The final week of the NFL preseason kicks off Thursday with a four-game slate starting at 7 p.m. EDT, featuring Steelers vs. Bills, Patriots vs. Browns, 49ers vs. Raiders and Rams vs. Chargers.
Thursday's featured DraftKings contest is the $70K Preseason Special, with $15 entries and a $20K top prize, while FanDuel's $5K Thursday NFL Preseason Rush contest has $9 entries and $1K to first place.
Below, we'll break down preseason DFS strategy and recommended targets from Thursday's four-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 vast majority or entirety of preseason games, so the strategy for preseason DFS contests centers on targeting younger players or fringe roster prospects who are likely to see extensive playing time and make the most of it. The Chargers are expected to dress most or all of their starters, but these players are unlikely to play more than a series or two, while other teams in action Thursday look poised to roll with backups from the start.
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Quarterback
Ty Simpson, LAR at LAC: Through parts of two preseason games, Simpson has completed 29 of 37 passes for 263 yards and a 2:0 TD:INT ratio. The rookie 13th overall pick has flashed plenty of potential, but unlike most first-round picks, Simpson won't be expected to contribute out of the gate, with veteran Matthew Stafford locked atop the Rams' QB depth chart. That context allows the Rams to give their QB of the future plenty of preseason game reps to help accelerate his development, so look for him to see significant action in the preseason finale.
Honorable Mentions: Fernando Mendoza, LV vs. SF; Trey Lance, LAC vs. LAR; Taylen Green, CLE vs. NE
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Running Back
Kaleb Johnson, PIT at BUF: Johnson could be on the outside looking in ahead of cutdown day as things currently stand, so this may be the 2025 third-round pick's last chance to convince Pittsburgh's coaching staff otherwise or get some good game tape out there to entice another team to give him a shot. He was the team's busiest RB in last week's shutout loss to the Jets, turning 10 carries and two catches into 54 scrimmage yards. The former Iowa standout (1,725 scrimmage yards and 23 total TDs in 2024) could handle another heavy workload here.
Dylan Laube, LV vs. SF:Ashton Jeanty (ankle) avoided the worst-case scenario with his scary injury in practice Sunday, but his status for Week 1 remains murky, so the Raiders are unlikely to use top backup Mike Washington much in this game in case Washington is needed for a hefty workload early in the regular season. Vegas' other RBs also have an increased chance of seeing meaningful regular-season action, so this is a nice opportunity for the third-stringer Laube to showcase his skills on offense. Laube turned seven touches into 51 scrimmage yards and a TD in last week's preseason win over the Texans.
Honorable Mentions: Jarquez Hunter, LAR at LAC; Kaelon Black, SF at LV; Lan Larison, NE at CLE
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Wide Receiver
Jordan Watkins, SF at LV: Rookie second-round pick De'Zhaun Stribling has been one of the biggest preseason climbers, but he has joined the lengthy list of injured 49ers WRs because of a shoulder injury. Watkins could continue to capitalize on his added opportunities as one of SF's few healthy options at the position Thursday, as the 2025 fourth-round pick has quietly been doing all preseason. Despite getting much less fanfare, Watkins hasn't been far behind Stribling in preseason production, as the former has recorded nine catches for 100 yards and a TD across two games.
Efton Chism, NE at CLE: Chism has been involved out of the slot this preseason with seven catches for 65 yards across two outings, including at least three catches in each game. The second-year pro out of Eastern Washington appears to be on the roster bubble as the sixth option on the WR depth chart. Chism has one more chance to make a push for a roster spot, be it in New England or on a more receiver-needy team should he fail to make the Patriots' 53-man roster.
CJ Daniels, LAR at LAC: The Rams' WR depth chart seems to be up in the air behind the clear top two of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Daniels could make a push to earn some regular-season snaps if the rookie sixth-round pick continues to build momentum. After being held to two catches for 18 yards in the preseason opener, Daniels paced LA's passing attack in the second preseason game with eight catches for 68 yards. Daniels and Simpson could form an intriguing all-rookie Rams stack, but the WR also has standalone value if you look elsewhere at QB.
Honorable Mentions: Germie Bernard, PIT at BUF; Isaiah Bond, CLE vs. NE; Skyler Bell, BUF vs. PIT
Tight End
Oronde Gadsden, LAC vs. LAR: Offseason TE signings David Njoku and Charlie Kolar both seem to have leapfrogged Gadsden on the depth chart due to their superior blocking capabilities, which means Gadsden will likely get a third opportunity to put his receiving ability on display in the preseason following a pair of multi-catch efforts. The 2025 fifth-round pick out of Syracuse has shown much greater pass-catching upside than the reserve TEs that typically see significant preseason action, as he's coming off a rookie regular season in which he recorded a 49-664-3 line.
Honorable Mentions: Jackson Hawes, BUF vs. PIT; Max Klare, LAR at LAC; Michael Mayer, LV vs. SF
Defense/Special Teams
Buffalo Bills vs. PIT: The Steelers have the lowest implied point total among teams playing in Thursday's DFS slate, as they are three-point underdogs in a game with an over/under of 35.5 points, per DraftKings Sportsbook. Pittsburgh failed to score a point in a 17-0 loss to the Jets in Week 2 of preseason, while the Bills have shown off impressive depth by defeating their first two preseason opponents by a combined score of 60-21. Buffalo's defense generated three interceptions and 5.0 sacks across those two preseason wins.
Honorable Mentions: New England Patriots at CLE; Las Vegas Raiders vs. SF; Cleveland Browns vs. NE
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