DraftKings Network - Salaries, lineups, stacks, and more for Week 1 DFSAnother great SB Nation bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52893/DKN_Favicon_32x32..png2019-09-09T05:15:00-07:00http://dknetwork.draftkings.com/rss/stream/206137032019-09-09T05:15:00-07:002019-09-09T05:15:00-07:00DFS Showdown lineup advice for Week 1 Broncos vs. Raiders
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<img alt="Outside linebacker Von Miller of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field during player introductions before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XhgBWQG4GOY1tWOY0tBEwMsmUVA=/0x0:6720x4480/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65207151/1076014086.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Broncos and Raiders square off on <em>Monday Night Football</em> as part of a doubleheader. That brings a DraftKings Showdown matchup, and we’ve got advice for filling out your DFS lineup for Week 1.</p> <p id="6ttAH8">Opening Week for the NFL is underway and is capped off by a pair of Monday night games. In the late game, we finally get to the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a> play football. After an offseason filled with <span>Antonio Brown</span> drama, Oakland moved on from him just before its first game, leaving the offense in rough shape. Let’s look at some players to target in the six-man Showdown slate, and who to use in the critical Captain slot.</p>
<h2 id="5En0uL"><strong>CAPTAIN OBVIOUS</strong></h2>
<p id="p567w2"><a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/"><strong>Broncos</strong></a><strong> Defense ($7,800):</strong> It’s hard to imagine the Raiders’ offense having much success this season. The offense was built under the idea the passing game would improve with the acquisition of Antonio Brown from the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a>. At the time, the move seemed a bit risky from a personality standpoint, although nobody could have predicted how the situation would unfold. The Broncos have had one of the league’s premier defenses for a while and scoring in Denver has been a difficult task for years. They finished last season ranked fifth in Defensive DVOA, putting an undermanned Raiders passing game in a bad spot. Denver is a home favorite and the 42.5 point total is one of the lowest on the board for Opening Week. </p>
<h2 id="H4oAkV"><strong>CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS</strong></h2>
<p id="Ham4wi"><span><strong>Tyrell Williams</strong></span><strong> ($11,100):</strong> Somebody has to catch the ball for the Raiders. Last season’s top receiver, <span>Jared Cook</span>, is now in New Orleans and the short lived Antonio Brown experiment was a failure of epic proportions. This leaves <span>Williams</span> as the defacto go-to guy in the passing game. Even though the matchup is difficult, the opportunity for <span>Williams</span> and potential for double-digit targets helps to offset the situation. <span>Williams</span> has broken a handful of big plays in the past and, at a modest price, it might only take one play for him to payoff his salary. </p>
<h2 id="3Vh8tp"><strong>FLEX MEN</strong></h2>
<p id="76HxF0"><span><strong>Phillip Lindsay</strong></span><strong> ($9,000):</strong> Predicting regression for <span>Lindsay</span> has been a popular narrative in the offseason. I don’t buy it. The primary knock against him is that he’s going to be sharing a workload this season. While that is likely true, he wasn’t exactly a workhorse last season. <span>Lindsay</span> only had one game with over 20 touches in his rookie year and still averaged 15.5 DKFP per game. I also think it’s notable that his touches slightly increased as the season progressed, leading me to believe he could see a bigger workload this season despite the narrative. He opens the season in a positive matchup against the Raiders, who ranked 22nd in Rush Defense DVOA last season. </p>
<p id="A7Vklg"><span><strong>Courtland Sutton</strong></span><strong> ($8,000): </strong><span>Sutton</span> is poised to have a breakout season for the Broncos. Last season, he showed promise as the No. 3 receiver and now steps into a bigger role. <span>Demaryius Thomas</span> is no longer on the roster and it’s questionable how effective <span>Emmanuel Sanders</span> ($9,800) will be coming off a torn achilles. This could leave <span>Sutton</span> as the No. 1 receiver in a slightly upgraded Broncos passing attack. Even though I don’t think <span>Joe Flacco</span> ($10,000) is a world beater (or elite), he figures to produce more than what Denver got out of <span>Case Keenum</span> last year. </p>
