We got the season started (mostly) right with our Yahoo daily fantasy football cash game picks last week. Russell Wilson not only had a huge game, but he also connected with Chris Carson for two TDs. Dalvin Cook scored twice, Robert Woods topped 100 yards, and the Chargers D/ST played well. We whiffed on Le'Veon Bell, who lefty early because of an injury, and Michael Thomas, which was the ultimate shocker, but we'll try to learn from our mistakes and build on our successes with our Week 2 NFL DFS cash lineup.
The name of the game in cash contests is safety, and who's safer than Lamar Jackson? No one, so we're paying up for the current King of Fantasy. We're also taking advantage of a Monday night injury and paying the minimum -- the minimum -- for Benny Snell Jr. Obviously, Snell will be super chalky if James Conner (ankle) is out, but in cash games, a little chalk is fine. In tournaments, fade away, but we'll take the savings and pay up for some studs at other positions.
WEEK 2 NFL DFS CASH LINEUPS:
DraftKings | FanDuel
It's easy to get caught up chasing points in Week 2. If a guy had a big game or scored in Week 1, you'll naturally gravitate toward him when looking over names in Week 2. Some players will have repeat performances, but you know some immediate regression is coming for others. We try to balance our approach with bounce-back candidates and hot starters in the hopes of finding the right mix to push us over the cash line each week.
WEEK 2 NFL DFS TOURNAMENT LINEUPS:
Yahoo | DraftKings | FanDuel
Yahoo NFL DFS Picks Week 1: Daily fantasy football for cash games
This lineup is for the Yahoo DFS main slate, $200 budget (half-point PPR, four-point passing TDs)
QB Lamar Jackson, Ravens vs. Texans ($40)
Jackson put up 275 passing yards, three passing TDs, and 45 rushing yards in Week 1. Ho-hum, just another day at the office. Against the Texans, who were shredded by the Chiefs offense in countless ways on Thursday night, Jackson should once again shine. There's always a worry with Jackson that RBs will do a lot of scoring for the Ravens -- and that's certainly true this week -- but he's a good enough passer that he'll produce one way or another.
RB Austin Ekeler, Chargers vs. Chiefs ($29)
Prior to Week 1, most Ekeler owners, be it in season-long leagues or DFS, would have been thrilled if you told them he'd have 20 touches. But with 19 carries and just one catch (one target), the feeling around Ekeler isn't quite so positive. It didn't help that Joshua Kelley looked like a better pure runner and made good on a goal-line carry. Either way, we're counting on a vintage Ekeler game against the Chiefs, a team he tore up for 221 total yards (151 receiving) in two games last year. The touchdown opportunities are a worry, but the touches will be there, and as we saw with David Johnson against the Chiefs last week, that should lead to a good yardage day.
MORE WEEK 2 DFS: Best stacks | Best values | Lineup Builder
RB Jonathan Taylor, Colts vs. Vikings ($19)
Taylor might be chalky given his price, but Yahoo knew about the Marlon Mack Achilles' injury before setting these prices, so hopefully he won't stand out quite so much. We're taking the bait and expecting a much bigger role for Taylor this week after he dominated touches over Nyheim Hines in the second half in Week 1. What's most encouraging about the talented rookie is his receiving ability, which he showed by catching six balls for 67 yards against the Jaguars. The Vikings defense looked vulnerable on every level in Week 1, so we expect Taylor to get plenty of chances to put up points.
WR DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals vs. Washington ($31)
Hopkins had such a good Week 1 that he doesn't fit our "proceed with caution" theme, but some guys, like him and Jackson, are just too good to ignore. Hopkins is clearly going to be targeted early and often, and we know he has the talent to produce against anyone. Even if he doesn't catch 14 passes again, he has a good chance of getting into the end zone against a suspect Washington secondary. He's going to pay off his lofty price.
WEEK 2 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
WR Amari Cooper, Cowboys vs. Falcons ($22)
Why is Cooper just $22? He's facing a team that was torched by multiple receivers last week, and he's coming off a 10-catch, 14-target game in which he was frequently matched up against Jalen Ramsey. Dallas has a lot of talented offensive contributors, so Cooper will likely take a backseat some games, but this is the type of week where everyone can get a piece of the action. Sign us up.
WR T.Y. Hilton, Colts vs. Vikings ($21)
We're not exactly sure what to make of Hilton after Week 1. He received nine targets (good) but caught just four for 53 yards (not so good). We know Philip Rivers will chuck it, but we also know he can commit drive-killing mistakes. For those reasons, Hilton is probably better suited for tournaments, but we'll try him out in cash given how poorly the Vikings defense played last week. Davante Adams did whatever he wanted, and both Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling scored on deep balls. It feels like Hilton should have a high floor here.
TE Tyler Higbee, Rams @ Eagles ($16)
With so many passes going to Robert Woods on Sunday, there was only so much other production to go around for the other Rams receivers. Higbee still got open easily on his three catches, and with Gerald Everett (back) banged up, he should see more snaps this week. Philadelphia had trouble containing Logan Thomas and the Washington passing game last week, so the Rams should be able to have success here.
WEEK 2 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
FLEX Benny Snell Jr., Steelers vs. Broncos ($10)
Snell is a free square if James Conner (ankle) doesn't play. Even if Conner is active, Snell will likely see half the RB touches, which should be enough for him to return value on his minimum price. Denver's run defense performed well enough against Derrick Henry, but it's not a scary matchup. Pittsburgh should be able to move the ball, which will give Snell some scoring chances.
DEF Arizona Cardinals vs. Washington ($11)
Arizona showed an improved pass rush in Week 1, sacking Jimmy Garoppolo three times and adding a blocked punt for good measure. Washington allowed three sacks, and Dwayne Haskins is still prone to mistakes. Even without a crowd, Arizona should play well at home and produce some big plays, making them a prime value target at D/ST.
