Welcome back to another season of DFS Domination. For the new readers, we rank all of the realistic plays for the Main Slate Millionaire contests on DraftKings (DK) and FanDuel (FD). We also offer a breakdown of suggested plays for the Primetime Slate. Our charts are color-ranked. Players in RED will struggle to reach 2.5x value. Players in BLACK will likely achieve 2.5x value but are not guaranteed additional success. Players in GREEN are likely to exceed 3x value.
I also provide the top four scorers at each position regardless of salary and a pair of discount sleepers at each position. Plus, you can find my favorite lineups for DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanball (FB).
DFS: The Primetime Slate
Sunday Night
Tom Brady (QB2) looked gaunt at a recent press conference. Perhaps age is finally turning the page on his career. I’m more concerned about his season-long well-being playing behind an offensive line filled out with third-stringers.
Dak Prescott (QB3) is probably the best option here as his ownership will be the lowest among the three playable options. Tampa Bay’s defense is no joke, but I prefer Dallas’ ability to throw against them much more than to run against the Bucs.
Despite their offensive line woes, Leonard Fournette (RB2) is a solid play this week. Lenny’s top backup is now an unproven rookie whose best attribute (receiving) is one that Fournette is also very good at. I will not be using Rachaad White (RB7) outside of Showdown contests until we see his actual usage.
Ezekiel Elliott (RB4) is not recommended this week. He will have a resurgence this year, just not this week. Tampa is elite up the middle against the run. This means ignoring Tony Pollard (RB6) as well. Of course, if I need to roster a third RB this week, Pollard’s price might put him in play.
Mike Evans (WR1) is the strongest play this week. Dallas has ballhawks in their secondary, but they also often overplay the ball. Chris Godwin (WR6) will be an OK play in a pass-heavy offense if he is cleared to go (still a big if). Julio Jones (WR7) will finish as high as WR4 if Godwin doesn’t play. Either way, he makes a nice WR3/flex play this week. Provided his hamstring allows him to play, Russell Gage (WR8) will also see a boost if Godwin misses the game. I like him as the third leg in a Brady-Evans triple stack.
CeeDee Lamb (WR2) was underwhelming last season when left to fend for himself. His supporting cast is even more suspect this year. So, unless you are playing Dak, fade him here. Jalen Tolbert (WR10) looked mediocre this preseason, but he will need to provide an immediate impact with Michael Gallup (knee) out. With no other options, Tolbert could be a sneaky play these first few weeks. Noah Brown (WR12) has experience with Dak, but don’t play him outside of Showdown contests.
Cameron Brate (TE3) and Kyle Rudolph (TE5) are looking to replace Rob Gronkowski’s production. Both are red-zone threats. If Godwin is out, Brate will definitely score.
Dalton Schultz (TE1) is the best option on this slate. Dak will need to establish an Option B in the passing game and Schultz will be it.
Monday Night
It will be an immediate revenge game for Russell Wilson (QB1). Against the weakest defense on the slate (including multiple injuries in their secondary), Wilson should lead the slate. Of course, the game script could minimize Wilson’s pass attempts in the second half.
With a strong defense facing Geno Smith (QB4), this will get ugly. The only reason to consider him here is as a pure punt play or as part of a run-it-back stack in superflex contests.
The two-headed Broncos’ backfield is back. Fortunately, Melvin Gordon (RB5) admits that he is the backup now. Javonte Williams (RB1) will move the ball at will against this defense. An early lead should provide both backs enough touches to be fantasy-relevant. The only way Williams fails to be the top back this week is if Denver decides to use them in a true 50-50 split. Neither back was a huge pass-catcher last year, but Seattle was abysmal against that role. Don’t be surprised if Williams hauls in five+ passes.
With Kenneth Walker III (groin) doubtful to play, Rashaad Penny (RB3) will need to pick up where he left off last season as the primary ball carrier for this run-first offense. Based on volume alone, you should consider him for RB2/flex. Travis Homer (RB8) could be considered in Showdown contests only.