<p id="LbYG9g"><em>I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is gehrenberg) 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.</em></p>
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https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/nfl/2019/9/9/20855918/mnf-dfs-week-2-best-lineup-strategy-broncos-vs-raiders-tyrell-williams-courtland-suttonGreg Ehrenberg2019-09-09T04:35:00-07:002019-09-09T04:35:00-07:00DFS Showdown lineup advice for Week 1 Saints-Texans
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<img alt="Quarterback Drew Brees and running back Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints celebrate a touchdown against the New York Jets during a pre-season game at MetLife Stadium on August 24, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WZ5HSaPdbML0BDp6oXQ1g18YurY=/0x17:3600x2417/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65206985/1163753343.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Saints and Texans square off on <em>Monday Night Football</em> as part of a doubleheader. That brings a DraftKings Showdown matchup, and we’ve got advice for filling out your DFS lineup for Week 1.</p> <p id="6ttAH8">Opening Week for the NFL is underway and is capped off by a pair of Monday night games. In the early game, we have the <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">Saints</a> looking to rebound from a controversial loss in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfc-championship-game">NFC Championship</a> Game against the <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Texans</a>. Let’s look at some players to target in the six-man Showdown slate, and who to use in the critical Captain slot:</p>
<h2 id="5En0uL"><strong>CAPTAIN OBVIOUS</strong></h2>
<p id="p567w2"><span><strong>Alvin Kamara</strong></span><strong> ($16,200):</strong> With Mark Ingram now in Baltimore, <span>Kamara</span> figures to see an increased workload in the Saints’ backfield. He was already a great DraftKings scorer due to his prowess as a passing catch back, averaging 23.5 DKFP per game last season, even though he was only in on 62.6% of the snaps. Early on last season, we saw what <span>Kamara</span>’s fantasy upside looks like without Ingram. When Ingram was suspended the first four games because of a PED violation, Kamara averaged 33.78 DKFP. </p>
<h2 id="H4oAkV"><strong>CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS</strong></h2>
<p id="Ham4wi"><strong>Will Fuller ($12,300):</strong> Fuller is the highest variance play in this game. He’s always a boom or bust option with game breaking upside. One of my favorite odd stats to exemplify the big play ability of Fuller is in 2017, he started his season by scoring touchdowns on seven of his first 13 receptions. The issue is he doesn’t usually get a ton of targets, meaning he has a low floor if he doesn’t break a big play. Fuller also draws a positive matchup, playing in a dome against a porous Saints passing defense. New Orleans finished last season ranked 22nd in Pass Defense DVOA. </p>
<h2 id="3Vh8tp"><strong>FLEX MEN</strong></h2>
<p id="76HxF0"><span><strong>Duke Johnson</strong></span><strong> ($7,200):</strong> I have wanted <span>Johnson</span> to play a significant role for years. His ability to make big plays and catch passes out of the backfield always meant promise for huge fantasy potential, but his upside was capped in Cleveland since he was never the top guy on the depth chart. Even after getting traded to Houston, there appeared to be a roadblock to playing time with <span>Lamar Miller</span> expected to start. That all changed when <span>Miller</span> tore his ACL on his first touch of the preseason. Now, Johnson is locked into a starting gig in an elite offense. Last season, he averaged 5.0 yards per carry and 9.1 yards per catch. </p>
<p id="A7Vklg"><span><strong>Jared Cook</strong></span><strong> ($6,800): </strong>The Saints’ offense has a lot of high end talent, although it lacks in depth. Even though <span>Alvin Kamara</span> and <span>Michael Thomas</span> ($10,000) are going to be target monsters, somebody else has to get looks in the offense. I expect <span>Cook</span> to be the third receiving option for the Saints and he could have success similar to what we saw <span>Jimmy Graham</span> have with <span>Drew Brees</span> ($10,200) from his days in New Orleans. Last season, <span>Jared Cook</span>’s season went under the radar playing for an unheralded <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a>’ offense. Despite a lack of talent around him, he finished with 896 receiving yards and six touchdowns. </p>
<p id="LbYG9g"><em>I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is gehrenberg) 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.</em></p>
