Giants at Cowboys
Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 8th at 4:25 pm ET
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Betting Odds: DAL -7.5 via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Sleeper Spotlight: Michael Gallup
New York Giants
Quarterbacks
- Eli Manning
- Daniel Jones
Heading into the season veteran signal-caller, and two-time Super Bowl champion, Eli Manning is the starter. How long that lasts is anyone’s guess. At this point in his career, Manning is not a fantasy starter outside of deep two-quarterback leagues. Against this nasty Dallas defense especially. Rookie first-round pick Daniel Jones flashed in the preseason but that is nothing like the regular season looks like. Jones should not be owned but check back Monday to see if that’s changed.
Running Backs
- Saquon Barkley
I will admit I am down on Saquon Barkley heading into the season. He’s a player with once in a lifetime talent but playing for a team that will struggle to score points. The Giants finished in the top half of teams in scoring offense, in fact, they lead the NFC East in scoring. They won’t have that kind of success in 2019 and I feel that will directly affect Barkley. He is an easy start in redraft but against this stout Cowboys defense, he is a fade in DFS.
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
- Sterling Shepard
- Cody Latimer
- Evan Engram
There isn’t much to see here at the skill positions past Barkley. Sterling Shepard should lead this team in targets and yards but he’s missed all of the preseasons with an injury. Shepard may have trouble navigating this tough Cowboys defense Sunday. Evan Engram has some value this weekend, the Cowboys have struggled defending the tight end in recent years and he is a player I would start confidently. Otherwise, the pass-catching situation in New York is in flux. Cody Latimer, former Bronco, is the starter, but what value that holds is yet to be seen.
Dallas Cowboys
Quarterback
- Dak Prescott
No player in the league is more polarizing that Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Millions of fans across the country think he’s a bottom tier QB, while fans feel he can take the team to the promised land. For fantasy owners, Dak has quietly been incredibly productive since he entered the league in 2016. Dak has never finished a season outside the top twelve QBs, and after a rough stretch opening 2018, he was a top-three quarterback from Week 10 on. The Dak we saw closing out 2019 is the Dak that fantasy owners should get used to this season. I fully expect the team to be at full strength and ready to put the hurt on the Giants. He’s a top-five play this week.
Running Backs
- Zeke Elliott
- Tony Pollard
As of the writing of this article, Zeke Elliott has yet to sign. Rumors are swirling that Zeke will be dressed and starting Week 1 but until we hear fantasy owners are worried. Zeke is Mr. Consistent when he’s in the lineup, finishing as a top 24 running back in 92% of the weeks he’s played. No other player has been as consistent. He’s come off the board at a first-round pick all pre-season but there is still a bit of time to hear good news on Elliott. Should Zeke not sign preseason sensation Tony Pollard will have every opportunity to produce behind a healthy offensive line in Dallas. Pollard has immediate starter potential should Zeke miss a week and is priced to pop in DFS.
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
- Amari Cooper
- Michael Gallup
- Jason Witten
- Blake Jarwin
The Cowboys’ biggest question at wide receiver is the health of Amari Cooper, who has missed most of the preseason with plantar fasciitis. Cooper returned to practice this week but his health is still uncertain. Cooper has been drafted as a top twelve wideout throughout the offseason. Dallas may have just been resting Cooper for the regular season and he should be started with confidence. If you are looking for a sleeper at wideout, look no further than Michael Gallup. Gallup led the team in plays of 20+ yards and excels at the deep ball. Dak enjoyed a full preseason getting acquainted with his number two receiver and that bodes well for this offense. If you are looking for a cheap flyer in daily fantasy, Gallup may just be your play. At tight end veteran, Jason Witten returns from retirement but we still don’t know his role. Blake Jarwin enjoyed a solid season as the starter and he could outplay Witten as the season wears on. In deep leagues, Witten can be started but keep an eye out on the ever-changing situation in Dallas at tight end.
-Marc Salazar (@dingwog)