Week 1: The Perfect NFL DFS Lineup
Is there such a thing as the “perfect” DFS lineup? Technically, yes. But in full transparency, you probably have better odds of figuring out cold fusion than you do picking the “perfect” DFS lineup (especially since Week 1 is always bananas). That said, we can still get pretty darn close and get a leg up in our contests, right? Right!
Purchase a Membership to Access this Premium Content
In the space that follows, I’m going to take a look at a few of the players that are standing out to me as cash plays and gpp plays while giving you a high-priced and lower-priced option for each. I’m going to use FanDuel pricing as a reference point, but there’s a good chance these players are also good values on the myriad of other DFS sites that are out there.
Quarterback
Cash Games
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens ($8,500 on FanDuel)
If you’re looking to spend up at quarterback this weekend, I think Lamar is as safe as they come. He’s finally healthy, he has a fantastic matchup, and he brings more rushing upside than some of the other high-priced quarterbacks out there. Do I wish he had more weapons? Sure. But it’s not like he’s really had much to work with in the past and he’s always found a way to eat.
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears ($6,900 on FanDuel)
Fields is probably going to have a long season due to the lack of weapons at his disposal, but that doesn’t really matter all that much for fantasy purposes. Fields has a high floor due to his rushing ability, and that’s really all we need in cash games at this price. Plus, he still has Darnell Mooney and Cole Kmet so it’s not like he’s throwing to complete scrubs.
[projection="Justin Fields"]
GPP
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals ($8,200 on FanDuel)
I feel like Kyler is going to get lost in the shuffle a bit this week with Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes out there. Murray is without DeAndre Hopkins, but he inherited Hollywood Brown over the offseason and alcan to give us some extra points with his legs.
[career="Kyler Murray"]
Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints ($6,700 on FanDuel)
Last we saw Winston, he was throwing for less than 200 yards a game as Sean Payton was using kid gloves with him. However, Payton is gone and Winston has the ability to put up huge numbers. Will that happen? I don’t know. But he has a lot more upside than the rest of the options at this price and you can build a nice stack around him with Michael Thomas (make sure he plays) and Chris Olave.
Learn more about our fantasy football tools and products!
Running Back
Cash Games
Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers ($9,500 on FanDuel)
There's nothing wrong with Jonathan Taylor and Derrick Henry, but I'd rather save a few bucks and target CMC here especiallylly while he's healthy. He provides some extra receiving value that the other two backs I just mentioned don't, while still providing a similar (high) floor. Is there risk here? Maybe. But I think a lot of people are forgetting just how good McCaffrey is when he actually plays.
[career="Christian McCaffrey"]
A.J. Dillon, Green Bay Packers ($6,100 on FanDuel)
Dillon has been referred to by Matt LaFleur as the 1B alongside Aaron Jones' 1A, so I'm not too worried about his usage as the "backup" running back in Green Bay. With the lack of depth Packers'ar power) on the Packers receiving depth chart, I see them using Jones as more of a receiver while Dillon sees at least 12 carries and the majoritygoal-lineline work. That's good enough for me at this price!
GPP
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints ($8,500 on FanDuel)
Speaking of forgetting, I think a LOT of people are forgetting just how much upside Alvin Kamara can have. And we're getting him at a discount here compared to the other high-priced backs. Whilegoal-lineram looms as a goal line threat, Kamara's price combinthe ed with his upside (and likelihood of being on a low percentage of rosters) makes him a great GPP dart throw.
[career="Alvin Kamara"]
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs ($5,800 on FanDuel)
We're looking for upside combined with low cost here, and CEH gives us exactly that. Could he bust? Of course. But if he gets 15-plus carries and goes off, we're likely going to be some of the few people with him on our rosters.
Wide Receiver
Cash Games
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings ($8,100 on FanDuel)
Jefferson is one of the best two receivers in the league and you can get him as the fourth-highest priced receiver on FanDuel this weekend. He's an absolute stud and should see 10 targets every week this year. Do I need to say more? Lock him in.
[projection="Justin Jefferson"]
Robert Woods, Tennessee Titans ($5,600 on FanDuel)
Bobby Trees is the WR1 in Tennessee and there's a good argument he's the WR-only right now. Treylon Burks may come on as the season wears on, but there's a very good chance Woods see double-digit targets this week. For $5,600 on FanDuel, Woods is an absolute steal for the high floor he should give us in cash games.
