This article is part of our DraftKings NFL series.
DraftKings is back with a fresh slate for Week 2 of the preseason. This slate features eight games on Saturday night.
Now, if you are new to playing preseason fantasy football, there are a few things you should know. First, each player is priced at $5,500 since it is virtually impossible to ascertain a player's value in the preseason. The most important thing to factor in to your roster decisions will be playing time. Typically, established first-teamers will only play a few possessions, making them undesirable fantasy options. What separates Week 2 from Week 1 of the preseason is that most camp battles have a little more clarity, which will help push value one way or another in terms of running backs and wideouts.
Now, on to this week's selections...
Quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo, New England: With Tom Brady suspended to start the season, the Patriots are still trying to maximize Garoppolo's reps to get him ready for handling the first four weeks of the season as the starter. In Week 1 of the preseason against the Packers, Garoppolo completed 20-of-30 passes for 159 yards and an interception. Finding a quarterback who will throw the ball 30 times in the preseason is rare, so it's precisely the type of opportunity you want to target.
Matt Barkley, Philadelphia: In a battle for the third quarterback spot in Philadelphia, the Eagles gave Barkley over two quarters of playing time last week. Barkley finished the day 12-for-20 for 192 yards and an interception. It's still unclear if Sam Bradford will suit up this week and Mark Sanchez has established himself as the clear-cut backup, leaving Barkley and Tim Tebow to pick up the bulk of the playing time.
Others to consider: Brian Hoyer/Ryan Mallett (Houston), Chad Henne (Jacksonville)
Running Backs
Chris Polk, Houston: With Arian Foster out to begin the season, the pecking order at running back for the Texans is a battle to watch throughout the preseason. It seems Alfred Blue has an edge as the starter, which means the Texans could start limiting his on-field reps, or removing him after the first quarter. That would leave the backup job between Chris Polk and Jonathan Grimes. Polk has been the winner in camp, thus far, gaining more praise from the coaching staff. In Week 1 of the preseason, Polk rushed 10 times for 29 yards. Those are undesirable numbers, but he's still an excellent target in daily fantasy while his playing time figures to remain heavy.
Lorenzo Taliaferro, Baltimore: Last week, Taliaferro had 12 carries for 36 yards and a touchdown. His yards per carry weren't anything flashy, but the workload is promising. After securing the starting job last season, Justin Forsett doesn't seem like he will be much of a factor this preseason, leaving the brunt of the work to Taliaferro and rookie Javorius Allen. If he receives another 12-plus carry workload, Taliaferro should be able to break through the Eagles' porous defense.
Ronnie Hillman, Denver: With C.J. Anderson atop the depth chart in Denver, the battle for the number two spot will continue all preseason between Hillman and Montee Ball. Hillman and Ball both split time in last Friday's opener, with Hillman gathering the more impressive line with 66 yards on eight carries. Anderson is currently nursing an ankle injury, so his playing time come Saturday may be slightly more limited, leaving more opportunities for Hillman and Ball.
Branden Oliver, San Diego: Melvin Gordon played a full first quarter in the Chargers' preseason opener, but is currently nursing an ankle injury that may open the door to a larger workload for Oliver, who had 10 carries for 53 yards and touchdown last week against the Cowboys. Oliver should open the year as the backup to Gordon, with Danny Woodhead and Donald Brown also factoring into the picture. Jahwan Edwards also saw 11 carries, but with the Chargers' running-back corps seemingly solidified, his work should diminish a bit in the next few games.
Jonas Gray, New England: The running back carousel in New England is always a tough one to predict, but it seems Jonas Gray is currently leading the way to start the season in place of the suspended LeGarrette Blount. In his preseason opener, Gray rushed for 74 yards and a touchdown, including a two-point conversion. The status of this pick leans heavily on if Travaris Cadet and/or Brandon Bolden suit up.
Others to consider: Khiry Robinson (New Orleans), Fozzy Whittaker (Carolina), Montee Ball (Denver)
Wide Receivers
Brandon Coleman, New Orleans: If you are looking to roster a player that has garnered a lot of buzz, look no further than Coleman. Saints head coach Sean Payton has routinely sung the praises of Coleman, calling him the most impressive player in camp. Reports are that Coleman is going to get a good amount of playing time in their game against the Patriots, and will even garner reps with the first-team offense. A battle for the WR3 spot is a great to take advantage of because Coleman should not only benefit from seeing playing time with Drew Brees, but also function as the primary target for the second team, where he'd face lesser competition from opposing defenses.
Cody Latimer, Denver: Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders will get their playing time, but Latimer will see far more on-field action. Denver's top two receivers are already established, so the preseason is the perfect time for Latimer to prove he can be a reliable No. 3 option. In the first week of the preseason, Latimer caught four passes for 49 yards.
Nelson Agholor, Philadelphia: The rookie out of USC wasted no time making an impact with the Eagles, catching a 34-yard touchdown in last Sunday's preseason opener. The Eagles currently list Josh Huff and Riley Cooper ahead of Agholor on the depth chart, which may just be a red herring to light a fire under Agholor. Expect Agholor to play the entire first half, including some time with Jordan Matthews on the field.
Philly Brown, Carolina: Brown represents a dark horse selection for Saturday's slate. After Kelvin Benjamin tore his ACL earlier this week, Devin Funchess and Brown saw their names shift up the depth chart, and Funchess now is nursing a hamstring injury and will not suit up Saturday against the Dolphins. In short, somebody has to start and play, and Brown seems as good of a bet as any to earn increased targets. I admittedly am a little worried that they will protect Brown a bit in fear of another injury, but since he now seems to be a more important part of the Carolina offense this season than expected, his preseason reps are still vital.
Others to consider: James Jones and Corey Washington (New York Giants), Cordarrelle Patterson (Minnesota), Cecil Shorts (Houston), Duron Carter (Indianapolis)
Tight End
Josh Hill, New Orleans: According to most reports, it sounds like Ben Watson is leading the battle for the starting tight end gig in New Orleans. Hill still holds the most upside out of the two, but will need a strong preseason push to come away with the starting gig. He caught all three of his targets for 40 yards in the Week 1 exhibition opener.
Maxx Williams, Baltimore: Williams didn't do much in his preseason debut, finishing with two receptions for 36 yards. Crockett Gillmore still looks to be the favorite to start for Baltimore, but the rookie tight end should see multiple quarters of action in Week 2.
Others to consider: Coby Fleener (Indianapolis), Brent Celek (Philadelphia), Virgil Green (Denver)
