NFL - Draftkings Week 2 RB & WR ANALYSIS
Week 1 is officially in the books, giving us our first real look at how offenses are using their key skill-position players. In this article, we’ll break down the volume, target share, touches, red-zone usage and matchup data from Week 1 to identify which wide receivers and running backs could carry that production into Week 2. The goal isn’t simply to chase last week’s box scores, but to identify repeatable usage and favorable situations that can help uncover strong DFS plays before the next slate kicks off.
Wide Receiver Analysis
WR | Team | Targets | Receptions | Yards | TD |
Amon-Ra St. Brown | DET | 14 | 10 | 67 | 2 |
Chris Olave | NO | 13 | 10 | 182 | 0 |
Matthew Golden | GB | 12 | 6 | 95 | 0 |
Jaxon Smith-Njigba | SEA | 11 | 8 | 122 | 1 |
DK Metcalf | PIT | 10 | 4 | 40 | 0 |
Puka Nacua | LAR | 9 | 5 | 74 | 0 |
Tetairoa McMillan | CAR | 8 | 5 | 75 | 0 |
DJ Moore | BUF | 8 | 5 | 100 | 1 |
Kendrick Bourne | ARI | 8 | 8 | 75 | 0 |
Christian Watson | GB | 8 | 6 | 147 | 2 |
Malik Washington | MIA | 8 | 3 | 53 | 0 |
Matthew Golden($4900) and Christian Watson($6200) are two Packers wideouts to look at this week. I believe this game could end up being a sneaky shootout. Golden was a major part of Green Bay’s offensive gameplan, seeing a team-high 12 targets and turning them into 6 catches for 95 yards. That type of volume is exactly what we want to attack in DFS, especially when his price hasn’t fully caught up to his role. Watson brings a completely different and equally valuable path to a ceiling game. He erupted for 147 yards and two touchdowns on eight targets against the Vikings, showing the explosive-play upside that can separate a tournament lineup. With Green Bay likely to continue putting the ball in the air, both receivers have legitimate paths to smash their salaries.
Chris Olave ($7200) and Devaughn Vele ($4400) are both in play this week. The Saints threw the ball 71% of the time last week. Olave led New Orleans with a line of 10 catches for 182 yards on 13 targets, while Vele emerged as a legitimate secondary option with 9 targets, 7 catches, 69 yards and a touchdown. Although Baltimore looked strong defensively last week, the Ravens allowed 247.9 passing yards per game last season, ranking 30th in the NFL. The biggest factor for the Saints' passing game, however, could be the game environment: Baltimore is an 8.5-point home favorite with an implied total around 28 points, New Orleans should be looking at a pass-heavy game script, and if Baltimore builds a lead, and New Orleans offense will once again continue throwing at a high rate. CeeDee Lamb ($7,300) and George Pickens ($6,300) happen to be in one of the best games of the week as far as game environments go. Dallas' passing game struggled against New York, but I expect a bounce back here. Lamb led the Cowboys with eight targets and still found the end zone, while Pickens saw a 17.6% target share despite finishing with limited production. The Cowboys now return home to face Washington in a game with a 50.5-point total and Dallas implied for 27 points, creating a much more favorable environment for the passing attack. Washington also ranks 25th against wide receivers entering week 2, giving both receivers a path to improved production. Lamb offers the safer volume-based floor, while Pickens provides significant upside at a lower salary, making both appealing options for different DFS roster constructions.
Luther Burden III ($5,700) and Rome Odunze ($5,500) are both players we want to consider, especially in GPP's. Chicago's offense exploded for 59 points in their opener. Burden led the Bears' wide receivers with five receptions for 63 yards, while Odunze caught two passes for 52 yards, leaving plenty of room for both to see increased involvement in a matchup against Minnesota. On the other side, Justin Jefferson ($8,100) is an expensive but extremely viable option after catching 8-of-9 targets for 92 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1. There is some uncertainty around Minnesota's quarterback situation, but Jefferson's target share and big-play ability give him slate-breaking upside. With Chicago's offense coming off a massive performance and Minnesota expected to be trailing, this game offers several ways to gain tournament exposure.