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https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/nfl/2019/9/9/20855662/texans-vs-saints-dfs-week-1-mnf-draftkings-showdown-lineup-strategy-advice-alvin-kamaraGreg Ehrenberg2019-09-08T06:10:00-07:002019-09-08T06:10:00-07:00DFS Showdown lineup advice for Week 1 Steelers-Patriots
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<img alt="New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger meet at mid-field after playing at Heinz Field." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0CPu3zn8p5MACkd5ISE2c__Y0tk=/0x0:3708x2472/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65202895/usa_today_11858377.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Steelers and Patriots square off under the lights of <em>Sunday Night Football</em> to open the season. That brings a DraftKings Showdown matchup, and we’ve got advice for filling out your DFS lineup for Week 1.</p> <p id="5FVKN4">After the dud on Thursday night between the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Bears</a> and <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a>, we finally have a Showdown game worthy of our attention. The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> travel to Foxboro for the first official Sunday night game of the season and it promises to produce more than one touchdown between the two teams. Let’s look at some players to target in DraftKings’ $800,000 six-man Showdown slate -- with a first-place prize of $200,000 -- and who to use in the critical Captain slot:</p>
<h2 id="28tatQ"><strong>CAPTAIN OBVIOUS</strong></h2>
<p id="94U3n3"><span><strong>Julian Edelman</strong></span><strong> ($14,400): </strong><span><strong>JuJu Smith-Schuster</strong></span> checks in as the most expensive player on the board, with a salary of <strong>$16,500</strong> in the Captain slot ($11K as a flex). That’s a little too pricey for a receiver who will see a whole lot of <span>Stephon Gilmore</span>’s blanket coverage. Last season, JuJu was a non-factor in his matchup against Gilmore, and with <span>Antonio Brown</span> no longer there, the Pats will certainly look to take Smith-Schuster out of the game. The same cannot be said on the other side, where Edelman could have a field day against the Steelers underneath defense. At a 2K discount from JuJu, Edelman is the top impact player in this game.</p>
<h2 id="vGfRgV"><strong>CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS</strong></h2>
<p id="58ZybX"><span><strong>Vance McDonald</strong></span><strong> ($9,000):</strong> If the Pats clamp down on JuJu, the pass-catcher with the best opportunity to post a big game isn’t going to be <span>Donte Moncrief</span> or James Washington. It is likely to be McDonald, who checks in as the cheapest of all the top players on the slate at 9K in the Captain slot. Steelers tight ends have always had success against the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a> and McDonald has shown the ability to have monster games. His relatively cheap salary makes him an ideal long-shot play that opens up salary flexibility elsewhere.</p>
<h2 id="5xIFzB"><strong>FLEX MEN</strong></h2>
<p id="HRs3eu"><span><strong>James Conner</strong></span><strong> ($10,800):</strong> I’m not feeling either of the quarterbacks in this one, as two solid defenses could keep this game relatively low – not 10-3 low like Thursday, but not a shootout, either. I suspect both teams will be leaning on their top running backs to do much of the heavy lifting here, and Conner is in the Captain conversation after his brilliant 2018 season. Fading the QBs would certainly make for unique lineups, which is always key in such a large-field GPP.</p>
<p id="D1DVTi"><span><strong>Sony Michel</strong></span><strong> ($8,000):</strong> Michel is another fine Captain play if you feel like the Patriots are going to control this game and will be playing with the lead most of the night. The Patriots would love to get their ground game going early and often to protect the elder GOAT, and Michel is the man to do it, with <span>James White</span> the pass-catching option. </p>
<p id="hENfWv"><em>I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is jeffgo33) 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.</em></p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/nfl/2019/9/8/20854272/steelers-vs-patriots-dfs-week-1-snf-draftkings-showdown-lineup-strategy-adviceJeff Goldberg2019-09-07T15:51:44-07:002019-09-07T15:51:44-07:00Betting, fantasy implications of Antonio Brown signing with Patriots
