Top DFS Flex Value Plays for Week 2

by Taylor Smith · Value Plays

Maximizing your fantasy points per salary dollar is the key to cashing in DFS. If you want to afford the best cash plays on the slate, dumpster diving for underpriced value plays is the way to go. With multiple injuries already shaking up some projected workloads, there is plenty of value on the DFS main slate. Here are the best DFS Flex values for Week 2 based on PlayerProfiler’s advanced stats, metrics, and analytics.

Diontae Johnson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

DraftKings: $4500, FanDuel: $5800

The slogan for Week 2 is “Cheap WR Volume.” Diontae Johnson exemplifies this after seeing 10 targets on Monday night against the Giants, good for a 32.3-percent (No. 6 among qualified wide receivers) Target Share. That was despite dropping two balls, showing that Ben Roethlisberger will look his way no matter what. Johnson only had three (No. 61) drops all of last season. His stone-handed performance was an aberration.

Johnson is in a solid spot to produce. The Broncos ranked No. 21 in Defensive Passing DVOA in Week 1 and will now be without star CB A.J. Bouye. He would have covered Johnson on the perimeter, leaving Bryce Callahan for that assignment. The ghost of Corey Davis torched Callahan for 101 receiving yards in Week 1. If Johnson can return to his form as an elite separator the way we saw in his rookie season, he’ll dust Callahan and return value with ease. He is a cash lineup building block.

Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

DraftKings: $4200, FanDuel: $5800

Mike Williams overcame a shoulder injury in Week 1 and saw nine targets from Tyrod Taylor. He was only able to reel in four for 69 yards, but he looked like the same baller that topped 1,000 yards in his deep-threat role last season. More importantly, he saw over 140 Air Yards for a 16.3 Average Target Distance mark. That means his role is secure, and that aggressive downfield targeting will be important against the Chiefs.

Check out Mike Williams on PlayerProfiler’s Updated Weekly Rankings and Projections:

The Chiefs have the third-highest implied team total at 28 points. While the Chargers play at a middling Pace (2.40 offensive plays per minute), they’ll certainly need to push it to keep up with the explosiveness of their opponent. This game environment gives Williams a high target floor with a monster ceiling. That’s a pretty good combination for a guy that costs $4200.

Parris Campbell, WR, Indianapolis Colts

DraftKings: $4500, FanDuel: $5300

It’s happening (editors note: IT’S HAPPENING!!!). Parris Campbell is finally breaking out. The sophomore WR dealt with a plethora of injuries as a rookie, but has finally captured a starting job for the Colts. More importantly, he ran out of the slot on an NFL-leading 55 snaps. With his 4.31 (100th-percentile) speed and 135.5 (97th-percentile) Burst Score, he’s in the ideal role for a fantasy receiver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3UDvo76qQg

The Vikings were torched by Packers receivers for a whopping 315 yards and four touchdowns in Week 1. They look like the stone-worst secondary in the league and should be aggressively targeted. The Colts are an intelligent organization and understand this, meaning Philip Rivers should push for the league lead in attempts once again (46 in Week 1). That should especially hold true if Minnesota’s passing offense continues to click. The Vikings should be able to put up points as well, making this a sneaky good game to target in DFS. Campbell should flirt with double-digit targets again and should carry less ownership than Diontae Johnson at the same price.

Benny Snell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

DraftKings: $4500, FanDuel: $4600

Benny Snell broke out onto the scene in primetime on Monday night, filling in for James Conner. While Conner was said to have suffered an ankle injury, he has already practiced fully and is on track to play Sunday. The good news is that the slimmed-down Snell looked like the best back that night. He handled 19 carries for 113 yards. That included 41 Yards Created with two Breakaway Runs.

The Steelers have been quiet on who will start this Sunday, which is unfortunate for DFS gamers. Pitt is a 7.5-point favorite, meaning the primary ball carrier will see plenty of opportunity. Snell’s effectiveness should earn him a majority of the work, meaning he can return value on his cheap price regardless of Conner’s availability. He is still a riskier option for cash lineups, especially with his lack of a pass-catching floor. However, Conner’s active status should keep Snell’s ownership to a bare-minimum, creating a high-leverage tournament option that has 20-plus touches in his range of outcomes.

Jordan Reed, TE, San Francisco 49ers

DraftKings: $2600, FanDuel: $4800

Paying way down at TE is always a viable option, but Jordan Reed gives us the extreme this week. At $2600, he’s nearly stone-minimum for any position on DK. With George Kittle’s knee injury keeping him out for Week 2, Reed should see a massive jump from his 15.5-percent (No. 61) Snap Share. He still won’t be an every-down player being that his blocking isn’t what it once was, but the 49ers are desperate for playmakers. Without Deebo Samuel or Kittle, and with a hobbled rookie in Brandon Aiyuk, Reed will be incorporated into the game plan. He caught two balls in his minimal action last week and barely needs to exceed that to hit value this week. More importantly, he lets us afford the premium RBs on the slate.