RADIO
There can be a lot of uncertainty when it comes to playing preseason DFS. We don't always know how long players are going to play and we have to accept the reality that not every head coach is trying to win the game. In lieu of that, we can try to capitalize on the player opportunity as much as we can.
Typically the second week of the preseason is when teams are more likely to play their starters and for longer compared to the other preseason games. A good preseason strategy in DFS is to look for rookie and sophomore players that teams want to get a look at as well as players who are on the bubble and need to show what they can do in order to make the team. Teams with an abundance of talent on the depth chart at one position are a great example as well.
In this article, I will be providing you with daily fantasy football picks on DraftKings and FanDuel for the Friday Night Football slate on August 19th, 2022. Every player has the same salary for DFS contests on FanDuel and DraftKings during the preseason, so everyone can pick any nine players of their choosing without any regard for the usual weekly salary cap format. The roster spots are the same as usual for the preseason, requiring you to select one QB, two RB, three WR, one TE, one Flex, and one Defense. In this article, you'll find my favorite DFS picks for the 5-game slate that starts at 6:00 PM EST on Friday, August 19, 2022. Now let's get to my picks already!
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Preseason NFL DFS Picks - Quarterbacks
Jordan Love - NO @ GB
While Love made a couple of mistakes by tossing three interceptions in Week 1's matchup against the 49ers, he did some good things throwing for 176 yards in the first half along with 2 passing touchdowns.
Love's career hasn't gone the way many thought it would and he has been stuck riding the bench for the last two seasons behind Aaron Rodgers.
Love had two underwhelming games last season against Kansas City and Detroit where he threw 2 TDs and 3 INTs while averaging just 162 yards passing. In spite of how Love has played so far, he was still a 1st round pick and gets to play in Matt LaFleur's offense. Being that we know the Packers want to get more looks and develop him this preseason, he is a solid option in DFS.
Love threw a touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs last week, so the two could be a decent stacking option.
P.J. Walker - CAR @ NE
A player who has bounced around the league some but played well in the XFL in 2020, Walker threw 15 TDs and 4 INTs along with 1,338 yards and a 5-0 record. He isn't as much of a threat on the ground, but Walker has plenty of experience.
There has been a good deal of chatter this offseason that the Panthers may try to trade or move on from Sam Darnold, which suggests they may be more comfortable with Walker as their backup.
Walker is someone we should feel comfortable starting due to his experience levels and could carve up third or fourth-string defenses.
John Wolford - HOU @ LAR
Matthew Stafford has a lingering elbow injury and the Rams aren't letting him throw much this preseason. Backup John Wolford is expected to start and the Rams are likely to want to get a long look at him being that the season is just three weeks away and he could be out there for Week 1.
Wolford started one game for the Rams in 2020 throwing for 231 yards and 1 interception in a win. While he isn't an overly attractive choice compared to most, the skill players on the Rams are in abundance and Wolford could easily have a good game.
Preseason NFL DFS Picks - Running Backs
Dameon Pierce - HOU @ LAR
A fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Pierce looked rather spry in his action in Week 1. Pierce rushed 5 times for 49 yards and had one target.
While there has been a position battle for the top running back spot on the Texans this year with Marlon Mack and Rex Burkhead, Pierce has been standing out. While he didn't exactly put up gaudy numbers during his time at Florida, it's easy to see that Pierce has some talent and looks like a man among boys out there against backups.
Chuba Hubbard - CAR @ NE
While he underwhelmed quite a bit over the 2021 season once Christian McCaffrey went down, Chuba Hubbard has found himself in a battle for the backup running position along with D'Onta Foreman this offseason.
Chuba averaged 3.6 yards per carry and had 25 receptions for 174 yards and 1 TD in 2021. He is someone with experience and is fighting for a spot on the roster. Hubbard may see extended playing time in Week 2 because of it.
Abram Smith - NO @ GB
While it is looking like Alvin Kamara won't be suspended at all for the 2022 season, Abram Smith has been looking more like he will make the Saints roster with only veteran Mark Ingram ahead of him.
Smith had 7 carries for 30 yards in Week 1 of the preseason along with 1 reception for 12 yards. The undrafted free agent had a monster junior season at Baylor posting 257 carries for 1,601 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is a player worth keeping an eye on this summer.
Preseason NFL DFS Picks - Wide Receivers
Nico Collins - HOU @ LAR
The Michigan product has been showing flashes this offseason attempting to win the Texans WR2 job opposite of Brandin Cooks. Since John Metchie III will likely be sidelined for the entire 2022 season, the job has pretty much been Collins to lose.
While Collins didn't play a ton in 2021, he showed some flashes in his limited snaps. Since we know the Texans want to give some of their starters a look on Friday night, Collins is a player who could easily score a touchdown due to his physically imposing prowess.
Romeo Doubs - GB @ SF
Doubs has been the star of Packers training camp so far according to the beat writers and even earned some praise from Aaron Rodgers.
He scored a touchdown in Week 1's preseason matchup against the 49ers. Doubs has been rising up the ranks and we know the Packers want to keep getting him reps along with getting a cold, hard look at him to see where he will fit once the regular season starts.
In these preseason games, we should be looking for players with talent who have a lot to prove and Doubs could certainly fall right into that category.
Tyquan Thornton - CAR @ NE
The second-round pick for the Patriots out of Baylor, Thornton has elite athleticism and has been making some waves this offseason.
While the Patriots' WR room is currently crowded, it does not currently feature an alpha type of receiver who is going to be a target hog or pure deep threat. Thornton changes all of that with his elite speed. Thornton ran a 4.21 flat at the NFL Combine and has been making waves during Patriots camp.
The Patriots want to continue developing him and to get a look at him, so he could be a solid play for Week 2 of the preseason.
Preseason NFL DFS Picks - Tight Ends
Adam Trautman - NO @ GB
While Trautman has fallen a little bit from grace as he was a fantasy darling last season, injuries also helped to limit his 2021 campaign.
Trautman is currently battling with Juwan Johnson and Taysom Hill to be the Saints starting tight end. While just 25 years of age, the former third-round pick has been looking like a different player this offseason.
While he only caught one pass for 4 yards during Week 1 of the preseason, Trautman has been a player that the Saints want to get more of a look at to see how he will fit onto the roster.
Brevin Jordan - HOU @ LAR
While injuries have limited some of Brevin Jordan's potential, he steps into a situation in Houston in 2022 where he would see some volume.
He is someone that has flashed some chemistry with quarterback Davis Mills and the Texans could continue to want to get a long look at him during the preseason as part of his rookie campaign in 2021 was cut short.
Jordan was a heavily recruited tight end in high school before settling on Miami. A fifth-round pick in the 2021 draft, Jordan is a player who could make an impact for DFS this week.
Thanks for checking out my picks and good luck in your contests!
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