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<img alt="Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown smiles on the sidelines during the first quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zDWYTj2WNDPMcZdNwQozsWZljGw=/47x0:4867x3213/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65200826/usa_today_11746493.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Antonio Brown forced his way out of Oakland and has now signed with the New England Patriots. We break down what it could mean for fantasy football, DFS, and sports betting.</p> <p id="ModYpw"><strong>Editor’s update</strong>: DraftKings Sportsbook released updated odds related to both Antonio Brown and the New England Patriots. The first table below features changes in Browns’ odds. The second table features changes in the Patriots odds.</p>
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<p id="PDqipp">Whatever your thoughts of <span>Antonio Brown</span> prior to Saturday afternoon, he’s kind of looking like a genius. The star wide receiver forced his way out of Oakland with a variety of antics, and <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/2019/9/7/20854649/breaking-new-england-patriots-reportedly-sign-antonio-brown">has now signed</a> with the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>, according to multiple reports. <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1170442040099913733">Reports</a> have him signing a one-year deal worth $15 million, with a signing bonus of $9 million.</p>
<p id="gWtWFc">Brown had forced a trade from Pittsburgh over the offseason, and seemed ready to settle in with Jon Gruden and the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a>. However, <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/2019/8/12/20801131/antonio-brown-helmet-raiders-nfl-grievance">a helmet controversy</a> followed by fines and a back-and-forth that is hard to fully understand, Antonio Brown asked for and <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/9/5/20851590/antonio-brown-suspension-rumors-news-raiders-vs-broncos-mnf-point-spread">received his release on Saturday</a>.</p>
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<p id="5enVnO">It was less than four hours before Bill Belichick swooped in and signed one of arguably the five best receivers in the game. He joins <span>Tom Brady</span> and gives the future Hall of Fame quarterback the best receiver he has had since Randy Moss. Considering how Moss forced his own way out of Oakland, it’s kind of crazy what’s going on with this situation.</p>
<p id="GS8k46"><strong>Fantasy football implications</strong>: Season-long, this is unbelievable. Tom Brady’s value shoots up with Brown joining <span>Julian Edelman</span>, <span>Josh Gordon</span>, and <span>Demaryius Thomas</span> in the wide receiver corps. Edelman remains a great PPR option, but it will be interesting to see what Brown means for <span>Gordon</span> and <span>Thomas</span> as the season progresses.</p>
<p id="4j69lm">I don’t think it will take long for Brown to get acclimated with Brady, but these first few weeks are tough to predict. Brown is a dominant player, but there are a lot of mouths to feed on the Patriots depth chart. I suspect he still is a WR1, but it might be closer to top 10 or 15 than top five.</p>
<p id="vA89Gc"><strong>DFS implications</strong>: I doubt we see Brown on the field Sunday night against the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a>, but he’s sure to be suited up a week from now when the Patriots travel to face the <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a>. He’ll only a week of practice and playbook preparation, so you’ll have to decide if Brown’s high price is worth it. I’d hold off on him in DFS for the time-being, but we’ll see what this week brings.</p>
<p id="mpny12"><strong>Betting implications</strong>: The Patriots <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl-odds-prop-bets">Super Bowl odds</a> dropped from +700 to +500 after word of the signing. This might be the best receiver corps Tom Brady has ever had, so it’s no surprise they are now sizable favorites to win the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a>. The closest team is the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> at +850.</p>
<p id="D8tuk7">Meanwhile, the point spread for the Patriots opener has not changed given that Brown is unlikely to play on Sunday. A receiver is not usually worth a lot in a point spread, but Brown is likely to get people betting heavy on the Patriots next week against the Dolphins. The public likely is already betting a decent amount on them against Miami, so it might end up not making a big difference for the line.</p>
