This article is part of our DraftKings NFL series.
With the opening of a unique Sunday through Thursday slate, DraftKings is kicking off the 2015 NFL DFS season with preseason contests. Spanning from the Hall of Fame game on Sunday, to six games next Thursday, us NFL degenerates finally will get our first taste of fantasy football in 2015.
Now, if you are new to playing preseason fantasy football, there are a few things you should know.
First, all salaries are the same. Each player is priced at $5,500 since it is virtually impossible to relegate players value in the preseason. The most important thing to factor in to your roster decisions is playing time. Typically, first-team offenses will play one or two possessions, at bestm in week 1, making them undesirable plays. In Week 1 last year, second-string quarterbacks started for 24 of 32 teams. Running backs and wide receivers don't seem to follow as easy a pattern, as their play is sporadic and short. Most teams are six-to-seven deep at running back, meaning playing time is spread across the board. Scoring will be low for these tournaments, but if you can land on a few of the touchdowns you are in good shape. With those things in mind, let's move on to a few top targets for this slate.
QUARTERBACK
Johnny Manziel (CLE) - As it stands, Manziel will open the season as the backup to veteran Josh McCown. After a disappointing rookie season and an offseason visit to rehab, the 2014 22nd overall pick has a lot of ground to gain and confidence to show before he is given the lead job in Cleveland. If the Browns are serious about McCown starting, it is just as important to get Manziel as much real game experience as possible. If Manziel isn't careful he could be passed up by Connor Shaw, who could see just as much playing time as Manziel.
Scott Tolzien (GB) - After a shocking exit in the NFC championship game, the Packers enter 2015 as one of the favorites to play in Super Bowl 50. Step one in reaching that goal will be protecting MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers should play no more than one or two possessions in the preseason opener, leaving the door open for Tolzien to get a majority of the first-half snaps. The Packers have one of the deepest wide receiver cores in the NFL, giving Tolzien prime talent in Davante Adams, Jeff Janis, Ty Montgomery and Myles White to help pad his stats if the starters don't play much.
Landry Jones (PIT) - Although Bruce Gradkowski is the favorite to back up Ben Roethlisberger this season, a injured shoulder has landed him on the PUP list. Without Gradkowski, the Steelers will rely heavily on Jones, who has been getting a heavy workload in camp, including some first-team reps. Besides Jones, the only other QB threat to see drastic playing time is former Clemson QB Tajh Boyd, who signed with the Steelers this offseason.
RUNNING BACK
Ameer Abdullah (DET) - Labeled a "camp standout," Abdullah has handled a lot of first team carries so far in Lions camp. With Joique Bell on the PUP list, Abdullah will battle with Theo Riddick in preseason to open the year as the starter if Bell isn't healthy. Abdullah, the Lions' second-round pick, likely will carve out a role similar to Reggie Bush's with the Lions in 2014. There is an argument to be made for Riddick, as well, as there's been no report of one player gaining an edge as yet.
Rajion Neal (GB) - After a season-ending knee injury last preseason, Neal once again has the stage to make his case to be the Packers third-string running back. The Packers did not draft a running back this year, showing confidence in Neal's recovery. Outside of Neal, the Packers signed undrafted free-agents John Crockett and Alonzo Harris, but both will factor far less than Neal during preseason.
Jerick McKinnon (MIN) - With Adrian Peterson out nearly all last season, Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata led the charge for the Minnesota running game. Before being placed on IR in Week 13, McKinnon averaged 4.8 yards per rush. With Peterson back in 2015, McKinnon, of course, will take a back seat, but he still has a great skillset. The Vikings also brought in former Packers running back DuJuan Harris. McKinnon makes this list due to his talent. He may not get more than eight carries, but that's on the high side compared to others.
Khiry Robinson (NO) - With Mark Ingram and C.J. Spiller leading the backfield in New Orleans, Robinson is the third man on the depth chart. Spiller likely won't see significant work in the first two preseason games because of his injury history, and with Ingram in line for an expand role, he may only see five rushes. Robinson is an odd man out in New Orleans, but far too talented to be one. He may use the preseason as a showcase to highlight his worth and gain some playing time.
WIDE RECEIVER
Taylor Gabriel (CLE) - Gabriel highlights my list as a rare exception to avoiding starters. Gabriel is a fringe starter entering 2015, somewhere behind Dwayne Bowe and in line with Brian Hartline. Reports out of Browns camp are that Gabriel has been the best receiver, showing the consistency necessary at the position. The Browns are praying for breakout talent, and if they think Gabriel is that guy, he will get extended time to prove himself in preseason.
Ryan Grant (WAS) - The second-year wideout is a relative unknown except for a week 2 performance last year when he hauled in five receptions for 57 yards. He only caught two passes the rest of the season. However, Grant has earned praise from coach Jay Gruden. He will enter as the Redskins' No. 4 receiver, but if he is as good a route runner as Gruden says, Grant could be involved from the get go to build confidence.
Jeff Janis (GB) - Continuing with a Packers theme, Janis is next on the list for wide receivers. Janis was a Packers' seventh-round pick in 2014 and spent most of the season inactive. He hauled in two touchdowns in the 2014 preseason and now has a fight on his hands for the fifth wideout spot in Green Bay. Janis has all the physical tools and is a special talent, he just happens to fall on one of the deepest rosters in the NFL. Janis needs to showcase his talent to hold off the likes of Myles White, Ricky Collins and Jimmie Hunt.
Dontrelle Inman (SD) - Inman came out of nowhere last year, posting 79-yard performances in week 16 and 17 for the Chargers. He looked to have an edge on the roster entering 2015, but the addition of Stevie Johnson provides more competition. Players on the fringe of making the roster get a few extra plays in preseason, and Inman has shown he has talent to make plays.
TIGHT END
Maxx Williams (BAL) - Tight end is by far the hardest position to predict in preseason as a lot of tight ends focus on blocking more than receiving. Williams is an interesting pick due to his high upside offensive game. The Williams hype out of Ravens camp has been loud, and he seems to be becoming a fan favorite. However, he likely will open the season behind Crockett Gillmore on the depth chart. But the preseason is a perfect time for a rookie to show off what he's got.
Brandon Pettigrew (DET) - After the additions of Golden Tate and Eric Ebron last year, Pettigrew's impact on the Detroit offense diminished greatly. But with Pettigrew in the midst of a four-year, $16 million deal, he likely will be involved in the offense as the Lions put their money to good use. If the Lions plan on re-integrating him into the offensive game plan, then the preseason is the time to work on it.
