Welcome to Week 2 of the DFS Cash Game Breakdown! We were successful with many of our picks from Week 1, so let’s keep the momentum going. If you’re new to this article, please check out my 10 Rules to live by article to establish a good baseline for cash game strategy.
I would love to see more of you in our Discord channel. Early in the season, the best thing we can do is refine our process. I firmly believe that a crucial part of any successful DFS player’s process is discussing your lineup thoughts. Engaging in these discussions with other players will compel you to articulate why you like a particular play. During these conversations, you may realize that you either like the play more than you initially thought or that it might not be as strong of a play as you believed.
Last week, I wasn’t initially considering J.K. Dobbins. However, after a productive Saturday night session with fellow DFS player RedMan22, I ended up including Dobbins as the final piece of my lineup. We all know how that turned out. Nevertheless, prior to his injury, he had scored a touchdown and was well on his way to justifying his price tag. With that said, I hope to see you all in the Discord this weekend. Now, let’s get into the plays!
Week 2 DFS Cash Game Picks:
QUARTERBACK
Joe Burrow
FanDuel: $7400
DraftKings $6900
Typically, my cash game pool at quarterback is very small. This week it is wide open. I see a minimum of six viable options but my job here is narrow things down. Joe Burrow was horrendous last week. However, his price tag, particularly on FanDuel, is too good to pass up.
Josh Allen
FanDuel: $9200
DraftKings: $7900
Josh Allen is my pay up option for this week. He comes in $400 less than Patrick Mahomes on DraftKings and I would take him straight up. The Cash Game Optimizer agrees with my assessment as it is kicking out Josh Allen as it’s DraftKings Quarterback.
Running Back
Jahmyr Gibbs (FD ONLY)
FanDuel: $5800
DraftKings: $6300
AND David Montgomery
FanDuel: $6300
DraftKings: $5800
You will see a Detroit running back in most lineups this week. I prefer Gibbs on FanDuel and Montgomery on DraftKings for the salary savings, but Montgomery is in play on both sites. Funny note, their salaries are literally reversed on each side. The key point here is don’t play them together. Yes, that is a decent floor play, but I don’t want to sap my upside by playing both.
Rachaad White
FanDuel: $6200
DraftKings: $5500
All off-season PlayerProfiler has been higher on White then the industry in both Dynasty and redraft.
Through one game we have had it right here. As a Vikings fan, I watched Rachaad White’s first start of the season intensely in real time. The actual useage in the game proved Sean Tucker has been over hyped and he did not eat into White’s feature role. White is a three down back for the Buccaneers in a good match up.
WIDE RECEIVER
Puka Nacua
FanDuel: $5800
DraftKings: $4900
I was not in on blowing my waiver wire budget on Puka Nacua. I am in on Nacua at this salary though. It is a much tougher match up this week against the San Francisco defense, but he is coming off of a 15 (No. 1) Target game and a 40.5% (No. 2) Target Share.
Puka Nacua 2023 Efficiency Stats & Metrics
His efficiency stats are nothing special. However, with the opportunity he received in Week 1, and his low salary, I am playing him in Week 2.
Davante Adams
FanDuel: $7500
DraftKings: $7600
Given the larger salary cap on FanDuel I always love when a player I am interested in is cheaper there than on DraftKings. To be clear, I am interested in playing him on DraftKings as well. Davante Adams is still an elite receiver and the clear alpha on the Raiders. At 47, this game has the second highest O/U on the slate. His salary is going to creep up over the coming weeks closer to the other elite wide receivers. We should play him at the discount while we can.
Brandon Aiyuk DK ONLY $5800
It’s always interesting how one site decides to price a player up after a smash week and the other does not. This week it is Brandon Aiyuk on DraftKings. With Brock Purdy at QB, Aiyuk is the WR1 in this offense. Aiyuk is averaging 2.88 YPRR and 16 Fantasy Points in games Purdy has started. Plug him in on DK.
TIGHT END
Throw a Dart
Tight End is ugly this week. There is no clear-cut option this week. If Travis Kelce plays, we have to strongly consider paying up for him. With his status still not clear, I am not going to be writing him up. I do have to write someone up though. With both Christian Watson and Aaron Jones not practicing for the Packers so far this week I have settled on Luke Musgrave. Atlanta was a good match up last year for tight ends.
Luke Musgrave Week 2 Matchup
I’m also encouraged by Musgrave’s 71 Air Yards (No. 1 among tight ends) in Week 1. Other viable options are Sam LaPorta, Tyler Higbee and Chigoziem Okonkwo.
DEFENSE
Houston Texans
FanDuel: $3400
DraftKings: $3600
It is looking like Houston will be my FanDuel Defense this week. They are in play on DraftKings as well. Being at home with a low 39 O/U this is a spot to target. The colts weren’t horrible last week but with a rookie quarterback mistakes will be made which we don’t need many of to pay off this price tag.
Dallas Cowboys
FanDuel: $4500
DraftKings: $4000
If you want to pay up, look no further than the Dallas Cowboys. They were absolute savages last week on Sunday Night Football shutting out the Giants while tailing seven sacks, three turnovers, and a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown. This week they get the Jets who are coming in with an abysmal 14.75 Team Total. Considering they aren’t even the most expensive defense on the slate, I am comfortable paying up for them.
Conclusion
A couple final thoughts. I love to take advantage of the time others have spent conducting research. A great show to watch to prepare you for the upcoming slate of games is Theo Gremminger’s First Class Fantasy on PlayerProfiler’s Podcast feed and Youtube.
As mentioned before this column is written Thursday night. Be prepared to react to the news that breaks over the weekend. For updated thoughts join the #DFS Channel on Discord where I will post any major updates and am happy to answer any questions you may have!
