Photo: Jim Brown, USA Today Sports

For the uninitiated, playing daily games on sites like FanDuel and DraftKings can be an enjoyable experience, but equally sobering is the fact that season-long knowledge does not always translate to success in the daily space.  FootballGuys will bring you a series of value- and strategic-based selections from a number of seasoned daily veterans throughout the NFL season.  Herein is another edition of “tipandpick’s Tips and Picks,” where we will examine the salaries of the QBs and WRs on both FanDuel and DraftKings for Sunday and Monday.  Finally, in the next article, the topic will center on RBs and TEs. 

Below you will find a list of recommended players for either GPPs or cash games (sometimes both).  GPP players generally have high-upside, but are too risky for cash games; cash game players are consistent with high fantasy floors.  In some instances, the value (based on salary) for a player is so strong, he may fall into both categories…let’s have a look.

GPP QUARTERBACKS

Jake Locker (GPP & Cash format; FD: $7400, DK: $7100).  Locker had a solid day at Arrowhead against the Chiefs in Week #1.  This week, he and the Titans welcome the horrid Cowboys’ defense to Tennessee for their home opener.  Last week, the Cowboys only gave up ~ 20 fantasy points to Colin Kaeparnick, but that total was limited due to the number of interceptions thrown by Tony Romo setting up the Niners in running situations.  This week, the likelihood of 3 interceptions by Romo is minimal, but it would not be surprising to see Locker throw for 300 yards and 2-3 touchdowns against this very bad defense, particularly if the Cowboys’ offense shows up to play.

Alex Smith (GPP only; FD: $6700, DK: $6300).  The Chiefs did not show up to play against the Titans in Week #1; Jamaal Charles only touched the ball 11 times and Alex Smith threw 3 interceptions along the way.  In a post-game press conference, Andy Reid admitted that he was ‘negligent’ in not getting the ball to Jamaal Charles 25 times.  This week, against the mighty Broncos, the Chiefs will be playing from behind most of the game and Alex Smith will be throwing to everybody he can find, including Charles.  If Denver breaks out to an early lead, Smith could be in for a huge fantasy day.

Ryan Fitzpatrick (GPP only; FD: $6000, DK: $5000).  Fitzpatrick game-managed last week’s faceoff against the Redskins; he made no mistakes, throwing for 200 yards and a touchdown in a game where they never trailed.  If the Raiders are able to mount any type of offensive attack this weekend, the gamescript could turn in Fitzpatrick’s favor, particularly with very solid receivers (Andre Johnson & DeAndre Hopkins) at his disposal.  Fitz will be lowly-owned in big GPP’s and could provide nice upside when paired with one of those receivers.

Peyton Manning (Primarily GPP; FD: $10200, DK: $8800).  The Broncos are favored to beat the Chiefs this week by nearly 2 touchdowns; if they jump to an early lead, the game could turn into the Montee Ball show for much of the second half, particularly when one recalls how well the Titans ran the ball against those Chiefs last Sunday.  For that reason alone, it is difficult to recommend Peyton Manning as anything other than a GPP play this week.  Peyton is always capable of putting up 30 fantasy points, but he is risky as a cash game play this week in a game where the Broncos are big favorites, particularly given his hefty salary.  GPP only.

CASH GAME QUARTERBACKS

Andrew Luck (Cash and GPP format; FD: $9200, DK: $8400).  Monday Night Football looks to be an absolute shootout in Week #2; the Philadelphia Eagles and their potent offense visit Indianapolis for a game that Vegas predicts will total 53 points.  The Colts’ running game, “led” by Trent Richardson, is abysmal and may actually lead Andrew Luck to a career season in 2014 simply because the team has no option other than to pass the ball.  With the Eagles likely putting major points on the board, Luck and company will be forced to repeat last week’s script, where he threw for 370 yards and 2 TD’s against the Broncos on Sunday night.

Aaron Rodgers (Cash and GPP format; FD: $9100, DK: $7900).  In this same column last week, I told you about the dichotomy of the Jets’ defense:  possibly the best front 7 in the NFL with one of the worst secondaries in all of football.  As predicted, Derek Carr did quite well against them, while the Raiders’ running game was unable to amass any substantial yardage on the ground.  This week, the Packers open at home with an extra 3 days’ rest against that Jets squad.  With Eddie Lacy coming back from a concussion against the Seahawks, I look for the Packers to ease him back, particularly given the strength of the Jets defense against the run; for that reason, it would not be surprising to see Rodgers look to carry the offense on his shoulders to right the ship in Green Bay.

GPP WIDE RECEIVERS

Kenny Stills (GPP Only; FD: $4800, DK: $3900) & Brandin Cooks (GPP Only; FD: $6300, DK: $5300).  The Saints travel to Cleveland and will try to prevent from starting the season with an 0-2 record after a disappointing loss to the Falcons in Week #1.  Against the Steelers in their opener, the Browns’ rookie cornerback Justin Gilbert, opposite Joe Haden, struggled mightily against Markus Wheaton, giving up 6 catches for 97 yards.  This week, with Haden matching up against Marques Colston (and potentially Jimmy Graham), look for the WR2 of the Saints (either Stills or Cooks, depending on Stills’ injury status) to capitalize on the mismatch.

