DRAFTKINGS DFS CASH GAME PICKS 2023 WEEK 2

DRAFTKINGS DFS CASH GAME PICKS - 2023 WEEK 2

QUARTERBACK

TOP PLAY

Josh Allen, BUF ($7900)

Josh Allen is not a must by any stretch at such an elevated price tag, but as of this writing the masses are flocking to him and it’s not hard to see why. The Bills have the highest implied total of the week at 28.5 and Allen couldn’t be getting a more positive matchup boost from the Jets to the Raiders. Las Vegas does boast a strong edge rush, but the secondary was bottom five in receiving yards allowed a year ago, and Allen’s dual-threat ability gives him an insane floor-ceiling combo.

Other options - Patrick Mahomes

Mid-tier options - Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, Anthony Richardson

VALUE PLAY

Geno Smith, SEA ($5900)

This stands out as a pretty egregious pricing error for Geno Smith. Sure, he put up a tremendous statistical dud against the Rams in Week 1, but there weren’t any significant red flags with his play. Geno now gets a supreme bounce-back spot in a domed Detroit environment, and the Lions allowed the most FPPG to the QB position a season ago. Even if Tyler Lockett (concussion) sits, Geno has many outs to pay off his price tag.

Other options - Daniel Jones, Brock Purdy, Baker Mayfield

RUNNING BACK

TOP PLAY

Christian McCaffrey, SF ($8900)

McCaffrey is almost a must-spend in cash this week, even with some potential for value at RB. He’s coming off an 85% snap share while logging all but five RB touches, and he popped off 169 total yards and TD. We used to routinely see 10k+ price tags for CMC, and he’s worthy of that this week still. With Austin Ekeler banged up, McCaffrey is in a tier of his own as the RB1 this week. Take the discount, and watch the points roll in.

Other options - Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Tony Pollard, Josh Jacobs

Mid-tier options - Travis Etienne, Aaron Jones, Joe Mixon, James Conner

VALUE PLAY

David Montgomery, DET ($5800)

As a firm Jahmyr Gibbs-denier in the preseason, I’m taking that sentiment into DFS week two and calling Montgomery the better play again (at a cheaper price tag). Montgomery had a 71% snap share to Gibbs’ 29% in Week 1. Even though the coaches have indicated that was the plan, I still don’t see this as more of a 60-40 split in the early going. Gibbs was explosive but clearly struggled in pass protection and was given no RZ touches. Montgomery, on the other hand, grinded his way to a full workload. The matchup is perfect for him this week against the Seahawks, who got gouged in the red zone for three rushing TDs in week one. They also allowed the third most FPPG to opposing RBs last season.

Other options - Kenneth Walker, Rachaad White, Brian Robinson, Zack Moss (if he goes)

WIDE RECEIVER

TOP PLAY

Davante Adams, LV ($7600)

With Justin Jefferson off the main slate we get to write up another player here, and Adams looks like the most bang for our buck. He had a very un-Adams like box score against Patrick Surtain and the Broncos (6-66-0), but he ran a route on 100% of the Raiders’ passing plays. The matchup against Buffalo isn’t especially good, but the volume should be there especially with Jakobi Meyers currently in the concussion protocol. Vegas also figures to be playing from behind in this one, so 12-15 targets is well within the range of outcomes.

Other options - Stefon Diggs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, JaMarr Chase, Calvin Ridley, Keenan Allen

Mid-tier options - DeAndre Hopkins, Tee Higgins, Chris Godwin

VALUE PLAY

Jahan Dotson, WAS ($4900)

I’m going off the grid here, because Puka Nacua is the same price as Dotson and currently projecting for over quadruple the ownership. I think Nacua has potential to be a massive chalk bust this week against the 49ers defense, and am fine taking the risk that Dotson outscores him at a fraction of the ownership. Dotson was one of my preseason darlings (I wasn’t the only one), but the production didn’t carry over to week one as much as we’d hoped. I remain optimistic, and his price tag has dropped to under 5k, which is super encouraging for DFS. Despite a pedestrian stat line, Dotson received seven targets, which was in line with his preseason projections. The matchup on paper is tough against Denver, but Terry McLaurin is almost certainly going to get the Patrick Surtain coverage, leaving Dotson to face the rest of the secondary that allowed Jakobi Meyers to score twice in Week 1.

Other options - Puka Nacua, Zay Flowers, Zay Jones, Nico Collins, Josh Reynolds

TIGHT END

TOP PLAY

Travis Kelce, KC ($7600)

Kelce’s ability to practice on Wednesday is an extremely positive sign for his availability on Sunday. If he goes, he’s far and away the best option at TE, and worth every penny of his $7600 tag.

Other options - None

Mid-tier options - Evan Engram

VALUE PLAY

Adam Trautman, DEN ($3000)

If Christian Watson misses another week, Luke Musgrave is the top TE punt. For now, with Greg Dulcich expected to miss multiple weeks, this is an easy one at 3k. Adam Trautman actually led the Broncos in receptions in Week 1 (even with Dulcich playing), and Russell Wilson has leaned on TEs in the past. Washington is tougher in the middle of the field than on the perimeter, but this is way too cheap a price tag for the expected role. Cheap TEs in DFS are wonderful ??

Other options - Luke Musgrave, Sam LaPorta, Chig Okonkwo, Zack Ertz

TOP FIVE DEFENSES FOR CASH

Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($3200)
Tennessee Titans ($2400)
Dallas Cowboys ($4000)
Arizona Cardinals ($2600)
New York Jets ($2700)