DraftKings Week 1 Lineup Recommendations

DraftKings Week 1 Lineup

By Ben Rolfe

Who should feature in your lineup on DraftKings in Week 1?

It has been a long time coming but football is finally back! What better way to celebrate than by diving headfirst into Week 1 DFS with DraftKings!

This week we have 12 games on our main slate due to the double-header on Monday night. 24 teams still gives us plenty of chance to find value however. That is especially the case when you consider the way pricing works for Week 1. The prices are set weeks in advance and do not adjust as rosters change and situation move. That leaves plenty of chances for value and often leaves you scratching your head as to which expensive players you should pick over the cheaper value options.

In this article, you will find my Week 1 picks on DraftKings, which are based on matchups, situation, weather and betting lines. The focus of this piece will be looking at upside, and is, therefore, more suited for use in GPP formats. However, the names below can also double up as options in cash games, alongside some safer bets.

Quarterback

Dak PRescott, DAL vs. NYG | $5,900

The Ezekiel Elliott situation reached a point where it really did not matter what happened. At this late stage, Dallas were always going to be cautious with him and that should lead to more chances for Prescott to make plays. The Cowboys quarterback has demonstrated before he can shoulder the load and that should be no different here.

He has weapons such as Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, Randall Cobb and Jason Witten at his disposal, and a solid if no longer spectacular offensive line. Additionally, the New York defensive line looks to be somewhat of a mess right now and they should struggle to get pressure on Prescott. It may not be a monster week from Prescott, but it should be enough to return a significant ROI on this price in Week 1.

Matt Stafford, DET @ ARI | $5,400

Pretty much everyone in the football world is hoping for this game to be a shootout. Arizona under Kliff Kingsbury have a real chance to be an electric offense if they get it right. However, the forgotten man this week is Stafford. Kyler Murray will likely get all the headlines, but Stafford could also be in line for a great day.

The Arizona defense has no Patrick Peterson to open the season, and lost Robert Alford as well. They have a complete lack of experience in their secondary, and their defense was not exactly scary last season. Detroit could march all over the Arizona in this one, and if it turns into a shootout then Stafford could have some eye-watering numbers come the end of Sunday.

Running Back

Dalvin Cook, MIN vs. ATL | $6,000

Atlanta were as bad as it got last season against the running game when it came to fantasy football. Realistically, their whole defense was bad and they have not done a huge amount to improve those concerns. Their inexperience at the second and slot corner positions will put pressure on the safeties and take away from the run.

Meanwhile, Cook and Minnesota could cash in on a run-heavy offense being mentored by Gary Kubiak. Cook is fully healthy and should play a leading role in this Minnesota offense. With no sure-fire backup behind him he could see as many as 20-25 touches in this one.

Tevin Coleman, SF @ TB | $5,000

The opportunity to use Coleman here opened up when Jerick McKinnon hit the IR. Coleman should now take the leading role many thought he might have even with McKinnon involved. Matt Breida will still get his touches, but there was plenty enough production for all of the San Francisco running backs that cycled in and out last season. The Tampa Bay defense is much improved talent and coaching wise, but Coleman has the talent to make solid yardage, and there is no obvious goal line vulture to scare me away from the potential he grabs a touchdown or two as well.

Chris Thompson, WSH @ PHI | $3,500

In the DraftKings format I love what Thompson does. Yes, he won’t see a high number of carries but he averaged over five targets per game the last two seasons, with five touchdowns and a catch rate over 70%. It may not be the most exciting watching, but you only need him to real in a few receptions and he will be returning you solid value on this investment. Getting Thompson in your lineup may allow you to load up on some more expensive backs or receivers that can really hit the high heights.

Wide Receiver

Stefon Diggs, MIN vs. ATL | $6,700

Have you seen Atlanta’s defensive backs? Yes, they have Desmond Trufant but then it gets very ugly, very fast. Isaiah Oliver is the other starting corner and there is nothing to be scared of if they need to bring a third corner on the field. That means that one of Diggs and Adam Thielen has a chance to go wild in this one. Against a defense that ranked 30th against opposing wide receivers last year either is a good play, but Diggs is $100 cheaper so why not take him and hope he gets the better matchup.

If Diggs is not good to go then pivot to Thielen at $6,800.

Chris Godwin, TB vs. SF | $6,200

I am not overly high on the Tampa Bay experience this year because of their offensive line. However, they got around it somewhat last year with short-sharp passes to the slot receiver. This year, Chris Godwin is expected to be the slot receiver, and the quote from the Buccaneers was that he was never going to be leaving the field.

Godwin should see plenty of targets this season, and I am expecting that to start early, as Tampa Bay look to lay down a marker. He is also a red-zone threat, having pulled in seven touchdowns last season

Dede Westbrook, JAX vs. KC | 4,800

Just look at the preseason Week 3 stats for Westbrook and Foles. 6-of-10 throws by Foles went in Westbrook’s direction, three others to Leonard Fournette and the final one was intercepted. Westbrook flashed his talent last year and by all accounts has rapport with Foles has developed nicely. In what should be a shootout, give me the receiver who the quarterback likes coming out of the slot against one of the worst defenses in the league against receivers last year.

Tight end

Evan Engram, NYG @ DAL | $4,800

Who else do New York have? Sterling Shepard has been banged up, Odell Beckham is gone, and Golden Tate is suspended. Engram is likely to be the only show in town for New York, and he has a nice matchup. Dallas ranked 23rd in the league last season in points allowed to the tight end and I cannot see that drastically improving this season. This price is actually pretty nice for someone who could see double-digit targets in a game his team is expected to trail in.

Delanie Walker, TEN @ CLE | $3,500

This could be a rough and dirty game dominated by defensive lines. Cleveland have troubles on their line, which should help a questionable Tennessee pass rush. As for the Cleveland pass rush, well they could humiliate anyone. Tennessee are going to need to get creative to stay in this one. When they do that it usually involves Walker in some way. The veteran tight end has all the experience to be the safety blanket and the gadget guy to help get this offense rolling this season.

Defense/Special Teams

Buffalo Bills @ NYJ | $3,000

It was actually pretty tough to select a good defensive play this weekend. The obvious defenses are well priced and therefore I looked to Buffalo. Their defensive line is flat out nasty, and New York offensive line has plenty of question marks. With a still young quarterback under centre they could rattle him and make big plays an option for this defense. This game is likely to be a statement game for one of these two teams and despite being on the road I think it could be for New York.

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 5/5

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