Tag: DraftKings – Daily Fantasy

Daily Fantasy: The one Broncos player you need to start in Week 1 on DraftKings

Broncos tight end Noah Fant could be a daily fantasy sports sleeper in Week 1.

The Denver Broncos will have to wait longer than just about everyone in the NFL to begin their 2020 campaign. Rounding out the Week 1 slate in the league is the Broncos as they’ll host the Tennessee Titans, the second of two games on Monday Night Football, at 10:20 p.m. ET on ESPN.

That patience could be a virtue when it comes to daily fantasy options.

Entering the season, the Broncos have given quarterback Drew Lock a lot of weapons to work with – and while the Titans’ defensive prowess led Tennessee to the AFC Championship game in 2019, there are still fantasy options to be found in Denver. At the wide receiver position, Courtland Sutton returns, while rookies Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler were added in the NFL Draft.

Despite those tempting options outside, look toward tight end Noah Fant to start the year as a fantasy option. Poised for a breakout second season, Fant could easily get rolling early.

Early in the 2020 season, it’s important to keep in mind that the recent offseason was not great for young quarterbacks like Lock trying to build chemistry with new weapons. But Lock did start five games down stretch last season, all of which included Fant in the lineup. There’s a foundation.

Plus, the Titans’ weak spot on defense last season was against tight ends. Tennessee allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends, 226.6 in total. Fant is also cost-efficient among tight ends on DraftKings, with a $4,200 salary for Week 1 (roster limit: $50,000). Comparatively to the likes of George Kittle ($7,200) and Travis Kelce ($7,000), Fant could be a season-opening steal.

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Daily Fantasy: The one Jets player you need to start in Week 1 on DraftKings

Jamison Crowder has sneaky upside in daily fantasy in Week 1.

The New York Jets are on the road in Week 1 visiting the Buffalo Bills at Bill Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. ET. While real football is finally back in our lives, daily fantasy football also commences.

There are a lot of question marks surrounding the offense for the Jets. Third-year quarterback Sam Darnold is hoping to take a step forward, while there could be some head-scratching decisions on the way for head coach Adam Gase. An ambiguous backfield leads Le’Veon Bell to be avoided in daily fantasy football and Darnold’s lack of upside against a strong defense means you should look elsewhere as well.

But while Darnold is a risky play in Week 1, his top target in wide receiver Jamison Crowder is an easy start in daily fantasy. Rookie Denzel Mims appears to be getting back from a hamstring injury while tight end Chris Herndon may play a significant role in the passing game, but it is unlikely any other pass-catcher will reach the target share that Crowder has carved out.

Crowder’s 122 targets in 2019 led the Jets offense while his 25% target share was near the elite threshold. Robby Anderson is no longer in the picture. Crowder may be dealing with a hamstring injury but if he suits up, he is an ideal start in daily fantasy football.

He’s priced at just $5,200 on DraftKings ($50,000) and presents the kind of upside necessary for a big Week 1. Crowder is also working from the slot, which means he avoids Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White.

The Jets offense may be lacking upside as a whole in daily fantasy, but Crowder is an easy play in Week 1.

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Daily Fantasy: The one Bengals player you need to start in Week 1 on DraftKings

A new contract, a new season and a much bigger workload for Bengals’ bell cow Joe Mixon, the best Bengals’ bet for DFS in Week 1.

The 2020 NFL season is upon us and that means fantasy football is back as DraftKings and other platforms provide the ultimate opportunity for virtual success on Sunday. In Week 1, with a rookie at quarterback (Joe Burrow) and a star wideout returning from injury (AJ Green), the obvious choice to start in fantasy football this week is Joe Mixon.

Blessed with a new contract, Mixon is set for a breakout campaign as a running back and a solid Week 1 performance against the Los Angeles Chargers could be the springboard towards a huge season for the former Oklahoma Sooners star.

Mixon is a top-8 running back in DraftKings non-PPR rankings and he’s entering this season confident after averaging 17.4 PPR points per game during the final seven weeks of the 2019 season and after having at least 136 rushing yards in three of his final four outings, along with at least 3 catches per outing.

Such output means Mixon is taking the next step as a pass catcher and he should be Joe Burrow’s security blanket during a rookie season that’ll have some rough moments.

