What’s up, GF2 followers! The NFL regular season is finally back and I’m here to throw some value picks your way! Week 1 of the season is always a fun but hard one to predict. I’ve got a feeling about a ton of cheaper guys that could do well for your lineups on Sunday. Every week I’ll be covering the main slate of games. Let’s get started!

NFL DFS DraftKings Value Plays for Week 1

Quarterbacks

Derek Carr (OAK) @TEN $6,700

Yes, there are more expensive guys in Russell Wilson and Matt Ryan who have better matchups but I love the slight bit of savings that comes with Carr. I’m expecting the Titans defense to be improved this year but not enough to slow down this potent Raiders passing game. I believe that we can pair Carr up with either one of his receivers in the highest projected O/U game of the day at 51.5. Carr is coming off a very solid 2016 campaign for Oakland throwing 28 touchdowns to just six interceptions.

Jameis Winston (TB) @MIA $6,600

This will be a game to keep your eye on because of the potential weather risk with Hurricane Irma. Hopefully, the game won’t be affected and we’ll get to play some of the Tampa Bay offensive weapons for our fantasy lineups. I think that Winston could have some success both through the air and on the ground against a lackluster Dolphins defense this week. He averaged 18.1 FPPG last year for his owners and will have a shot at being a sneaky value for Week 1.

Running Backs

Todd Gurley (LAR) vs. IND ($6,000)

I’m just not a huge fan of this Rams offense but I can’t deny this stellar matchup for Gurley! I truly believe that Los Angeles plans to run the ball early and often against a very porous Colts defense. There were times this preseason where the Rams coaching staff called 8+ consecutive run plays during their games, which bodes well for my man Gurley. Also, it seems like they will use him more in the passing game as well.

Christian McCaffrey (CAR) @SF ($5,400)

I’m a McCaffrey believer for this season and expect him to put up a monster game on Sunday! Yes, he’ll be splitting carries with Johnathan Stewart but that doesn’t bother me. McCaffrey will receive the bulk of the passing down plays and is an extremely explosive playmaker. Luckily for him, McCaffrey will get to face off against last season’s 32nd ranked rush defense in the 49ers.

Wide Receivers

Terrelle Pryor (WAS) vs. PHI ($6,100)

Kirk Cousins had trouble hooking up with Pryor this preseason but that just doesn’t scare me. If he lines up opposite Jalen Mills, Pryor should dominate him early and often. Coming off a career year, Pryor is poised to be the go-to option in this Redskins passing game in 2017. Last season, the Eagles ranked 26th overall against opposing wide receivers, so I expect a solid day overall for my man Pryor on Sunday.

DeVante Parker (MIA) vs. TB ($5,300)

If you watched any of Miami’s preseason games this offseason, you’d find that Jay Cutler loves Parker. The duo hooked up on numerous big-time plays for this Dolphins offense and draw a tasty matchup for Week 1 versus Tampa Bay. If Brent Grimes is healthy enough to play, I’m expecting him to cover Jarvis Landry. That gives Parker a much easier matchup, which will potentially lead to some big-time plays!

Tight Ends

Jimmy Graham (SEA) @GB ($5,100)

Greg Olsen should be the top tight end option for the main slate but don’t sleep on Graham at a much cheaper price tag. Last year, the Packers ranked in the middle of the pack versus tight ends at 17th overall. I’ve got Russell Wilson as one of my top quarterback options this week, so Graham and the other receivers are due for a nice afternoon!

Vance McDonald (PIT) @CLE ($2,800)

I say we take advantage of this super cheap price tag for this slate of games because the matchup is stellar! Yes, McDonald is fairly new to this Steelers offense but he should fit right into their plans. The Pittsburgh coaching staff just wasn’t excited with what they’ve seen from Jesse James this preseason, so McDonald was brought in to be the guy. Last season, the Browns ranked 31st overall at defending against opposing tight ends.

Defense

CAR @ SF ($3,500)

The Panthers defense isn’t quite as potent as it once was but this matchup is too juicy to deny. They’ll be facing off against a Brian Hoyer led 49ers offense that just doesn’t pose a major threat. The Panthers had numerous games where they scored double-digit fantasy points last year and should be able to provide that for your lineups Week 1.

ATL @ CHI ($3,300)

For Week 1 of the season, it’s all about streaming defenses against bad quarterbacks. The Falcons will face off against the always awful Mike Glennon. Atlanta is easily one of my favorite defensive options from a DFS standpoint for this slate and should be super dominant.

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