The Patriots and the Jets will battle on Thursday Night Football, writing another chapter in a historic AFC East rivalry.
While stars like Breece Hall and Rhamondre Stevenson are sure to get most of the attention, there are plenty of slept-on players who could easily outperform their DFS salaries. After breaking down both rosters, here are three players that could deliver serious value on Thursday.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $1.5M Thursday Night Showdown [500K to 1st] (NE@NYJ)
Thursday Night Football Value Plays
DeMario Douglas ($4,300)
Following a promising rookie campaign, Demario “Pop” Douglas has stumbled out of the gates this season. After recording two catches against the Bengals in Week 1, Douglas wasn’t even targeted during a 23-20 overtime loss against Seattle last week.
Despite the awful start, it’s not like anyone has taken Douglas’ place as WR1. No New England wideout has more than 28 total yards or 8 targets this season. Against Seattle, the position as a whole generated three catches for 19 yards. Following Sunday’s game, head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters “We have to scheme some things up for him [Douglas].” Quarterback Jacoby Brissett ($5,000) told WEEI that he was “glad” Douglas was frustrated with his lack of involvement in the offense.
Douglas is still New England’s most explosive weapon, with the potential to gain tons of yards after catch from the slot. In a game that might demand more passing than normal, Brissett and the Pats offense should have ample opportunities to feed him the ball.
Allen Lazard ($3,800)
For a moment, the reliable, capable Allen Lazard we remembered from Green Bay was back. In the midst of a terrible Monday Night opener for the Jets, the veteran wideout hauled in two touchdowns. Then Sunday’s game against the Titans happened, and Lazard hauled in just two catches for twelve yards.
While you shouldn’t expect another multi-score game, Lazard’s MNF performance wasn’t necessarily a fluke. He clearly has a track record of success with Rodgers, in addition to logging the second-most snaps for New York at wide receiver.
Plenty will make a big deal out of Mike Williams’ ($5,300) snap count rising, going from 18% in Week 1 to 65% on Sunday. However, the former Charger failed to do anything with those opportunities, nabbing just one catch. On a short week less than a year removed from ACL surgery, it would make sense for the Jets to restrict his snap count against New England. With limited options other than Breece Hall ($7,400) and Garrett Wilson ($7,100), Lazard should stay busy on Thursday.
Hunter Henry ($4.300)
The Patriots might have questions at wide receiver, but there is little doubt over who their top target is after Week 2. A massive eight-catch, 109-yard game entrenched Henry as Jacoby Brissett’s number-one option, and there’s little reason to fade him entering a matchup that should have New England playing from behind.
As mentioned in TNF Captain Plays for Week 3, New York’s fearsome defensive line and secondary will practically force the Pats into shorter passes down the middle of the field. If he happens to be under duress all night, Brissett will likely look towards his big tight end as a safety blanket.
Despite his fairly obvious status as “the guy” in New England, Henry is just the sixth-most expensive player on Thursday’s slate. If you’re looking for a cheaper play with a large target share, the Patriots tight end is your man.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $1.5M Thursday Night Showdown [500K to 1st] (NE@NYJ)
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is barmy) 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 do not have access to any non-public information.
