Top daily fantasy football plays for Thursday’s Week 1 preseason games

Football is back! Well, sure, it’s just the preseason, but don’t tell DFS players that. FanDuel and DraftKings started last week with the Hall of Fame Game and Panthers-Texans in a two-game slate, but Thursday brings the real deal, with seven games on the docket. SB Nation will be bringing you the top options on virtually all preseason slates through the end of August. As is always, keep a eye on Twitter throughout the day on game days, as injury and lineup news is always coming in, turning popular plays into fades and lifting obscure plays into tournament-winning position.

Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett, New England Patriots vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The only reason for not plugging either of these quarterbacks into your lineups is that everyone else is likely to do the same. There is simply no better setup on the slate than for the Patriots QBs, as the Jaguars have put up feeble resistance against the Pats’ offense during a week of joint practices, and it’s been noted that Garoppolo was not having a great camp — until he started scrimmaging against the Jags and became Johnny Unitas.

Again, the issue here is ownership. Both QBs could get about a half’s worth of run. Brissett has not been as effective in camp, so his ownership should be lower. But if you’re OKk with QB chalk, go Jimmy and don’t look back.

Brett Hundley, Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Hundley is expected to get the start for the Packers, but unlike most other starters in preseason games, Hundley should see extended run before giving way to Joe Callahan. Hundley missed much of the preseason in 2016 with an injury, so he should get a long look this time around. He is the top pivot off the Patriots QBs on this slate.

Nate Sudfeld, Washington at Baltimore Ravens

Colt McCoy will be the first off the bench for Washington, and he will also be popular. My money is on Sudfeld, who was a DFS darling back when college football slates were available. The guy was an under-the-radar point producer at Indiana and I’m banking on him doing the same in the second half of this game. He should have minuscule ownership, and I can easily see at least 100 yards and a TD for a double-digit performance. He’s my sleeper pick of the night.

Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears vs. Denver Broncos

The Bears are saying that Trubisky is “the future,” which is great news for the present, as in this game against Denver. The playing time will be there as the No. 3 on the depth chart. Opportunity = production, and though he has not been sharp in practice, he should get some chances to throw the ball downfield and could wind up with some nice numbers.

Dalvin Cook/Bishop Sankey, Minnesota Vikings at Buffalo Bills

The Vikings are somewhat shorthanded at running back with Latavius Murray already ruled out, leaving them with four healthy backs. Cook is the prized rookie and he should get the start and a decent number of touches with the first unit. Of all the top rookies on this slate, Cook is probably the safest play with upside. Sankey should also be a solid play, again because the Vikings are so thin at the position. He will get a good about of second-half work, and the Vikings could well be running the ball most of the second half.

Tarik Cohen, Chicago Bears vs. Denver Broncos

Jeremy Langford’s lingering injury issues opens the door for some unheralded backs to get decent playing time in the opener and Cohen has been the star of the backfield thus far in Bears camp. Coaches are raving about his elusiveness in space and that could translate to PPR gold, especially if he plays alongside Trubisky and collects check-downs. Cohen should go largely overlooked, making him an ideal GPP play.

Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots

Fournette has already climbed the depth chart and is likely to be the opening day starter in Jacksonville. With Blake Bortles really struggling in camp, there’s a good chance Fournette gets a lot of work in the opener. He has the name recognition, which could inflate his ownership, but he’s a safe play.

Donnel Pumphrey, Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers

I confess, I live in San Diego and saw a lot of Pumphrey shredding defenses for the Aztecs the last couple of seasons, so I am biased. And this pick comes with an enormous disclaimer as he has been dealing with an injury, so be sure to check his availability before plugging him into your lineup. But he has looked great in camp and the college record speaks for itself. If he plays, he has a great chance to put up numbers. If not this week, then soon, Pumphrey could be the preseason stud at RB.

Rod Streater, Buffalo Bills vs. Minnesota Vikings

Streater has been one of the premier performers in Bills camp, drawing rave reviews from head coach Sean McDermott. Streater should get the opportunity to translate his camp work into this game against the Vikings and is the top option at wide receiver on this slate.

Ryan Grant, Washington at Baltimore Ravens

I was ready to list Josh Doctson here, but he is once again injured, opening the door for receivers like Grant to rack up targets. I suspect Washington will be throwing more than teams usually do in Week 1, and Grant could be a prime benefactor.

Leonte Carroo, Miami Dolphins vs. Atlanta Falcons

Carroo was a preseason darling a year ago and not much has changed with the Dolphins’ receiving corps, so I would expect Carroo to be active again this preseason. Carroo needs a solid camp if he wants to crack the rotation here, so his motivation is obvious.

Devin Lucein, Austin Carr, New England Patriots vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

As noted above, the Jaguars have not stopped the Patriots offense all week in joint practices. There’s little reason to think that’s going to change in the actual game, and Lucien in particular is enjoying a solid camp. Both Lucien and Carr should have plenty of chances to pad their stats in this one.

A.J. Derby, Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears

Tight end is always the most difficult position to handicap in the preseason, but a couple of options really stand out on this seven-game slate. There’s been plenty talk in Broncos camp about the emphasis on getting the tight end position involved in the offense, and Derby figures to play a big role in that effort. Derby was an absolute beast in the preseason for the Patriots last season and he should get enough reps in this game to make a positive impact.

Nick Boyle, Baltimore Ravens vs. Washington

The Ravens are really thin at tight end entering this game because of injury, so Boyle is going to get snaps pretty much by default. He’s’ been playing with the starters and is in position to rack up catches and yards against Washington.