It’s the final week of the preseason and Week 1 of the regular season is finally right around the corner, which means you have one final week to practice your NFL DFS picks before things start for real.
Two weeks ago, I projected a major opportunity and huge game from Patriots rookie running back Damien Harris and he delivered 14.3 DraftKings points at very low ownership. Last week, Colts quarterback Chad Kelly was my value play that delivered, as he put up 14.76 DraftKings points.
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2019 cheat sheet
Kelly's performance was, of course, overshadowed by another event that happened in Indianapolis that day (thanks a lot, Andrew Luck), but there are going to be a number of players who receive major opportunities to make 53-man rosters this week. Don’t expect to see very many starters take the field, as teams will look to keep them healthy and poised to make an impact when the games actually count.
Without further ado, let’s get into the analysis.
Preseason Week 4 NFL DFS Picks
Cardale Jones (QB, Chargers)
The Chargers have received stellar play from their quarterbacks this preseason. While Philip Rivers and Tyrod Taylor are firmly entrenched in the top two positions on the depth chart, Jones and rookie Easton Stick are in an intense battle for what is most likely the third (and final) spot.
Although he has the perfect name for a baseball player, Stick was impressive in a lengthy appearance last week, going 12-for-16 for 82 yards and a touchdown. The former North Dakota State standout is firmly challenging Jones, who went 4-for-5 for 50 yards. The week before, Jones threw for 111 yards and a touchdown, and in the first preseason game, he went 4-for-6 for 47 yards. Stick threw an interception in both of his first two games and didn’t record a passing touchdown.
Since L.A. knows Rivers and Taylor will take up the first two spots on the depth chart, expect Jones to receive a major opportunity (at least one half). Based on Stick’s play, Jones will most likely be aggressive as he looks to win the job. As seen before, Jones has a lot of upside if he gets rolling.
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Dwayne Haskins (QB, Washington)
Last week, Case Keenum and Haskins were the only two quarterbacks to take the field for Washington. Since Keenum has already been named the starter, it’s possible that Haskins plays the entire final preseason game, especially if Colt McCoy (leg) sits out again.
We know Haskins is going to take chances downfield, and if he receives a full allotment of playing time, he could even end up being the highest-scoring quarterback on the slate due to volume alone.
2019 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | D/ST | Kicker | Top 200
Devine Ozigbo (RB, Saints)
Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray are set in stone at the top of the Saints’ running back depth chart. However, the third (and most likely last) spot is up for grabs. Dwayne Washington has struggled this preseason and suffered a concussion last week (and might not play). That leaves the rookie Ozigbo, who saw 28 snaps last week, as a prime candidate to break out this week.
He took six carries for 20 yards and added two receptions for 23 more a week ago. In his previous outing, he had eight carries for 30 yards while recording three catches for 23 yards and a touchdown. In both contests, he saw extended snaps, and it seems like the New Orleans coaching staff is enamored with his versatility, shiftiness and toughness. Especially if Washington sits, look for Ozigbo to put forth maximum effort and to see a large opportunity as he tries to earn a spot on the roster (and avoid the practice squad).
2019 PPR RANKINGS:
Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | Top 200
Mike Boone (RB, Vikings)
Mike Boone saw 10 carries last week and compiled 41 yards and a touchdown in an extended look. With Dalvin Cook and rookie Alexander Mattison expected to lead the Vikings backfield, Boone and De’Angelo Henderson (who saw 10 carries for 36 yards last week) should see double-digit carries yet again this week, especially since oft-injured Ameer Abdullah is expected to also make the team and most likely won’t see much time on the field.
Although neither Boone nor Henderson are locks to make the 53-man roster, it’s clear that they both won’t. That’s enough of an incentive for them to both run harder than usual, as their NFL careers could both be on the line upon a potential release. Boone is trending upward and is a stellar option.
FANTASY SLEEPERS:
8 QBs | 14 RBs | 11 WRs | 11 TEs | 6 D/STs | One from each team
JJ Arcega-Whiteside (WR, Eagles)
Based on his play this preseason, Arcega-Whiteside is almost forcing the Eagles to reward him with a roster spot. Still behind a number of receivers on the overall depth chart, he's been the go-to wideout in the exhibition games and pulled in eight catches for 104 yards and a touchdown last week (27.4 DraftKings points).
The rookie should also benefit from the presence of Josh McCown, who went 17-of-24 with two touchdowns, including one to him last week. McCown should see quite a bit of playing time again in a tune-up scenario, as he will be relied upon to back up Carson Wentz. Since the Eagles refuse to play their starters in the preseason, there’s no reason to think that Arcega-Whiteside shouldn’t continue his preseason heroics.
DRAFT STRATEGY AND RANKINGS TIERS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST
Jakobi Meyers (WR, Patriots)
Meyers has been one of the biggest surprises of the summer. In his first game, he put up 24.9 DraftKings points and followed that up with 16.2 and 14.4 showings, respectively, all of which are regarded as elite in the preseason.
Although the Patriots will most likely rest their starters in order to gear up for the regular season, Meyers still has some work to do in order to earn a spot on the 53-man roster for one reason: Competition. Julian Edelman, Demaryius Thomas, Phillip Dorsett, Maurice Harris, N’Keal Harry and Braxton Berrios are all in the mix at the position. While Meyers has stood out due to his play, Bill Belichick and company demand consistency, and he should be given the opportunity to make another splash.
SEASON PREVIEW PODCASTS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST
Tanner Hudson (TE, Buccaneers)
Hudson is making life tough for the Buccaneers front office. Posting 21.4 DraftKings points last week and 21.3 the week before, he could end up forcing the team to cut Antony Auclair (calf), who exited the Bucs' last preseason game due to injury. With O.J Howard and Cameron Brate at the top of the depth chart, Hudson could play the entire game this week if Auclair sits.
As seen in the last couple weeks, that could be enough for Hudson to dominate a slate.
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