The long weekend, with five “main” games scheduled over four days, has finally reached its final game. The Broncos head to Indianapolis and the Cowboys take on the Rams in Los Angeles. With so many games on the schedule today, there are multiple stacking opportunities and plenty of exciting games to look forward to. There are also more big names expected to appear than expected, with Bo Nicks, Anthony Richardson, and Trey Lance all expected to play.
This schedule may resemble actual quarterback statistics, as the Broncos, Cowboys and Rams are expected to use only two quarterbacks each, and the increased playing time means those quarterbacks can be stacked with receivers who may not be on the field at the same time, which will broaden the player pool and keep lineups unique.
Here are daily fantasy football picks on FanDuel and DraftKings for the two-game Sunday afternoon schedule for Week 1 of the NFL preseason on 8/11/24. These NFL DFS lineup picks range from high-end players and elite options to backups and contrarian picks on both DraftKings and FanDuel. Thanks for reading, and good luck to all you RotoBallers!
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Preseason NFL DFS Picks – Quarterbacks
Trey Lance, DAL of LAR
Can you imagine Trey Lance? He was drafted third overall after the 49ers traded a ton of picks, lost out to Mr. Irrelevant, and is now fighting for his NFL career in a backup quarterback battle with Cooper Rush. This is where Lance is and I expect him to get a ton of work tonight as the Cowboys coaching staff really figures out what his NFL future is. His misfortune is our gain because Lance clicks easily for our lineup tonight. We know he'll be out there a ton and his ability as a runner should give him the kind of floor you want for a cash game quarterback. The Cowboys have a deep receiver base so Lance could be easily stacked in the tournament as well.
Trey Lance looked confident in this two-minute drill, completing three consecutive passes to Jalen Brooks, Tyrone Johnson and Luke Soonmaker. #Dallas Cowboys pic.twitter.com/kyNFgzsyIy
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) July 31, 2024
Stetson Bennett, LAR vs DAL
With Matthew Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo both expected to sit out the game, the Rams have just two quarterbacks on the roster: Dresser Wynn and Stetson Bennett, who won two national titles at Georgia and whose track record led the Rams to draft him last year.
Bennett was injured early in camp last year, so the team never had a chance to truly evaluate his abilities at game speed. He'll see a ton of practice, maybe three full quarters, which is what we're looking for in the preseason. His low rush floor keeps him out of the cash game conversation, but he's a perfect option in tournaments as part of the Rams stack.
Other players to consider: Bo Nix (DEN), Sam Ellinger (IND) Want more NFL DFS tools and content? Our NFL Premium package includes a variety of features, including a DFS Cheat Sheet, Research Station, Lineup Optimizer, and access to a premium Slack chatroom where members can chat with NFL analysts. Check out RotoBaller RealTalkRaph's big win using our premium tools. Go win!
Preseason NFL DFS Picks – Running Backs
Trey Sermon, IND vs DEN
Trey Sermon is currently listed as the backup to Jonathan Taylor, but Evan Hull and Tyler Goodson have performed well in camp, so Sermon shouldn't rest on his laurels. He'll start tonight and play about a quarter. With four other running backs on the roster, I like to use guys I know will be used to some degree.
Sermon was a dynamic back during his time at Oklahoma and thrived in a high-volume role last year, rushing 17 times for 88 yards in Week 15. Sermon is filling the role Zack Moss filled last year and we saw it work well this year. His limited playing time and big-play ability make Sermon a more viable player in the tournament.
Blake Watson, DEN at IND
Blake Watson has been getting a lot of coverage from reporters covering the team. Watson's biggest strength is his ability to catch passes out of the backfield. He caught over 50 passes in college last year, joining just two other running backs in the FBS to do so. Denver has been so impressed with Watson that they gave him one of the highest guaranteed salaries of any undrafted player this season. With Javonte Williams and Audric Estime all but cementing their roles as the team's top two running backs, Watson should see plenty of action this season.
Also consider: Audric Estim (DEN), Hunter Luepke (DAL)
Preseason NFL DFS Picks – Wide Receivers
Devaughn Vere, DEN at IND
Devaughn Vail has been a big draw at Broncos camp. He's a 26-year-old seventh-round rookie from Utah, and his 6'5″ frame makes him a big threat in the red zone. Denver has a lot of competition for the 5th and 6th receiver positions, and Vail could secure one of those positions if he plays well in today's game. He won't be playing with Jarrett Stidham or the starting lineup, but that's okay, because we want to pair him with Bo Nix and Troy Franklin for a duo with big potential in the tournament.
Jalen Tolbert, DAL of LAR
CeeDee Lamb is not in camp yet, so there is a chance for other receivers to step up and make a mark on the offense. With Lamb out, Brandin Cooks is the de facto top receiver, but he is better suited as a second option than a mainstay. That opens up an opportunity for Jalen Tolbert, a third-round pick two years ago. He has yet to lock down a starting spot, but he has been great in camp and should be in the mix tonight. He won't see the most snaps of any of the Cowboys' receivers, but he is the most talented and will be playing with the best guys on the field.
Jordan Whittington, LAR vs DAL
You all know I was going to mention a rookie receiver from the University of Texas in this article, but I didn't realize it would be this Texas wide receiver. Adonai Mitchell was the star of the Longhorns' draft class and should have a big impact on this list, but Whittington also made a lot of noise out of Rams camp this summer.
Reporters are speculating that he'll be the fourth wide receiver on the Rams' depth chart by the end of camp. He just needs to play a few good games in the preseason to secure that role. Whittington and Stetson Bennett have developed a strong on-field connection during camp and will make a great depth chart for the tournament along with Davis Allen and Xavier Smith.
Jordan Whittington continues training in Los Angeles, this time against Tre Tomlinson pic.twitter.com/10tU1VaIRh
— Cody Carpentier (@CodyCarpentier) July 30, 2024
Others to consider: Troy Franklin (DEN), Adonai Mitchell (IND), Alec Pierce (IND), Jaylen Brooks (DAL), Ryan Flournoy (DAL), Xavier Smith (LAR).
Preseason NFL DFS Picks – Tight Ends
Greg Dulcich, DEN at IND
Greg Dulcic is looking to reclaim his spot as the Broncos' starting top tight end after a down year. He's currently listed as the backup to Adam Trautman, just like he was this time last year. That means he'll have to prove himself in these preseason games, and with a schedule that doesn't have any standout tight ends, he's the best option.
He may not play more than a quarter, but given his downfield ability, it's fair to assume he could make an immediate impact. He's a great option for cash games and could be used alongside Bo Nix in the Denver stack for tournaments.
Other names to consider: Jelani Woods (IND), John Stephens Jr. (DAL), Davis Allen (LAR).
Thanks for looking and good luck!
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