The players below are the ones I’m looking at for NFL DFS GPP considerations this week. Salaries marked with an * indicate a strong value in pricing difference on FanDuel.
NFL DFS GPP Main Slate Lineup Advice: Week 1
Quarterbacks
A healthy Lamar Jackson always has overall QB1 upside. The Colts are not a defensive layup, but a strong defense doesn’t limit Jackson’s upside. Before his injury last season, Jackson opened the season against Buffalo, Cleveland, and Detroit with a minimum of 25 fantasy points in each game, finishing as a top five quarterback each time. The addition of Ja’Kobi Lane gives Jackson more depth at receiver and a new primary deep threat. Week 1 profiles as another ceiling game.
The players below are the ones I’m looking at for NFL DFS GPP considerations this week. Salaries marked with an * indicate a strong value in pricing difference on FanDuel.
NFL DFS GPP Main Slate Lineup Advice: Week 1
Quarterbacks
A healthy Lamar Jackson always has overall QB1 upside. The Colts are not a defensive layup, but a strong defense doesn’t limit Jackson’s upside. Before his injury last season, Jackson opened the season against Buffalo, Cleveland, and Detroit with a minimum of 25 fantasy points in each game, finishing as a top five quarterback each time. The addition of Ja’Kobi Lane gives Jackson more depth at receiver and a new primary deep threat. Week 1 profiles as another ceiling game.
Cleveland is still an above-average defensive matchup. However, the Jaguars’ depth at receiver gives Lawrence ample avenues to pick apart any defense. The low point total from this game is more reflective of Vegas’ lack of confidence in Cleveland’s offense. The Jags are a heavy favorite, and Lawrence also offers rushing upside, with 82 attempts last season and nine rushing touchdowns.
Despite the heavy ownership expected on Jahmyr Gibbs, the higher-rostered quarterback in this matchup should be Jared Goff, leaving a prime opportunity to capitalize on a Shough lineup with a Gibbs run back to differentiate from the field. This game offers one of the highest point totals on the slate, and the Saints will be chasing points. Stacking Shough is extremely straightforward with Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson as the only viable receiving options. Shough also showed solid rushing upside last year as well.
Additional Considerations
Running Backs
Will he be extremely chalky? Yes. However, the touchdowns could run exclusively through Gibbs. He’s finally freed from the clutches of a committee with David Montgomery leaving town, and Detroit has one of the highest totals on the slate. While I wouldn’t be overweight on Gibbs this week, he does need to be included in your player pool for the pure slate-breaking potential that would leave your lineups null and void if you don’t have any shares.
Robinson is the second-most expensive back on the slate, and with the quarterback drama in Atlanta, he’ll have low ownership. Tua Tagovailoa is dealing with an oblique injury. Michael Penix was already ruled out. The next man up is Cooper Rush. We’ve seen Robinson put up strong fantasy performances with subpar quarterbacks, and Rush should be checkdown-friendly. Put aside any fear of Brian Robinson Jr. sniping at the goal line. Kevin Stefanski historically has not pulled lead backs at the goal line. Regardless, receiving volume can carry Bijan to an excellent week at a roster percentage you likely won’t see in later weeks.
Maxx Crosby might’ve stayed in Vegas (by force), but make no mistake, that Raiders defense is still subpar overall. They allowed the ninth most fantasy points to opposing running backs last season. Concerns around Achane having a capped ceiling due to a poor Miami offense are exaggerated. Miami was bottom 10 in total points scored and they ran the second fewest plays in the league. The only area they were successful in was rushing yards, courtesy of Achane. The South Beach back thrives through receptions and chunk yardage, not goal line opportunities. His ceiling is as high as any back on the slate at extremely low ownership.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective back, Lloyd offers plenty of appeal. The Packers stated they plan to use a committee. However, that doesn’t mean Lloyd can’t show as the most effective back and get the most carries with goal line preference. Unlike a team like the Seattle Seahawks who use a committee by design, the Packers have been dedicated to a true three-down back since the arrival of Josh Jacobs. The Packers using a committee is simply because they truly don’t know which back gives them the most upside. Lloyd is built to handle early-down work, is powerful enough for goal line work and can handle checkdowns.
Additional Considerations
Wide Receivers
Chris Olave (WR – NO) @ DET | DraftKings: $6,700/FanDuel: $7,400*
Olave, standalone or with Tyler Shough, can be a very effective strategy this week. He has legitimate top five upside in a high volume matchup. The Lions will push it offensively and force New Orleans to chase points. With Jordyn Tyson injured and other unproven assets, Olave and Juwan Johnson are the only reliable pass catchers. Olave will see an aggressive target funnel, which can yield big fantasy points against an injured, subpar Lions’ secondary that allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing receivers last year.
On the surface, the Titans vs. the Jets is an underwhelming, avoidable matchup with a low point total. However, there’s a hidden gem in Wilson. The Jets’ rookie additions have been injured or underwhelmed in preseason. Wilson is the unquestioned WR1 who thrives regardless of the quarterback based on pure volume. Even with Justin Fields, Wilson had four WR1 performances in the six games they played together. His pricing is excellent for the upside compared to similarly priced players.
High point total, heavy favorite, layup defensive opponent, primary deep threat for Justin Herbert and sub-$5K pricing on DraftKings; what more could you ask for in a Week 1 value play? Johnston’s ceiling does not remotely match his pricing this week. Johnston got off to a hot start in 2025, where he was the overall WR4 through the first four weeks of the season. I expect a similar hot start, and you can’t beat this pricing for a legitimate 25 fantasy point ceiling.
Jalen Coker (WR – CAR) vs. CHI | DraftKings: $4,600/FanDuel: $5,400
Coker is another solid value play against a defense that has thrived against the run and struggled against the pass last season. While Chicago has made adjustments, the pass is still the best path forward, particularly with Carolina expected to trail in this matchup. If the Panthers fall behind early, they could be forced to increase pass volume, and Coker is the unquestioned second-look of the offense.
Additional Considerations
Tight Ends
With Brock Bowers out, McBride is the highest-priced tight end of the slate by $1,500 on DraftKings, meaning he’ll offer a very low ownership percentage. The Chargers are a difficult defensive matchup, but Jacoby Brissett throws for volume when playing behind regardless of the opponent. Brissett threw 40 or more attempts against teams like Seattle, Jacksonville, the Rams, and Houston last year. McBride is his preferred target and his volume when chasing points can still pay off at his pricing.
Michael Mayer will be the popular punt play of the week. If you’re looking to get a bit different but still be cost-effective, Johnson offers sub-$4K pricing on DraftKings and is the second look for Tyler Shough. Johnson is more suitable for DraftKings because his touchdown equity is low, and his points will come primarily via receptions.
Additional Considerations
D/ST
Jacksonville D/ST vs. CLE | DraftKings: $3,400/FanDuel: $5,000
D/ST is difficult this week. You could pay down for defenses in low-scoring games like the Jets or Raiders. The Jets D/ST is my preference for a cheap defense. However, it might be worth it this week to just pay up for more of a known defense with a shaky matchup, and the Jags fit perfectly. Deshaun Watson should be turnover-friendly, and while I love the young pieces in their offense, it could take some time to develop…or perhaps a quarterback change.
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn
