3 top quarterback plays for Week 1 DFS

With 12 games taking place on the main slate, we have a lot of flashy names at quarterbacks to consider. But does that mean they’re in the most attractive matchups? I’ll look into three that I’m strongly considering and think you should do the same. All prices and lines come via Draftkings.

Jameis Winston ($6,600) vs. San Francisco 49ers

Winston is by far my favorite option at QB on this 12-game Sunday slate. First and foremost, according to the DraftKings Sportsbook, this game has a projected total of 50.5 points, which is amongst the highest on the afternoon. This game is also currently a pick ‘em, with money flowing in evenly for both teams. With that in mind, the thought of Winston have to chuck the ball around all game long is appealing.

Defensively, the 49ers did almost nothing to improve their secondary during the offseason. This is coming off a year where opposing receivers averaged 40 DraftKings Fantasy points per game, which ranked as the seventh highest in the league. Now they’ll face an offense that features Mike Evans ($7,900) and Chris Godwin ($6,200). With DeSean Jackson and Adam Humphries out of town, Godwin is expected to take on a significant role in this offense and will kick it off in an amazing matchup. CB K’Waun Williams primarily covered the slot last season and was roasted, allowing 32-of-43 targets to be caught for for 304 yards (178 after the catch) and two touchdowns. With Godwin boasting a sizable height and weight advantage, this should be quite the show for the Winston-Godwin connection specifically.

Matthew Stafford ($5,400) vs. Arizona Cardinals

Seeing as this is my first QB picks article here on DK Nation, I was a bit hesitant to write up Stafford. I mean, this is my reputation we’re talking about here. However, I think there is a good amount of appeal to playing him against the Cardinals.

Where the appeal begins is over with the Cardinals defense and missing two of their top cornerbacks. Patrick Peterson? Yeah, he’s suspended until Week 7. Robert Alford? Nope, he’s on injured reserve. Instead, the Cardinals are forced to go with Tramaine Brock and rookie Byron Murphy. With a significant downgrade defensively, Stafford at $5,400 doesn’t look so bad anymore.

Where it gets tough is deciding who you’d stack him with. Kenny Golladay ($6,300) would be the obvious choice but with a healthy Marvin Jones ($4,800) and newly acquired Danny Amendola ($3,600) in the mix, Golladay won’t need to soak up the target like he did near the end of last season, averaging just under nine in the final four weeks. It’s not a sexy stack by any means but Amendola is what I’m looking towards. Reports have these two making a really strong connection and could be treated how Golden Tate was out of the slot. It’s an area the Cardinals struggled with last season, as Budda Baker allowed 50 catches on 58 targets for 512 yards and three touchdowns in slot coverage. If anything, this stack give you an average of $5,857 per player for the remainder of your lineup.

Carson Wentz ($5,700) vs. Washington

The Eagles should roll over Washington and the DraftKings Sportsbook has the same sentiment. Currently -10 favorites, the Eagles could be up big by the second half and may not need Wentz to throw as much. With that in mind, his salary is simply too cheap to ignore in such a good matchup. Priced as the QB13 on this slate, Wentz can bring back some big value with his salary is set. With the Eagles sporting a 27.5 team total, points will be scored in this offense.

Last season against Washington, Wentz scored 23.8 DKFP, completing 27/39 pass attempts for 306 yards and two touchdowns. In that matchup, he was priced at $6,500. Now Wentz has this same offense back and the addition of DeSean Jackson ($4,500) giving them that deep threat they lacked in 2018. Last season against opposing receivers, Washington allowed an average of 38.1 DKFP and 166 receiving yards per game. I think Wentz will be able to do enough in terms of fantasy production to make him worth while despite the spread being what it is. Don’t be scared off by that.

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is Steveazors) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.