Week 1 of the NFL preseason kicks off with a Thursday night doubleheader between the Patriots and Texans (7:00 p.m. ET) and the Seahawks and Vikings (10:00 p.m. ET). While we won't see many game reps from each team's first-stringers, DFS players keen on knowing which backups are in line for high-usage days can cash in on SuperDraft's preseason contests. We've assembled our favorite eight-player lineup for tonight's two-game slate with the goal of ending the money once the final whistle's blown in Seattle.
For those unfamiliar, SuperDraft offers salary cap DFS contests, but the majority of its tournaments feature no restrictions like caps or tiers. The strategy involves points multipliers — the higher a player's average fantasy score, the lower their multiplier. The lower their average fantasy output, the higher their multiplier. A winning lineup will feature a good mix of stud fantasy contributors with 1x-1.6x boosts, as well as matchup-based sleepers with larger multipliers.
Before we break down all of our picks, here are the most notable scoring rules for SuperDraft NFL contests: Half-point PPR, four-point passing TDs, two-point bonuses for 100 rushing yards, 100 receiving yards, and 300 passing yards.
NFL Preseason DFS Picks Thursday: Best SuperDraft lineup advice for Patriots-Texans, Seahawks-Vikings
Draft all of your favorite players based on their multiplier value with no restrictions.
QB Jaren Hall, Vikings (Multiplier: 1.6x)
Hall will likely play most of the second half once Nick Mullens, Minnesota's second-string QB, exits the contest. Kevin O'Connell's yet to announce whether the Vikings starters will play, but even if Kirk Cousins and the first-team offense start the game, it's unlikely they play more than a series or two.
Sure, Hall is a bit undersized at six feet and may not possess the biggest arm, but he has a knack for making the right reads and extending plays outside the pocket when necessary. Hall compiled an elite 51:11 TD-to-INT rate in his final two seasons at BYU, and we think he emerges as one of this year's preseason darlings with a well-rounded performance on Thursday night.
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RB J.J. Taylor, Patriots (Multiplier: 1.6x)
Taylor's in line for the bulk of the Patriots' backfield work tonight, which we're hoping leads to a double-digit fantasy output. Taylor's receiving abilities aid in his chances of scoring in double figures even if he's unable to reach paydirt.
With fellow RB Ty Montgomery (ankle) listed as "doubtful" and Rhamondre Stevenson unlikely to play much, if at all, Taylor's a prime candidate to fill the role as the Pats' go-to pass-catching back. His preseason workload decreased last season, but in his rookie campaign back in 2021, Taylor caught all 10 targets for 62 yards and added a rushing TD. When factoring in his 1.6x multiplier, Taylor makes for a stable addition to DFS contests.
RB Xazavian Valladay, Texans (Multiplier: 1.6x)
After Dameon Pierce staked his claim as the go-to back in Houston with a solid preseason campaign last year, Valladay could follow suit this year, vaulting up the Texans' RB depth chart. Valladay's impressed throughout training camp and now looks to translate those practice reps to preseason production.
In his final season at ASU, Valladay rushed for almost 1,200 yards with 16 TDs while hauling in 37 passes for 289 yards. Of course, the Pac-12 isn't the NFL, but like Taylor, his ability to aid in the receiving game boosts his floor in half-point PPR scoring formats.
WR Brandon Powell, Vikings (Multiplier: 1.6x)
We're stacking Powell alongside Hall, looking for the duo to hook up in the second half of tonight's contest. Powell spent the past two seasons with the Rams, and while he's primarily a specialist, he got some run at wideout in the back half of the 2022 season with Los Angeles. With Powell competing for a spot on the Vikings' 53-man roster, we think he'll log a high snap share when Hall's under center.
WR Kayshon Boutte, Patriots (Multiplier: 1.6x)
Boutte, who was once seen as a potential first-round draft pick, fell to the sixth round after failing to build off his solid freshman season at LSU and underwhelming in the pre-draft process. That said, Boutte's a skilled receiver with a path toward becoming a depth piece within the Patriots' receiving corps. A multi-catch night helps keep our lineup competitive.
WR Xavier Hutchinson, Texans (Multiplier: 1.6x)
Hutchinson's a prime deep sleeper candidate who did nothing but produce in his final season at Iowa State (107 rec, 1,171 yards, six TDs). Houston's WR room is one of the least top-heavy position groups in the league, so Hutchinson can vault up the depth chart. Hutchinson's smooth release and solid body control make him an enticing addition to DFS lineups considering he'll likely garner a high snap share.
TE Nick Muse, Vikings (Multiplier: 1.6x)
How could we not roster Muse to complete our Vikings stack? The man's got a great name and should be the primary TE running routes when Hall's in the game. We're hoping the Vikings employ a pass-heavy approach in the second half, resulting in Muse securing a few receptions and posting double-digit fantasy points.
FLEX Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks (Multiplier: 1.4x)
Charbonnet's the best bet to see the highest regular-season snap share among tonight's DFS build, and while we deterred from rostering players high on their squad's depth charts, the rookie RB should see a fair amount of run in his preseason debut. Charbonnet missed some time dealing with a shoulder injury but returned to practice last week after head coach Pete Carroll told the media he'd be "out indefinitely."
