Christian Petersen/Getty Images. Pictured: Chiefs RB Jerick McKinnon
PrizePicks is the first site I’ve ever seen take action on preseason player props. And while everyone likes to joke about how awful or boring NFL preseason games can be, what better way to make it more exciting than to sweat over player props involving fifth-stringers?
Operating under the daily fantasy umbrella — meaning they’re available in more states than betting is — PrizePicks offers a different spin on player props. Instead of betting on individual props, you parlay two or more props together, so I’ve identified the six best options on the board based on my projections for the four preseason games on Friday:
- Colts-Lions (7 p.m. ET)
- Eagles-Jets (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Steelers-Panthers (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Vikings-Chiefs (8 p.m. ET)
Keep in mind that we are essentially guessing with these picks, so be sure to only risk an amount you’re comfortable losing. I’m personally treating this more as entertainment than some get-rich-quick scheme.
Let’s dive in.
NFL Preseason Props
Passing Props
P.J. Walker (CAR) Under 83.5 Yards
Sam Darnold may play the entire first half, meaning P.J. Walker and Will Grier could split time in the second half. Projection: 46.5
Kellen Mond (MIN) Under 99.5 Yards
Mond has yet to go over this number in his first two preseason games despite heavy usage. With Kirk Cousins expected to play 1-1.5 quarters, Mond will have to be perfect — in limited playing time — to go over this number. Projection: 57.5
Rushing Props
Jerick McKinnon (KC) Over 19.5 Yards
Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Darrell Williams both returned to practice, but there is a good chance they are held out on Friday night. The Chiefs probably want a good look at McKinnon (with the starters), so I like this over.
This is my least confident play, though, and would recommend throwing it into a Flex build as opposed to a Power Play since every pick in the latter needs to hit in order to win.
Bonus: This is a #RevengeGame for McKinnon. Projection: 25.5
A.J. Rose (MIN) Over 27.5 Yards
Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison and Kene Nwangwu are all doubtful, which means Rose could be in line for a big (for preseason) workload. I’m projecting the Vikings to give (newly signed) Ito Smith a few carries on Friday night, but there is a chance he was signed only as an emergency back. Rose has a high floor. Projection: 37.5
Receiving Props
Geronimo Allison (DET) Under 25.5 Yards
The Lions are expected to have about nine active WRs on Friday night, meaning targets will be hard to come by for Allison. He played nearly an entire half last week and came away with one catch for 22 yards, and I haven’t seen any reports to suggest he will get an extended look in this game.
He could get two catches and still go under this number. Projection: 19.5
Marcus Kemp (KC) Under 22.5 Yards
The Chiefs starters are expected to play into the second quarter, which means that we’ll likely see around 12 WRs active for them. It’s way too crowded to project a player like Kemp for anything more than 20 yards. I haven’t seen anything to suggest he will get an extended look. Projection: 17.5