NFL DFS Preseason Top Plays 8/8/25
With preseason action heating up, now’s the time to dig into the depth charts, camp buzz, and projected playing time to find an edge in fantasy contests. Below, we break down the top quarterback, running back, and wide receiver options to target — backed by camp reports and preseason usage trends — to help you build a winning lineup.
Quarterbacks
Shedeur Sanders
All eyes will be on Sanders tonight – and I expect him to log around three full quarters for the Browns. They will only have two QBs available tonight, and a big game vs Carolina could propel him to get more reps with the ones and twos moving forward. He’s the highest projection on the slate for me.
Hendon Hooker
We saw Kyle Allen get the bulk of the work in the HOF game and that should flip tonight in favor of Hooker. Hooker struggled last Thursday, but should do better starting the game tonight and we know he has upside with his legs.
Easton Stick
Stick should play around a half for the Falcons tonight, like Hooker, we know he has dual threat ability. Sanders is going to be the biggest point and ownership projection at this position tonight making every other QB a viable GPP pivot.
Running Backs
Jacory Croskey-Merritt
“Bill” has been the talk of Commanders camp on offense and he should get his chance to shine tonight. He has a chance to overtake McNichols on the depth chart and I would be shocked if he doesn’t get fed in this game.
Carlos Washington JR
Washington is one of the bigger projections at this position and Atlanta is pretty thin at RB with both Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier not expected to play. We have seen Washington JR excel in the preseason before, and he has pass catching ability as well.
Lan Larison
New England is notorious for feeding the back-end RBs in these preseason games, and that’s a trend we saw from Mike Vrabel during his time with the Titans too. Larison has been getting a ton of hype from Pats camp, and he has a chance to earn the RB4 spot with a big performance is these preseason games.
Wide Receiver
Luke Floriea
Floriea is the type of player I love targeting in the preseason – quick, and a very good route runner. He is likely to get quite a bit of playing time for the Browns tonight and he has already developed a strong rapport with Sanders in training camp practices.
Jaylin Lane
I wrote yesterday about targeting fast players in the preseason – and we did so with a guy like Tory Horton. Jaylin Lane fits that mold tonight, and he’s already drawn positive camp talk from OC Kliff Kingsbury. He has 4.34 speed and is auditioning for an offensive role starting tonight.
Efton Chism + Ja’Lynn Polk
New England has quite a few guys fighting to make the roster – though historically they haven’t been a super pass-heavy team in the preseason. That doesn’t mean guys can’t contribute, though, and Chism and Polk are my two favorites tonight. Chism isn’t super athletic, but he was a big time producer at Eastern Washington and has been lighting up Pats camp. Polk hasn’t had quite as good of a camp, but has pedigree and should be motivated to take advantage of his opportunities. Both guys need strong preseason performances if they want to make this team.
Jimmy Horn
We saw one Colorado product produce last night in Lahjontay Wester – and we could see it happen again this evening with Jimmy Horn. Horn has gotten a ton of good speak from camp and is the mold of a player that should excel against back-up level players.
Isaac TeSlaa
We talked about TeSlaa in the HOF game and he certainly looked the part when he had the ball in his hands. He should be the focal point of the pass catchers when he’s in the game now that Dom Lovett is sidelined and he has the speed to break the slate with one play.
Top TE Plays: Harold Fannin, Ben Sinnott
Written by Ben Hossler (Follow @BenHossler)