NFL Week 1 is almost here, which means it’s time for you to figure out your DFS lineups for the new season. Maximizing your budget is the toughest challenge in DFS, and finding the right players to compliment your premium picks is the difference between a winning and losing week.
We’ll be combing through the player valuations each week on DraftKings and Fanduel to bring you the best budget picks of the week – players you can slot in to make room for drafting Patrick Mahomes or Christian McCaffrey.
Here are budget plays to consider at every position for the full Sunday lineup of games. This excludes Thursday’s Texans-Chiefs game, as well as the two Monday Night Football games (Steelers-Giants and Titans-Broncos).
QUARTERBACK:
Philip Rivers | DK: $6,000 | FD: $7,200
Rivers lit up the Jags late last season with the Chargers (314 yards, 3 passing TDs), and Jacksonville is in full rebuild mode.
Baker Mayfield | DK: $5,700 | FD: $7,000
In two games against the vaunted Ravens defense last year, Mayfield averaged 267 passing yards and 1.5 TDs per game – but the Browns’ offense is loaded with talent in 2020, and Cleveland improved its offensive line in the offseason. Mayfield could be worth a roll for little more than Trubisky money.
RUNNING BACK:
James White | DK: $6,000 | FD: $5,300
The Patriots just put Damien Harris on IR, and Sony Michel only recently returned to practice following offseason surgery. That all seems to point to a bigger-than-usual opportunity for James White, who isn’t likely to rush for many yards but is a frequent target in the passing game.
Tarik Cohen | DK: $4,900 | FD: $5,200
The status of starter David Montgomery is unclear as he’s suffering from a groin injury, so you’ll want to monitor him up to Sunday, but Cohen is a sure bet to rack up receptions. In the final four games of 2019, Cohen had 30 targets.
Boston Scott | DK: $4,800 | FD: $4,700
Eagles RB1 Miles Sanders has been dealing with a hamstring issue recently, and if you’re bullish on the Eagles chances this weekend and think the game could get out of hand as I am, Scott could see some extended time on the field.
WIDE RECEIVER:
Calvin Ridley | DK: $6,100 | FD: $6,600
2020 could be the breakout year for Ridley, who finished 2019 with four huge fantasy games.
Allen Lazard | DK: $4,900 | FD: $5,500
Davante Adams is going to put up numbers, but at some point Aaron Rodgers is going to have to distribute the ball elsewhere, and Lazard is the No. 2 option. He had 9 targets and 5 receptions against the Vikings in Week 16 last season.
TIGHT END:
Chris Herndon | DK: $3,300 | FD: $4,800
Jets TE Chris Herndon is one of the most hyped sleeper candidates in 2020, and for good reason. He had some solid games in 2018 before missing almost the entire 2019 season, and the reports from Jets camp are that Herndon and QB Sam Darnold are meshing well in 2020. The Bills defense is tough, but Herndon should be getting plenty of targets.
DST:
Colts | DK: $3,000 | FD: $3,700
Gardner Minshew had a big game in Week 17 against the Colts last season, but the Indy defense should be better than it was to end the 2019 season, Minshew needs to prove he can cut his turnovers, and the Jags are projected to have one of the worst offenses in the league.
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