We still do not know if Jerry Jeudy (WR4) or Courtland Sutton (WR3) will be Russell Wilson’s favorite receiver this season. I’m starting the year with my money on Sutton (the bigger body) being Option A, but they should both be viable as WR2 this week. KJ Hamler (WR11) could be a sneaky WR3/flex option here as his speed could translate into the Tyler Lockett role if he is fully recovered from his 2021 ACL injury.
If DK Metcalf (WR5) wasn’t DK Metcalf, he would barely have a pulse this week. Denver has a strong defensive backfield, which will frustrate Metcalf nearly as much as Geno’s lame duck throws will. Still, DK is a physical freak and by sheer volume, I expect he will sneak in a score. Tyler Lockett (WR9) is even less likely to make an impact this week. I want no part of him until Drew Lock takes over at QB. Dee Eskridge (WR13) can be used in Showdown contests only.
Injuries to rookie Greg Dulcich secure that Albert Okwuegbunam (TE2) will be the primary pass-catching TE to start the year. Seattle is solid at safety, but I still like Big Albert here on the small slate, especially if you use a double-TE lineup.
Noah Fant (TE4) also gets a revenge game right away. Unfortunately, he has not been in rhythm with Smith this preseason. It has been so bad that he is listed as the TE 1b behind Will Dissly (TE6) as 1a on the official depth chart. The Seahawks will use a lot of two-TE sets this season, and Smith will be forced to check down often making one playable. My money is on Fant since he has more natural talent.
The Main Slate: recommended DFS lineups
At DK: $5.5k for Matt Ryan. $5.2k for Chase Edmonds. $7.6k for Alvin Kamara. $5.9k for Amari Cooper. $5.5k for Michael Pittman.$5.2k for JuJu Smith-Schuster. $4.9k for T.J. Hockenson. $6.8k for D’Andre Swift at flex. $3.4k for the Carolina Panthers defense.
At FD: $6.9k for Ryan. $8.5k for Kamara. $7.6k for D’Andre Swift. $6.8k for Antonio Gibson at flex. $7.2k for Pittman. $6.6k for Mike Williams. $6.4k for Smith-Schuster. $5.3k for Pat Freiermuth. $4.7k for the Carolina Panthers defense.
At Fanball (double-flex – includes Sunday night): Jared Goff, Kamara, and Edmonds, Gibson at flex, Christian McCaffrey at second flex. Smith-Schuster, K.J. Osborn, DJ Chark, and Hayden Hurst.
| Quarterbacks | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Mahomes | $7,700 | $8,700 |
| Justin Herbert | $7,600 | $8,400 |
| Lamar Jackson | $7,300 | $8,500 |
| Kyler Murray | $7,200 | $8,200 |
| Aaron Rodgers | $7,000 | $7,800 |
| Jalen Hurts | $6,800 | $8,000 |
| Joe Burrow | $6,400 | $7,700 |
| Kirk Cousins | $6,100 | $7,300 |
| Trey Lance | $6,000 | $7,500 |
| Derek Carr | $5,900 | $7,400 |
| Ryan Tannehill | $5,700 | $7,100 |
| Tua Tagovailoa | $5,700 | $7,000 |
| Justin Fields | $5,600 | $6,900 |
| Trevor Lawrence | $5,600 | $7,000 |
| Carson Wentz | $5,500 | $6,800 |
| Matt Ryan | $5,500 | $6,900 |
| Jared Goff | $5,400 | $6,800 |
| Mac Jones | $5,400 | $6,600 |
| Baker Mayfield | $5,300 | $6,600 |
| Davis Mills | $5,300 | $6,500 |
| Jameis Winston | $5,300 | $6,700 |
| Jacoby Brissett | $5,200 | $6,300 |
| Marcus Mariota | $5,200 | $6,500 |
| Daniel Jones | $5,000 | $7,100 |
| Mitch Trubisky | $5,000 | $6,400 |
| Joe Flacco | $4,800 | $6,200 |
Quarterback
Weekly strategy – There are two high-scoring matchups right away as Justin Herbert faces Derek Carr and Patrick Mahomes faces Kyler Murray. Also consider Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts as run-based alternatives. Still, I suggest going cheap this week with Matt Ryan, Jared Goff, Jameis Winston, or Davis Mills.
