As the NFL season kicks off with Week 1 action, fantasy football enthusiasts and DFS aficionados alike are eagerly assembling their lineups on platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings in pursuit of gridiron glory and, of course, some substantial cash prizes. To help you navigate the labyrinth of player options and salary caps, Sean Malone, Ray Kuhn, and I have scoured the matchups and crunched the numbers to bring you our top Week 1 NFL DFS picks.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll highlight three quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs, tight ends, and defensive units worth considering for your lineup. Additionally, we’ll pinpoint three studs primed for spectacular performances, three value plays that won’t break the bank, and three potential busts to exercise caution with. So, whether you’re aiming to craft a powerhouse roster or hunting for those under-the-radar gems, read on to gain a strategic edge and maximize your DFS success in Week 1.
NFL Week 1 DFS Picks
Quarterback
Trevor Lawrence, JAC Jaguars – (DK $6500/ FD $8000)
REESE JONES: Trevor’s price and matchup both stand out to me here. Lawrence and the Jags will be taking their talents on the road to Indianapolis in Week 1. I’m predicting multiple turnovers from Anthony Richardson in his first game action, which should put Lawrence and company in favorable positions all day long.
Anthony Richardson, IND Colts – (DK $5600/ FD $6700)
SEAN MALONE: I’ll take the QB opposite Lawrence putting on an affordable show in week 1. Richardson without Jonathan Taylor is an interesting case study. Does his value go down because Taylor isn’t there to draw attention away or does he pick up an extra goalline score or two? Taylor was named the Week 1 starter and with good reason. I’m not sure he drops dimes everywhere but his rushing ability could be a big boost to his stat line.
Derek Carr, NO Saints – (DK $5300/ FD $7000)
RAY KUHN: I highlighted Carr earlier in the week as one of my QB Sleepers and Streamers, so targeting him here shouldn’t be too surprising. The price is more than fair on the veteran and he allows you to splurge elsewhere. Based on their performance last year, the Titans are a defense to target as they have not really improved this year. Carr has a healthy Michael Thomas along with Chris Olave coming off a strong rookie season. The veteran might not win you a tournament by himself, but he’ll get to a 4x/5x return. More importantly, the players you direct his savings towards could be true difference makers.
Running Back
JK Dobbins, BAL Ravens – (DK $6600/ FD $6500)
SEAN MALONE: The Ravens are poised to run less and pass more this year but this matchup is too juicy to pass up. The Texans were awful last year and expected to be awful again. The Ravens meanwhile are expected to be great again. Also with a spread of BAL -10, even Vegas believes the Ravens are going to be up by multiple scores late. Expect Dobbins and the Ravens to be running out the clock which could provide a huge boost to Dobbins volume.
Khalil Herbert, CHI Bears – (DK $5300/ FD $6100)
RAY KUHN: Herbert gets a nice landing spot to begin the season against the Packers and their lackluster run defense last season. With David Montgomery now in Detroit, some carries have opened up for Herbert. While there is some competition in the Chicago backfield, there is also not enough to generate much fear. On 129 carries last year, Herbert averaged an impressive 5.7 yards per carry. We know that the Bears are not going to ask anything complex of Justin Fields through the air, and that serves to benefit Herbert. Plus, this is a nice price for a runner slated to lead his team in touches.
Brian Robinson, WAS Commanders – (DK $5100/ FD $6400)
REESE JONES: Brian Robinson is too damn cheap. I especially like his price on DraftKings. Arizona’s offense is going to be absolutely anemic to start the season. With the Cardinals going three and out, more often than not, the Commanders are going to be able to control time of possession by running the football. I don’t see this game getting out of hand score-wise, so Brian Robinson should be a focal point in Washington’s game plan this week.
