DraftKings NFL: Thursday Preseason Picks

DraftKings NFL: Thursday Preseason Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings NFL series.

Let's do this. It's the final day of the preseason with every team in action. The only thing that means is that we have more backups to parse through for our lineups. Also, the range of outcomes will be huge between contestants, which could make winning easier, as long as we hit on the right players.

QUARTERBACK

Patrick Mahomes, KC vs. TEN - The Chiefs likely want to get Mahomes as much run as possible in the final preseason game. While he struggled last week against the Seahawks, Mahomes carved through the 49ers and Bengals backups for 137 yards and three touchdowns. The Titans haven't played many great backups this preseason (Jets, Panthers, Bears) and still have allowed the 11th-most passing yards per game (228.0).

RUNNING BACK

Corey Grant, JAX at ATL - I keep coming back to Grant and he keeps performing with 191 yards on 8.7 yards per carry. After getting 10 carries last game, Grant could surpass that total with the other Jaguars backs not expected to see the field.

Wayne Gallman, NYG at NE -
The fourth week of preseason is usually where rookies that aren't expected to see much time in the regular season shine. Gallman fits that mold, and after 12 carries (for 43 yards) last game, he could play more than Orleans Darkwa, who is in his fifth season. I've gone against the Patriots defense a few times this preseason because Bill Belichick won't show his hand in these games, hence allowing at least 27 points in the first free games. The Pats also have allowed the third-most rushing yards per game (135.7).

WIDE RECEIVER

Kasen Williams, SEA at OAK - A lot of these picks will attack bad defenses, and that's what you get with the Oakland secondary. Williams, a second-year wideout, showed his stuff in the first game (four catches, 119 yards) and should see similar work in this one. It also helps that the Seahawks have two viable backups who can at least complete passes in Trevone Boykin and Austin Davis.

Alex Erickson, CIN at IND -
Speaking of bad secondaries, the Colts have gotten torched in the preseason for 265 passing yards per game to go with seven touchdowns. Erickson has three catches in each game and could see even more time in this one with at least one half of work with one of the better backup QBs in A.J. McCarron.

Austin Carr, NE vs. NYG -
The Giants have a good defense, but that doesn't mean their backups will stop Jimmy Garoppolo or even Jacoby Brissett (if he plays). Carr has 11 receptions in the first three games and since he's on the roster bubble, could end up playing the entire game for the Patriots.

TIGHT END

Gerald Everett, LAR at GB - Picking a tight end in the fourth preseason game is really a toss up, but Everett is a logical place to turn. The rookie needs all the reps he can get and already has eight catches through the first three games.

FLEX

Terron Ward, ATL vs. JAX - Ward could be set for a huge workload with Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman unlikely to see the field, while fellow backup Brian Hill is dealing with an ankle injury. Ward already has 30 carries (and 113 yards) in three games and his eight catches make him easier to trust. Throw in a Jaguars defense that lacks depth on the line and Ward could break a few loose.

DEFENSE

Philadelphia Eagles at NYJ - It's never a bad idea to go against the Jets, especially in the fourth preseason game that should feature plenty of Christian Hackenberg. I predict at least two interceptions for the Eagles.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Adam Zdroik plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: zdroik, DraftKings: rotozdroik, Yahoo: StreakMaster.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adam Zdroik
Adam, a multiple-time finalist for FSWA's Soccer Writer of the Year, is RotoWire's soccer editor. He runs RotoWire's Bracketology and partakes in various NFL content. He previously worked at ESPN and Sporting Kansas City, and he is a former Streak for the Cash winner and Michigan State graduate.
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