Fantasy Four-pack
Justin Herbert, Chargers vs. LVR
($7,600 DK, $8,400 FD)
This contest features a revenge game narrative for Herbert and the Chargers coming off being knocked out of the playoffs last year by Vegas. Plus, this game has the second-highest combined points so expect a shootout. Herbert has faced Vegas four times in his career averaging 311 yards and 2.75 TD per game. 300-3 sounds right here. Roll out the Herbert-Mike Williams stack this week.
Lamar Jackson, Ravens @ NYJ ($7,300 DK, $8,500 FD) Jackson will likely be without his top RB this week. This means he will do even more running than usual. From a DFS standpoint, that is like manna from heaven. Feel free to stack Jackson with both Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman.
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs @ ARI
($7,700 DK, $8,700 FD) OK, we finally get to see a KC offense without Tyreek Hill. Mahomes still has myriad weapons to throw to, and I love both Marquez Valdes-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster this week as Arizona can be beaten on the outside. This game has the highest projected points and will be a shootout. This sets up for a nice roll-it-back lineup with Marquise Brown included, too.
Kyler Murray, Cardinals vs. KC
($7,200 DK, $8,200 FD) Murray also will be without his top weapon from last season. Fortunately, the Cardinals acquired Marquise Brown to fill in for him. KC has completely retooled its secondary this offseason. The newcomers are young and talented, but they may not be ready to face an Arizona Air Raid offense. Bump up Murray’s projections if Zach Ertz is cleared to play; otherwise, expect 280-3.
DFS Sleepers
Matt Ryan, Colts @ HOU
($5,500 DK, $6,900 FD) Houston is young and improving, but they aren’t there yet. After last season’s shorthanded WR room in Atlanta, Ryan should be licking his chops to have Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, and Parris Campbell to throw at. Ryan’s price makes him a great value option, especially paired with the equally discounted Pittman.
Jared Goff, Lions vs. PHI
($5,400 DK, $6,800 FD)
Motownphilly is back again this week. Last year, Goff’s final line against Philly was more boy than man. In his defense, his WR room had three total catches. His top three receiving options were a TE, his starting RB, and another RB who is out of the league. This year, he has Amon-Ra St. Brown, DJ Chark, Josh Reynolds, and Quintez Cephus to choose from — plus all of his auxiliary tools. Give him the manly 250-2 here on the discount.
