NFL DraftKings Plays: Week 1

Week 1 of NFL DFS on DraftKings brings many opportunities. This week is the perfect time to be bold and contrarian, as no one truly knows how the offenses will look. Take the Chargers, for example. No one expected them to air it out as much as they did with Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman. Those who started Quentin Johnston and Keenan Allen likely made some money.

So, take some stances on players you think will do well, but don’t be afraid to play a few of the chalk plays. If those plays hit the optimal lineup, that will likely box you out of a serious payday. So it is always best to have a balance. Below are seven players that I am looking to get in my lineup in Week 1.

Players to Target on DraftKings

Quarterback

Favorite Play: Joe Flacco (4.9k)

This selection should come as no surprise. Flacco is taking on the Cincinnati Bengals, and we had a sneak peek at their defense during the preseason. This game against the Bengals has shootout potential written all over it. Joe Burrow and company will yet again have a potent offense. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins signed extensions this offseason and will be tough covers for the Browns’ defense.

However, the Browns’ skill group is talented in its own right. Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, and David Njoku are a formidable group, and we saw Flacco provide a good floor and ceiling with the Colts in 2024. Flacco will be semi-popular tomorrow due to what we have seen against the Bengals. This situation may be a scenario where playing a little bit of the chalk would be justified.

Contrarian Play: Jayden Daniels (7K)

Geno Smith would have been my choice given his matchup. However, the weather in that game does not look promising for either passing attack. So, I am going with an unconventional choice as the contrarian play. Jayden Daniels has a fantastic matchup and will be on fewer rosters on DraftKings than he usually should be with his upside.

Joe Burrow and Baker Mayfield, right behind him in salary, project to be in high-scoring games. At the same time, quarterbacks in the 5K range offer similar ceilings due to game script. Daniels can easily take over the game against the Giants and put up 30+ points. With Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Jalen Hurts not on the opening slate, that would likely be enough to put him in the optimal lineup. Daniels will allow managers to be different in their lineups without sacrificing upside for the opening slate.

Running back

Favorite Play: Kenneth Walker III (5.9K)

The 49ers’ run defense plagued them last season. Allowing the 14th most rushing yards per game last season. While they addressed that in the draft, they still have a way to go. Kenneth Walker is entering the season as somewhat of a question mark. He has had his fair share of rest days during the offseason. However, when Walker plays, he is one of the most talented running backs in the league.

Given he’s under 6k to roster him on DraftKings, his salary should be higher. At 5.9k, all Walker has to do is break one of his signature long runs against a weak run defense, and he will already have returned on his salary. The 49ers did give up 10 runs of over 40 yards last season, tied for second most in 2024. Walker’s calling card could make him an optimal Week 1 play on DraftKings if he can find the end zone on one of these long runs. Fire up Walker in lineups tomorrow with confidence.

Contrarian play: Travis Etienne (5.4k)

Predicting how committees will unfold in Week 1 often proves to be the most significant advantage. That is especially true when they have a juicy matchup like the Jacksonville Jaguars do against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers almost gave up 100 more points to running backs than the team in second. Funnily enough, it was the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The correct choice between Etienne and Tank Bigsby could prove the difference in lineups. The Jaguars are slight favorites in this one, so I predict Etienne will be on fewer teams due to the perceived game script. The Panthers are still an excellent matchup for running backs. The only concern is that Bigsby could get the goal-line work. However, given the high-scoring potential of this game, securing meaningful work should not be an issue. Las Vegas doesn’t know how this timeshare will work. They have both running backs at similar projections. This is one of those spots where you can make a stance in lineups for Week 1 of NFL action. My money is on the guy who went to the same school as the quarterback and already has a top-five fantasy season under his belt.

Wide Receiver

Favorite Play: Tetairoa McMillan (5.2K)

McMillan will be in many lineups today, but it is for a good reason. McMillan is the only major target earner in the lineup for the Panthers. Getting a WR1 target share at almost 5k salary is a lineup lock. McMillan can see 13-15 targets, and I would not be surprised in the slightest. The Jaguars allowed the ninth-most points to opposing receivers in 2024. And the defensive personnel from last season have remained unchanged. So expect a potential monster first game from the rookie.

Contrarian play: Chris Olave (5.1K)

Look, not many people on DraftKings are chomping at the bit to play anyone on the Saints, and I understand why. However, Olave is going to have a positive game script likely from the second this game starts. Cornerback is the weakest spot on an improving Cardinals defense, especially without rookie Will Johnson. This matchup could be a great one for Chris Olave. As he and Spencer Rattler have played in one game together, and Chris Olave was fed targets, having 14 targets in the game’s end. A caveat is that it did happen without Rasheed Shaheed on the field, but those targets are still something of note. Kellen Moore will likely want to get the ball to one of his top weapons in his first game, which is why I will have a fair share of Chris Olave in my lineups tomorrow.

Tight End

Favorite Play: Kyle Pitts Sr. (4.3K)

Kyle Pitts gets a great matchup to start the season at a great salary on DraftKings to boot. He will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team he found great success against in 2024. In the two games against them, he totaled 15.8 and 25.1 PPR points. This game will likely be a high-scoring one, as the two games last year both saw 50+ points. Pitts saw a ton of hype this offseason from Michael Penix Jr. and fantasy managers alike, and now it is time to turn the hype into reality. If Darnell Mooney, who is a game-time decision, ends up sitting, it will only raise Pitts’s ceiling.

Contraian Play: Dalton Schultz (3.5K)

The biggest beneficiary of Christian Kirk sitting out this game might be Dalton Schultz. Stroud will have to get the ball out quickly with the Texans’ offensive line losing Laremy Tunsil in the offseason. And the Rams did quietly give up the sixth-most points to tight ends in 2024. If rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel don’t play a major role early, Schultz could be second in line for targets. I like Schultz as a sneaky option to score 15 points tomorrow.

Conclusion

Do not be afraid to take risks today on DraftKings with your player pool. Salaries will change drastically throughout the year. Week 1 is the most significant advantage relative to the rest of the season. Week 2 will bring tons of overreactions to one week of data, since most players who win people money today will likely be in too many lineups next week. I will advise on how to pivot from that in next week’s column, and best of luck in taking down GPPs, cash games, and small tournaments in Week 1.