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While you may feel like a bigger degenerate betting on the preseason than Clark Griswold at a Las Vegas casino, here is this week's DFS article for Week 1 of the NFL preseason because you and I both know that you're jonesing for some NFL DFS action.
While it can be more difficult to project how much players will play during preseason games compared to the regular season, we want 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.
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 12th, 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 12, 2022. Now let's get to my picks already!
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Preseason NFL DFS Picks - Quarterbacks
Trey Lance - GB @ SF
The 3rd overall pick in the 2021 draft, Lance mostly redshirted last season. Now that the job is his, Kyle Shanahan plays to play Lance in the first and third preseason games for this year.
Lance is a dual-threat quarterback who has the potential to be a fantasy cheat code. Lance passed for 2,700 yards and 28 TDs along with 1,100 yards rushing and 14 TDs in 2019 when he started in college at North Dakota State. We saw flashes of his abilities last year in his limited playing time.
Lance can make all the throws and is a threat to make plays on the ground as well.
Jordan Love - GB @ SF
While his career hasn't gone the way many thought it would, Love has been buried on 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.
He could be a decent stack option along with Romeo Doubs.
Trace McSorley - ARI @ CIN
A dual-threat quarterback in his own right, McSorley showed some fantasy potential during his preseason games with the Ravens the last two seasons.
McSorley rushed for 798 yards and 12 TDs during his senior season at Penn State in 2018. The Cardinals' offense has some exciting weapons and we know Kliff Kingsbury likes to dial up some fun plays. McSorley is worth playing due to his rushing ability and the reality that he will likely be out there carving up third-string defenses.
Preseason NFL DFS Picks - Running Backs
Tyler Allgeier - ATL @ DET
A fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Allgeier has been getting some hype during this preseason and the Falcons should have him out there so he can show what he can do.
During his last two seasons at BYU, Allgeier tallied 2,731 yards on the ground along with 36 TDS and 42 receptions for 373 yards.
Eno Benjamin - ARI @ CIN
A player that many have perceived to be on the bubble, Benjamin has been impressing so far at Cardinals camp.
While incumbent James Conner was re-signed this offseason, Chase Edmonds typically got most of the passing work and he departed for Miami. This opens up a potential role for Benjamin this season and he would be wise to get out there during the preseason and make the most of it.
Tyrion Davis-Price - GB @ SF
A bigger type of running back, Davis-Price was a third-round pick of the 49ers. We know Kyle Shanahan likes to feature multiple running backs and a role may exist this season for TDP to have some value at his current ADP.
While he doesn't profile as much of a receiving back, Davis-Price rushed for over 1,000 yards last season at LSU. Given how well Shanahan is at picking running backs there probably was a good reason for them to want TDP in the mix this year.
D'Ernest Johnson - CLE @ JAX
Probably the best number three running back in the NFL, Johnson burst onto the scene last year during a TNF game against the Denver Broncos where he rushed 22 times for 146 yards and 1 TD.
Given that the Browns will most likely rest Nick Chubb along with Kareem Hunt (who has asked to be traded), the bulk of the carries on Friday night should go to Johnson and rookie Jerome Ford.
If Johnson gets work he should absolutely carve up defenses who likely won't be playing all of their starters.
Preseason NFL DFS Picks - Wide Receivers
Quintez Cephus - ATL @ DET
A player who showed some promise during the 2021 preseason, Cephus had 15 receptions for 204 yards and 2 TDs in the first month of the NFL last year before a shoulder injury sent him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
With rookie Jameson Williams still sidelined, Cephus could be a solid DFS play depending on how much playing time Amon Ra. St-Brown and D.J. Chark receive in Week 1. Given that Cephus is battling for the third spot on the Lions' WR depth chart until Williams returns, the Lions may want to get a long look at him before the season starts.
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.
While he likely won't be catching passes from Rodgers this week, Jordan Love is one of the better backup quarterbacks in the league which can be a reason for optimism with Doubs.
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.
Rondale Moore - ARI @ CIN
A human highlight reel, Moore has the ability to go the distance on any given touch. Due to the reality that we can't always accurately predict how much playing time players will get this early into the preseason, we can counter that by drafting as many players with the potential to go the distance as we can.
Moore was underwhelming in his rookie season posting just 54 receptions for 435 yards and 1 TD, but the Cardinals want to use him in their offense. Given DeAndre Hopkins' current 6-game suspension starting in Week 1 of the NFL season, Moore is going to need to step up.
Given his big-play ability and lack of competition around him, it gives us reason to assume Arizona wants to continue developing him so he is ready to go in Week 1.
Jalen Reagor - NYJ @ PHI
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.
This week there were reports that the Eagles were looking to trade Reagor. He is currently listed on the depth chart behind Quez Watkins, so the writing may be on the wall. Due to the reality that Reagor is on 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 has some blazing speed and has the potential to house one for your fantasy lineup.
Bryan Edwards - ATL @ DET
A former third-round pick of Las Vegas in 2020, Edwards was traded to the Falcons this offseason.
Given the lack of depth in their passing game with Calvin Ridley suspended for all of 2022 and only rookie Drake London expected to make a significant impact in the WR corps, the door is open for Edwards to potentially have a larger role.
While he did underwhelm during his time with the Raiders, we should assume the Falcons want to get a long, hard look at Edwards this offseason to see where he fits in their offense. That makes him an intriguing option in DFS.
Preseason NFL DFS Picks - Tight Ends
Harrison Bryant - CLE @ JAX
A former Mackey Award Winner in college, Bryant is a pass-catching tight end with loads of potential. With Austin Hooper now departed for the Tennessee Titans, there is more room on the depth chart for Bryant to see more meaningful snaps.
Bryant has averaged over 10 yards per catch during his time in the NFL so far along with 6 TDs. After the Browns signed David Njoku to big contract this offseason, it isn't likely he will see too many snaps. This leaves the door open for Bryant to make a splash this preseason.
Jeremy Ruckert - NYJ @ PHI
A third-round pick of the Jets this offseason, Ruckert steps into a situation in New York where the team doesn't currently have an established tight end. Injuries limited him early on in camp, but he has been suiting up and practicing with the team.
Ruckert made some great catches during his college days at Ohio State but wasn't featured primarily in the passing game due to the plethora of wideouts on the Buckeyes roster. He could be the kind of player to make a preseason splash.
Thanks for checking out my picks and good luck in your contests!
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