We round out the first week of preseason action with a pair of games Sunday, which kick off at 1 and 4:05 p.m. EST. The highlight of the slate is the quarterback competition in New Orleans. Spencer Rattler appears to be the frontrunner, but there's still plenty of time for that to change. Read on for Sunday's NFL DFS picks.
Roster Strategy
Both DraftKings and FanDuel DFS lineups consist of one QB, two RBs, three WRs, one TE, one FLEX (RB/WR/TE) and one DST unit. DraftKings uses PPR scoring with bonuses for 100-yard receiving or rushing performances and 300-yard passing games, while FanDuel has 0.5 PPR scoring. All players have the same salary cap hit in preseason DFS contests, so this format is all about finding the highest-scoring fantasy players rather than balancing production against cost.
Teams typically rest key starters for the entirety or vast majority of preseason games, especially early in the preseason, so the strategy for preseason DFS contests centers on targeting youngsters or fringe roster players that are likely to see extensive playing time and make the most of it.
Our RotoWire NFL Optimizer can help you pinpoint top DFS NFL picks, in addition to the players highlighted below.
Quarterback
Quinn Ewers 
at CHI
It's a pretty uninspiring list of quarterbacks taking the field Sunday, so this is mostly about projecting playing time. It would be shocking to see Tua Tagovailoa play, and Zach Wilson likely will get only a series or two. That leaves Ewers with a lot of potential reps on his plate.
Trey Lance 
vs. NO
Lance is always a preseason favorite because he's a dual-threat quarterback. The problem is that Taylor Heinicke is set to start and DJ Uiagalelei will also play. If there is positive news about how reps will be split, perhaps Lance gets back on the radar.
Running Back
Kyle Monangai 
vs. MIA
Chicago hasn't announced its running back rotation, but I'd expect Monangai to get some significant work Saturday. Roschon Johnson (foot) could be sidelined, and Monangai is in a prime position to potentially challenge for the backup role. Even if the Bears aren't considering him for that role, they likely want to see what he can do after drafting him.
Kendre Miller 
at LAC
Miller is in a great position to secure the RB2 role in New Orleans with Devin Neal (hamstring) sidelined, but he hasn't been on the field much in his first two seasons as a pro. The new coaching staff may want to see what he can do a in true game setting. There's an intersection of talent and projected opportunity here that often don't happen in the preseason.
Kimani Vidal vs. NO
We have some sample of how the Chargers are going to split their backfield from the Hall of Fame game. Vidal had the most carries. That doesn't necessarily mean he will again Sunday, but he is worth considering.
Wide Receiver
Malik Washington at CHI
Washington had a quiet rookie year and is likely entering this season as Miami's fourth wide receiver. The Dolphins likely will want to get a long look at the trio of Washington, Dee Eskridge (hamstring) and Tahj Washington to sort out the wide-receiver depth chart. I'll lean toward Malik Washington of that group due to his experience in the offense and his on-field production in 2024.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith vs. NO
Lambert-Smith's chances of making a significant impact in the regular season took a hit this week when the Chargers reunited with Keenan Allen, but he has still had an impressive start to his rookie season. He should remain on the field plenty Sunday, and he could benefit from a more traditional dropback passer in Taylor Heinicke as opposed to Trey Lance.
Devin Duvernay vs. MIA
Duvernay likely will earn a roster spot due to his special teams ability as a returner, which adds some intriguing upside to rostering him in the preseason. He should get some run at wide receiver with the Bears' top skill-position players unlikely to suit up, and there is some additional value for Duvernay's projected role as a returner and the slight chance that he returns a kick to the end zone.
Tight End
Jack Stoll at LAC
We're likely to see a particularly lackluster group of pass catchers take the field for New Orleans on Sunday, making Stoll an intriguing target. He is the top healthy tight end for the Saints and has a familiarity with coach Kellen Moore from their days with the Eagles. That isn't likely to matter much in the regular season, but that connection could lead to some extra reps and production in the preseason.
Defense/Special Teams
New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Chargers
This is all about playing the matchup, and all of the Chargers' quarterbacks slated to play on Sunday have a problem with turnovers. That not only leads to potential points for sacks, interceptions and fumble recoveries, but also touchdown returns.
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