Football is back, and the Week 1 NFL DFS slate is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of flat salaries for superstars that will be priced up next week. This week’s GPP lineup advice features paying up at running back and mixing in reasonably priced receiving options, plus strong value plays for rookies.
Week 1 GPP DFS Advice & Picks
The players below are the ones I’m looking at for GPP considerations this week. Salaries marked with an * indicate a strong value in pricing difference on FanDuel.
Football is back, and the Week 1 NFL DFS slate is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of flat salaries for superstars that will be priced up next week. This week’s GPP lineup advice features paying up at running back and mixing in reasonably priced receiving options, plus strong value plays for rookies.
Week 1 GPP DFS Advice & Picks
The players below are the ones I’m looking at for GPP considerations this week. Salaries marked with an * indicate a strong value in pricing difference on FanDuel.
Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow (QB – CIN) @ CLE | DraftKings: $6,900/FanDuel: $8,000
Joe Burrow is my preferred high-end stack with both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. This combo is typically difficult to reach but realistic in Week 1 while still leaving room for a high-end running back and mid-tier plays. This matchup features one of the highest point totals of the week, and Cleveland’s defense leans more generous to the pass than the run, making this a perfect spot to take advantage before salaries rise.
Baker Mayfield offers a very cost-effective double-stacking opportunity with Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka. Atlanta was vulnerable through the air last season, allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks and the fifth-most to wide receivers. Just be aware that this is an incredibly chalky combination, and you will need to differentiate yourself at running back and tight end. A run back with Bijan Robinson, whose rostership is modest as the highest-priced back on the slate, would help separate from the crowd.
Jayden Daniels is intriguing because he offers both upside and leverage through low-rostered stacking. While many will default to playing him naked, stacking him with Terry McLaurin creates differentiation since rostership on McLaurin should be very low after the preseason contract drama. Daniels offers the highest ceiling of any quarterback on the slate. While he is the highest-priced quarterback this week, he still offers one of the best values per salary.
Additional Considerations
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor will be popular, but for good reason. This game has a surprisingly high point total at 47, with Indianapolis as the 1-point favorite — a great combination that should favor volume for Taylor. Taylor’s finish to the 2024 season featured four-straight games with over 100 yards and six total touchdowns. Miami was below average against the run last season, and the Colts should lean heavily on Taylor in this matchup.
On the opposite side of the ball, holding trust in the Miami offense is difficult, but one thing has been very consistent — as long as Tua Tagovailoa is on the field — is that De’Von Achane is a top-five back. Given the upside, his pricing actually offers significant value. Achane missed the preseason with an injury but is expected to play in Week 1.
The Lions talked all offseason about getting Jahmyr Gibbs more touches, and this is the perfect spot against a Green Bay defense that struggled against the run last year. If active, the addition of Micah Parsons is a major boost to the Packers’ pass rush, but the run defense remains a question mark. The most appealing aspect of Gibbs this week is his rostership. His pricing is elevated compared to other high-end backs, and potential low ownership makes him a strong contrarian play this week.
Christian McCaffrey was looking like he would be the highest-rostered back on the slate, but a limited practice with a calf injury on Thursday could make his rostership drop. McCaffrey’s pricing for the ceiling offers extreme value, and if we can get a dip in rostership, he’s worth the risk. Monitor news and prepare for potential pivot options.
Additional Considerations
Wide Receivers
Ja’Marr Chase is the most expensive receiver on the slate, but Cleveland allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing wideouts last year, setting up an ideal spot for Chase. He’s the premier stacking partner with Burrow and a strong core play as a one-off.
Because Emeka Egbuka is one of the best values at wide receiver this week, he’ll be popular. However, the game environment and matchup make it worth eating the chalk. Atlanta struggled badly against the pass last year, and Egbuka’s salary creates lineup flexibility without sacrificing upside.
Washington’s defense is improved, but the Giants will be chasing points, and volume will funnel through Malik Nabers, making him an excellent value at his pricing. His rostership should be fairly moderate, and he’s the perfect run-back in a Jayden Daniels-Terry McLaurin stack.
Ricky Pearsall is one of my preferred value plays this week. His role should give him enough volume to return value at his price, and he opens up salary for higher-end stacks. Pearsall’s ceiling isn’t high on paper, but I’m a true believer in his value being wildly underestimated. He’s got sneaky upside and offers a strong salary saver with a solid floor. He’s a good piece to sprinkle in across builds.
Puka Nacua will be a popular play, but Davante Adams offers lower rostership at a significantly lower price tag while offering a strong ceiling. Adams still carries elite ceiling upside, and his discounted price should help him slide under the radar. He’s a high-upside leverage play that fits well in GPP builds.
Additional Considerations
Tight Ends
David Njoku (TE – CLE) vs. CIN | DraftKings: $4,700/FanDuel: $5,700
David Njoku will likely be the most popular play at tight end because he offers the same ceiling as Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, and George Kittle but at a massive discount, making him the best tight end value on the slate. Cincinnati gave up the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends last season and Cleveland will be playing from behind.
Additional Considerations
D/ST
New England Patriots D/ST | DraftKings: $3,100/FanDuel: $3,900
New England did an excellent job across the board upgrading their personnel and is well-positioned defensively to get back to the traditional Patriots’ defense with Mike Vrabel at the helm. The Raiders upgraded offensively, but Geno Smith was prone to turnovers last season, and the Vegas offense as a whole was inconsistent in the preseason. This should be a low-scoring matchup with strong upside for defensive scoring from the Patriots.
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