Preseason Top Plays: August 14

Last Updated: 8/14/26 1:00 PM EST

Preseason DFS is a different beast. Unlike the regular season, our main job is to identify players who will get the most playing time. Of course, that’s easier said than done. Our team spends an unhealthy amount of time researching to produce the Depth Chart Notes and Top Plays (below). For showdown slates, please consult Cody Main’s article.

QUARTERBACK

TIER 1

Jalon Daniels, Tampa Bay – HC Todd Bowles has already said Baker Mayfield won’t play, and Jake Browning suffered an injury at practice on Aug. 11 and has also been ruled out. We aren’t sure yet who will start for Tampa Bay, but they’re down to just two QBs. We’re willing to give the DFS nod to Daniels over Connor Bazelak, given the former’s rushing ability. He racked up a 420/1,474/23 rushing line in 49 games at Kansas.

TIER 2

Sam Ehlinger, Denver – Denver is going to trot out its starters for 15 snaps in preseason Week 1, according to HC Sean Payton, but that won’t include Bo Nix. That leaves Denver with just two QBs for the entire game, with Ehlinger and Jarrett Stidham expected to split a half. Ehlinger has historically been a capable preseason producer, averaging .33 DraftKings points per snap in 15 games and offering some rushing upside with a 17.7-yard average.

Jarrett Stidham, Denver – Stidham should be expected to start and play the entire first half Friday night after serving as the team’s starting QB in the AFC Championship game sans Nix. He should benefit from playing with the team’s best group of skill players, which should include Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, and Pat Bryant. 

Connor Bazelak, Tampa Bay – As noted above, Tampa is down to just two QBs. Bazelak doesn’t offer the same rushing upside as Daniels but is likely locked into one half of playing time. He completed 69.6% of his passes in the preseason last year.