<p id="pxIFO6"><em>Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER</em><br><em>Odds and lines subject to change. See website for actual odds.</em><br><em>*21+. NJ/WV only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.</em></p>
<p id="26KWFJ"><em>I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is FoochNN) 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.</em></p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2019/9/7/20854668/antonio-brown-signs-with-patriots-fantasy-football-betting-implicationsDavid Fucillo2019-09-07T14:00:00-07:002019-09-07T14:00:00-07:00The 3 worst daily fantasy football defense plays for Week 1
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<img alt="Minnesota Vikings defensive end Karter Schult sacked Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyree Jackson as Minnesota Vikings defensive end Anree Saint-Amour recovered the ball for a turnover in the second half." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2wjVAPXYWJkOD1ZRA2d0fjn2PBg=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65200740/1171034562.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Anthony Souffle/Star Tribune via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Defense can be overlooked in fantasy football, but it can make or break a daily fantasy victory. We break down three team defenses to avoid in Week 1 DFS.</p> <p id="M6DFAz">Figuring out which defenses to play in DFS is one of the trickiest aspects of the game. There’s no formula that’s going to predict a pick-six or a sack-fumble-TD. Sure, you can assume the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Bears</a> defense is a solid play against a bad offense. But finding that gem is often a crapshoot. What you really want to avoid is taking a 0 or a negative number, if possible. Here’s a look at the worst defense options in Week 1.</p>
<h2 id="XdrdJE">
<a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> vs. <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a>, $3,300</h2>
<p id="rgTyJC">The Vikings are fifth-most expensive defense on the slate against a team that thoroughly upgraded its offensive line this offseason, which should reduce the amount of available sacks against Matt Ryan. Defenses are going to give up points in DFS, so the key is finding a defense that can get you bonus points for sacks and turnovers. This Vikings defense doesn’t appear poised to excel at either. They are the biggest overpay at the position this week.</p>
<h2 id="2QmzTC">
<a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Los Angeles Rams</a> at <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a>, $3,200</h2>
<p id="losTZR">The next most-expensive defense after Minnesota, the Rams have a tough job against a healthy <span>Cam Newton</span> and explosive <span>Christian McCaffrey</span> on the road. Newton’s running ups the chances to tackle him behind the line for some sacks, but if the Panthers take care of the ball, there’s little scoring available to the Rams defense to justify the salary.</p>
<h2 id="91KxB4">
<a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> at <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a>, $3,000</h2>
<p id="4R19HB">Maybe in the Mark Sanchez Era I’d be on board here with the Bills as the ninth most-expensive defense. But with <span>Sam Darnold</span> under center and Le’Veon Bell in the backfield, the Jets’ offense is poised to be a productive unit that scores points and doesn’t allow turnovers and sacks. I’d much rather take my chances with the Jets defense in this game at $100 and let <span>Josh Allen</span> throw as many interceptions as he pleases.</p>
<p id="zv1J9H"><em>I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is jeffgo33) 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.</em></p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2019/9/7/20853336/dfsl-week-1-sunday-start-sit-worst-defense-footballJeff Goldberg2019-09-07T13:45:00-07:002019-09-07T13:45:00-07:00The 3 worst DFS wide receiver plays for Week 1
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<img alt="Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Laquon Treadwell talks to fellow receivers Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen during a preseason game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on August 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/toSNqIfUBbDMZbx_3KCdHuQIEao=/0x0:3650x2433/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65200679/1167629857.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>A poor choice at wide receiver can sink your daily fantasy squad. Here are a handful of players to avoid in Week 1 DFS.</p> <p id="NAOIcw">As important as it is to focus on finding the right value plays in your DFS lineup, the most important thing a DFS player must do, MUST DO, is avoid putting any dead weight into your teams, especially a high-priced player who busts. Here is a look at the trap plays at wide receiver in Week 1. Tread lightly here, my friends!</p>