GPP
Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins ($7,700 on FanDuel)
As I said earlier, we're looking for upside in GPPs and Hill provides us that in spades. He also probably won't be in a lot of lineups due to the lack of love for his quarterback so we've got that going for us. And as a Patriots homer, I can tell you that their secondary shouldn't exactly scare anyone. Hill has a very real shot at 100-yards and at least one score this week.
[career="Tyreek Hill"]
George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers ($5,200 on FanDuel)
I like this play a lot more if Diontae Johnson sits, but Pickens provides us with a ton of upside for this price. Does his quarterback situation leaves a bit (a LOT) to be desired? Absolutely. But Pickens has a high ceiling based on his big-play potential, and that's a risk we need to be willing to take in tournaments.
Check out the top legal online sportsbook offers and promotions in the United States!
Tight End
Cash Games
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens ($7,900 on FanDuel)
Is Travis Kelce a great option? Absolutely. But I'm going to save the $100 and bump down to Andrews. He's the defacto "WR1" in Baltimore and should see at least eight targets this week. I'll be honest and tell you I'm very unlikely to spend this much for a tight end, but if you do, Andrews would be the guy I'd be looking at.
[projection="Mark Andrews"]
Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears ($5,000 on FanDuel)
Kmet is a nice (cheap) pairing with Fields as he should see at least five or six targets as the Bears try to establish some semblance of a passing attack. Plus, the other cheap options are way riskier (in my humble opinion), so this is about as high of a floor as you're going to find at this price.
GPP
Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders ($7,000 on FanDuel)
I've been beating the Raiders drum all offseason as I can foresee a world where Waller plays the Rob Gronkowski role in Josalongsides' offense along side Davante Adams (Randy Moss?) and Hunter Renfrow (Wes Welker?). I know those guys didn't all play together, but let me have this one. Anyway, I don't think you'll see Waller in many lineups this weekend, and he's got a good chance to go off.
[career="Darren Waller"]
Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers ($5,200 on FanDuel)
I'm mostly trying to get a piece of the Chargers offense here as opposed to loving Everett, but again, we're looking for upside and a cheap price. If you put together a GPP lineup with Justin Herbert as your quarterback, it's worth trying to be a bit unique and getting Everett in your lineup alongside Mike Williams or Keenan Allen (I'd vote Williams).
Check out our customizable fantasy football rankings!
Defense
Cash Games
Baltimore Ravens ($4,800 on FanDuel)
The Joe Flacco revenge game! If you're spending up (I won't be), the Ravens seem to be the best option as they should be able to capitalize on the Jets having to start Flacco. You could also look at the 49ers and Saints here, but I like the Ravens better as they're a bit cheaper.
Detroit Lions ($3,100 on FanDuel)
Everyone loves the Eagles, but I'm still not sold on their offense. Jalen Hurts looked absolutely awful at times last year and the Lions' defense (while not elite) isn't horrible and should be able to take advantage of any mistakes Hurts makes. This is by no means a lock, but I like spending down in cash games because it opens up higher-priced options elsewhere without hurting your lineup too much.
GPP
Indianapolis Colts ($4,500 on FanDuel)
The Colts' defense is underrated and they get to potentially feast on a bad Texans team. For a bit of a discount from the elite defenses out there, I think the Colts provide a nice mix of upside and uniqueness that could help set you apart from other tourney lineups.
Las Vegas Raiders ($3,000 on FanDuel)
I'm honestly just picking the Raiders because they're the cheapest option on FanDuel and I don't think anyone will use them against the Chargers. Could they burn you? Absolutely. But there's some upside if you strike gold!
The Perfect Lineup
I'll leave the GPP lineups up to you all, but here's a cash game lineup I'll be playing on FanDuel this weekend:
- Quarterback: Justin Fields ($6,900)
- Running Back: Christian McCaffrey ($9,500)
- Running Back: A.J. Dillon ($6,100)
- Wide Receiver: Justin Jefferson ($8,100)
- Wide Receiver: Jakobi Meyers ($5,500)
- Wide Receiver: Robert Woods ($5,600)
- Flex: Jonathan Taylor ($10,200)
- Tight End: Cole Kmet ($5,000)
- Defense: Detroit Lions ($3,100)