Building The Perfect DraftKings Fantasy Football Lineup For Week 2 Of 2016 NFL Season

With Week 1 of the 2016 NFL season now nothing more than fading memory, it’s time to look ahead to what’s in store for Week 2 fantasy football on DraftKings.

In DraftKings’ one-point PPR (points per reception) setting, it’s imperative to identify running backs, wide receivers and tight ends who project to tally a high amount of receptions, as the extra points can oftentimes be the difference between a devastating loss and a triumphant win.

Based on projections, matchups, and trends, here’s what I’ve identified as a safe DraftKings fantasy football lineup for Week 2 of the 2016 NFL season.

QB – Marcus Mariota – Tennessee Titans – $6,000

Marcus Mariota had the daunting task of facing the Minnesota Vikings’ stout defense in Week 1 but still managed to finish with a solid stat line. Mariota tallied 290 total yards (271 passing, 19 rushing) and two TDs, which was good for 18.7 fantasy points on DraftKings.

For his affordable price, pushing 20 fantasy points is more than adequate. However, in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions, whose defense gave up 385 passing yards and 35 points to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, Marcus projects to approach 25 fantasy points.

Don’t miss out.

RB – Danny Woodhead – San Diego Chargers – $5,200

The San Diego Chargers were dealt a devastating blow in Week 1, as they lost No. 1 wide receiver Keenan Allen for the season to a torn ACL. San Diego was forced to place heavier emphasis on utilizing its running backs, and Danny Woodhead flourished with 89 rushing yards over 16 carries (5.6 yards per carry) on the ground, in addition to five receptions for 31 yards and one TD in the pass attack.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have plenty of talent now on defense after drafting CB Jalen Ramsey, LB Myles Jack and LB Dante Fowler Jr. over the past two seasons, but the unit needs more time to gel. Thus, I’m not expecting a great effort by the Jacksonville defense in this one as young teams tend to struggle on the road, particularly when traveling across the country.

Thus, expect another stellar showing from Woodhead in which he pushes 25 fantasy points.

Wait…wait…wait…
BURST.@elguapo flies into the end zone! #LAvsSF https://t.co/DP4wf7kOLP

— NFL (@NFL) September 13, 2016

RB – Carlos Hyde – San Francisco 49ers – $5,100

The San Francisco 49ers shocked the masses by pummeling the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football in Week 1. The 49ers were led by a sensational performance by RB Carlos Hyde, who finished with 93 total yards and two TDs.

Last season, I would never have recommended playing a running back against the Carolina Panthers. But after seeing C.J. Anderson of the Denver Broncos run roughshod over Carolina in Week 1, the matchup gives me no anxiety.

Fire up Hyde expecting to get your money’s worth as he should make the most of his 20-plus touches and won’t be highly owned on DraftKings.

WR – Willie Snead – New Orleans Saints – $5,800

The 2016 New Orleans Saints looked a lot like the 2015 New Orleans Saints in Week 1. The Saints put up 34 points on the Oakland Raiders but their defense ultimately failed them in a trend that projects to continue all season.

Cole Beasley, Jason Witten and Terrance Williams combined for 102 yards from the slot vs. NYG in Week 1.

Willie Snead plays NYG in Wk 2.

— Alex Gelhar (@AlexGelhar) September 14, 2016

Willie Snead exploded against Oakland, finishing with nine receptions for 172 yards and one TD. Against the New York Giants in what the swell folks in Las Vegas expect to be the highest-scoring game of the week (O/U 52.5), Snead is impossible to ignore priced at just $5,800 and is a near certainty to exceed 20 fantasy points.

WR – Larry Fitzgerald – Arizona Cardinals – $6,400

In Week 1 against the New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals QB Carson Palmer made it clear Larry Fitzgerald is still his favorite wide receiver. Fitzgerald was targeted 10 times and tallied eight receptions for 81 yards with two TDs.

Fitzgerald’s physically imposing frame allows him to remain one of the NFL’s premier red zone wide receivers, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers simply don’t have an answer for him in Week 2. Expect another dominant showing from the future Hall of Famer.

WR – Tajae Sharpe – Tennessee Titans – $4,100

Over the summer, Tennessee Titans rookie Tajae Sharpe garnered tremendous buzz as a fantasy football sleeper, but many experts were apprehensive to recommend him over Rishard Matthews since no one knew for sure who QB Marcus Mariota would favor in 2016.

Tajae Sharpe played 95.5% of the #Titans snaps and was targeted 11 times in Week 1. Caught 7 passes for 76 yards. #DFS #FantasyFootball

— scoutPRO® (@scoutPROfantasy) September 14, 2016

Well, in Week 1 against Minnesota, Mariota made it abundantly clear who he prefers, as Sharpe was targeted 11 times in contrast to Matthews’ measly four targets. Tajae was solid in his NFL debut, tallying seven receptions for 76 yards, which was good for 14.6 fantasy points. For his price, Sharpe makes for an ideal quasi punt play in DraftKings’ one-point PPR setting.

TE – Jason Witten – Dallas Cowboys – $4,300

Due to Jordan Reed’s lackluster Week 1 showing and Rob Gronkowski’s status remaining unclear, I’m not in love with any of the “elite” options at tight end in Week 2. As a result, spending as little as possible on the position makes the most sense for this slate.

In Week 1 against the New York Giants, rookie QB Dak Prescott regularly looked for his security blanket, Jason Witten, over the middle. Witten was targeted a whopping 14 times and tallied nine receptions for 66 yards.

Against the Washington Redskins, who looked abysmal on defense in Week 1 as they gave up 38 points to Pittsburgh, expect Witten to deliver with a similar stat line in addition to a touchdown for good measure.

FLEX – Antonio Brown – Pittsburgh Steelers – $9,900

Antonio Brown is one of the few players I’m willing to pay top dollar for on a weekly basis on DraftKings. He’s the most reliable player in fantasy football and almost never finishes with under 20 fantasy points.

With Big Ben, Antonio Brown could own NFL records in the near future. pic.twitter.com/WjPPUfmQ7O

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) September 14, 2016

In Week 1, Brown torched Washington, tallying eight receptions for 126 yards and two TDs (35.6 FP). Against Cincinnati, Antonio will be given a ton of targets and produce a similar stat line for the shorthanded Pittsburgh Steelers.

DST – Baltimore Ravens – $3,000

There isn’t much to say about this selection other than playing a defense that is facing the Cleveland Browns is rarely a bad idea.

[Featured Image by Ethan Miller/Getty Images]