Week 2 FanDuel Cash-Game Picks


QB

Aaron Rodgers, Packers ($7,900) vs. Detroit

Rodgers dominated a thin Vikings secondary last week with 364 yards and 4 scores. He gets an injury-riddled Lions secondary this week, one without CB Justin Coleman and perhaps Desmond Trufant, too.

Matt Ryan, Falcons ($7,700) at Cowboys

I typically like to have my cash game QB bring some rushing upside. But the game environment here for Falcons-Cowboys is enticing. The over/under sits at 53, up from the open of 51. Atlanta’s implied total is a healthy 24.25.

Thanks to a poor Atlanta D, volume projects favorably for Ryan, who already chucked it 54 times in the opener.


RB

Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys ($8,600) vs. Atlanta

Elliott — and the next guy on this list — rank 1 and 2 in our FanDuel $/point rankings. Surprisingly, Zeke is the 4th highest priced RB in a favorable matchup — and following a huge opener at Los Angeles (28 PPR points, 26 opportunities).

There’s a slight bit of hesitation here with the O-line banged up; La’el Collins and Cam Erving are out, while Tyron Smith landed on the Week 2 injury report. But I think that’s more of a factor for the passing game. Zeke should still smash.

Derrick Henry, Titans ($8,300) vs. Jacksonville

This offense needs Henry now more than ever.

A.J. Brown is out due to a knee injury. Corey Davis, as usual, is batting a hamstring strain.

Henry just handled 100% of the Titans’ RB carries — 31 — and 3 of 4 backfield targets. The Titans are installed as 9-point home favorites and figure to involve Henry early and often. That approach meshes well with a Jags run D that profiles as below average.

Jonathan Taylor, Colts ($5,800) vs. Minnesota

I fully expect Taylor to eventually become a $7,000+ player. With Marlon Mack out, the rookie projects to see 15+ touches against a Vikings defense down DE Danielle Hunter.

The Colts are implied for nearly 26 points and enter as 3-point favorites, so game script looks favorable here.


WR

Davante Adams, Packers ($8,600) vs. Detroit

Did you see his Week 1? Adams looked in mid-season form, while Rodgers continued to target the veteran heavily (17 times). As noted above, Sunday turns up another excellent matchup.

Amari Cooper, Cowboys ($7,000) vs. Atlanta

Cooper’s natural boom/bust tendency might make him seem like more of a tournament play. But the matchup and the price — both ultra-appealing — allow an exception this week.

The Falcons were just carved up by Russell Wilson. Sure, he’s an all-world passer, but 322 yards and 4 scores — on 31-of-35 passing — should never be allowed in the NFL. And it confirmed a trend from 2019: that Atlanta struggles vs. the pass.

As a bonus: Cooper’s most frequent CB matchup — rookie A.J. Terrell — was a bottom-15 graded player from Pro Football Focus in Week 1.

Marquise Brown, Ravens ($6,200) at Houston

Brown needed only 6 targets and 5 catches to reach 100 yards in the opener. Back to full health, I don’t anticipate much trouble in a potential shadow spot vs. Bradley Roby. The Ravens creatively used the 2nd-year WR in the opener, even running him out of the slot on 38% of his snaps.

Mixing big-play upside with solid volume — I expect somewhere around 7 targets — Brown’s easy to like at a depressed price.

Also consider: Calvin Ridley, T.Y. Hilton, Michael Gallup


TE

Jonnu Smith, Titans ($4,900) vs. Jacksonville

This one’s pretty simple. With A.J. Brown out, Smith could lead this pass catching group in targets. He’s already coming off a promising Week 1 with 7 looks and a goal line score. The Titans are an excellent scoring bet at home against a Jags unit that likely overachieved vs. Indianapolis.

Logan Thomas, Washington ($4,700) at Arizona

Thomas garnered 8 targets in the opener. Now comes a Cardinals pass D that easily allowed the most fantasy points to TEs in 2019 under current DC Vance Joseph.

Sure, the Cardinals invested their top pick in potential TE stopper Isaiah Simmons. But he played only 18 snaps in the opener vs. San Francisco.

Also consider: T.J. Hockenson


Defense

Arizona ($3,600) vs. Washington

You’re picking on a bad offense here. But Arizona should also have sack and takeaway opportunities as 7-point home favorites.

Pittsburgh ($4,600) vs. Denver

Pittsburgh recorded the highest pressure rate among Week 1 teams. Scary news for Drew Lock and a Denver offense that might remain without Courtland Sutton.