Preseason DFS DraftKings and FanDuel Tiered Top Plays: Aug. 27

Last Updated: 8/27/23 3:00 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 come up with the Depth Chart Notes and Top Plays (below). For Showdown slates, please be sure to consult Cody Main’s article.

TIER 1

Saints D/ST – The Saints’ backup defense will be facing a competent set of QBs tonight in C.J. Stroud, Davis Mills, and Case Keenum, but we still like this unit as the stronger of two plays in tonight’s final preseason game. Through two weeks, they’ve racked up seven sacks and four interceptions, and the Texans’ young quarterbacks, while talented, are certainly prone to mistakes. Tack on the fact that the Saints are 2.5-point favorites in the game, and the presence of talented return man Jontre Kirklin, and it’s clear that the Saints should be the preferred D/ST play this evening.

Texans D/ST – The Texans’ starting defense lacks significant talent, so it should come as no surprise that the majority of their second- and third-string players have yet to impress in two weeks of preseason action. The team has generated just five sacks and forced one turnover, even managing to make Skylar Thompson look like a competent quarterback last week against Miami. Jameis Winston is a QB we’d love to attack in the regular season, but the preseason is a different ballgame, and he’s one of, if not the most talented backup QB in the NFL. Fortunately, we’re expecting a full half, or perhaps more, of Jake Haener at QB, keeping this defensive unit’s place in our top tier safe.

Ellis Merriweather, New Orleans – With the starters expected to rest and recent injuries to Darrel Williams and RB/WR Kirk Merritt, the Saints will likely be running out a two-man backfield this evening. Clearly both smash plays given the expected playing time, we think Merriweather is more likely to get extended run as he looks to convince the Saints’ brass to keep a fourth RB on the roster.

Kendre Miller, New Orleans – A surprise return to the field after what looked like a multi-week knee injury, Miller was given a heavy workload in the Saints’ second preseason game, racking up 10 carries and three targets while playing for the majority of the first half. We’ve certainly learned not to assume rational coaching decisions from Saints HC Dennis Allen, so Miller lands in our first tier as the only running back likely to receive work in the Saints’ backfield that was already thin before injuries in practice this week.

TIER 2