Tony’s DFS Fantasy Football Recommendations: Week 2

Last year I started playing daily fantasy sports at FanDuel, and over a 10 week span during the NFL season, I turned $200 into $700. I’m not able to retire on that, but it is a nice bonus in addition to my expected winnings from my traditional fantasy football leagues. Whether you play at FanDuel, DraftKings, or a host of other salary cap style daily fantasy sports websites, here are some recommendations at each position that could help you Week 2.

Quarterback

Elite, Expensive: Peyton Manning, DEN (Week 2 vs Kansas City)
Being the most dominant fantasy football quarterback, it’s hard to ignore the fact that you might want Manning in your lineup. He will be the most expensive player on the board, but you know he will deliver. In Week 2, Manning gets a banged up Kansas City Chiefs defense that made Jake Locker look like a Top 5 fantasy quarterback. Manning should have no problem dissecting a defense that certainly isn’t the same as last year. Considering Denver is currently a -13.5 point favorite at home, this game could get ugly fast.

Middle of the Road: Colin Kaepernick, SF (Week 2 vs Chicago)
In Week 1, Kaepernick had a gift-wrapped match up against the worst defense in the NFL. However, with early turnovers from the Dallas Cowboys, Kaepernick wasn’t required to do as much as he otherwise would. In Week 2, he gets a Chicago Bears defense that looks like a shell of their former selves after the Buffalo Bills gashed them last week. Taking into consideration that it is San Francisco’s home opener, we’re expecting some noise from these loaded offenses.

Cheap, High Upside: Jake Locker, TEN (Week 2 vs Dallas)
If you are looking for a bargain quarterback, you can’t ignore the fact that Locker had a very nice day on the road. It’s not supposed to be an easy task going into Arrowhead Stadium and putting up respectable fantasy numbers. In Week 2, Locker faces the Cowboys. Everyone expects the Dallas offense to bounce back resulting in what could be a high scoring game. Locker has all the weapons to keep up with Dallas. From Kendall Wright, Nate Washington, Justin Hunter and Delanie Walker, I expect Locker to have a very respectable home opener.

Running Back

Elite, Expensive: LeSean McCoy, PHI (Week 2 @Indianapolis)
Week 1 was not all bad for McCoy. He finished with 74 yards rushing and 6 receptions for 41 yards receiving. There were no touchdowns though, and that is not what owners who drafted him first overall want to see. Jacksonville has an underrated defense, especially with linebacker Paul Posluszny leading the charge. Expect a big bounce back game for McCoy, with a good chance of getting his first regular season touchdown.

Middle of the Road: Frank Gore, SF (Week 2 vs Chicago)
Gore is coming off an underwhelming game against a banged up Dallas offense. He only ran 16 times for 66 yards. Chicago just gave up a combined 193 yards rushing to the Buffalo Bills run game. It’s obvious the weakness on the Chicago defense is still the run game, so an established veteran like Gore should pound the ball over and over again for success.

Cheap, High Upside: Knowshon Moreno, MIA (Week 2 @ Buffalo)
Buffalo is coming off a Week 1 game where they allowed 82 yards rushing and 87 yards receiving to Matt Forte. Moreno is no Forte, by any means. However, that does show Buffalo’s run defense has some issues. Moreno ran for 134 yards against a supposedly great New England Patriots defense in Week 1. Expect more of the same this week.

Wide Receiver

Elite, Expensive: Demaryius Thomas, DEN (Week 2 vs Kansas City)
After a disappointing Week 1, you have to expect Peyton Manning to favor his number one wide receiver in Week 2. All eyes will be focused on Julius Thomas after his monster Week 1 performance. It is a carousel in Denver, and this week the favorite Bronco will be Demaryius Thomas.

Middle of the Road: Jordy Nelson, GB (Week 2 vs New York Jets)
Like Demaryius Thomas, Nelson had a rather quiet day, but that’s what happens when you play the number one defense, the Seattle Seahawks. This week, Green Bay plays a secondary that allowed Derek Carr to post a 94.7 quarterback rating, including two touchdowns. If Derek Carr can do that, you have to think Aaron Rodgers will be spoon feeding his wide receivers. Also, given it’s the Packers home opener, everyone will want to get in on the Lambeau Leap action early.

Cheap, High Upside: Kelvin Benjamin, CAR (Week 2 vs Detroit)
Looking for another bargain player, Benjamin certainly turned some heads in Week 1. He did this with Derek Anderson under center. If Cam Newton returns this week (and he’s expected to), you have to think that he will be eager to get his most dynamic receiver the ball. Carolina also faces a Detroit Lions defense that seems to only show up at home. Being Detroit’s first game on the road, I don’t think they will be as dominant as they were Week 1.

Tight End

Elite, Expensive: Jimmy Graham, NO (Week 2 @ Cleveland)
In his 2014 debut coming off his new contract negotiations, Graham had a solid performance, but disappointed fantasy owners by not getting into the end zone (and not giving us our first goalpost dunk). In what should be a blowout against the Cleveland Browns, expect Graham to get his first touchdown and possibly another in this lopsided Saints victory.

Middle of the Road: Zach Ertz, PHI (Week 2 @ Indianapolis)
Week 1 was the start of a breakout campaign for Ertz. All offseason, experts were talking up Ertz as a sleeper, and he didn’t disappoint with a 3 reception, 77 yard, 1 touchdown performance. Week 2 pits Ertz against the Colts that just allowed over 100 yards and 3 touchdowns to Denver’s tight end Julius Thomas. Don’t expect those numbers from Ertz as Indianapolis will adjust their coverages, but expect a good fantasy game.

Cheap, High Upside: Delanie Walker, TEN (Week 2 vs Dallas)
Walker had a good game Week 1 with 1 touchdown but only 37 yards. Week 2 brings Dallas into town and Dallas just gave up 2 touchdowns to tight end Vernon Davis. Expect another touchdown from Walker as that Dallas defense is struggling to find itself.

Defense

Arizona Cardinals (Week 2 at New York Giants)
After holding Philip Rivers to just 17 points, you have to think one of the most dominant defenses will have a field day with one of the worst offensive lines. Coming into this season, we knew Arizona would be one of the best defenses. I expect the Arizona Defense to feast on Eli “turnover machine” Manning.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Week 2 vs St. Louis)
If you’re looking for a bargain, look at Tampa Bay to smother a team that’s already down to their third-string quarterback. St. Louis Rams struggled to score Week 1 against a supposedly weak Minnesota Vikings defense. Lovie Smith has been known for calling a good defensive game and I expect him to do so Week 2. Given the situation, I feel very confident in the Buccaneers hitting value and then some.