Our Props expert Justin Bales has been keeping close tabs on everything related to examining NFL preseason player props for Saturday! There is plenty that goes into making NFL preseason predictions for August 16th, and our guy did his homework.
Bales has been keeping an eye on all of the Vegas odds, coach-speak, position battles, and so much more. Check out his best picks to consider now at DFS pick’em sites like Underdog.
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NFL Preseason Player Props: Saturday, August 16
Week 2 of the NFL preseason is already here, and we’re ready to roll through the best picks.
Before we dive in, here’s who’s playing on Saturday.
Saturday, August 16th
- 1:00 PM EDT
- Dolphins (0-0-1) vs Lions (1-1)
- Panthers (0-1) vs Texans (0-1)
- Packers (0-1) vs Colts (0-1)
- Patriots (1-0) vs Vikings (1-0)
- 1:00 PM EDT (NFL Network)
- Browns (1-0) vs Eagles (1-0)
- 4:05 PM EDT (NFL Network)
- 49ers (0-1) vs Raiders (0-0-1)
- 7:00 PM EDT
- Ravens (1-0) vs Cowboys (0-1)
- Chargers (2-0) vs Rams (1-0)
- Buccaneers (1-0) vs Steelers (1-0)
- 7:00 PM EDT (NFL Network)
- Jets (1-0) vs Giants (1-0)
- 9:30 PM EDT (NFL Network)
- Cardinals (1-0) vs Broncos (1-0)
NFL Preseason Pick: Darius Cooper
The Philadelphia Eagles are loaded with preseason gold, and the most difficult part is finding who is the best out of several good options. I’m opting for a safer receiver who is pushing for a roster spot.
Cooper ran a team-high 33 routes in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. He also turned a team-high 7 targets into 6 receptions for 82 yards and 1 touchdown. The majority of his looks were short passes with YAC potential.
The key here is that Philadelphia isn’t a team that plays its starters in the preseason. AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jahan Dotson are all likely out again, specifically with Philadelphia and the Cleveland Browns having joint practices this week.
Cooper, Johnny Wilson, and Ainias Smith will all likely find bigger snaps once again. Elijah Cooks is currently dealing with an injury, and he’d be a blow to Cooper if he’s playing. Still, this line is too low, even if Cooks is healthy.
Where to play: Darius Cooper higher than 26.5 receiving yards | 1.87x at Underdog
NFL Preseason Pick: Kyle Allen
There’s been virtually no adjustment on Allen in the preseason, and this number just doesn’t make a ton of sense. The Detroit Lions haven’t played thus far, and they’re unlikely to play after joint practices with the Miami Dolphins.
If Jared Goff doesn’t play, we’ll likely see Allen and Hendon Hooker split reps once again. Allen’s struggled at times in the preseason, but he’s been the more successful player.
The veteran looked awful against the Los Angeles Chargers, and he still found 91 yards in the first half of that game. He posted 120 yards and 2 touchdowns on only 8 attempts against the Atlanta Falcons before the game was suspended.
Allen has historically found success in the NFL preseason, and that’s been the case again with the Lions. He’ll likely get a half in this game, and it’s too low of a total if that’s the case.
Where to play: Kyle Allen higher than 85.5 passing yards | 1.87x at Underdog
NFL Preseason Pick: Stetson Bennett
Bennett played 57 of the Los Angeles Rams’ 63 snaps in Week 1. He gave way to Dresser Winn for the final drive of the game, after posting 188 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception on only 24 pass attempts. He looked outstanding in a 31-21 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
We don’t have anything official on how much he’ll play in this game, but we can assume it’ll be a similar role as Week 1. Matthew Stafford isn’t healthy, and there’s no reason to risk Jimmy Garoppolo. We’ve also seen Los Angeles give Bennett major snaps in previous preseasons before.
The third-year pro has dominated preseason volume, and I don’t expect that to change this week. Here’s how he’s done in the past:
- vs LAC (2023) – 17/29, 191 yards, 1 TD
- vs LVR (2023) – 15/24, 142 yards, 1 INT
- vs DAL (2024) – 24/38, 224 yards, 1 TD, 4 INT
- vs LAC (2024) – 17/31, 213 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- vs DAL (2025) – 16/24, 188 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
It is important to note that Bennett hasn’t been given a major role in the third preseason game since being drafted. It’s only Week 2, and I’d expect him to get plenty of run once again this week. It’s too low a total for his potential volume. Bennett is one of my favorite NFL preseason best bets for Saturday.
Where to play: Stetson Bennett higher than 135.5 passing yards | 1.87x at Underdog
NFL Preseason Betting Tips
The NFL preseason and regular season are two different monsters. You’ll generally find fewer opportunities in the preseason, as teams give several players opportunities.
For that reason, you’ll generally want to stick to the lower variance positions [quarterback, running back].
This doesn’t mean you should avoid wide receivers at all costs. It just means they’re the higher variance position.
Quarterbacks start the play with the ball in their hands. Every play. Running backs don’t have any roadblocks to receiving the handoff.
Receivers and tight ends have to beat coverage, be the quarterback’s read at that point in time, receive at least a reasonable throw, and make the catch. When seeing limited snaps [and opportunities], adding variance is never a great idea.
Ultimately, you’ll want to look for two keys in preseason: information and opportunity. Coachspeak doesn’t truly matter in the NFL, but it does in the preseason.
When a coach says “starters will play 2 series” or “Quarterback A will play the entire game,” listen to them.
Snap information is the most important part of the preseason because those snaps dictate opportunity. Without opportunity, the players can’t hit their numbers.
