Today is the day. Week 1 of fantasy football is back. This means it’s time to talk about the top Week 1 DFS picks as well. If you’re wanting more out of your fantasy experience then you came to the right place. If you haven’t played DFS, that is ok because below I have a full layout of players for week 1 of DFS. DFS is played the same as a normal fantasy league, but you get to handpick your team each week. Players are based on salaries so you can’t end up with every top-tier player.
Below I hand-picked the top Week 1 DFS picks based on salaries and matchups. I also laid out two salaries for each player, one from Draft Kings and one from Fan Duel.
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Week 1 DFS Picks
Quarterbacks
Top Tier: Patrick Mahomes II, Kansas City Chiefs ($8,100 DK, $8,800 FD)
Patrick Mahomes will be a must-start in every league and every matchup. But, he has a solid matchup this week against the Browns, who have a banged-up secondary going into Week 1. Mahomes is pricey but he is a solid pick for week 1 DFS.
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals ($7,600 DK, $8,400 FD)
Kyler Murray has an amazing matchup against a terrible secondary in the Tennessee Titans. He is much cheaper than Mahomes and I would easily take Murray as my top-tier quarterback for week 1 of DFS. Expect Murray to put up around 25 fantasy points this game which is a steal for the price he is listed at.
Value Pick: Jalen Hurts ($6,400 DK, $7,600 FD)
The salary for Jalen Hurts this week is the best on the board. He is on the road against the Atlanta Falcons, who have close to the worst defense in the league. Just like Murray, Hurts has the rushing factor that will boost his fantasy scoring this week. If you plan on taking a high-end running back then I suggest snagging Hurts as your quarterback for week 1 DFS.
Honorable Mention: Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks ($7,000 DK, $7,800 FD)
Running Backs
Top Tier: Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings ($9,100 DK, $9,400 FD)
I only have one clear top-tier running back for week 1 of DFS and that is Dalvin Cook going against the Bengals. Christian McCaffrey has a great matchup this week, but his salary is way too high for this week. Cook will be a solid pick for a high salary player and there are great value picks down the list.
Value Picks: Antionio Gibson ($5,900 DK, $7,000 FD)
Antonio Gibson is set to finish in the top 10 of fantasy running backs this year. And it starts with this Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Gibson will be at home and the Chargers had a mid-tier defense against the run this year. I see Gibson scoring close to 15 fantasy points this week.
Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers ($6,300 DK, $6,500FD)
The salary is rather low for Najee Harris this week because the Steelers are on the road against the Buffalo Bills. But, the Bills are not that scary of a matchup for running backs. Last season the Bills gave up 21 touchdowns last year. I love Harris for this salary in this Week 1 DFS matchup.
Honorable Mention: Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals ($6,200 DK, $7,200 FD)
Wide Receivers
Top Tier: Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs ($8,200 DK, $8,500 FD)
This is an obvious pick for week 1 of DFS or any week. But, out of the top three receivers in Hill, Devante Adams, and DeAndre Hopkins I love Hill’s matchup the most. I have the Chiefs against the Browns matchup being a high-scoring through the air type of game. Hill has upwards of dropping close to 22 fantasy points this week.
Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons ($7,900 DK, $8,100 FD)
Calvin Ridley has my favorite matchup for week 1 in DFS. Going against a weak Philadelphia Eagles secondary, and the Falcons are at home. Ridley is the clear number one option in the passing game until we see how Kyle Pitts does. But, I think Ridley will finish as the number one fantasy wide receiver this week.
Value Picks: Laviska Shenault Jr. Jacksonville Jaguars ($5,000 DK, $5,600 FD)
Laviska Shenault is one of the top breakout receivers I have for this year. The Jaguars are playing the Texans who blew up their defense over the offseason. Shenault has also been Trevor Lawrence’s favorite target all preseason. At this salary, Shenault is an absolute steal for week 1 of DFS.
Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots ($5,100 DK, $5,400 FD)
Mac Jones is the starter and this will boost production for Jakobi Meyers. At this salary, he is a perfect option for a third receiver and will land close to 15 fantasy points this week against the Miami Dolphins.
Honorable Mention: Robby Anderson, Carolina Panthers ($5,700 DK, $6,200 FD)
Tight Ends
Top Tier: Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders ($7,500 DK, $7,000 FD)
The Raiders are going against a high-powered offense in the Baltimore Ravens this week. So that means Derek Carr will be looking for Darren Waller all game. The Raiders will be playing from behind and Waller is the clear number one target.
Value Picks: Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team ($4,600 DK, $5,600FD)
Tight ends drop off after the top three of Waller, Travis Kelce, and George Kittle. But, if you look hard enough there are still some solid picks deep on these lists. Logan Thomas is one of my favorite sleepers for week 1 of DFS for the reason that the Chargers aren’t the best against tight ends. Thomas is quick and strong so I have him being a safe target this week.
Robert Tonyan ($4,200DK, $5,400 FD)
Robert Tonyan is a boom or bust tight end, but when you have Aaron Rodgers as your quarterback then the boom is more likely. For the price, Tonyan is a steal against the Saints. With this price you can snag some high salary players at the running back or wide receiver position.
Honorable Mention: Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams ($3,900 DK, $5,400 FD)
If you liked Michael’s Week 1 DFS Picks, be sure to check out the rest of our Week 1 Rankings and Analysis for season-long fantasy football!
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