<h2 id="nHFgVv"><strong>BIG TICKET BUST</strong></h2>
<p id="PRhsng"><span><strong>Odell Beckham Jr.</strong></span><strong>, </strong><a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/"><strong>Cleveland Browns</strong></a><strong> vs. </strong><a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/"><strong>Tennessee Titans</strong></a><strong>, $8,100:</strong> Admittedly, after news of his full participation in practice on Friday, I’m less concerned about Beckham as I was after his comments Thursday about his hip, saying, ”It’s something that hinders me from fully sprinting as fast as I can.” That really doesn’t sound good, and considering he’s the highest-priced wide receiver on the board, it’s enough to give one pause about making that big an investment pretty much sight unseen this preseason. He’s as capable as anyone of popping off a huge game, but I’d rather wait a week before buying in.</p>
<h2 id="gie2ka"><strong>INJURY CONCERN</strong></h2>
<p id="ksOzg1"><span><strong>Stefon Diggs</strong></span><strong>, </strong><a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/"><strong>Minnesota Vikings</strong></a><strong> vs. </strong><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons"><strong>Atlanta Falcons</strong></a><strong>, $6,700:</strong> Diggs is officially listed as questionable with a hamstring issue and head coach Mike Zimmer said Friday he wasn’t even sure Diggs would play, which has to be a huge red flag even if Diggs winds up on the field on Sunday. No one wants to pay $6,700 for a decoy. Conversely, <span>Adam Thielen</span> is only $100 more than his teammate and would be expected to soak up a bunch of Diggs’ targets, making him a fine option.</p>
<h2 id="et6Nu5"><strong>RIGHT GUY, WRONG GAME</strong></h2>
<p id="RQM606"><span><strong>Mike Williams</strong></span><strong>, </strong><a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/"><strong>Los Angeles Chargers</strong></a><strong> vs. </strong><a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/"><strong>Indianapolis Colts</strong></a><strong>, $5,300:</strong> Williams has been a darling of season-long drafts this year as the designated deep shot for <span>Philip Rivers</span> in what is increasingly looking like a pass-first offense without Melvin Gordon. The only problem this week is that the Colts, for all their issues on offense, have a pretty stingy secondary, especially against deep threats like Williams. A trendy pick that figures to underwhelm is exactly who we don’t want to play in DFS.</p>
<p id="TmGgmW"><em>I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is jeffgo33) 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.</em></p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/nfl/2019/9/7/20853299/dfsl-week-1-sunday-start-sit-worst-wide-receiver-footballJeff Goldberg2019-09-07T13:30:00-07:002019-09-07T13:30:00-07:005 wide receiver plays to consider for Week 1 DFS
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<img alt="Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin is forced out of bounds after a catch, by Justin Layne of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of a preseason game at Heinz Field on August 9, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EEl3Tsht__pDOcbF7Djh3h4JTmg=/0x0:2877x1918/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65200633/1160489786.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Wide receivers are critical in DraftKings DFS, so you can’t skimp on your research. Here are a handful of the best value players for Week 1 DFS.</p> <p id="MEwbFK">The key to taking down any DFS contest is finding the right value plays to pepper your lineup. Value plays, quite simply, are those who dramatically exceed their value. In NFL DFS, we are always looking for the player who will triple or quadruple their salaries. For example, a player worth $6,000 who scores 24 points has quadrupled, or 4Xed, their salary. Those are the guys we want throughout the lineup. Here are our best wide receiver plays for Week 1.</p>
<h2 id="uMBeKx"><strong>TOP SHELF</strong></h2>
