Football is back! And with comes regular-season daily fantasy sports contests. One platform that is beginning to grow in popularity is Yahoo DFS.
Like last year, I will give my weekly predictions on the best plays. The slate that I will concentrate on is the Sunday main slate. Unlike some other websites, the Sunday Night Football game is part of the main slate, which adds extra players to contests. Excluded, however from this series are the Thursday and Monday night games.
For those who are new to Yahoo, we will begin with the lineup requirements and the scoring settings.
Lineup requirements
1 QBÂ Â Â Â Â Â 2RBÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â 3WRÂ Â Â Â Â Â 1TEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1Flex(R/W/T)Â Â Â Â 1 DEFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $200 budget
Scoring settings
1 point for 25 passing yards                   1 point for 10 rushing/receiving yards
0.5 points for a reception
4 points for passing touchdown               6 points for rushing/receiving/return touchdowns
-1 point for an interception                      -2 points for a fumble lost
Home and Dome
There are a few elements that I look at in order to find the most desired matchups. There is what I call Home and Dome, teams that are playing at home with an indoor stadium. Wind can be a factor that can negatively impact passing offenses and being indoors takes that element away. There are three teams that play Home and Dome in week 1:
Atlanta Falcons vs Seattle Seahawks
Detroit Lions vs Chicago Bears
Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers
Love our content? Check out the GoingFor2 Live Podcast Network!
New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Now we get to the main part of the article. Here are the best value players at each position.
Quarterback
Cam Newton (NE) $26 vs MIA
Early week 1 pricing can be exploited in many ways. At quarterback, that can manifest in the fact that there are backups at $27 who are more expensive than several starters. One of those starters in Cam Newton. While we may not know what to expect from Newton on a new team, he has provided a solid fantasy weekly ceiling with his touchdown upside.
Jared Goff (LAR) $25 vs DAL
The Cowboys-Rams contest has the highest combined over/under of the Sunday slate at 51.5 points. In what is expected to be a Sunday shootout, I want as many players as possible in my lineups. One of the best ways to stack this matchup is with Jared Goff. Yes, it would be nice to pay up for the quarterback on the favored team. However, the $8 saving from Prescott to Goff is well worth it. At their prices, Goff and Robert Woods create an inexpensive yet explosive stack.
More Value: Derek Carr $21
Running Back
Austin Ekeler (LAC) $27 @ CIN
Armed with a new contract, Austin Ekeler looks poised to take over the majority of the Chargers backfield snaps. His first test will be a potential muscle flex against a team that appears to be starting two rookie linebackers. Add that to the fact that the Chargers brought in a couple of key veteran offensive linemen and Ekeler presents as a great Week 1 value. Especially in Yahoo’s setting with the half-point per reception as Ekeler is seemingly always available to catch a pass out of the backfield.
James White (NE) $17 vs MIA
The common complaint for the New England running backs is that there is so much uncertainty. While they may shift their game plan for week-to-week, one consistent presence in their passing attack has been James White. With 7 targets per game over the past 2 seasons, look for White to once again be a primary pass catcher. Especially in week 1 with the injuries already piling up in the Patriots backfield.
More Value: Tarik Cohen $15
Wide Receiver
D.K. Metcalf (SEA) $19 @ ATL
It is certainly appealing to attack the top tier of wide receivers. I look at the $32 receivers and I see Davante Adams and Julio Jones. Both are playing in domes this weekend against subpar corners. Either player has the potential to be the #1 wide receiver in week 1. But what if I told you that that same upside existed in the $19 player price point? Look no further than Julio Jones’ opponent the Seattle Seahawks. Against the current Falcons secondary, both D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett could be in line for top tier production. With Metcalf coming in at $1 cheaper than his teammate, he makes the best option.
D.J. Moore (CAR) $19 vs LV
Another $19 receiver against a vulnerable secondary. D.J. Moore presents the same upside as D.K. Metcalf. The games involving the Seahawks and Panthers are among the top five combined over/under games on this Sunday slate. Much like Metcalf, Moore will be facing one of the weaker secondaries in the league. Furthermore, Moore saw 135 targets last season. Even if that number diminishes, the improvement in quarterback play should be more than enough to make up for that.
Robert Woods (LAR) $16 vs DAL
Really, both of the Rams’ top two receivers are values in this Week 1 slate. However, with a $5 difference, I prefer Robert Woods. He has certainly been one of the more consistent fantasy producers since he joined the Rams. Regardless of what personnel package that the Rams employ, expect to see Woods on the field.
More Value: Tyler Boyd $15
Tight End
Darren Waller (LV) $16 @ CAR
With Darren Waller at $16, I do not think this is the week to pay up at tight end. In my rankings, I have Waller at TE#4 for the Sunday slate. Yet, he is tied for the 8th most expensive player at the position. That screams value to me! Waller also offers an inexpensive stack option in a game with a 47.5 combined over/under. Even if you want to avoid the quarterbacks in this matchup, a D.J Moore / Waller stack will be inexpensive ($35 combined) and will allow you to represent both teams in the event of a back-and-forth high scoring affair.
T.J. Hockenson (DET) $12 vs CHI
Considering how productive Darren Waller was last season and his Week 1 Yahoo price, it is difficult to look past him. Certainly, any other tight end options would have to be less expensive than $16. For this price point, T.J. Hockenson presents the safest option in terms of playing time and usage. He is the Lions primary receiving tight end, and the former first-round pick will get plenty of opportunities.
More Value: Gerald Everett $12
Deep Dive
Tevin Coleman (SF) $11 vs ARI
The key for a deep dive is high upside at close to the minimum price as possible. Last season, Tevin Coleman operated as the primary goal-line back for the 49ers. If he retains that role, he could be in line to get into the endzone against the Cardinals in Week 1.
More Value: Matt Breida $10
Defense
Los Angeles Chargers $12 @ CIN
On the surface, a simple strategy: pick on the rookie quarterback. As great as Joe Burrow played last season, his NFL introduction will be difficult against a deadly pass-rush. Not to mention an already impressive secondary that gained key additions this offseason. The Chargers have all the ingredients for the defenses that I like to target.
Detroit Lions $10 vs CHI
This one is even easier. The Bears are starting Mitch Trubisky… and the opposing defense is minimum price. Say no more.
Thank you for reading. Be sure to check out all of the great DFS content available at Going for 2.
ATTN Dynasty Commissioners: Do you want to do something cool for your league? How about a 1-hour live show dedicated to YOUR league? Team-by-team breakdowns, rankings, and more. For details and to book a show, visit: GoingFor2.com/plp.
