Week 2 marks the advent of season-long fantasy managers evaluating juicy matchups to possibly exploit. This, of course, is instead of rolling with your studs. Ex. If you’ve got A.J. Brown going against Sauce Gardner, you may have doubts about whether or not Brown could perform to his highest level, given the difficult matchup.
Every Friday, I’m going to be pumping out streamer columns for all relevant positions for most fantasy leagues: QB, RB, WR, and TE. And we’re looking for for the aforementioned matchups with juice. The ones that feel ripe for fantasy production from under-the-radar, one-hit wonders.
Keep an eye every Friday and Saturday for these pieces; follow me @dansby_edits for stat-and-streamer-related threads all throughout the week.
It’s only Week 2, so we’re keeping these lists short today. Let’s take a look at two running backs you might consider starting if you’re in a, say, Raheem Mostert situation.
You can also consider these as dart-throw options for all the fantastic DFS contests on DraftKings.
Top RB Streamers for Week 2
Justice Hill, RB, Baltimore Ravens (11.3% owned)
Everyone seems to think that Hill’s involvement in the game against the Kansas City Chiefs was completely gameplan-dependent. It was, they say, a result of the Chiefs’s exotic blitzes forcing Lamar to check down at the line of scrimmage to guys like Isaiah Likely and Justice Hill.
I wouldn’t be so sure. I think until Keaton Mitchell is off IR, Hill will have a legitimate role in this offense. When’s the last time you saw the Baltimore Ravens under any offensive coordinator give 85%+ of snaps to a feature back? Henry can’t run the wheel routes Hill can. Hill is a more explosive threat in the passing game out of the backfield.
The Raiders have a similarly-stout pass rush that might cause Lamar to deploy some of the same short-passing approach to Likely and Hill. Last week, Hill tied for sixth among running backs in routes run last week with 20. He’s trying to get open.
You’re not streaming or stashing him for yards on the ground. You’re streaming and stashing him for his upside.
And, really, when we stream, aren’t we just looking for upside, anyways? Who wants a safe streamer?
Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals (45.3% rostered)
He’s just on the cusp, here, but Benson should still be available in some leagues where he isn’t already rostered as James Conner’s backup.
I flat-out think this is gonna be a shootout between the Cardinals and the Rams. Stafford has no offensive line, so I’m anticipating a ton of play-action, boots, quick passes, etc. The Rams playmakers are going to have an absolute field day in this game.
Which means the Cardinals will have to keep up. We know James Conner takes drives off. He did last week. We know he commands targets; he did that, also, last week. But when Benson was in the game, he ran routes (4) and caught the ball once. On snaps when he ran routes, Kyler Murray targeted Benson 25% of the time.
Benson will get some opportunities in a game with a high projected total on DraftKings Sportsbook. He’s worth a stream this week, especially given his preseason hype and some efficient snaps in Week 1.
Not to mention, might be good to carve out a roster slot for him. James Conner isn’t injury-prone, but this is a faster-paced offense this year. Benson will have to spell Conner more often than you think, beginning with Week 2.
Place your NFL bets at DraftKings Sportsbook or by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and customer (my username is thegreatdansby9) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and cannot access any non-public information.
