The opening week of a new NFL season can be tricky trying to make DFS picks for your DraftKings lineup. Now that we have some data to pull from the start of the 2023 NFL season, let’s take a look at some of my DFS locks heading into Week 2 of NFL action.
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Week 2 DFS Locks
Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers ($5,700)
What does Brock Purdy have to do to prove he is a reliable fantasy option for DFS lineups?
In six NFL starts, he has finished no lower than the QB14 in fantasy formats while throwing for 2+ scores in every single one of his games as the leading signal-caller for the San Francisco 49ers.
This week, Purdy faces off against a Los Angeles Rams secondary that’s one of the youngest and most inexperienced groups in the league.
Admittedly, the Rams’ defense did a superb job against the Seattle Seahawks and their talented group of pass catchers in the season opener, holding quarterback Geno Smith to just 112 yards passing.
While I’m not dismissing that performance, I’m still a bit skeptical they will be able to duplicate that same level of success against the Niners’ elite group of playmakers.
Expect another multi-score game from Purdy in Week 2.
James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills ($6,100)
The Buffalo Bills didn’t run the ball particularly well in their Week 1 loss on Monday Night Football at the hands of the New York Jets, but the usage from James Cook was encouraging for his role in this offense moving forward.
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Cook saw 12 of the 15 carries that came from the running back position, turning six targets in the passing game into four receptions for 17 yards.
The Bills’ offense should be far more productive in Week 2 against a Las Vegas Raiders defense that is susceptible to opposing passing attacks.
Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers ($5,600)
Deebo Samuel didn’t have a terrible 2023 debut by any stretch of the imagination, it just looks rough in comparison to the other starting wide receiver in the San Francisco offense.
Brandon Aiyuk exploded for eight receptions, 129 yards, and two scores against the Piitsburgh Steelers, which thoroughly outproduced Deebo’s five receptions for 55 yards and no scores.
While Samuel’s 2023 season opener was a bit disappointing, Week 2 will see him face off against a defense that he has given issues to in recent years.
Over the last four games against the Rams, Deebo has averaged 6.5 receptions, over 130 total yards, and a TD.
The Niners playmakers will be tough to predict on a weekly basis, but Deebo feels like a great bounce back candidate this week against.
Luke Musgrave, TE, Green Bay Packers ($3,200)
Green Bay Packers WR Christian Watson was finally able to log a limited practice on Friday heading into the team’s Week 2 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Nonetheless, call me a bit skeptical to think he will be a full go if he gets the green light for Sunday.
Musgrave had an encouraging pro debut, hauling three passes for 50 yards on four targets. One could certainly make the argument Musgrave’s Week 1 stat line could have been even better if Love managed to throw a pair of better deep balls to his tight end.
The Falcons struggled to slow down Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst in their 24-10 season-opening win in Week 1, which saw Hurst produce five receptions for 41 yards and a score.
With Watson still working his way back from a hamstring injury, expect Musgrave to be involved — and potentially see an expanded role — in the Packers’ passing attack for their Week 2 showdown against Atlanta.
Houston Texans D/ST ($3,600)
The Houston Texans may not have shut out the Baltimore Ravens, but they definitely gave quarterback Lamar Jackson a bit more resistance than originally anticipated in Week 1.
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The Texans’ defense sacked Jackson four times, picked him off once, recovered one of his fumbles, and didn’t allow a passing touchdown in the season opener.
If they can give Lamar some issues, they are certainly capable of making life a little difficult for a rookie quarterback making the second start of his NFL career.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson had a promising NFL debut, but he still took four sacks and threw an interception against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1.
If the Texans’ defense is for real, they could be a great defensive option to put into your DFS lineup for Week 2.