| Running backs | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Taylor | $9,100 | $10,200 |
| Derrick Henry | $8,600 | $9,700 |
| Christian McCaffrey | $8,500 | $9,500 |
| Austin Ekeler | $8,200 | $9,400 |
| Dalvin Cook |
$7,900 | $8,400 |
| Alvin Kamara | $7,600 | $8,500 |
| Joe Mixon | $7,100 | $8,300 |
| James Conner | $7,000 | $7,700 |
| D’Andre Swift | $6,800 | $7,600 |
| Aaron Jones | $6,700 | $7,400 |
| Nick Chubb | $6,500 | $7,800 |
| Najee Harris | $6,400 | $8,200 |
| Josh Jacobs | $6,300 | $7,000 |
| Saquon Barkley | $6,100 | $6,800 |
| David Montgomery | $6,000 | $6,600 |
| Antonio Gibson | $5,800 | $6,800 |
| Cordarrelle Patterson | $5,800 | $6,600 |
| Damien Harris | $5,700 | $6,300 |
| Kareem Hunt | $5,700 | $6,300 |
| J.K. Dobbins | $5,600 | $6,900 |
| James Robinson | $5,600 | $6,200 |
| Travis Etienne | $5,600 | $6,200 |
| Breece Hall | $5,500 | $6,400 |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | $5,500 | $5,600 |
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire | $5,400 | $5,800 |
| Eli Mitchell | $5,400 | $6,700 |
| Miles Sanders | $5,400 | $6,500 |
| AJ Dillon | $5,300 | $6,100 |
| Chase Edmonds | $5,200 | $5,800 |
| Jamaal Williams | $5,200 | $5,700 |
| Ronald Jones | $5,200 | $5,500 |
| J.D. McKissic | $5,100 | $5,200 |
| Jeff Wilson | $5,100 | $5,500 |
| Michael Carter | $5,100 | $5,200 |
| Nyheim Hines | $5,100 | $5,400 |
| Kenyan Drake | $5,000 | $5,700 |
| Rex Burkhead | $4,900 | $5,100 |
| Dameon Pierce | $4,800 | $5,400 |
| Zamir White | $4,700 | $4,900 |
| Kenneth Gainwell | $4,600 | $5,300 |
| Boston Scott | $4,500 | $4,900 |
| Myles Gaskin | $4,500 | $4,900 |
| Tyler Allgeier | $4,500 | $4,800 |
| Mike Davis | $4,400 | $5,600 |
| Eno Benjamin | $4,200 | $4,900 |
| Jerick McKinnon | $4,200 | $5,200 |
Running Back
Weekly strategy – Each of the top-six priced options on both sites would make a great RB1 this week. The issue is fitting two of them under the cap. If I had to choose from among them, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara would be my first two picks. D’Andre Swift and Antonio Gibson would be my less expensive pivots. You could even pair two of that foursome. Even cheaper yet are likely lead options Chase Edmonds and Dameon Pierce. Just know that Pierce is going to have ridiculous ownership numbers, so you may want to fade him. If you want to punt RB2 without using Pierce, consider using Nyheim Hines or Kenyan Drake.
Fantasy Four-pack
Jonathan Taylor, Colts @ HOU
($9,100 DK, $10,200 FD)
Houston allowed the second-most rushing yards last year, including 288 to Taylor. Jonathan also added four rushing TDs in those two games. In those games, Taylor did nothing through the air. If he even catches a pittance of passes here, he is a lock for 3x (even with that high FD price).
Christian McCaffrey, Panthers vs. CLE
($8,500 DK, $9,500 FD) Both DFS sites have McCaffrey priced below $10k. You will not get this discount all season. You may not even get this discount next week. Use it while you can. Cleveland is decent against the run, but CMC will do enough across the board to be a top-five overall scorer this week.
Alvin Kamara, Saints @ ATL
($7,600 DK, $8,500 FD) Atlanta’s defense is better against the pass than the run. It won’t matter here because Kamara will beat them both ways. Anything short of 150 combo yards and a score would be disappointing. In fact, the only way he doesn’t reach that figure is if he is suspended over the weekend.
Derrick Henry, Titans vs. NYG
($8,600 DK, $9,700 FD) The Giants improved their defense this offseason. Unfortunately, they still will have no answer for King Henry. Tennessee is devoid of receiving talent coming into this season, so they will have to lean even more than ever on their hoss RB. We may even see Henry pick up where he left off last season by developing into a semi-functioning pass-catcher, too.
DFS Sleepers
Antonio Gibson, Commanders vs. JAX
($5,800 DK, $6,800 FD) You need to feel bad for Brian Robinson. Now, Washington will be forced to feed Gibson the ball. Despite being dissed by his coaching staff this preseason, he actually proved over the last couple of seasons that he is an incredibly talented RB. Jacksonville broke the bank to shore up their offense this offseason, but that defensive front is very young and unproven at this level. If J.D. McKissic (groin) is limited this week, bump Gibson’s value up even more.