Andre Caldwell (GPP Only; FD: $4500, DK: $3000).  Peyton Manning loves to spread the love.  Last week, Julius Thomas got the redzone attention; this week it will be somebody else.  It could very well be Emmanuel Sanders or Demaryius Thomas, but if you want to separate yourself from the masses, you might consider rostering Caldwell at minimum salary on both sites.  In Week #1, Caldwell ran 42/77 (55%) of plays and was targeted on 5 passes during that limited time.  At this salary, Caldwell could be a sneaky GPP play.

Randall Cobb (Primarily GPP; FD: $7600, DK: $6400).  Cobb received 9 targets in the NFL opener last Thursday against the Seahawks; this week, he faces the Jets’ secondary and could feasibly catch 10 balls for 100+ yards and multiple touchdowns.  Jordy is the safer play, but Cobb has immense upside.

Mohamed Sanu (GPP Only; FD: $4700, DK: $3400).  AJ Green will surely attract double-coverage against the Falcons defense on Sunday, which should leave Mohamed Sanu drawing single coverage for most of the game.  Sanu was targeted only 5 times last week against the Ravens, but the quality of their secondary is several notches above the Falcons.  At his salary and likely low ownership, Sanu could be a solid choice for GPP rosters.

Andrew Hawkins (Primarily GPP; FD: $5200, DK: $4900).  Until Josh Gordon returns, Andrew Hawkins is the WR1 in Cleveland.  Miles Austin’s better days are far behind him, which leaves only Hawkins and Cameron as viable targets in this offense; with Cameron nursing an injury, Hawkins could see a lot of extra looks on Sunday against the Saints, particularly if they are playing from behind, as Vegas would have us believe.

Donnie Avery (GPP; FD: $5000, DK: $4800).  Another team that will be playing from behind on Sunday is the Kansas City Chiefs.  Last week, they chased the Titans for much of their game and Avery quickly amassed 7 catches on 13 targets and 87 yards receiving; a similar scenario could ensue this week against the Broncos.  At $5000, his salary is reasonable and he could easily reach 3x value for GPP purposes if this game gets out of hand early.

CASH GAME WIDE RECEIVERS

Reggie Wayne (Cash & GPP format; FD: $6200, DK: $5300) and T.Y. Hilton (Cash & GPP format; FD: $6400, DK: $5000).  As discussed in the QB section above, the Colts will be forced to keep pace with the Eagles on Monday Night Football this week, but they have largely proven they are unable to mount any time of running game with Trent Richardson.  Thus, it stands to reason that Andrew Luck will be tossing the ball…a lot.  Look for Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton to be the benefactors of that increased passing; both are reasonably priced and should reach value on both major daily sites.

Jordy Nelson (Cash & GPP format; FD: $7900, DK: $6600).  Jordy Nelson saw 14 targets in the Packers’ opener and he should see a similar amount in Week #2 due to the weak Jets’ secondary.  With Eddie Lacy recovering from a concussion and the Jets’ defensive strength being against the run, Aaron Rodgers will look to distribute the ball through the air; if Derek Carr could do it with James Jones and Rod Streater last week, there is no reason to believe that Jordy cannot have 8 catches for 100+ yards and a touchdown this week.

Demaryius Thomas (Cash & GPP format; FD: $8700, DK: $7000) and Emmanuel Sanders (Cash & GPP format; FD: $6900, DK: $6000).  The Broncos are projected to score 33 points this week and either of their primary receivers is subject to have a big day; the danger in rostering Demaryius Thomas is that his salary is hefty and he almost needs a touchdown to reach value…if Montee Ball gets a touchdown, as do Julius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, Demaryius will have a tough time paying off his salary.  Sanders’ salary is more reasonable and provides a similar floor.  If you must have a piece of the Broncos, just hope you guess correctly.

Justin Hunter (Cash & GPP format; FD: $5700, DK: $4300).  Justin Hunter was the highest-targeted WR on the Titans last week and gets a juicy matchup against the Cowboys defense in Week #2.  The ultra-talented Hunter is a big redzone target and should get plenty of action against this defense in a game where the Titans could feasibly score 4 touchdowns.  He is very close to a “must-play” on DraftKings at his $4300 salary in all formats.

Eric Decker (Cash format; FD: $6300, DK: $5300).  It is admittedly difficult to recommend any receiver on the Jets, particularly in cash game format; however, the Jets will be chasing points all day and Decker is the only viable option in the passing game.  Decker, at 6’3”, is a huge target in the redzone and should easily achieve value against a Packers’ defense that has not been stellar over the past few years.

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