Small and Mid-Field Draftkings options Week 2

This article is for small and mid-sized tournaments (under 5,000 entries) and is a look at some key plays that might be under-looked and fit into the format better. Top fantasy plays are great across the board, but two key points in the smaller tournaments should be remembered. First, ownership will be higher for top players. If Christian McCaffrey is expected to be about 25% owned in large-field tournaments, expect that number to creep up to 35-45% in smaller fields. Secondly, the top scores needed to win the tournaments will be considerably less. This means you can focus a bit more on median projections vs ceiling. This can open up additional options that maybe weren’t as appealing in the larger formats. So ideally mix some of the top plays with some lower-owned options, who are more viable in this setting.

Quarterbacks:

Kyler Murray, $7,500:

I know everyone wants to write off the Cardinals’ offense, after a terrible week 1, but don’t pull the rip-cord just yet. Murray and the Cardinals have put up so many amazing fantasy performances the last two seasons, that can’t be ignored. Because of the concerns about this offense, Murray’s ownership is going to be in the low single digits. This is a great leverage play, with a QB with slate-breaking potential.

Russell Wilson, $7,200:

While the Broncos’ offense had plenty of hiccups in week 1, Wilson looked pretty good overall. Both Sutton and Jeudy looked good in week 1, and they will likely continue to get more comfortable. I expect the Broncos offense to come out firing in this match-up versus the Texans, setting up Wilson for a big day. Surprisingly his ownership is expected to be fairly low.

Carson Wentz, $5,800:

The Washington-Detroit game has seen its over/under creep up, and it looks to be one of the better game environments on the slate. Despite that and a great price, no one seems to want to roster Wentz. He only was the 3rd highest fantasy-scoring QB last week, in another fantastic match-up. Even if he doesn’t crack 30 fantasy points again, he can be a value at this price.

Tua Tagovailoa, $5,600:

Tagovailoa looked pretty good in his first game in the new offense. He’s got a pair of elite WRs in Hill and Waddle, and a coach who now believes in him. The Ravens’ secondary meanwhile is a mess with multiple injuries. They could be without the top 4 corners they entered camp with. This game also has some shootout potential with Lamar Jackson on the other side. So taking Tua here at low ownership/price when he could put up 300 yards and 3 TDs, is very intriguing.

Running backs:

D’Andre Swift, $7,000:

Though there were some injury concerns earlier in the week, it looks like D’Andre Swift will fully play. Swift is coming off 29.5 DK points, in a week where he got vultured on two goalline TDs. This is a fantastic match-up vs a Commanders defense that is missing some key guys. Swift is a great pivot off the Saquon Barkley chalk and offers a similar upside.

Antonio Gibson, $6,200:

Gibson is coming off a 14-carry, 8-target game where he got 20 DK points without getting either the bonus or scoring a TD. He’s facing a Lions defense that allowed over 200 yards on the ground last week. The opportunity is here for a monster game, and he comes in at a lower price.

Joe Mixon, $7,200:

Mixon’s usage last week was exactly what fantasy owners wanted, unfortunately, he couldn’t get in the end zone or grab the bonus. Both of those should be on the table this week, as he faces a Cowboys defense that struggled to stop the run last week. Also, with the Bengals being a heavy favorite his carries could stack up late in the game, helping to ensure he gets the bonus.

James Conner, $6,900:

While he didn’t have the game everyone expected last week, he’s a great low-owned guy to target given the opportunity. Conner will see plenty of usage in this game and has great TD equity.

Nyheim Hines, $5,300:

The Colts will be without both Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce in this game, meaning Hines will probably need to be more involved in the passing game. He could see 10+ targets in this contest.

Wide Receivers:

Courtland Sutton, $6,100:

Due to the Broncos underperforming Monday night, Sutton’s ownership is being held in check despite a good price tag. Sutton had 70 yards last week on 7 targets and has been Wilson’s top target in camp. Jeudy is still a good play as well, but I prefer Sutton as the lower owned of the two.

Jahan Dotson, $4,200:

Overall the Commanders aren’t going to be as highly owned as their team total would suggest and Dotson is slipping through the cracks. Yes, Curtis Samuel had more targets last week, but the 1st-round rookie out-snapped him and has made a case to earn more targets himself. At a low price and low ownership, I love taking a shot at Dotson.

Jaylen Waddle, $6,400:

As much as I love Tyreek Hill, I also want to go overweight on Waddle. He likely won’t see nearly the ownership and could have a similar projection to Hill. Also, if the Ravens were to try to double-team anyone it’s likely to be Hill. That could leave Waddle 1-on-1 vs the Ravens’ 5th or 6th best corner, given their injuries. Sign me up for that match-up.

Cooper Kupp, $9,900:

In my larger field stuff, I will probably focus more on Davante Adams as my high-priced WR, but I like pivoting to Kupp in the smaller field tournaments. Adams could see 30-40% ownership, while Kupp might be in the 15-20% range. Given their similar usage and upside, I like the pivot here.

Marquise Brown, $6,200:

Simply put Brown will need to be on the field almost every snap. The Cardinals are incredibly thin at WR. Greg Dortch will see a ton of ownership because of his cheap price tag, but Brown could be in the lower single digits. This Cardinals offense will need to function at a higher level, but if he and Murray get on the same page, look out.

Tight Ends:

Logan Thomas, $3,400:

Thomas saw 6 targets in his first game back from a major knee injury last December. In a higher total game, I like taking a shot at a cheap TE with a little upside here.

Zach Ertz, $4,500:

Ertz will need to step up this game as the Cardinals are very short-handed offensively. Expect him to get involved early and often. Due to people being down on the Cardinals, he likely won’t be highly owned.

Evan Engram, $3,600:

Most of the top-value TEs are going to be highly owned. While you can take a shot at them, I like going back to Engram. He saw 4 targets last week but could be more involved going forward.