Fantasy football can be a fickle beast when trying to figure out if the Week 1 performances will mirror themselves in Week 2.
Let’s take a closer look at some of my top DFS picks for the Monday Night Football (MNF) matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles.
Top MNF DFS Picks on DraftKings for Week 2
Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles ($15,000) | Captain
It was a bit of an up-and-down performance for Eagles QB for Jalen Hurts in his debut with Kellen Moore as the offensive coordinator.
There were some big-time throws coupled with some inexcusable interceptions, but his 278 passing yards to go with another 33 yards on the ground ultimately helped him finish with 16.42 fantasy points in Week 1 — which was good for a QB11 finish to start the year.
Hurts’ Week 2 matchup against the Falcons should be a stiffer test after this unit held the Pittsburgh Steelers completely out of the end zone in Week 1.
But the Falcons still allowed six scoring drives, which has me encouraged about Hurts’ upside in this matchup.
Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles ($5,800)
A.J. Brown being ruled out of this contest should open things up for the other two star pass-catchers in this contest, which includes TE Dallas Goedert.
Goedert’s Week 1 performance wasn’t outstanding, with just 7.1 fantasy points in full-PPR formats with four receptions for 31 yards, but Brown being sidelined should see some of those vacated targets funneled toward Goedert.
DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles ($8,800)
The Slim Reaper proved he can be a great fantasy option with Brown and Goedert on the field in Week 1. Do we think there is a chance his volume in the passing game could expand with Brown out of the lineup in Week 2?
I’m aware A.J. Terrell could provide some resistance if he shadows Smith tonight. Yet, do we think Smith is capable of winning a handful of these isolation matchups in Week 2?
I certainly do because we saw George Pickens have some success in the opener against Terrell, which makes me willing to bet on a talent like Smith, who should be the focal point of the Philadelphia passing attack with Brown unavailable.
Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons ($7,800)
So, things didn’t go quite as planned offensively for Atlanta in Kirk Cousins’ debut under center. This helped Drake London finish with a dreadful Week 1 stat line for a second consecutive season with just two receptions for 15 yards on three targets against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Did a matchup against the ascending Joey Porter Jr. possibly have something to do with this disappointing performance? Sure, it’s possible.
Was Cousins a little rusty? Possibly.
Is this a good matchup against a Philadelphia secondary that is still working through some growing pains? Yes.
London is well positioned for a bounce-back performance in Week 2.
Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons ($9,000)
Speaking of Cousins, he clearly had a rough debut in a Falcons uniform. Fortunately, this offensive line doesn’t have to deal with a game wrecker on the edge like T.J. Watt in this contest.
Cousins has to play better, but this is still a pass defense that is vulnerable to talented opposing passing attacks, which Atlanta could exploit with London and Pitts in Week 2.
Ray-Ray McCloud, WR, Atlanta Falcons ($3,000)
Oddly enough, Ray-Ray McCloud was the leading receiver for the Falcons in Week 1 with four receptions for 52 yards.
After watching Jayden Reed — a player with a similar skill set and profile to McCloud — absolutely torch this secondary last week, I am fully willing to take a chance at just $3,000 for a player who saw seven targets and was on the field for 54% of the snaps in Week 1.