RADIO
Playing preseason DFS is uncharted territory for a lot of players. It is impossible to know just how long players are going to be in the game and we have to accept the reality that not every head coach is trying to win the game. Despite that uncertainty, we can try to make as many educated predictions based on limited information as we can.
The second week of the preseason is mostly when teams are 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 to make the team.
In this article, I will be providing you with daily fantasy football picks on DraftKings and FanDuel for the Sunday Football slate on August 21, 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 3-game slate that starts at 1:00 PM EST on Sunday, August 19, 2022. Now let's get to the picks already!
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Preseason NFL DFS Picks - Quarterbacks
Trace McSorley - BAL @ ARI
Trace McSorley flashed in last week's preseason game against the Bengals. A dual-threat quarterback, he is trying to make the Cardinals roster along with Colt McCoy and incumbent starter, Kyler Murray.
McSorley rushed 4 times for 32 yards in Week 1 of the preseason, along with passing for 163 yards and a touchdown. It has all been but a given that Kyler Murray won't play in the preseason at all, which should give more playing time for McSorley.
He is worth playing again this week due to his rushing prowess and the likelihood that he is one of the better third-string quarterbacks in the league.
Gardner Minshew - CAR @ NE
A player who many consider a fringe starter in the NFL, Minshew is in the last year of his contract backing up Jalen Hurts in Philly.
While he didn't play more than a quarter last week, Minshew was 8 of 12 for 81 yards. He is a player who has plenty of starting experience under his belt and is a bit of a mismatch against second and third-string defenses.
After last week's late hit on Jalen Hurts out of bounds by Quincy Williams of the Jets that resulted in a hefty fine, it's not likely that Head Coach Nick Sirianni will want to play his starting quarterback much more in the preseason and risk injury. This should open up some more playing time for Minshew on the field.
Tyler Huntley - BAL @ ARI
Huntley is a player who filled in nicely for Lamar Jackson fantasy-wise when he was injured late last season. The undrafted free-agent out of Utah passed for 1,081 yards in four starts along with 3 TDs, and 4 INTs and added 294 yards on the ground with 2 rushing TDs.
Jackson is currently in the midst of contract negotiations with the Ravens and has stated he won't talk about his contract any longer once Week 1 begins.
Huntley is a dual-threat QB who can make plays with his legs and his arm. Given how much we know the Ravens want to keep their preseason winning streak going, Huntley should be in for a big game.
Last week Huntley was 16 of 18 for 109 yards and a TD. He also added 3 carries on the ground for 19 yards.
Preseason NFL DFS Picks - Running Backs
Tyler Badie - BAL @ ARI
A sixth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Badie provides the Baltimore Ravens offense with a dynamic pass catcher out of the backfield and is looking to make the roster this season.
With J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards both recovering from torn ACLs before the 2021 season, neither is expected to play in tonight's game.
Badie had a solid senior season at Missouri where he rushed 268 times for 1,604 yards with 14 TDs. He also added 54 receptions for 330 yards and 4 TDs in the air.
He is a player the Ravens are going to want to get a longer look at as he is trying to make the team and beat out Mike Davis, Corey Clement, and Justice Hill for the third running back spot on the roster.
Chris Evans - CIN @ NYG
A player who many have dubbed as a sleeper for 2022, Evans is attempting to not only stay on the roster, but to supplant Samaje Perine as the Bengals backup to Joe Mixon.
A player who showed some promise in college, his career was cut short at Michigan due to academic issues and Covid-19. However, that didn't stop the Bengals from drafting Evans in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Evans is a player who showed glimpses out of the backfield last season. He only played sparingly with 17 rushes for 77 yards along with 15 receptions for 151 yards and TDs, but looked good in that limited time.
We should expect that the Bengals want to get a look at him this evening. Evans had a big run last week that was called back on a penalty, but this is just a glimpse of what he can bring to your DFS lineups.
Jerome Ford - PHI @ CLE
A fifth-round pick out of Cincinnati in 2021, Ford joined a very crowded Browns backfield in Cleveland with Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, and D'Ernest Johnson.
There is a chance that Hunt may still be moved before the start of the regular season, which should ensure Ford's place on the roster.
He is a player who had some solid production during his time at UC in college and had a nice run last week against the Jaguars. Given that the Browns want to get some more looks at him, he is a player worth putting in your lineup.
Preseason NFL DFS Picks - Wide Receivers
Jalen Reagor - PHI @ CLE
A first-round draft pick in 2020, Reagor has disappointed during his first two seasons in the league after Philadelphia drafted him one pick before Justin Jefferson. Sorry, Eagles fans.
There have been some reports during this preseason that the Eagles have been looking for a trade partner for Reagor. He has fallen behind Quez Watkins on the current depth chart, so things are not looking good for Reagor at the moment.
Due to the reality that Reagor is in the bubble and may be moved, the Eagles have every reason to showcase his skills this offseason in order to try and find a trade partner. Reagor is an absolute burner with the football and has the chance to take one to the house at any time.
David Bell - PHI @ CLE
A third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, David Bell had as much college production as just about any wide receiver coming into the NFL in recent years. Bell had 93 receptions for 1,286 yards and 6 TDs during his junior season at Purdue and he opted to turn pro.
Bell is a player who slipped on draft weekend because he ran a poor 40 time at the NFL Combine that was in the 4.6 range. While that is some cause for concern, he is a player who always seems to get open and make plays.
The Browns need someone to step up and be the number two wide receiver this year opposite of Amari Cooper. All signs point to them wanting Bell to be that guy.
Kendric Pryor - CIN @ NYG
An undrafted free agent in 2022, Kendric Pryor is a player who has impressed at Bengals camp this summer, earning the praise of head coach, Zac Taylor. "He knows what to do, he goes and attacks the ball at the highest point generally. He's got good speed. He plays physical," Taylor said. "It's been really impressive what he's been able to do throughout training camp."
In Week 1, Pryor had 4 receptions for 89 yards and 1 TD. While the Bengals have some dynamic receivers, the depth chart is relatively wide open for the fourth, fifth, and sixth spots.
Since he is a bubble player, the Bengals likely 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
Isaiah Likely - BAL @ ARI
A player that many have been raving about this offseason, Isaiah Likely was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of tiny Coastal Carolina. Given the Raven's impressive track record with drafting later tight ends, Likely is a player who has his ceiling capped from Mark Andrews but could have some later dynasty value.
For preseason DFS, he is a player that the Ravens want to continue developing, and looked good in his Week 1 preseason action with 4 catches for 44 yards. Likely is a good stacking option paired with Tyler Huntley.
Daniel Bellinger - CIN @ NYG
If Bellinger doesn't play much this evening, that likely means he is well entrenched for some solid playing time in Week 1 of the regular season.
Bellinger was a fourth-round pick of the Giants in the 2022 NFL Draft out of San Diego State. He has earned some accolades from the Giants coaches and has been dubbed as a late sleeper in dynasty leagues. Bellinger is a player who has been praised for his solid blocking all summer. While that may not seem great for his fantasy outlook, it also implies he is a player the Giants feel comfortable having out on the field in all situations.
Bellinger only had 1 reception for 4 yards last week, but he is a tight end worth playing today due to his upside.
Thanks for checking out my picks and good luck with your contests today!
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