Wide Receiver
Calvin Ridley, JAC Jaguars – (DK $6500/ FD $7000)
REESE JONES: Pairing him with my QB play of the week, I believe that Ridley puts the league back on notice in his first week back since his gambling suspension. Trevor has arguably never had a talent like Ridley in his collegiate or professional playing career, so I’m personally pumped to watch T-Law fall in love with him this season. As mentioned before, I think the Jag’s offense is going to benefit from favorable field positioning in this matchup.
Chris Olave, NO Saints – (DK $6500/ FD $7300)
SEAN MALONE: Many believe Olave could be in line for a big season. Week 1 could be one of his biggest games. He’s got a juicy matchup against a susceptible Titans defensive backfield who was beat a lot last season. Not only that but he’s got a nice upgrade at QB with Derek Carr now in New Orleans. Even with Michael Thomas back in New Orleans, I expect the passing game to run through Olave first. Even if you are worried about Thomas, at least Kamara isn’t playing.
Cortland Sutton, DEN Broncos – (DK $5200/ FD $5900)
RAY KUHN: By default, Russell Wilson has to throw to Sutton. Both Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick are sidelined with injury so that leaves Sutton as the next man up. If this was last season, I’m not sure how much it would have mattered as it was hard to find good things to say about the Denver offense. Things should be better with Sean Payton, and the only direction for Wilson to go is up. Sutton did look good this summer, and he still managed to finish last year with 829 receiving yards.
Tight End
Pat Freiermuth, PIT Steelers – (DK $4100/ FD $5700)
RAY KUHN: Last season, we weren’t high on Kenny Pickett and the Steelers’ offense. Despite that fact, Freiermuth still caught 63 passes for 732 yards. This season, we are high on Pickett and the Steelers’ offense so it makes sense to stick with their tight end. While Diontae Johnson and George Pickens will draw attention on the perimeter, there should be plenty of room in the middle of the field for Freiermuth to work.
Hayden Hurst, CAR Panthers – (DK $3000/ FD $5000)
SEAN MALONE: Hurst is another bottom-dollar play on DK for those of you who are in need of one to avoid a stud or two. Hurst is an okay TE. He isn’t s great blocker but in terms of a pass catcher, you can do a lot worse. I like him because the rest of the pass catchers in Carolina are much of the same. Hurst could be in line for a decent amount of targets on a Panthers team with a rookie QB who could look his way a lot.
David Njoku, CLE Browns – (DK $4200/ FD $5600)
REESE JONES: With Joey B back in action for the Bengals, the points are undoubtedly going to come. Unless the Browns can strike early and stall the Bengals with their run game, they’re going to be playing from behind in this matchup. Apart from Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, and Njoku, there aren’t reliable pass catchers in this receiving group. His price, paired with the fact that Cincy has historically struggled to defend the TE, leads me to believe that he’ll be serviceable this week.
Defense
Washington Commanders – (DK $2800/ FD $4900)
REESE JONES: I doubt that I’ll be the only one picking on the Arizona Cardinals until they get their act together. Clearly in tank mode, the Cardinals are seemingly uninterested in putting a competitive product on the football field. Until that day I’m comfortable betting against them in most settings.
Philadelphia Eagles – (DK $3700/ FD $4600)
SEAN MALONE: I’ll put it like this. If you’re on Draft Kings and want to save about a thousand dollars, go with Reese and play Washington. If you’re on FanDuel, go with the Eagles. The Eagles are both a super-talented defense and also facing a mediocre offense. Expect the Eagles pass rush to feast on Mac Jones and the Patriots all game long.
Baltimore Ravens – (DK $4000/ FD $5000 )
RAY KUHN: I know that the Ravens are the highest-priced defense on the slate, but sometimes you get what you pay for. They are one of the best defenses in the league, and this week they get to face a quarterback making his NFL debut on the road. The fact that Houston isn’t exactly a strong offense to begin with only makes things better for the Ravens.
