It’s that time of year again—time to set aside the crystal ball and dive into preseason picks! This Thursday, we’ve got three main games to consider: the Colts are taking on the Ravens in Baltimore, the Eagles are hosting the Bengals, and the Raiders will clash with the Seahawks in Seattle.
As always with preseason DFS, a bit of research goes a long way. You really want to ensure that your selected players are going to see the field. Usually, that means avoiding veterans. It could be tempting to include stars like Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, or Ja’Marr Chase since all players have the same value in a preseason roster, but predicting their playing time can be tricky.
Out of the six teams playing this Thursday, the Colts are the only one starting a quarterback. We know that Anthony Richardson needs enough playing time to really showcase his abilities. While we shouldn’t expect many designed runs, it’s clear that whenever he’s on the field, he can generate fantasy points.
Milllow, the third-round pick from Alabama, has been impressing with his speed and arm strength during training camp. He’s got a lot of potential, but with Sam Darnold established as the starter, Milllow’s still developing. He’ll need to show he can outshine Drew Lock to secure the backup role, and this preseason will play a significant part in that. He does have a tendency to make mistakes, but if he stays aggressive, he can turn each snap into a big opportunity.
Damien Martinez, Seahawks
Martinez is currently vying for the RB3 spot behind Ken Walker and Zack Charbonnet. He seems to be leading the competition, but there’s still a lot to prove before he can solidify a place on the 53-man roster. Having moved past Ashton Janti last season, he knows how to make plays in the open field. With the right opportunities, he could really shine in preseason DFS.
Ali might be feeling the pressure of a competitive backfield. With Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, and Keaton Mitchell all established, he’ll need to stand out significantly to make the cut. His potential playing time looks promising this week.
Burton has a lot riding on this season after a tough rookie year. Fortunately, reports about his attitude and effort have been encouraging. While the team might be cautious with his playing time to protect him, the coaches are expecting him to get a fair amount of snaps to prove himself. He has talent and knows he can compete against lesser opponents in the preseason.
Don’t Thornton, the Raiders
The Raiders are bringing in Brock Bowers and Jacobi Myers as their top receivers this season. While they’re definitely worth watching on the roster, the team is also keen to see how Pick Thornton performs during his fourth-round opportunity. So far in training camp, he’s generated some buzz and demonstrated promise. He’s someone to keep an eye on during this matchup.
The fifth-round pick from Colorado has asserted himself this summer and seems set to make the final roster. His skills as a return man could really give him an edge, especially in preseason games. If he manages to get the ball in his hands, there’s potential for him to turn the game around with one significant play.
Tight ends often face challenges in the preseason. With a large number of players competing for spots, the playing time can be quite varied. On this Thursday’s slate, the Seattle Seahawks only have five tight ends listed, especially after Noah Fant joined the Bengals. The Bengals’ AJ Burner appears to have the lead for the starting job, but Burner will need to fend off competition from Arroyo, a second-round pick who aims to take the lead in that role. He’ll likely have several chances to prove himself this preseason.
Choosing a defense is similarly tricky. Most starters don’t play, making it tough to gauge how well they’ll perform. Even if you analyze the depth chart, many defenders won’t even get to touch field during the fourth quarter.
If you’re aiming for tournament play, it’s wise to consider a less popular defense to set your lineup apart. The Colts could be a good pick, facing a Ravens team that, despite a strong preseason resume, has struggled recently. Baltimore’s been 2-6 in their last two preseason outings, and after Lamar Jackson, their QB depth is a bit tenuous with Cooper Rush and Devin Leary in the mix.
