The NFL kicked off in Week 1 with some very underwhelming performances, as many of the games biggest stars were getting their first action of the year after sitting out the pre-season games. Whilst there will still be some rust expected here in Week 2, you can expect the cream to start rising to the top once again, and order to be restored. It’s time to dive in and build a team to win some money at Draftstars!
Draftstars has a huge $50,000 contest, with almost $5,000 to the winner. There are plenty of other contests for everyone to get involved, and if you’re really keen on a chance to win big, there’s a $10 contest with the winner gaining entry into the $150,000 NFL Star Final. Bring it on!
And don't forget, if you're looking for sports betting NFL tips for Week 2 matches, then make sure you head over to our NFL tips page!
Quarterbacks
Patrick Mahomes - $17,680
The big-name quarterbacks struggled last week, and Mahomes was no exception, managing just 20.5 points. Despite this below average score for Mahomes, and the loss to the Lions, Mahomes still ranked 4th in this slate for quarterbacks last week. This week, Mahomes and the Chiefs get a reprieve from the solid defence that they faced in week 1 in the Lions, as they take on a Jaguars defence that struggled to slow down rookie Anthony Richardson last week. But the most important thing for Mahomes this week, is he gets Travis Kelce back. With Kelce, Mahomes is a different beast, and I expect him and the Chiefs to have a nice bounce back here.
Justin Herbert - $15,140
Herbert and the Chargers’ passing offense took a backseat to the run game last week, as the Bolts rushed for 234 yards at 5.8 yards per carry. Given their efficiency, Kellen Moore opted to keep Herbert as more of a game manager, as the 4th year QB threw for 228 yards on 23-33 passing. Herbert managed a touchdown each through the air and on the ground, and managed a solid score given his limited usage. I expect the Chargers to air it out more in week 2, and not just for the fact the Titans pass defence is poor, but also that Austin Ekeler is in severe doubt, forcing the Chargers to lean more on Herbert.
Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey - $17,410
If you thought CMC might have been eased into the season, you’d be wrong. McCaffrey led the league in snaps taken by running backs in week 1, whilst rushing for 151 yards and a touchdown. This week, I wouldn’t expect the 49ers to be running McCaffrey straight up the middle at Aaron Donald, however there’s no doubt he will be heavily involved, and probably get more targets in the pass game than he did in week 1 (5). McCaffrey is a RB1 each and every week, and if you have the money, he is an automatic buy in your backfield.
Bijan Robinson - $14,950
Robinson’s price has inflated by just over $1,000 this week, and if Head Coach Arthur Smith can see what everyone else can see, I don’t see his price taking long to bump up towards McCaffrey type prices. As such, we’ve got to keep picking Robinson each and every week. Despite only playing 4 snaps more than Tyler Allgeier last week, Robinson still managed to pump out 20 DFS points for us. He gets another good matchup this weekend, with the Packers run defence not looking any better than last season, as they gave up 139 yards rushing in week 1 to the Bears. I only see upside in the Robinson selection, and loved what I saw from him in week 1.
Joshua Kelley - $11,120
Kelley had a solid game in week 1 as the change of pace RB2 for the Chargers, rushing for 91 yards on 16 carries (5.7ypc) and a touchdown. This week, Kelley will assume the RB1 role with Ekeler out, and whilst I don’t expect the Chargers to run the ball anywhere near as much as last week, Kelley should get several chances in the redzone with Ekeler likely unavailable. Priced up as a high-end RB2, Kelley has RB1 upside here as the bell cow for the Chargers in week 2.
Wide Receivers
Calvin Ridley - $13,390
Ridley was underpriced last week, and continues to be underpriced into week 2. Despite the apparent tough matchup that he and the Jaguars have drawn in week 2 (Chiefs), I expect there to be points on the table for both teams in this matchup. Ridley has quickly become the number one at the Jags, with 34.4% target share, and 48.6% air yard share in the Jags 31-21 week 1 victory. Ridley wasn’t just a possession receiver either, garnering 2 redzone targets, 101 yards and 1 touchdown on 8 receptions and 11 targets. Ridley is a WR1 priced as a WR2, and until this is rectified you can safely take Ridley as a cheap WR1, or a stud WR2.
Keenan Allen - $12,350
Allen has a really solid floor, and this week I see him as having WR1 upside. As mentioned above in the Herbet and Kelley notes, I fully expect the Chargers to air it out this week, and if that’s the case I expect Allen to have a huge game. Allen will spend most of his time in the slot, where he will have a favourable matchup against slot corner Roger McCreary. Last week, in a rush-heavy attack, Allen managed 6 catches on 9 targets for 76 yards. He is a redzone threat, and if you want him as your cheap WR1 you’d love a touchdown for him over purely volume stats.
Puka Nacua - $9,330
This play is prefaced with a caution, as Nacua is currently listed as questionable with an oblique injury. If Nacua is fit and ready to go, he is a must start at this price. Nacua, in his first career game, took over Cooper Kupp’s role immediately in this offense, garnering 15 targets (=1st week one), catching 10 passes for 119 yards. Given the Rams are likely to be chasing for a good part of this matchup with the 49ers, expect Nacua to be again targeted heavily in week 2. Priced as a low-end WR3, has low WR1 upside.
Tight Ends
Travis Kelce - $15,300
Kelce is the obvious choice here as the TE1 for week 2, however he is close the $5,000 more expensive than the second most expensive tight end choice. Given he is coming into the game with a bone bruise in his knee, there’s definitely some apprehension to this selection, however he gets a great matchup here against a Jags defence that could be bottom third of the league come season’s end. The Jags defence gave up 5 catches for 59 yards last week to the Colts’ second rate tight-end room, so they will no doubt struggle containing Kelce.
Darren Waller - $9,210
Waller is off the injury report, and I fully expect he, and the Giants, to look far more formidable this week on offense. The Giants were held scoreless last week by a rampant Cowboys’ defence, and now they get a Cardinals defence which could be the worst in the league, especially when talking about defending tight ends. The Cardinals conceded the 2nd most fantasy points of any team last season to tight ends, and they weren’t great last week either. Expect Waller to be targeted plenty this week, and a touchdown wouldn’t be a huge surprise.
D/ST
Dallas Cowboys - $7,400
This was the best unit of any in the NFL last weekend, as the Cowboys defence dominated the Giants in week 1. Not only did they shut the Giants out, but they also managed 7 sacks, 3 forced fumbles (1 recovery), 2 interceptions, and a pick 6. Not to be outdone, the Special Teams unit put up some stats, blocking a field goal for a touchdown, and making 2-2 field goals, and 4-5 extra points. This unit is elite, and should once again get amongst it against the Jets, whose offensive line leaves a lot to be desired. They conceded 5 sacks last week, and given the turnover rate of new QB1 Zach Wilson, another massive score is on the cards for the Cowboys D/ST.
Suggested Draftstars Lineup
