 2016. A published author, Coventry wrote a book about relationships, "The Secret of Life", in 2013.
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