Thursday DFS Preview and Strategy
The final week of preseason kicks off with a two-game slate, starting Thursday at 7 p.m. EDT, with Steelers vs. Panthers and Patriots vs. Giants.
Thursday's featured DraftKings contest is the $80k Preseason Special, with $15 entries and a $20k top prize, while FanDuel's $8k Thursday NFL Preseason Rush contest has $9 entries and $2k to first place.
Below, we'll break down preseason DFS strategy and recommended targets for Thursday's two-game NFL slate.
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, so the strategy for preseason DFS contests centers on targeting youngsters or fringe roster players who are likely to see extensive playing time and make the most of it. Our RotoWire NFL Optimizer can help you pinpoint top DFS targets, in addition to the players highlighted below.
Quarterback
Jaxson Dart, NYG vs. NE: Dart has been one of the top performers in the preseason, as the rookie 25th overall pick has 291 passing yards and a 2:0 TD:INT to go with 29 yards and a TD on the ground across his first two tastes of NFL action. With veteran Russell Wilson locked in atop the depth chart heading into Week 1 and Jameis Winston offering an experienced backup option who doesn't really need the preseason reps, the Giants will likely give Dart another extended look in the preseason finale as they continue to assess his readiness.
Honorable Mentions: Skylar Thompson, PIT at CAR; Joshua Dobbs, NE at NYG
Running Back
Trevor Etienne, CAR vs. PIT: Etienne has gotten off to a slow start this preseason, along with most of his teammates, as the Panthers have been outscored 50-13 through two games. The rookie fifth-round pick has mustered just 21 rushing yards on nine carries while adding 21 yards on two catches and also contributed as a kickoff returner. Travis Etienne's little brother seems to be locked in as Carolina's No. 3 RB behind Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle, so the Panthers will likely prioritize getting Etienne reps while keeping the other two fresh for the regular season. Viewed as a strong prospect that would have been in Day 2 consideration in a less-deep RB draft class, Etienne has one more chance to start building momentum heading into his rookie regular season.
Dante Miller, NYG vs. NE: Miller remains unlikely to make the Giants' 53-man roster, but he has made a strong push for a spot on the practice squad with a strong preseason. Miller's 39 yards on 15 carries are nothing to write home about, he has stood out as a pass catcher, with 11 receptions for 123 yards this preseason. He's poised for another substantial workload since Eric Gray (undisclosed) is on the PUP list, Cam Skattebo just returned to practice this week after dealing with a hamstring injury, and Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary will likely have their reps managed, leaving just Miller and Jonathan Ward to handle most of the RB workload.
Honorable Mentions: JaMycal Hasty, NE at NYG; Kaleb Johnson, PIT at CAR
Wide Receiver
John Jiles, NE at NYG: Preseason standout Efton Chism paced the Patriots' passing game in each of the team's first two preseason games, but the undrafted rookie out of Eastern Washington isn't expected to play Thursday due to a foot injury. He joins an extensive list of banged-up Patriots WRs that includes Stefon Diggs (knee), Kyle Williams (undisclosed), Kendrick Bourne (lower leg), Ja'Lynn Polk (arm) and Javon Baker (undisclosed). Those injuries should open up more opportunities for the team's healthy WRs, led by Jiles, who ranks second on the team behind Chism this preseason in catches (six) and receiving yards (72).
Roman Wilson, PIT at CAR: Wilson was a non-factor in an injury-riddled rookie regular season, but the 2024 third-round pick is pushing for a substantial role in a Steelers WR room without a clear pecking order behind DK Metcalf, who will be sitting out Thursday along with starting QB Aaron Rodgers. Wilson has been healthy throughout Pittsburgh's offseason program and looks to be gaining momentum, as he showcased his big-play ability with catches of 42 and 30 yards in the Steelers' second preseason game. He's also far from entrenched enough to have his reps managed in the preseason finale.
Jimmy Horn Jr., CAR vs. PIT: Horn's undersized at 5-foot-8 and 174 pounds, but the rookie sixth-round pick is shifty in space. His five catches are tied with David Moore for the most on the team through two preseason games, and Horn still has plenty to prove as he looks to win a spot on the 53-man roster. Horn didn't play much prior to the fourth quarter of Carolina's previous preseason game but could see an expanded role here as the team evaluates its depth options at WR.
Honorable Mentions: Beaux Collins, NYG vs. NE; Jeremiah Webb, NE at NYG
Tight End
Greg Dulcich, NYG vs. NE: Dulcich has lost his luster as a prospect, but the 2022 third-round pick of the Broncos still has more pass-catching talent than most depth TEs battling for roster spots. He secured a 20-yard touchdown pass from Dart last week, and going right back to that Giants QB-TE stack could pay dividends as Dulcich tries to bolster his case for remaining on the team come cutdown day.
Honorable Mentions: Mitchell Evans, CAR vs. PIT; Connor Heyward, PIT at CAR
Defense/Special Teams
Pittsburgh Steelers at CAR: Pittsburgh's defense was easily the best of these four units last season and has reliably been among the top performers in recent years. The Steelers also have by far the best matchup Thursday based on the results we have seen so far this preseason, as the Patriots and Giants have been offensive powerhouses with 34.0 PPG and 32.5 PPG, respectively, the Steelers are averaging a respectable 22.5 PPG, and the Panthers are bringing up the rear with just 6.5 PPG during the exhibition slate. Even if the Steelers don't play the likes of T.J. Watt or Jalen Ramsey, this well-coached unit is still set up for success against a Panthers offense that's likely to be quarterbacked by Jack Plummer for most of the game, as top backup Andy Dalton (elbow) may be held out.
Honorable Mentions: Carolina Panthers vs. PIT; New York Giants vs. NE
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