The NFL is back in full swing, and with it come opportunities to make some serious cash in NFL DFS contests. The staff here at Stokastic will break down each position every week, and I’m here to discuss the quarterback position this time around. Let’s dive into the top NFL DFS quarterback picks and fades for Week 2. Our NFL DFS projections are especially high on Joe Burrow, but they’re low on Jordan Love at this week’s price point.
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Top NFL DFS Quarterback Picks & Fades for Week 2: Joe Burrow, Jordan Love
NFL DFS Quarterback Picks for Week 2 | DraftKings & FanDuel
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals will host the banged-up Baltimore Ravens in Week 2, and while we’ve seen some good performances from their defense against the star quarterback, our NFL DFS projections don’t expect one from them this week. The Ravens are undermanned and won’t have star safety Marcus Williams. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey could suit up this week, but his status is questionable at best as he nurses a foot injury.
The Ravens have contained Burrow in their most recent games against him, but Williams, Humphrey and Marcus Peters were instrumental in doing so. Humphrey allowed 11 receptions on 14 targets, coughing up just 86 yards and no scores. Williams allowed five receptions on seven targets for 65 yards and no scores. Peters, who left Baltimore in the offseason, allowed just eight catches on 16 targets for 89 yards and no scores.
Week 2 is a great buy-low spot for Burrow. He’ll cost you only $6,900 at DraftKings and $7,400 at FanDuel, which is a bargain for a player with his talent. He is one of the best point-per-dollar options on the board, projecting for 3.1x and 2.8x value at DraftKings and FanDuel, respectively. Forgive the Cincinnati offense for struggling in the rain last week and trust Burrow to bounce back.
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If you’re hoping to save some salary cap space at quarterback, Baker Mayfield is a good bargain-bin option. He looked sharp against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1, although he alleges that he knew Minnesota’s defensive signals, which certainly helped. Still, he demonstrated solid chemistry with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, who, despite their ages, form one of the top wide receiver duos in the NFL. Mayfield will cost you only $5,100 at DraftKings and $6,800 at FanDuel.
Mayfield draws a matchup with the Chicago Bears, who got absolutely cooked by Jordan Love in the second half of Week 1’s game against the Packers. Love racked up 245 passing yards and three touchdowns despite throwing to the likes of rookie Luke Musgrave and rookie Jayden Reed. Chicago failed to make meaningful adjustments after the Packers found an edge early in the second half, and, while I believe in some of their defensive personnel, their scheme needs some work.
Although Mayfield is one of the better quarterback options at FanDuel this week, he truly stands out at DraftKings. He is cheaper than guys like Mac Jones ($5,200) and C.J. Stroud ($5,200) and is barely pricier than Josh Dobbs ($5,000) at that site. He is projected for 3.5x value at the site, which leads the position as of Thursday afternoon.
NFL DFS Quarterback Fades for Week 2 | DraftKings & FanDuel
Zach Wilson, New York Jets
The New York Jets certainly weren’t planning to start the former second overall pick in Week 2, and Zach Wilson matches up poorly against a Dallas Cowboys defense that is one of the NFL’s best at pressuring quarterbacks. Wilson completed an awful 20.4% of his throws under pressure last year, which bodes terribly against a defense that just pressured Daniel Jones on 38.6% of his dropbacks.
Because New York’s offensive line is a weakness, Wilson will face the full force of Dallas’ pass rush. Right tackle Mekhi Becton recorded a PFF grade of 59.7 across 54 snaps in Week 1. Left guard Laken Tomlinson posted a 40.3 on the same snap count. Wilson won’t have much time to throw, and he’ll likely toss an interception or two, both reducing his odds of throwing a touchdown and reducing his overall scoring output.
Wilson projects as one of the worst point-per-dollar options at both DraftKings and FanDuel. He’ll cost you $4,900 at DraftKings and $6,200 at FanDuel, which isn’t expensive, but you can find much better options (like Baker Mayfield) at similar price points. Don’t try to get too cute by punting at quarterback with Wilson when there are far sharper alternatives.
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
Don’t buy high on Jordan Love. The quarterback absolutely exploded against an easy-to-read Chicago defense, but he has a much tougher task ahead against the slow-paced Falcons. Atlanta’s defense caused major problems for rookie Bryce Young, who completed only 52.6% of his passes for 3.8 yards per attempt. Give credit to cornerback A.J. Terrell, who looks to be trending in the right direction again after a rocky 2022, and free-agent safety Jessie Bates III.
Love probably shouldn’t have found as much success with the receivers at his disposal last week. It speaks volumes that his leading receiver was literally a running back, Aaron Jones, who the Packers often had to split out wide and is now nursing an injury. While it’s possible that Love will get Christian Watson back for Week 2, it’s not guaranteed. What is guaranteed is that Love will have to beat a solid secondary with one of the NFL’s worst receiving corps.
Most importantly, Love isn’t cheap after his Week 1 explosion. He’ll cost you $5,500 at DraftKings and $7,200 at FanDuel. Yes, he is just $200 cheaper than Joe Burrow at the latter site. It’s far too early to crown Love as that valuable of an option at quarterback, especially when his production just came against one of the NFL’s worst-performing defenses over the last two seasons. Love is our top NFL DFS quarterback pick to fade this week.
