DFS: Week 2 Quarterback Value Rankings
Hands up if you knew Marcus Mariota would outscore Peyton Manning five-fold in Week 1.
(Okay, hands down, liars.)
Unexpected performances were the rule of the day in Week 1, setting the stage for an interesting second week of the NFL season. Here's a breakdown of the top quarterbacks based on value relative to salary (Thursday night game excluded):
Value Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE
Top 3
Bradford's home debut comes against a Cowboys team that should give up plenty of points this season. Fortunately for DFS players, the same thing can be said for the Eagles - making Bradford and Romo the best value plays of the week in what should be a Wild West shootout. Palmer is a terrific value play against the Bears, who allowed four passing scores in Week 1.
Next 3
Big Ben should have a big day in the Steelers' home opener against a depleted San Francisco defense. Ryan and Manning go head-to-head in what is expected to be one of the week's highest-scoring games; Ryan gets a slight nudge by virtue of looking better in Week 1, but DFS players should expect a strong bounce-back game for Eli.
Best of the Rest
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Drew Brees (NO) | vs. TB | Low |
| 8 | Aaron Rodgers (GB) | vs. SEA | Low |
| 9 | Russell Wilson (SEA) | at GB | Low |
| 10 | Andrew Luck (IND) | vs. NYJ | Low |
| 11 | Philip Rivers (SD) | at CIN | Medium |
| 12 | Tom Brady (NE) | at BUF | Medium |
| 13 | Ryan Tannehill (MIA) | at JAC | Medium |
| 14 | Tyrod Taylor (BUF) | vs. NE | Medium |
| 15 | Nick Foles (STL) | at WAS | Medium |
| 16 | Teddy Bridgewater (MIN) | vs. DET | Medium |
| 17 | Jay Cutler (CHI) | vs. ARI | Medium |
| 18 | Marcus Mariota (TEN) | at CLE | Medium |
Two players to avoid this week: Luck, who gets a difficult home opener against a stout Jets pass defense; and Brady, who will have all sorts of trouble against the Bills in Buffalo. The highest-upside pick of the group may very well be Foles, who threw for nearly 300 yards and had two scores versus the Seahawks. He gets a pillowy-soft Washington defense in Week 2.
Nothing to See Here
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Joe Flacco (BAL) | at OAK | Medium |
| 20 | Andy Dalton (CIN) | vs. SD | Medium |
| 21 | Colin Kaepernick (SF) | at PIT | High |
| 22 | Cam Newton (CAR) | vs. HOU | High |
| 23 | Matthew Stafford (DET) | at MIN | High |
| 24 | Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ) | at IND | High |
| 25 | Jameis Winston (TB) | at NO | High |
| 26 | Blake Bortles (JAC) | vs. MIA | High |
| 27 | Derek Carr (OAK) | vs. BAL | High |
| 28 | Kirk Cousins (WAS) | vs. STL | High |
| 29 | Johnny Manziel (CLE) | vs. TEN | High |
| 30 | Ryan Mallett (HOU) | at CAR | High |
Dalton has the best chance of returning value as he and the Bengals host a Chargers team that surrendered 28 points at home to Detroit in Week 1. The rest of the names on the list carry far too much risk to roster in cash games; Carr may be the strongest long-shot tournament play if he plays, but a hand injury may keep him on the sidelines.