Running Back Analysis
RB | Team | Carries | Targets | Rec | Touches | Rush Yds | Rec Yds | TDs |
Jahmyr Gibbs | DET | 29 | 5 | 5 | 34 | 156 | 30 | 2 |
Ashton Jeanty | LV | 23 | 6 | 6 | 29 | 102 | 45 | 2 |
Derrick Henry | BAL | 24 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 144 | 19 | 3 |
Breece Hall | NYJ | 22 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 102 | 16 | 1 |
Jonathan Taylor | IND | 19 | 3 | 3 | 22 | 98 | 23 | 2 |
Bijan Robinson | ATL | 21 | 8 | 8 | 29 | 83 | 90 | 1 |
D'Andre Swift | CHI | 18 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 124 | 10 | 3 |
Cam Skattebo | NYG | 18 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 81 | 0 | 1 |
David Montgomery | HOU | 20 | 3 | 3 | 23 | 60 | 19 | 3 |
Rhamondre Stevenson | NE | 18 | 5 | 5 | 23 | 51 | 44 | 0 |
Jacory Croskey-Merritt | WAS | 16 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 63 | -7 | 1 |
Chase Brown | CIN | 16 | 5 | 5 | 21 | 56 | 22 | 1 |
Kaelon Black | SF | 14 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 65 | 5 | 0 |
James Cook | BUF | 13 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 57 | 12 | 0 |
Tyler Allgeier | ATL | 17 | 2 | 2 | 19 | 61 | 9 | 0 |
Jordan Mason | SF | 15 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 59 | 0 | 1 |
Bhayshul Tuten | JAX | 15 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 66 | 22 | 0 |
Saquon Barkley | PHI | 15 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 83 | -3 | 0 |
Christian McCaffrey | SF | 10 | 8 | 5 | 15 | 68 | 20 | 0 |
Travis Etienne | JAX | 9 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 46 | 32 | 0 |
As we can see from the table above, nine running backs recorded at least 20 touches in Week 1, and four of them enter Week 2 as home favorites. When it comes to DFS, volume is one of the most reliable indicators of opportunity and fantasy production. 20+ Touches / Home Favorite Running backs These four running backs enter Week 2 with an appealing combination of Week 1 volume and favorable game environments. Each is playing at home and is currently favored, giving them the potential for positive game scripts and additional rushing opportunities. For cash games in particular, that combination of established workload and game environment makes them players worth prioritizing when building around a stable floor.
Running Back | Team | Matchup | Home | Favorite | Spread | Wk. 1 Touches |
Derrick Henry | BAL | vs. NO | ✅ | ✅ | -8.5 | 25 |
David Montgomery | HOU | vs. CIN | ✅ | ✅ | -2.5 | 23 |
Rhamondre Stevenson | NE | vs. PIT | ✅ | ✅ | -5.5 | 23 |
D'Andre Swift | CHI | vs. MIN | ✅ | ✅ | -5.5 | 19 |
Derrick Henry ($7200) is an appealing Week 2 DFS option against the Saints, particularly after what Jahmyr Gibbs did to this defense in Week 1. Gibbs shredded New Orleans for 156 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries, averaging 5.4 yards per attempt, while adding another 30 yards through the air. Henry is coming off a massive workload of his own, handling 24 carries and scoring three touchdowns in Baltimore's Week 1 win, and the Ravens enter Week 2 as significant home favorites
David Montgomery ($6500) is a solid Week 2 DFS option. Montgomery scored three touchdowns in his Texans debut. He handled 20 carries and added three receptions, showing he can make an impact both on the ground and through the air. Houston returns home as a favorite against Cincinnati (who just gave up 21.3 Fantasy points to Bucky Irving last week), creating the potential for a favorable game script and additional opportunities near the goal line. The biggest concern is Houston's backfield split with Woody Marks, but Montgomery's role in the red zone gives him plenty of upside if the Texans control the game. D'Andre Swift ($6300) took 18 carries for 124 yards in Week 1. Entering week 2 Chicago is a 5.5-point home favorite against Minnesota, giving Swift a favorable game environment and the potential for increased rushing opportunities if the Bears play with a lead. While he saw just one target in Week 1, Swift has historically been capable of contributing as a receiver, giving him additional upside if that part of his role expands. That combination of strong rushing efficiency, a significant role and receiving potential makes him an attractive option, particularly in cash games. High Volume running backs
Bijan Robinson ($8200) appears to be a lock this week, after posting 173 total yards on 29 touches in Week 1. He was heavily involved in both phases of Atlanta's offense, rushing 21 times while seeing 10 targets and catching eight passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. That receiving role gives Robinson an especially strong DFS floor and ceiling, as he doesn't have to rely solely on rushing production to pay off his salary. Atlanta faces Carolina in Week 2 after the Panthers allowed 59 points and 196 rushing yards to Chicago in the opener, creating an intriguing matchup for a back coming off such a heavy workload.
Ashton Jeanty ($6800) is another target for this week. He had 29 touches and six targets, making him one of the most concentrated offensive players on the slate. The Raiders are on the road against the Chargers, but his receiving involvement means he doesn't necessarily need a positive game script to produce. Volume like that is exactly what you want to have a chance to take down a slate.
Christian McCaffrey ($8000) Run CMC is going to be in play every week. His 15 touches in Week 1 weren't particularly impressive compared to the expected volume we see from him on average, but his eight targets demonstrate that his path to a ceiling game isn't exclusively dependent on rushing volume.
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