- Week 1 of the NFL season features a full slate of games this Sunday.
- In daily fantasy, the difference between winning and losing comes down to finding value.
- This week, we like Jalen Hurts, Melvin Gordon, and more to outplay their prices on DraftKings.
Football season kicks off in full this Sunday, much to the delight of fantasy football players around the world.
While most fantasy enthusiasts have likely settled their drafts already, those that take part in daily fantasy leagues like DraftKings and FanDuel are still toiling away to set the perfect lineup before kickoff on Sunday.
Budgeting can get tight fast in daily fantasy — it’s tough to leave Christian McCaffrey out of your lineup when you’re SURE he’s going to run all over the Jets. With this in mind, below are some potential value plays for Week 1 daily fantasy players. Picking these guys up isn’t a sure thing, but they’ll do well enough to get you some points and save you some dollars so you can spend more money on studs.
Take a look below for our best value picks for your Week 1 DraftKings lineups.
QB: Jalen Hurts, $6,400
Dual-threat quarterbacks can easily turn to fantasy heroes with one big play. Rather than overpay for Patrick Mahomes or Kyler Murray Week 1, backing Jalen Hurts against what should be a pretty soft Atlanta Falcons defense is a solid value play.
RB: Najee Harris, $6,300
He’s a rookie playing in his very first NFL game, but this might be the cheapest you see Najee Harris listed all season. No team in the NFL works its workhorse running back more than the Pittsburgh Steelers, and this year, Harris is going to be that workhorse.
RB: Melvin Gordon, $5,300
Melvin Gordon is the top man on the Broncos depth chart and should dominate in the red zone for Denver until rookie Javonte Williams gets his sea legs about him in the NFL. The Giants are a team you can score against. At $5,300, it’s a pretty affordable lottery ticket for a potential two touchdown day.
WR: Odell Beckham Jr., $5,400
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
I expect big things from the Browns offense this year. Odell Beckham Jr. is in need of a statement game after a middling first two seasons in Cleveland, and there’s no better place for him to go off than in a shootout against Kansas City.
WR: Ja’Marr Chase, $4,800
Two years ago, Ja’Marr Chase connected with Joe Burrow for 20 touchdowns as the LSU Tigers marched undefeated to a national title. With the dynamic duo reunited in Cincinnati, it’s hard to imagine the Bengals haven’t drawn up a few special plays to get their professional partnership off to a big start.
WR: DeVonta Smith, $4,500
The Philadelphia Eagles have been searching for a star wide receiver since the glory days of DeSean Jackson. In the years since his ascendence, receiver has been a near-constant weakness, which made the Eagles decision to trade up in the draft to grab Heisman-winner DeVonta Smith an exhilarating moment for the team.
Smith is a shiny new toy, and one the Eagles hope will soon shine as one of the best receivers in the league. Look for a deep shot to Smith early in the game.
TE: Kyle Pitts, $4,400
AP Photo/John Bazemore
We’re riding a lot of rookies here, but with good reason. In the case of tight end Kyle Pitts, the Falcons need to fill the hole left by Julio Jones and the 10 targets per game he used to command in the Atlanta offense. Those targets are going to go somewhere, and Kyle Pitts is just the man to take them.
DEF: Jacksonville Jaguars, $2,700
The Jaguars defense is not great, but they are playing the Houston Texans, who are also not great. Things even out.