<p id="2tgbk4"><span><strong>Julio Jones</strong></span><strong>, </strong><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons"><strong>Atlanta Falcons</strong></a><strong> at </strong><a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/"><strong>Minnesota Vikings</strong></a><strong>, $8,000:</strong> <span>Jones</span> made some noise this week hinting at both a contract holdout and some sort of injury situation, so keep an eye on news surrounding him leading up to Sunday. But if he’s good to go, he is in a prime smash spot against Minnesota’s <span>Xavier Rhodes</span>, who has seen his skills go in steady decline starting last season. Getting <span>Jones</span> back to his monster production games has been the goal in Atlanta the past two seasons, but could finally be on the verge of returning.</p>
<h2 id="S1io7r"><strong>MID-RANGE MAN</strong></h2>
<p id="5h3aZQ"><span><strong>Chris Godwin</strong></span><strong>, </strong><a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/"><strong>Tampa Bay Buccaneers</strong></a><strong> vs. </strong><a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/"><strong>San Francisco 49ers</strong></a><strong>, $6,200:</strong> The Tampa Bay passing offense under Bruce Arians should be a fantasy goldmine in 2019, as both <span>Godwin</span> and <span>Mike Evans</span> are poised to have huge seasons as the two primary pass-catchers. Godwin, in particular, looks to be on the verge of a huge breakout season, and at $6,200 he provides a decent discount for a player expected to command an oversized target share. Another fine mid-salary play is the <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Rams</a>’ <span><strong>Cooper Kupp</strong></span><strong> ($5,700),</strong> who is back from last season’s knee injury and should have no trouble finding open areas in the Carolina defense while DFS ownership chases teammates <span>Brandin Cooks</span> and <span>Robert Woods</span>.</p>
<h2 id="sp7x6G"><strong>BARGAIN BOOM</strong></h2>
<p id="k97SAF"><span>Michael Gallup</span>, <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> vs. <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>, $4,300: <span>Amari Cooper</span> is expected to play, but if he is limited in any way, <span>Gallup</span> is more than ready to assume a large role in the Dallas offense. <span>Gallup</span> is another receiver with the breakout tag, and the Giants secondary is hardly a shutdown group. With Ezekiel Elliott’s effectiveness also a wild card here, <span>Dak Prescott</span> may be forced to lean on <span>Gallup</span> in Week 1, making his cheap salary an easy target for a 4X or 5X performance. Another sub-$5K worth using is Jacksonville’s <span><strong>Dede Westbrook</strong></span><strong> ($4,800)</strong>, who should be <span>Nick Foles</span>’ favorite target this season and will be needed on Sunday to keep pace with the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Chiefs</a>’ high-powered offense.</p>
<p id="W0HOgD"><em>I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is jeffgo33) 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.</em></p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2019/9/7/20853262/dfsl-week-1-sunday-start-sit-best-wide-receiver-football-chris-godwin-michael-gallup-julio-jonesJeff Goldberg2019-09-07T13:15:00-07:002019-09-07T13:15:00-07:00The 5 best running back plays in Week 1 DFS
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<img alt="Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins hands off the ball to Dalvin Cook in the first quarter of the preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mG4fvIij61Sx6X4hzpDVAHgt1ZY=/0x0:4796x3197/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65200577/1163663563.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Running back is a critical position, but you want to leverage value. Here are three decent values for Week 1 DFS.</p> <p id="Mb74Ol">The Week 1 main slate on DraftKings is absolutely loaded with value, even with <span>Ezekiel Elliott</span>’s ($9,200) return taking <span>Tony Pollard</span> ($4,500) off the board. We have obvious strong plays in <span>Saquon Barkley</span> ($9,000), <span>Christian McCaffrey</span> ($8,800) and <span>David Johnson</span> ($7,700), but I don’t think any of them qualify as the best value on the slate. </p>
<p id="V5pVkE">The mid-range salary RBs on this slate are some of the strongest I can remember, so rather than three, I’ll feature my top-five to target from a value perspective. </p>
<h2 id="pXUe7q">
<span>Dalvin Cook</span> (MIN vs. ATL) — $6,000</h2>
<p id="dCYQjv">Cook is in the perfect situation to begin the season. Minnesota is some committed to the run-game this season it only kept four WR on its 53-man roster. The <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a> should look to feed Cook against a <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a> defense that was amongst the worst in football at defending the position. </p>