Mixon’s opponent, the Chargers’ defense and special teams, had some disappointing moments last season in part to playmaking safety Derwin James missing 11 games. James will now miss the entire 2020 NFL season, adding more stress on the backend. James would have been the perfect counter to Mixon for the Chargers in the box.

With the return of offensive tackle Jonah Williams (shoulder), look for Mixon to test the Chargers front seven early and often on Sunday.

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Daily Fantasy: The one Dolphins player you need to start in Week 1 on DraftKings

Dolphins WR Preston Williams could be a daily fantasy sleeper in Week 1.

The Miami Dolphins are on the road to begin the 2020 season taking on the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in a Week 1 matchup that should feature a number of relevant players in daily fantasy football.

While the Dolphins announced Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starting quarterback over No. 5 overall pick Tua Tagovailoa, it may be a bit risky to trust the beard in DFS for Week 1. There are also some intriguing options in the backfield with Jordan Howard and Matt Brieda but it is best to avoid them if possible until we get a better understanding of how the work will be split.

This makes wide receiver Preston Williams a perfect target in DFS to begin the season. Though the Patriots still have elite cornerback Stephon Gilmore roaming the secondary, he’s likely to be pre-occupied with DeVante Parker. And while J.C. Jackson is solid in his own right, Williams has a chance at some sneaky value in Week 1.

His price in DFS is very reasonable being listed at $4,500 ($50,000 roster limit). He’s much cheaper than his teammate in Parker ($6,000) and could still see just as many targets—if not more.

Williams was on his way to a breakout campaign during his rookie season before he tore his ACL in Week 9 against the Jets. He caught 32 passes for 428 yards and three touchdowns in eight games played. Through that span, Williams held a 21% target share, which led the entire offense.

Now back from that ACL injury, Williams a perfect high-upside target in DFS for Week 1.

Daily Fantasy: The one Falcons player you need to start in Week 1 on DraftKings

Daily Fantasy: The one Falcons player you need to start in Week 1 on DraftKings

The NFL season is here and it’s time to create your Week 1 DFS lineup on DraftKings. If you aren’t familiar with DraftKings or DFS football, it’s as simple as creating a one-week fantasy lineup with a $50,000 salary cap to win cash prizes.

Today, we are looking at the one Atlanta Falcons’ player you must fit into your DFS lineup this week:

TE Hayden Hurst ($4,300) vs. Seattle Seahawks

While players like Matt Ryan and Julio Jones are almost always great plays in DFS, they are each among the most expensive players at their position. Even Calvin Ridley ($6,100) has a higher price tag than expected in Week 1.

However, one of the best values on the board is tight end Hayden Hurst at a moderate $4,300. After losing Austin Hooper in free agency, the Falcons traded a second-round pick for Hurst and he is now their starter at tight end. While Hurst was never a full-time option in Baltimore, he did show flashes of ability as a receiver.

Luckily for him, he is in a great offense surrounded by a bunch of talent. And in his first game with the Falcons, he will see a Seahawks’ defense that allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends last season. Seattle did add Jamal Adams this offseason, but he’s never been known to shut down opposing tight ends. Instead, expect most of his work to be done at the line of scrimmage.

Expect a modest game out of Hurst, but look for him to get a few looks in the red zone. If he can score or produce more than 50 yards in the passing game, he will easily outproduce his DraftKings price.

Daily Fantasy: The one Giants player you need to start in Week 1 on DraftKings

Here’s a savvy play.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ combination of cornerbacks could prove dangerous for quarterback Daniel Jones. He won’t want to throw at cornerbacks Joe Haden, an established veteran, or Steven Nelson, an underrated performer and probably the team’s top player at the position. But it’s likely the Giants will fall behind — and that means they’ll throw the ball.

So the one New York player you need to start in Week 1 on DraftKings is tight end Evan Engram, who is the eighth-ranked tight end with a salary of $5,200. He’s the best Daily Fantasy play on a New York team that will probably struggle in Week 1 under new coach, Joe Judge. Though the team will struggle as whole, Engram will not.