Chase Edmonds, Dolphins vs. NE
($5,200 DK, $5,800 FD)
The release of Sony Michel left Edmonds as the early-down favorite in Miami. There are many weapons in this offense this year, but you know that Bill Belichick will be plotting to shut down both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. This should leave Edmonds free to overachieve this week. This time next week, his salary will be much higher.
| Wide receivers | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Davante Adams | $8,100 | $8,500 |
| Justin Jefferson | $7,800 | $8,100 |
| Deebo Samuel | $7,400 | $8,400 |
| Ja’Marr Chase | $7,100 | $8,200 |
| Keenan Allen | $7,000 | $7,400 |
| Tyreek Hill | $6,800 | $7,700 |
| Mike Williams | $6,600 | $6,600 |
| Terry McLaurin | $6,500 | $7,000 |
| A.J. Brown | $6,400 | $7,100 |
| Jaylen Waddle | $6,400 | $6,800 |
| Brandin Cooks | $6,300 | $6,600 |
| Marquise Brown | $6,200 | $6,900 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | $6,100 | $6,500 |
| Tee Higgins | $6,100 | $7,000 |
| Diontae Johnson | $6,000 | $6,700 |
| DJ Moore | $6,000 | $6,400 |
| Amari Cooper | $5,900 | $6,300 |
| Hunter Renfrow | $5,800 | $5,900 |
| Darnell Mooney | $5,700 | $6,200 |
| Michael Thomas | $5,700 | $6,200 |
| Allen Lazard | $5,600 | $6,500 |
| Robert Woods | $5,600 | $5,600 |
| DeVonta Smith | $5,500 | $6,100 |
| Michael Pittman | $5,500 | $7,200 |
| Adam Thielen | $5,400 | $6,100 |
| Rashod Bateman | $5,300 | $6,100 |
| Brandon Aiyuk | $5,200 | $5,600 |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | $5,100 | $6,400 |
| Christian Kirk | $5,100 | $5,800 |
| Christian Watson | $5,100 | $5,200 |
| Elijah Moore | $5,100 | $6,000 |
| Chase Claypool | $5,000 | $5,800 |
| Drake London | $5,000 | $5,500 |
| Jarvis Landry | $5,000 | $5,700 |
| Treylon Burks | $5,000 | $5,900 |
| Corey Davis | $4,900 | $5,400 |
| K.J. Osborn | $4,900 | $5,200 |
| Sterling Shepard | $4,900 | $5,500 |
| DeVante Parker | $4,800 | $5,700 |
| DJ Chark | $4,800 | $5,300 |
| Kenny Golladay | $4,800 | $5,600 |
| Nick Westbrook-Ikhine | $4,800 | $5,100 |
| Robbie Anderson | $4,800 | $5,300 |
| Tyler Boyd | $4,800 | $5,700 |
| Garrett Wilson | $4,700 | $5,300 |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | $4,700 | $5,500 |
| Sammy Watkins | $4,700 | $5,500 |
| A.J. Green | $4,600 | $5,700 |
| Mecole Hardman | $4,600 | $5,400 |
| Chris Olave | $4,500 | $5,000 |
| Byron Pringle | $4,400 | $5,300 |
| Donovan Peoples-Jones | $4,400 | $5,400 |
| Marvin Jones | $4,400 | $5,000 |
| Jakobi Meyers | $4,300 | $5,500 |
| Bryan Edwards | $4,200 | $5,100 |
| Curtis Samuel | $4,200 | $5,100 |
| Darius Slayton | $4,200 | $5,100 |
| Kendrick Bourne | $4,200 | $5,100 |
| Nico Collins | $4,200 | $5,200 |
| George Pickens | $4,100 | $5,200 |
| Kadarius Toney | $4,100 | $5,300 |
| Zay Jones | $4,100 | $5,100 |
| Olamide Zaccheaus | $4,000 | $5,000 |
| Rondale Moore | $4,000 | $5,500 |
| Alec Pierce | $3,900 | $4,900 |
| Cedrick Wilson | $3,900 | $5,100 |
| Devin Duvernay | $3,800 | $5,000 |
| Joshua Palmer | $3,800 | $4,900 |
