Preseason Top Plays: August 29

Last Updated: 8/29/26 11:00 AM 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 compile the Depth Chart Notes and Top Plays (below). For showdown slates, please consult Cody Main’s article. 

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Luke Altmyer, Detroit – As you can see, it’s a relatively gross slate at the QB position — and frankly, every other position, for that matter. No guys are playing a full game; there are no guys who we think will play three quarters with upside to play more; and even getting guys we feel confident will play a half is tricky. As a result, applying some feel/IKB-related takes is more warranted than normal on any other preseason slate. Altmyer still takes top honors here just based on the playing time we’ve seen through two games. He’s played 62% of the Lions’ snaps in those games, and we don’t expect to suddenly see a shift in favor of the team’s locked-in QB2, Joshua Dobbs. 

Easton Stick, Indianapolis – Stick is one of those few guys we do know will play exactly a half. The only problem is there isn’t upside for anything more; the positive is there doesn’t seem to be any downside for anything less. Stick has been around the block, playing in preseasons since 2019, where he’s completed a modest 60.9% of his passes for 5.7 YPA and an 8:13 TD-to-INT ratio. Not exactly a world beater, but he has managed to stick around the NFL this long, which is presumably worth something. 

Cam Ward, Tennessee – Here’s where the IKBs come into play. For those new here, IKB just means “I Know Better.” The projections don’t necessarily agree — mostly because Ward has been a very poor per-snap producer in his short preseason life, but also because there is some playing-time risk here. HC Robert Saleh said 25 snaps up to the full first half for the starters in Week 3, and while I don’t think he’s outright lying, I do think the chance for a quicker hook is plenty real; we just saw it last week. HOWEVER, I’m inclined to believe the Titans’ offensive struggles through the first two weeks will result in them at least getting off one successful touchdown drive before they call it a day, assuming they’re able to do that at some point in the first half. That at least provides some level of playing-time safety here and does give us upside if they stay out longer. Because we know who will be on the field with Ward, it makes for cleaner stacking options as well, and we can create correlated bets Saturday where our entire lineup benefits if we’re right about Tennessee’s playing time. 

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