Fantasy: Week 2's top daily fantasy football value plays
Every Friday for the balance of the NFL season, theScore managing editor James Bisson takes a comprehensive look at the best daily fantasy value plays. Values are based on DraftKings' DFS offering, in which players are given a $50,000 budget with which to build a nine-player team (1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB/WR FLEX, 1 DST).
Quarterback
Jake Locker, TEN (vs. DAL, $7,100)
You'll probably hear this a lot over the course of the 2014 season, but betting against the Dallas Cowboys' defense will almost always lead to positive results. This week should be no exception, as Locker and the Tennessee Titans welcome the sad-sack Cowboys to Nashville. Locker is coming off an impressive showing against Kansas City in the season opener, and is a virtual lock for 300+ yards and at least two touchdowns Sunday.
Others to consider: Peyton Manning, DEN (vs. KC, $8,800), Aaron Rodgers, GB (vs. NYJ, $7,900), Russell Wilson, SEA (@ SD, $7,100)
Running Back
Frank Gore, SF (vs. CHI, $4,900)
Forget the age. Forget the mileage. Forget the presence of Carlos Hyde. Gore remains an elite rushing talent, and may not see a better matchup all season than the one he has Sunday against a porous Bears run defense. At a reasonable price point – Gore is cheaper than 25 other running backs – and coming off a decent showing a week ago against Dallas, daily fantasy players should happily pounce.
Others to consider: Arian Foster, HOU (@ OAK, $7,000), Rashad Jennings, NYG (vs. ARI, $5,100), Mark Ingram, NO (@ CLE, $4,500)
Wide Receiver
Reggie Wayne, IND (vs. PHI, $5,300)
Enjoy Wayne at this price – after the coming weekend, he may not be this affordable for a while. Wayne looked sensational in his first game since suffering a season-ending ACL tear last season, hauling in nine catches for 98 yards against a formidable Denver defense. This week's opponent is somewhat less impressive; the Eagles surrendered nearly 300 passing yards a game last season and allowed 266 to Jacksonville last week.
Others to consider: Andre Johnson, HOU (@ OAK, $6,400), Kendall Wright, TEN (vs. DAL, $5,800), Brandin Cooks, NO (@ CLE, $5,300)
Tight End
Rob Gronkowski, NE (@ MIN, $6,000)
Two stats stand out when making a case for Gronkowski in daily fantasy: 51 games played and 43 career touchdowns. And while he represents one of the most notable week-to-week injury risks in the league, those who take a chance on him are often rewarded with huge point totals. Gronkowski should expect to see a larger workload as the season goes on, and a date with the Vikings' weak tight-end defense is a recipe for a big game.
Others to consider: Julius Thomas, DEN (vs. KC, $7,100), Delanie Walker, TEN (vs. DAL, $3,700)
RB/WR Flex
Calvin Johnson, DET (@ CAR, $8,500)
You might see that Carolina held Tampa Bay to 183 passing yards in its season opener and surmise that Megatron will struggle this week. Not a chance. There isn't a matchup on the planet that should scare DFSers from relying on Johnson, who looked absolutely dominant in the opener against the New York Giants and will likely see well over double-digit targets on a weekly basis. If you're looking to spend big, this is the guy.
Others to consider: Dez Bryant, DAL (@ TEN, $7,100), Demaryius Thomas, DEN (vs. KC, $7,000), Jordy Nelson, GB (vs. NYJ, $6,600), DeSean Jackson, WAS (vs. JAC, $5,300)
D/ST
Houston Texans (@ OAK, $3,500)
The Texans flexed their defensive muscle in the opener, forcing a pair of fumbles and recording three sacks against a decent Washington offense. Imagine the carnage Houston can unleash against a Raiders team that will likely finish near the bottom of the NFL in most offensive categories. An injury to Jadeveon Clowney will adversely affect the Texans' defensive depth, but this unit is plenty good enough to rack up a high score Sunday.
Others to consider: St. Louis Rams (@ TB, $3,300), Green Bay Packers (vs. NYJ, $3,200), Buffalo Bills (vs. MIA, $3,000)