<p id="fU1BqR">Atlanta gave up the most receptions out of the backfield last season, which also gives Cook a ton of upside with full-point PPR on DK. Cook was very strong down the stretch in 2018, rounding out the season with six consecutive games of double-digit DK points. He’s also shown burst in limited preseason snaps, taking an 85-yarder to the house in his last preseason game. With the Vikings at home as four-point favorites, the game-script also lines up for Cook to see plenty of work. </p>
<h2 id="A7w0gq">
<span>Chris Carson</span> (SEA vs. CIN) — $5,700</h2>
<p id="4IIajl">The only reason I have Carson behind Cook is because I expect Cook to see a larger role in the passing game. In terms of situation as a pure RB, Carson’s actually in my favorite spot on the slate. Carson finished the regular season hot with seven games in a row of 10-plus DK points, and I expect Seattle to continue to rely on him this season. </p>
<p id="QM8oXu">The matchup is as good as it gets, playing in Seattle against a <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> defense that ranked dead last in the NFL against RBs last season. The <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> are 8.5-point favorites in this one, which could mean a ton of work for Carson to grind the game down in the second half. Carson rushed for 100-plus yards in each of the final three games last season, averaging 26.4 DK points during that span. </p>
<h2 id="T1bFJd">
<span>Leonard Fournette</span> (JAX vs. KC) — $6,100</h2>
<p id="o2UUlQ">Fournette feels like he’s priced down because of his poor 2018 season that was plagued by injury. He has a terrific matchup on the slate against the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Chiefs</a>, and the <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jaguars</a> are only four-point underdogs here. Kansas City ranked 27th in rushing defense last year, and 31st in DK points allowed to the position. </p>
<p id="O3vugD">Fournette has absolutely zero competition behind him on the depth chart, with <span>T.J. Yeldon</span> out of the picture, and every other active RB on Jacksonville’s roster priced at the minimum salary. That should mean a very healthy workload on the ground for Fournette, who the Jags have also hyped up as a larger piece of their passing game this season. Unless the Chiefs get up double-digits very early, it’s tough to imagine Fournette getting fewer than 20 touches. </p>
<h2 id="99SMGr">
<span>Nick Chubb</span> (CLE vs. TEN) — $6,400</h2>
<p id="JiOkru">Chubb feels like someone going under the radar in Cleveland’s offense after the <span>Odell Beckham Jr.</span> addition. As a rookie, he was one of the best fantasy RBs after becoming the starter for the second half of 2018. With Kareem Hunt on the shelf for eight games, the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Browns</a> are going to have to rely on Chubb heavily. </p>
<p id="bxFrl4">Chubb’s role in the passing game can hold him back a little in full PPR formats, but he still managed two or more catches in six of his final seven games last season. The matchup against the <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Titans</a> also isn’t as ideal as the guys’ I ranked ahead of him, but the Browns are still 5.5-point favorites at home here. Chubb saw 18 or more carries in seven of his final 10 games last season, and should have enough of a workload here to well exceed value. </p>
<h2 id="RQdj3H">Kerryon Johnson (DET @ ARI) — $5,800</h2>
<p id="BMIYhd">Johnson was off to a great start to his rookie campaign last year, averaging 14.6 DK points in the first 10 games of his career, while only reaching the end zone four times. He enters 2019 as the unquestioned featured back for the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Lions</a>, and the loss of <span>Theo Riddick</span> should open up more targets for him in the passing game. </p>
<p id="t1YJcA">Arizona’s defense gave up the most rushing yards per game in football last year, and ranked 28th in DK points allowed to the position. This game has shootout potential, but with a 2.5-point spread, could also come down to the wire. While I can’t say with any confidence that Johnson’s as safe as the top-four values, he’s a worthy consideration to pivot off of them. </p>
<p id="WCzG2N"><em>I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is jedlow) 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.</em></p>
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/nfl/2019/9/7/20849726/dfs-week-1-sunday-start-sit-best-running-back-football-dalvin-cook-chris-carsonJulian Edlow