RADIO
Hey there RotoBallers! Hopefully, you avoided the Le'Veon Bell/David Johnson stack pitfall last weekend and made some money over at Yahoo!
In this article, I will be taking a look at some of my favorite Yahoo DFS lineups picks for the Week 2 game slate. These DFS picks are based on a multitude of factors including matchup, talent, recent performance, Vegas odds, and pricing on Yahoo.
Generally, I will try to outline a top option at each position along with a value option with a chance to at least hit value. Let's get to it!
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DFS Quarterback Picks for Yahoo
Russell Wilson (vs. SF, $31)
Aaron Rodgers against the Falcons in what should be a shootout is the top quarterback play in Week 2 but you don't really need to be told to play him. It would be worth trying to jam him into cash lineups if he fits. Wilson, however, is worth considering as a pivot off of Rodgers in GPPs. The star quarterback was a popular play in Week 1 against the Packers and disappointed but he is primed to bounce back against the 49ers in Week 2. San Francisco employed one of the worst pass defenses in 2016, ranking 28th in DVOA. Seattle's offensive line woes do give cause for concern, which is the main thing that makes him a better option in tournaments than in cash.
Alex Smith (vs. PHI, $28)
Smith looked like a changed man in Week 1, playing aggressively and torching the New England secondary for 368 yards and four passing touchdowns. While it's unwise to put too much stock in one week, Smith does have the weapons at his disposal to play like a low-end QB1 this season if he continues to attack opposing defenses. He's a bit cheaper than many of the top options on the slate and has shown he has just as high a ceiling as any of them. He's a fine option in both cash and tournaments this Sunday.
DFS Running Back Picks for Yahoo
Ezekiel Elliott (@ DEN, $34)
If you are looking to spend up at running back in Week 2, Elliott is the preferred option. The Cowboys travel to Denver to take on a tough pass defense, led by stud cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Chris Harris. With those two likely to shut down the Dallas passing game, look for the Cowboys to lean on their star running back to move the ball on Sunday. While Denver has an elite pass defense, their rush defense is weak, ranking 21st in DVOA in 2016. This will help to funnel extra work to the run game, which benefits Elliott, who rolled up 104 rushing yards and added five catches for 36 yards in Week 1.
Ty Montgomery (@ ATL, $18)
Montgomery is the top running back play on Yahoo this weekend. He was one of the most heavily used running backs in Week 1, playing 88% of his team's offensive snaps and handling 23 touches. He's vastly underpriced on Yahoo this weekend, checking in as a mid-priced option. The weak Falcons rush defense helps to make Montgomery an even better play in Week 2. Atlanta ranked 28th in rush defense DVOA in 2016 and allowed Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen to combine for 118 rushing yards and a score in Week 1. It is recommended to build most of your lineups around Montgomery this week.
DFS Wide Receiver Picks for Yahoo
Tyreek Hill (vs. PHI, $27)
The Alex Smith-Tyreek Hill stack is a viable play in cash games and GPPs on Sunday. Hill's Week 1 usage against the Patriots was encouraging as he was targeted eight times and also saw two carries. If the Chiefs do indeed continue to feed Hill in the passing game this season, he's going to be a weekly WR1. The speedy second-year receiver is primed to stay hot against the Eagles in Week 2. He draws a plus matchup against Eagles left cornerback Jalen Mills, who has earned a 36.1 grade from Pro Football Focus over the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Hill is expected to line up across from Mills on the majority of his snaps in Week 2, putting him in a great spot.
Stefon Diggs (@ PIT, $18)
Diggs went off against the Saints on Monday night, reeling in seven passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns. For all his efforts, Yahoo inexplicably lowered his price from $21 down to $18. At that pricing, he is a steal, considering he has WR1 upside and WR2 floor against the Steelers. Diggs is expected to run most of his routes at Joe Haden, who is not the player he once was. Diggs will be a popular play but at his pricing, he's worth using regardless as a cornerstone to build lineups around.
DFS Tight End Picks for Yahoo
Coby Fleener (vs. NE, $16)
Fleener was basically the only Saints offensive player who showed up for their Week 1 tilt against the Minnesota Vikings. The 28-year-old tight end finished the game with five catches for 54 yards and one touchdown. He sets up as a strong play again in Week 2. It's common knowledge by now, but the Patriots are well-known for focusing their defensive efforts on the opposition's No. 1 option. In the Saints' case, that would be star wideout Michael Thomas who gets the bulk of New England's defensive attention. That gives Fleener a chance to take center stage in the passing attack in Week 2 in a Drew Brees-led offense that is dominant at home.
Evan Engram (vs. DET, $13)
Engram had a solid debut for the Giants, catching four passes for 44 yards against the Cowboys. He has a good shot at staying relevant in Week 2 against a Lions defense that has not had success against opposing tight ends. Detroit's pass defense ranked 29th in DVOA against the position in 2016. They got a break in Week 1 as they faced a Cardinals offense that doesn't really have much use for tight ends as pass catchers. Engram is one of the top value tight end plays on the slate and would be close to a must-play if Odell Beckham's ankle injury prevents him from suiting up in Week 2.
Defense/Special Teams Pick for Yahoo
Baltimore Ravens (vs. CLE, $21)
There's no reason to get cute with your fantasy defense this weekend. Baltimore is at home and will be taking on Cleveland rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer. Kizer was sacked seven times by the Steelers in Week 1, mostly due to him holding onto the ball too long in the pocket. Meanwhile, the Ravens defense absolutely decimated the Bengals in Week 1, intercepting Andy Dalton four times while racking up five sacks and recovering one fumble. They are the priciest defense on the slate but it will be well worth finding room for them this weekend.
