Week 2 DraftKings Daily Fantasy Football Picks, Lineup Tips for Sunday
We're only a game into Week 2, and already the 2024 NFL season has delivered some big fantasy surprises.
In Week 1, we saw high-priced daily fantasy sports (DFS) options like Mark Andrews, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Chris Olave underwhelm. Quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver Tyreek Hill did the same on Thursday night.
This doesn't mean, however, that big names can't be trusted in DFS games this Sunday. Managers should also be able to find some quality budget plays to round out their lineups.
Here, are a few picks and tips to consider for this week's DraftKings lineups.
Consider an Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor Stack
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson saw a value increase this week, likely because of the rushing value he can provide. He threw for a respectable 212 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in Week 1, but he also added 56 yards and a score on the ground.
However, Richardson is still a fairly budget-friendly option at $6,800.
The Colts are likely to use a run-heavy approach to grind out a road game against the Green Bay Packers. With Jordan Love dealing with an MCL sprain, Green Bay is set to start the largely untested Malik Willis at quarterback. We're unlikely to see the sort of offensive back and forth that Indy's opener against the Houston Texans provided.
Running back Jonathan Taylor ($7,700) isn't as budget-friendly, but should make for a strong stack alongside Richardson. Taylor only rushed for 48 yards in Week 1 but salvaged his day with a touchdown. He should be more productive against a Packers defense that struggled to contain Saquon Barkley(3 TDs) last Friday.
We may not see Richardson and Taylor both have huge games on the ground in Week 2, but one of them is likely to explode. Pairing them together should give managers a strong foundation around which to build.
Trust in Tony Pollard's PPR Floor
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Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard is a moderately-priced ($5,900) entering a game that could reward managers in a big way.
Pollard saw the bulk of Tennessee's backfield work (16 of 26 carries) in the opener against the Chicago Bears. He finished with 82 rushing yards, a touchdown, three receptions and 12 receiving yards.
This week, the Titans will host a New York Jets team that really struggled to contain the run on Monday night. While Tennessee might not have an offensive line capable of dominating New York's front the way the San Francisco 49ers did, it is likely to emulate the 49ers' approach.
By leaning on the run and a methodical passing attack, San Francisco kept Aaron Rodgers and the Jets offense off the field for a nearly 2-1 time-of-possession disparity. It's a sound plan for keeping Rodgers—who has played just one full game since 2022—out of rhythm.
While Pollard might not replicate the ground production Jordan Mason had in Week 1 (147 yards, 1 TD), the potential is there. He also brings solid point-per-reception (PPR) value, which makes Pollard less of a risk-reward option and more of a high-floor play.
Take Advantage of Zach Charbonnet's Situation
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Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet didn't exactly impress against the Denver Broncos in Week 1. He did catch a pair of passes for 29 yards and a touchdown, but he averaged just 1.5 yards per carry.
This week, Charbonnet and the Seahawks will visit a New England Patriots team that allowed only 70 rushing yards in Week 1. That number is misleading, though, because the Cincinnati Bengals didn't regularly test New England's run defense.
Zack Moss averaged 4.9 yards per carry and ran for a touchdown, but he only recorded nine rushing attempts.
Seattle starting back Kenneth Walker III, meanwhile, suffered an oblique injury in the opener and is listed as doubtful for Sunday. That should open up a lot of opportunities for Charbonnet ($5,800) in both the rushing and passing game plans.
The Seahawks may also lean on Charbonnet as an outlet receiver against a stout Patriots defense. Last Sunday, New England held Joe Burrow to just 164 passing yards and sacked him three times.
Seattle also made a long trip for this game and will play in an early time slot—often a problem for West Coast teams. Expect offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to use the running game, short passes and screens to help Geno Smith get into a rhythm.
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Expect a Better Week 2 Performance from Malik Nabers
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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones had a disaster of a 2024 debut, throwing for just 186 with no touchdowns and two interceptions. While rookie receiver and sixth overall pick Malik Nabers didn't quite shine in his NFL debut, his performance was much more respectable.
The LSU product finished with five catches for 66 yards. Those aren't No. 1 receiver numbers, and Nabers landed on the injury report this week with a knee injury—though he's set to play against the Washington Commanders.
"We'll see how he feels when he gets out here, but no concern. He'll be ready to play," head coach Brian Daboll said, per Dan Benton of Giants Wire.
Nabers will have a strong chance to rebound in Week 2 against a suspect Washington secondary. No team allowed more fantasy points to opposing receivers in Week 1 than the Commanders.
At a price point of $5,900, Nabers is a strong risk-reward option to consider. He's no "sure thing" because we're still trusting Jones to get him the football, but Nabers is one of the top breakout candidates of the week.
Nabers was targeted seven times in Week 1, and New York may force the ball in his direction even more against Washington.
*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.
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