| Skyy Moore | $3,800 | $4,600 |
| David Bell | $3,600 | $5,000 |
| Jahan Dotson | $3,400 | $4,900 |
| Nelson Agholor | $3,400 | $4,900 |
| Quez Watkins | $3,400 | $5,200 |
| Randall Cobb | $3,400 | $5,100 |
| Parris Campbell | $3,300 | $5,200 |
| Quintez Cephus | $3,000 | $4,800 |
| Romeo Doubs | $3,000 | $5,000 |
Wide Receiver
Weekly strategy – Davante Adams gets to show off his connection with Derek Carr immediately. He and Justin Jefferson are the two best options up top. Either Chargers wide receiver would be a slightly cheaper pivot (I prefer Mike Williams). Also, consider going cheaper this week with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquise Brown, or volume options like Amari Cooper, Darnell Mooney, Michael Pittman, and Rashod Bateman at WR1 and WR2. I also like Allen Lazard (ankle) in this range, if he gets a clean bill of health. The WR corps of Jacksonville, Detroit, and whoever suits up for the New York Giants each make WR3 sense based on their opponents. Still, my top punt options this week are K.J. Osborn, Sammy Watkins, Nico Collins, and the depth WRs for Arizona.
Fantasy Four-pack
Justin Jefferson, Vikings vs. GB
($7,800 DK, $8,100 FD)
The word on the street is that Minnesota is going to throw the ball considerably more this season. Green Bay has a pair of studly cornerbacks, but Jefferson is in a class of his own. I’m not expecting a ceiling game here, but 8-110-1 is in play.
Davante Adams, Raiders @ LAC
($8,100 DK, $8,500 FD)
The Chargers are also set at cornerback, but this will be a huge test in Week 1. Adams and Derek Carr make a great stack, and I love to run it back with Mike Williams here. Just know that will leave you penny-pinching elsewhere.
Mike Williams, Chargers vs. LVR
($6,600 DK, $6,600 FD)
Anytime the FD price is the same or lower than the DK price, you have to use the player there. The Raiders lack anyone at cornerback to body up with the tall and physical Williams. This feels like a 6-100 game with a long TD.
Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals vs. PIT
($7,100 DK, $8,200 FD) Mark me concerned about rust from Joe Burrow after missing the preseason with appendix surgery. I’m also concerned about the number of weapons that Cincy has. Still, Pittsburgh cannot double-team all of them. Expect a floor of 6-70-1 with considerably higher upside if Burrow isn’t limited.
DFS Sleepers
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs @ ARI
($5,200 DK, $6,400 FD)
Patrick Mahomes’ top (and most-proven) WR in a shootout matchup with Arizona, Sign me up! Throw in the reduced price and it is a mortal lock at WR1 or WR2. Consider using Kyler Murray at QB and then stacking Marquise Brown and running it back with Smith-Schuster.
Rashod Bateman, Ravens @ NYJ
($5,300 DK, $6,100 FD)
Bateman is now the true WR1 in Baltimore. Unfortunately, the team is still run-first and Mark Andrews is the real No. 1 target. The Jets have improved at every level on defense, but volume alone puts Bateman in play for 7-70-1.
