FanDuel Fantasy Football: Friday Preseason Picks

FanDuel Fantasy Football: Friday Preseason Picks

This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Football series.

Throughout preseason, playing time is nearly impossible to predict, as coaches typically don't divulge how many snaps a player will get. However, this week most teams will play their starters the first half, and many will play them a series or two in the third quarter. That allows us to make more educated guesses than we've been able to make the past couple weeks. Regardless, be sure to check the RotoWire player news before submitting your final lineup in case anything is made public at the last minute.

QUARTERBACK

Russell Wilson, SEA vs. KC - Wilson was in prime form last week as he completed 13-of-18 passes for 206 yards and a pair of TDs. If this was a regular-season game in which the Chiefs gameplanned for Wilson this could be a spot to possibly avoid, but since it's preseason, the passing game should continue to hit on all cylinders this week.

Tom Brady, NE at DET -
Brady should have little trouble moving the ball at will against the Lions. Unless coach Bill Belichick decides to pull his starters early, which is always a possibility, he's a no-brainer option, especially on a two-game slate.

RUNNING BACK

Kareem Hunt, KC at SEA - Yes, Spencer Ware started last week, but almost immediately, Hunt received most of the work with the starters. He provided coaches with plenty of reason to keep using him heavily, as he turned 11 touches into 63 yards. Although Seattle's starting defense is quite formidable, Hunt can be utilized as a receiver to help get him away from the teeth of the defense. However, should coach Andy Reid decide to give Ware extended snaps, Hunt's potential can blow up in an instant, which is always the downside of trusting players in preseason.

Ameer Abdullah, DET vs. NE -
Through the first two preseason games, Abdullah's been used sparingly, but it's likely the Lions play their starters extensively, which means the RB should see a significant amount of work. Even if Theo Riddick plays on passing downs, don't discount Abdullah, as he's plenty capable as a receiver. After missing 15 games last year, it's important not to forget that he's a dynamic player, especially once he finds space beyond the line of scrimmage.

WIDE RECEIVER

Golden Tate, SEA vs. KC - Kenny Golladay got plenty of work in the first preseason game, and Marvin Jones followed that with five targets last week. It seems that in a dress-rehearsal game it will be Golden Tate's turn to lead the team in targets, especially since that's how he projects to be used in the regular season.

Doug Baldwin, SEA vs. KC -
The chemistry between Baldwin and Russell Wilson has been fantastic this preseason, and last week, the receiver hauled in all four targets for 69 yards. Whether he's used in the slot or on the outside, it doesn't matter the way this duo is clicking. A Wilson and Baldwin stack looks solid.

TIGHT END
Jimmy Graham, SEA vs. KC -
On a two-game slate, a three-player stack of Wilson, Baldwin and Graham is very appealing. Graham has had an excellent offseason and looks to be in line for a big season. Assuming Seattle will throw quite a bit, Graham should be very busy, and he's always a strong bet to find the end zone.

Rob Gronkowski, NE at DET -
Gronk is the best TE in the league, and without DFS salary ramifications, he's an automatic pick.

DFENSE

Seattle Seahawks vs. KC - With two elite offenses on this two-game slate, the defenses facing the opposing squads are good plays. Seattle is one of the better defenses in the league, making this is an easy choice.

New England Patriots vs. DET -
If you don't go with the Seahawks, the Patriots become the slightly contrarian play, considering you want to stay away from facing the elites offenses.

KICKER

Blair Walsh, SEA vs. KC - The Seahawks should be in line to score plenty of points, and if the starters are scoring TDs, hopefully the reserves in the second half can provide a FG opportunity or two for Walsh.

Stephen Gostkowski, NE at DET -
Gostkowski's always a top fantasy option, and nothing's different in the preseason. He should score his share of points.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Jim Coventry plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: mvp1986, DraftKings: mvp1986.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jim Coventry
Coventry was a finalist for the FSWA football writer of the year in 2022. He started playing fantasy football in 1994 and won a national contest in 1996. He also nabbed five top-50 finishes in national contests from 2008 to 2012 before turning his attention to DFS. He's been an industry analyst since 2007, though he joined RotoWire in 2016. A published author, Coventry wrote a book about relationships, "The Secret of Life", in 2013.
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