It is time to dust off your crystal ball and play some preseason DFS! This Thursday we get a three game main slate to choose from. The Colts head to Baltimore to take on the Ravens, The Eagles host the Bengals and the Raiders and Seahawks face off in Seattle.
As usual, preseason DFS requires some research. You really want your picks to actually get on the field! That usually means you’ll want to stay away from veterans and players who have jobs locked up. Since all players cost the same to roster in preseason games, it can be fun to click on Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Ja’marr Chase, and make your own All-Pro team, but if those guys play, it is hard to predict how long they’ll be on the field.
Of the six teams on the slate Thursday, the Colts are the only team with a starting quarterback competition. We also know that Anthony Richardson will get the start and should get enough playing time to have decent upside. We can’t expect any designed runs, but we know ho quickly he can put up fantasy points as long as he’s on the field.
Milroe, the third round pick out of Alabama, has shown his patented speed and big arm in practices so far this training camp. He has a ton of upside, but there is no doubt Sam Darnold is the starter and Milroe remains a bit of a project. The team will need to see if Milroe can beat out Drew Lock as the backup on game days and this preseason should be a big part of that. He’s going to make mistakes, but as long as he stays aggressive, he has huge upside on every snap he’s allotted.
Damien Martinez, Seahawks
Martinez is in the hunt for the RB3 position in Seattle behind Ken Walker and Zach Charbonnet. He appears to be in the lead for that job, but there’s still a long way to go for the rookie to grab a coveted spot on the 53-man roster. The Miami product only trailed Ashton Jeanty in yards after the catch last season, so we know he can make things happen in the open field. Ability plus opportunity is a great thing to have in preseason DFS.
Ali is likely on the roster bubble due to a strong trio of backs ahead of him. Derrick Henry, Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell are set in their respective spots and Ali will need to show out big time to make the final 53. With that in mind, I’d expect he gets more playing time than someone with a similar skill set on another team would get this preseason. His ability and possible playing time look good for this week.
Burton has a lot to prove after a disastrous rookie season. Thankfully, reports have been positive so far regarding his attitude and effort. He’s a player who could be on a short leash for preseason if the team wants to protect him, but after last year, I expect the coaches will give him a good amount of snaps to make him prove his worth. We know he has plenty of talent and he could shine in preseason against lesser competition.
Dont’e Thornton, Raiders
The Raiders will have Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers as their top receivers this season and we should be happy to roster them, but the team would love to see fourth round pick Thornton make a move into playing time this year. So far this training camp, Thornton has had good buzz and has shown up throughout with big plays. He’s someone I’ll have an eye on in this matchup.
The fifth-round pick out of Colorado State has made his presence known this summer and appears on track to make the final 53. That doesn’t mean he won’t need to perform in preseason games though. His ability as a return man makes for big upside, especially in preseason games. If he can get the ball in his hands, he could win your matchup with a single play.
Preseason is a tough one for tight ends. Teams have 6-7 players at the position during training camp and the start of preseason, and can really spread out their playing time. Thursday’s slate has one team that currently has just five tight ends on the roster at the moment, the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks let Noah Fant go to the Bengals, which puts AJ Barner in the driver’s seat for the starting job. But, Barner should have competition from second-round pick Arroyo, who is who the team hopes can eventually lead the way at the position. He should get plenty of chances to show his stuff in preseason.
Like tight end, picking a defense is fraught with peril. You can’t rely on what the starters usually do, as most won’t play. You can look at a defense’s depth, but in the fourth quarter, most defenders won’t even get a sniff at the regular season roster.
If you are playing in tournaments, I’d look to go with the least rostered defense to give yourself some separation from other lineups. The Colts look like a good choice, as they take on a Ravens team known for their 24 game preseason win streak. But, Baltimore is now 2-6 over their last two preseasons and after Lamar Jackson, their QB depth chart is middling with Cooper Rush and Devin Leary in the wings.
