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Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford started slowly, but picked it up in the second half of Week 1. (Getty)
We’re just hours through Week 1 of the NFL season, so you know what that means … let’s move directly on to Week 2.
Heavy’s partners at DraftKings already have a slew of fantasy contests created and that means player salaries are available to study and scrutinize.
I’ve already started. And, while it’s very early in the week, I’ve identified some players who definitely qualify as bargains. Ones I am certainly going to take a long look at when it comes time to start filling out my weekly lineups.
Taking an early look toward the fantasy games being offered in Week 2, the richest is the NFL Millionaire Maker contest, which is handing out a total of $10 million in prize money. The entry fee is $20 and the contest pays $2 million to the top finisher.
DraftKings is also offering a Week 2 Play Action contest with a $1 million total prize pool and a $100K payout to the winner, and a free $100K customer appreciation contest with a $10,000 top prize.
Click here to sign up for the Millionaire Maker contest, here to sign up for the Play Action contest and here to join the free $100K contest.
Here are some of the top bargains for Week 2 of DraftKings:
Quarterbacks
Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer threw for 3 TDs in Week 1. (Getty)
Sam Bradford, Eagles: vs. Cowboys, $6,900 — Bradford and Eagles got off to an amazingly sluggish start, but then got locked in during the second half, completing passes at will vs. the Falcons. Still costing under $7K with 300-yard-per-game potential and with a plus matchup vs. the Cowboys, Bradford is a very attractive option in Week 2. Especially since another good game might move that price up in Week 3.
Carson Palmer, Cardinals: at Bears, $6,700 — When Palmer is healthy, he is a legitimate fantasy option. And he’s healthy. Palmer put up 300 yards and 3 touchdowns mostly without Michael Floyd, who should be go to go this weekend vs. Chicago, which allowed 3 TDs to Aaron Rodgers in Week 1. Expect Palmer to be airing it out as starting running back Andre Ellington is out for a few weeks.
Andy Dalton, Bengals: vs. Chargers, $5,800 — In Week 1, Dalton looked like Dalton of 2013, when he threw for 33 TDs. Sure, it was against the Raiders, but he’s got his full receiving arsenal back from that season. Case in point, Dalton went to TE Tyler Eifert for 2 scores. Eifert missed all but a half of football in 2014. We know Dalton can be a gamble, but he looked mighty good in Week 1 and that price is unbeatable.
Running Backs
Darren Sproles is one of Sam Bradford’s favorite targets. (Getty)
Chris Ivory, Jets: at Colts, $4,700 — Ivory was in this space last week and didn’t disappoint as he ran for 91 yards and 2 scores vs. the Browns. That’s the kind of damage he can do with 20 carries, which he’ll almost certainly receive again in Week 2 vs. the Colts. His price jumped $600 this week, but it’s still absolutely low for the production he can give.
Ameer Abdullah, Lions: at Vikings, $4,500 — Abdullah was the most impressive of Detroit’s backs, racking up 94 yards and a TD rush on 11 touches (7 carries, 4 receptions). We saw the Vikings get obliterated by the explosive Carlos Hyde, a player Abdullah resembles skill-wise. A bump up to about 15-16 touches should yield big numbers for the rookie.
Darren Sproles, Eagles: vs. Cowboys, $3,500 — Sproles probably isn’t going to get more than 5 carries per game, but he’ll do his damage in the receiving game. Remember, DraftKings awards a point per reception. Sproles was constantly open underneath Monday night and is still lightning quick. Expect Bradford to lean heavily on him vs. Dallas in Week 2. And what a bargain price.
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Wide Receivers
Saints receiver Brandon Coleman scored a touchdown in Week 1. (Getty)
Terrance Williams, Cowboys: at Eagles, $4,200 — With Dez Bryant out at least a month after breaking his foot, someone needs to step up. Williams has always been able to get into the end zone, but now will almost certainly see his target total rise. Week 2 sees him go against an Eagles pass D which was picked apart by Matt Ryan. Williams could be that productive flier this weekend.
Jermaine Kearse, Seahawks: at Packers, $3,600 — Kearse has been getting more and more involved in the Seahawks’ passing game seemingly on a weekly basis. He saw 10 targets in Week 1, reeling in 8. Like most of Seattle’s wide receivers, Kearse is a gamble play, but that price tag is intriguing.
Brandon Coleman, Saints: vs. Buccaneers, $3,300 — Super sleeper right here. Coleman is probably 3 or 4th on Drew Brees’ pecking order, but that proved to be just fine in Week 1. He saw 7 targets, catching 4 for 41 yards and an ever-welcomed TD. Brees can make a star out of most. And if Coleman continues to make plays, he’ll get the ball. This matchup vs. Tampa has me very much interested in Coleman and his extremely manageable $3,300 salary. Teammate Willie Snead ($3,000) is also dirt cheap and saw 3 passes go his way, grabbing 1 for a big 63 yards.
Tight Ends
Rams tight end Jared Cook was targeted 6 times in Week 1. (Getty)
Jared Cook, Rams: at Redskins, $3,000 — Cook’s upside is limited, but he was the apple of Nick Foles’ eye in Week 1, leading the team in receiving. In Week 2, the Rams meet the Redskins, who gave up 4 receptions and 73 yards on opening weekend to Miami’s Jordan Cameron. That wasn’t a fluke as Washington struggled mightily vs. TEs in 2014 as well.
Richard Rodgers, Packers: vs. Seahawks, $2,500 — I liked Rodgers coming into this season, and while he’s probably never going to lead the team in receiving or targets, this weekend’s matchup vs. Seattle isn’t as daunting as it seems. The Seahawks allowed 7 receptions for 127 yards and a TD to the Rams’ tight ends in Week 1. You won’t find a price lower than that, either.