Week 1 Rankings for season-long leagues: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings
DFS Studs to Play
Christian McCaffrey, RB, SF 49ers – (DK $8700/ FD $9200)
SEAN MALONE: Christian McCaffrey was one of the best players in fantasy last season when the 49ers acquired him. Now he has fresh legs and an entire offseason for Kyle Shannahan to scheme up how to get the most out of him. He’s poised for the first of many big nights against the Steelers in Week 1. He’s not cheap, no studs are, but that’s why you sneak in a bottom-dollar play here and there.
Justin Jefferson, WR, MIN Vikings – (DK $8800/ FD $9500 )
RAY KUHN: I know, real creative, right? Jefferson didn’t disappoint us last season, so let us go right back to him for Week 1. We know what we are going to get from Jefferson, and he begins the season at home in a favorable matchup against Tampa Bay. Kirk Cousins flourishes in these types of games, and he will be looking early and often at Jefferson.
Austin Ekeler, RB, LA Chargers – (DK $8400/ FD $9000)
REESE JONES: Playing in the game with the highest over/under (50.5) on the Sunday slate, Austin Ekeler should once again thrive in his “Mr. Do-it-all” role. If you told me that the over for this game hit and Austin Ekeler didn’t find the end zone, I’d ask you how the Chargers D managed to give up 51 points.
DFS Values
George Pickens, WR, PIT Steelers – (DK $5000/ FD $5800)
REESE JONES: Holy smokes, we should all count our lucky stars that Pickens is this inexpensive to start the season. I’m going to be plugging him in a ton until his price is adjusted. Playing against a team that can score on will like the 49ers, the Steelers are going to have to clap back if they plan on staying in the game. If I’m right and Pickens pops off immediately, I don’t think we will see him this cheap for much longer.
Zay Flowers, WR, BAL Ravens – (DK $4000/ FD $5500)
SEAN MALONE: Two Ravens but I’m alright with playing both because I love Zay Flowers’ price, especially on DraftKings. Flowers is someone I’ve been big on all season and he’s been cooking any poor unfortunate soul who has tried to cover him this preseason. He could very quickly become one of the best receivers Lamar Jackson has thrown to in his career. He, like Dobbins, has a chance to feast against a lackluster Texans defense.
Jahan Dotson, WR, WAS Commanders – (DK $5000/ FD $6100)
RAY KUHN: By no means are we going to make our decision off the preseason, but Dotson caught five passes for 76 yards in his last game this summer. That comes after a strong conclusion to the season for Dotson in which he had at least 72 receiving yards in three of his last four games. Dotson finished his rookie season with seven touchdowns, and he begins this season at home against an Arizona team already playing for 2024.
DFS Busts
Bijan Robinson, RB, ATL Falcons – (DK $8,000/ FD)
RAY KUHN: I know, way to be a wet rag as everyone is excited for Robinson’s debut. He is a talented and dynamic running back, but he is still a rookie playing in his first NFL game. Atlanta will likely ease him into action, at least to a degree this week. The problem is that his cost simply doesn’t support that, and I have a hard time projecting him for even a 3x return.
Josh Allen, QB, BUF Bills – (DK $7900/ FD $8700)
SEAN MALONE: Nothing against Josh Allen but it’s a matchup concern. MNF, on the road, taking on the fired-up New York Jets. Allen could still walk away with a win and a good performance but for his price, being the second most expensive QB on DK and third on FD you can find either a more affordable QB or a QB with a better matchup. You want to avoid those who have both.
Davante Adams, WR, LV Raiders – (DK $7900/ FD $8200)
REESE JONES: When I look for a bust I generally start at the top and stop at the first guy that I don’t feel comfortable rostering at his current price. Davante Adams fits that bill for me in Week 1. The $7900 price tag on DK and $8200 on FanDuel are just too much for me to swallow when I don’t know how Jimmy G looks in this offense. I may not be the only one thinking this way, so he could still be a decent play in large field tournaments. But personally, I don’t have faith in him to pay off his salary this week.
Got a beef with these Week 1 NFL DFS Picks? Let the guys hear about it in the comments below!