| Tight ends | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Andrews | $6,800 | $7,900 |
| Travis Kelce | $6,600 | $8,000 |
| George Kittle | $5,900 | $6,100 |
| Kyle Pitts | $5,700 | $6,000 |
| Darren Waller | $5,400 | $7,000 |
| T.J. Hockenson | $4,900 | $5,700 |
| Mike Gesicki | $4,800 | $5,500 |
| Dallas Goedert | $4,500 | $5,700 |
| Zach Ertz | $4,400 | $5,600 |
| Pat Freiermuth | $4,200 | $5,300 |
| David Njoku | $3,900 | $5,000 |
| Robert Tonyan | $3,900 | $5,100 |
| Gerald Everett | $3,800 | $5,200 |
| Hunter Henry | $3,800 | $5,400 |
| Austin Hooper | $3,700 | $4,800 |
| Cole Kmet | $3,700 | $5,000 |
| C.J. Uzomah | $3,600 | $4,800 |
| Evan Engram | $3,500 | $4,900 |
| Tyler Conklin | $3,500 | $5,000 |
| Irv Smith | $3,400 | $5,100 |
| Mo Alie-Cox | $3,400 | $4,800 |
| Hayden Hurst | $3,300 | $4,900 |
| Logan Thomas | $3,200 | $5,500 |
| Adam Trautman | $3,100 | $4,700 |
| Brevin Jordan | $3,100 | $4,800 |
| John Bates | $3,100 | $4,700 |
| Harrison Bryant | $2,900 | $4,600 |
| Dan Arnold | $2,800 | $4,400 |
| Donald Parham | $2,800 | $4,500 |
| Jonnu Smith | $2,800 | $4,700 |
| Ryan Griffin | $2,700 | $4,100 |
| Daniel Bellinger | $2,500 | $4,100 |
| Isaiah Likely | $2,500 | $4,100 |
Tight End
Weekly strategy – Feel free to pay up for Mark Andrews, Travis Kelce, or Kyle Pitts. Pitts on FD is almost free money compared to those other two. For lesser ownership, consider T.J. Hockenson and Pat Freiermuth. If you decide to punt the position (I wouldn’t this week), Austin Hooper, Cole Kmet, and Hayden Hurst are decent dice rolls.
Fantasy Four-pack
Travis Kelce, Chiefs @ ARI
($6,600 DK, $8,000 FD)
Patrick Mahomes went on record saying it would be a different target each week for fantasy purposes. I’ll believe that when I see it. Kelce was option 1a last year, and he will repeat that role here. That said, I don’t love the FD price considering how cheap some others are and since Arizona’s best DBs are in the middle.
Mark Andrews, Ravens @ NYJ
($6,800 DK, $7,900 FD)
There wasn’t a more reliable TE than Andrews last season. With Marquise Brown out of town, Andrews and Rashod Bateman will need to step up even further. Stack both of them with Lamar Jackson against a still learning-on-the-job Jets defense. The threesome should combine for four total scores.
Kyle Pitts, Falcons vs. NO
($5,700 DK, $6,000 FD)
The only thing missing from Pitts’ rookie season was TDs. Reverse TD-regression is assured this season, starting this week. I mean someone has to catch the ball in Atlanta. Lock him in for 8-90-1 here as Atlanta is forced to throw the ball to stay in this one.
T.J. Hockenson, Lions vs. PHI
($4,900 DK, $5,700 FD)
This may be my favorite TE play of the week. Detroit has more weapons to choose from, but Hockenson has the familiarity with Jared Goff from last season. This is the cheap stack to use so that you can go massive at RB.
DFS Sleepers
Cole Kmet, Bears vs. SF
($3,700 DK, $5,000 FD)
Kmet is the unquestioned number two option for Chicago. This means he will see close to 10 targets per week. If he can reel in 5-50 that puts him at 3x on DK already.
Austin Hooper, Titans vs. NYG
($3,700 DK, $4,900 FD)
The Titans are seriously lacking in reliable passing-game options. That is why Hooper should be in for a big start to the year until Treylon Burks gets more NFL-ready. Tennessee has effectively used their TEs in the red zone before. A short score seems imminent to go along with 5-50.