Week 1 of the NFL season provides us with a wide variety of potential value options since DFS salaries were set weeks ago before preseason injuries and positional battles in training camp. I’ll give my top value options at QB, RB, WR and TE for the week and split out FanDuel and DraftKings value options where applicable. It’s great to have the NFL back!
So, onto the value plays for Week 1…
The DailyFantasyNerd FanDuel and DraftKings Value Plays for Week 1
Quarterbacks
DK & FD | Andy Dalton (CIN) @ IND $5,800 (DK) / $6,800 (FD)
Andy Dalton is my preferred choice in Cash games if you are looking to save some salary on both sites. He gets a plus matchup against a Colts pass defense that ranked 32nd in Defensive-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) according to Football Outsiders last season. The matchup between the Bengals and Colts also has one of the higher Vegas totals on the slate in a game that is expected to be close.
Other options
- Ryan Tannehill (MIA) vs. TEN $5,300 (DK) / $6,300 (FD)
- Case Keenum (DEN) vs. SEA $5,100 (DK) / $6,200 (FD)
Running Backs
DK | Royce Freeman (DEN) vs. SEA $4,500
I expect most experts and DFS players to plug James Conner into this spot on DraftKings assuming that Le’Veon Bell doesn’t all the sudden show up and play this Sunday against the Browns. But Conner’s salary on DK has me looking elsewhere as I can get Royce Freeman for the same price. The Browns were pretty stingy on defense against the run last season and could be even better this year, meanwhile, the Seahawks defense might be going in the opposite direction, while Freeman was one of the stars of the preseason. Rex Burkhead is a close second on DK depending on his anticipated volume in Week 1.
Other options
- Rex Burkhead (NE) vs. HOU $4,200
- Jordan Wilkins (IND) vs. CIN $3,700
FD | James Conner (PIT) @ CLE $5,000
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Now, on FanDuel is where I will get my James Conner exposure. On FanDuel, Conner is quite a bit cheaper than Freeman and Burkhead and even comes in a little bit less expensive than the Colts rookie Jordan Wilkins. I like the volume that Conner should get against the Browns, I’m just not 100% sold on the efficiency he will have a deceptively tough matchup. The volume should be enough though to roster him on FanDuel.
Other options
- Royce Freeman (DEN) vs. SEA $6,000
- Jordan Wilkins (IND) vs. CIN $5,100
Wide Receivers
DK | Danny Amendola (MIA) vs. TEN $4,200
Wide receiver is another position where I am split on my top value option. On DraftKings, where you get a point per reception, I’ll take Danny Amendola who now resides in Miami with the Dolphins. With Ryan Tannehill back at QB and the Dolphins without WR Devante Parker for Week 1, look for Amendola to get plenty of targets against the Titans. He also has a favorable matchup in the slot against a Titans that ranked 28th DVOA against #2 WRs and 17th against #3 WRs last season.
Other options
- Mike Williams (LAC) vs. KC $3,900
- Keelan Cole (JAC) @ NYG $3,800
FD | Keelan Cole (JAC) @ NYG $4,500
While Amendola is still a solid option on FanDuel, I prefer to get the higher upside play who could produce more yards per catch with a higher TD opportunity with Keelan Cole. The injury to Marqise Lee should open up more targets for Cole and the other Jaguars receivers in a favorable matchup against the Giants secondary. The Giants ranked 32nd DVOA against #2 WRs and without a dominant #1 in Jacksonville, Cole should get a piece of that action. Cole had three big games in the last four weeks of last season so he has some history of success with Blake Bortles to carry into this season.
Other options
- Danny Amendola (MIA) vs. TEN $5,100
- John Ross (CIN) @ IND $5,100
Tight Ends
DK & FD | Jack Doyle (IND) vs. CIN $3,600 (DK) / $5,600 (FD)
Tight end is another position where I will probably often have the same value play on both sites. This is the case this week with Jack Doyle playing at home against the Bengals with Andrew Luck back under center. In the early going this year, while Luck may still be building up some arm strength, I expect more underneath passes which will directly benefit Jack Doyle. Doyle should be able to take advantage of a Bengals defense that had a 30th DVOA ranking against the TE position last season. Doyle Rules!
Other options
- David Njoku (CLE) vs. PIT $3,400 (DK) / $5,300 (FD)
- Austin Seferian-Jenkins (JAC) @ NYG $3,200 (DK) / $4,600 (FD)
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