DRAFTKINGS NFL WEEK 2 DFS CASH PLAYS 2021

Thankfully, most of my budget was rescued by my Chiefs/Browns GPP stacks in week one, because cash was an utter disaster after some Sunday pivoting got me on the injured Raheem Mostert and the ineffective (and unused) James Robinson. Hoping for greener screens on DK this week, so let’s get to the top cash plays and values on the main slate! As always, follow me on twitter @jac3600, as my work will be tweeted out the moment it hits.

QUARTERBACK

TOP PLAY

Justin Herbert, LAC ($6700)

If you have extra money and want to spend up to the elites (Mahomes, Murray), no one will fault you, but I’m more than fine living in the mid-tier upper 6k range this week at QB, and we have a few options. Herbert has floated to the top of my priority list with the news that Cowboys top pass rusher in DeMarcus Lawrence is out with an injury, and Randy Gregory has tested positive for COVID as well. Herbert with no pass rush is a scary thing for opposing defenses, especially Dallas who gave up the most passing TDs and the fourth most FPPG to QBs last year. This game will be popular with an O/U of 55 points, and Herbert paired with Keenan Allen in cash (more on that below) is likely my path of choice.

Other options - Josh Allen, Tom Brady, Dak Prescott

VALUE PLAY

Teddy Bridgewater, DEN ($5400)

I recommended Teddy B as the QB punt last week and he came through solidly with his $4800 price tag. He’s up to $5400 now but it’s still far too cheap, and he’s a cash option if you’re really looking to load up on top skill players. He looked great in a much tougher defensive matchup against the Giants last week, avoiding sacks and making accurate downfield throws (his boxscore would’ve looked even better if KJ Hamler had held onto his wide open TD catch). Jacksonville only had one sack and the fourth fewest pressures in week one en route to making Tyrod Taylor look like a star, so there’s room for upside to Teddy’s floor even with Jerry Jeudy out.

Other options - Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Burrow, Derek Carr

RUNNING BACK

TOP PLAY

Christian McCaffrey, CAR ($9900)

No big surprise here at the top, but I want to point out simply how good CMC is. He returned for 30 touches and nine targets, smoking the Jets defense both on the ground and through the air. New Orleans just shut down Aaron Jones in week one and allowed the sixth fewest FPPG to RBs a year ago, but McCaffrey is such a dynamic player, and actually has averaged more catches and targets against the Saints than any other player in his career. It may not be possible to get all the way up to him as comfortably as last week, but CMC is perpetually too cheap if he’s under 10K on DraftKings.

Other options - Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook, Nick Chubb

VALUE PLAY

Najee Harris, PIT ($6300)

Najee’s 2.8 YPC in week one was a disappointment to all who rostered him, but the Bills defense is stout against the run, and the big takeaway here is that Najee was on the field for EVERY snap on offense. His price has not moved, so this is the time to pounce. The Raiders just allowed 189 rushing yards to the Ravens in week one, Pittsburgh is six-point home favorites, and I’m still sticking to the fact that Harris’ college metrics will make him a viable passing game option. Other options - Joe Mixon, Chris Carson, Darrell Henderson, David Montgomery, Damien Harris

WIDE RECEIVER

TOP PLAY

Keenan Allen, LAC/Amari Cooper, DAL/Ceedee Lamb, DAL ($7000/$6800/$6400)

As I mentioned on last night’s DFS show with Jason Brady, I believe your cash lineups have to begin with at least two of these three receivers. Im pushing the lock button on him at 7k against Dallas’ secondary, even with his low aDOT. Allen has averaged 11.5 targets per game with Herbert as the QB, making him a super safe option. You also need to have one of Amari and Ceedee in cash (both are fine too!) who are both underpriced. They combined for 31 targets in week one against TB and Michael Gallup’s absence could condense the offense even more. Dallas has a healthy team total of 26 points, and both these guys are WR1 plays at WR2 prices. Other options - DeAndre Hopkins, Stefon Diggs, Calvin Ridley, DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Chris Godwin

Mid-tier options - Cooper Kupp, Diontae Johnson, Allen Robinson

VALUE PLAY

Cedrick Wilson, DAL ($3100)

If you’re bottom-feeding to get one of the elite RBs in your cash lineup, Wilson makes the most sense. He’s near minimum price and gives you almost free exposure to the top game environment on the slate. Dallas runs 3WR sets at a top-3 rate with Dak as the QB, so Wilson is assuming Gallup’s starting role here. Other options - JaMarr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, Marvin Jones, Cole Beasley, Emmanuel Sanders

TIGHT END

TOP PLAY

Darren Waller, LV ($7600)

Waller seems like more of a luxury than a necessity in cash this week, but no one will fault you at all if you want to allocate your funds there. 19 targets speak for themselves, after all. I thought coming into the season that Waller was the clear TE2 because Kelce was in a tier of his own, but it’s becoming evident that Waller has the tools and the opportunity to pass Kelce. $7600 is actually cheap for what he brings, and PIT was 20th in DVOA against the TE position last year.

Other options - George Kittle

VALUE PLAY

Noah Fant, DEN ($4200)

This 4k range is likely where I’ll be living for my cash lineup this week, and there are a few options. With Jerry Jeudy on the shelf, Fant looks like the best combo of floor and ceiling in this range. Albert O annoyingly exists to vulture end zone looks so I think Fant is better left to cash games rather than GPPs since he doesn’t possess that multi-TD upside, but he led the Broncos in target share in week one against the Giants and that number should increase with Jeudy out. Jacksonville’s pass defense looks fully exploitable and Fant is a cheap way to get access.

Other options - Tyler Higbee, Jared Cook, Cole Kmet

TOP FIVE DEFENSES FOR CASH

New York Jets ($2200)

Cleveland Browns ($3500)

New Orleans Saints ($3100)

Pittsburgh Steelers ($3000)

New England Patriots ($3700)