He is one of the more talented tight ends in the NFL — it’s just that he hasn’t been healthy for much of his career. In 2019, he suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury, but seemed to be dealing with no ill effects during training camp. Even so, Engram finished with 44 receptions, 467 receiving yards and three touchdowns in eight games last year. It would’ve made him one of the NFL’s most productive tight ends, if he had doubled those stats over 16 games.

It’s likely that Engram is going to see plenty of targets with the receiving corps tied up by the cornerbacks. It’s possible that receivers Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton get bottled up. In turn, it’s likely that Daniel Jones doesn’t have a fantastic day throwing. Running back Saquon Barkley, meanwhile, comes in with a tremendously costly salary of $8,500. Engram is the less-obvious but high-potential for the Giants in Week 1.

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Daily Fantasy: The one Rams player you need to start in Week 1 on DraftKings

There’s one Rams player that you need to start in DraftKings in Week 1.

The one Los Angeles Rams player you need to start in Week 1 on DraftKings is WR Van Jefferson.

Just a few seasons ago the Los Angeles Rams were on the brink of a championship, playing against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII. After a disappointing 9-7 campaign in 2019, Los Angeles is hoping they have the pieces for a bounce-back year in 2020. Some of that success could come on the backs of unheralded players like Van Jefferson. 

The top two receivers in the Rams’ offense are set with Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, but who will be No. 3 wideout? The battle is between incumbent receiver Josh Reynolds and Jefferson. Many believe that Jefferson has done enough in training camp to earn that job. Star defenders like Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald have both spoken highly of him. Donald said that he’d, “definitely make an impact in the league right away.”

Jefferson has earned that respect too, making plays during training camp with his impressive route-running.

His fantasy projections are admittedly meager, but the upside here is big, even in Week 1 against a solid Dallas Cowboys secondary. Without any preseason tape to go off of, consider the fact that Jefferson is a player who put up four receptions and a touchdown against LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr., the top defensive back in college football last season. 

At $3,000, save your money for the stars and roll the dice on Jefferson. He could be a sneaky boom-or-bust play in the flex for DFS in Week 1.

Daily Fantasy: The one Jaguars player you need to start in Week 1 on DraftKings

Jaguars running back Chris Thompson could be a daily fantasy sports sleeper in Week 1.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season on Sunday, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS. The game will feature several intriguing daily fantasy sports options.

For the Jaguars, Gardner Minshew II has a low cap hit of $5,800 in DraftKings’ daily fantasy salary cap challenge (roster limit: $50,000). Minshew is cheaper than 20 other QBs, making him an interesting option after he had several strong fantasy performances last season.

Minshew is a risky play, though, because the Colts’ secondary forced 15 interceptions last season, the seventh-highest total in the NFL.

Jacksonville running back Chris Thompson might be the team’s best value in DFS this week. Thompson has a very low cap hit ($4,000) on DraftKings and he could be a sleeper against Indianapolis in Week 1.

Thompson is listed as the third-string running back on the Jaguars’ depth chart but he will likely serve as the team’s top receiving back this year. The Colts are considered 7.5-point favorites against Jacksonville and the Jags will have to throw often if Indianapolis builds a lead early in the game.

A pass-heavy attack would mean more action for Thompson, who caught 42 passes for 378 yards last season. Granted, Thompson’s yards per catch average wasn’t great last year, but he has good value in PPR formats for his catches alone.

Thompson has totaled at least 35 receptions in each of the last five seasons, totaling 1,772 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in his career. He has also rushed for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns.

Thompson probably won’t be the lead back in the Jaguars’ offense but his receiving skills make him an intriguing RB for daily fantasy sports.

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Daily Fantasy: The one Chiefs player you need to start in Week 1 on DraftKings

Chiefs running back Darrel Williams could be a daily fantasy sports sleeper in Week 1.

Can’t wait to get daily fantasy football rolling after a long offseason? Thursday has quite the matchup for you. The Kansas City Chiefs begin their title defense at home on Thursday Night Football against the Houston Texans at 8:20 p.m. on NBC.

As the case often is with the Chiefs in recent memory, there are options all over their roster in terms of fantasy. There’s big-play potential in Tyreek Hill at wide receiver, and of course, quarterback Patrick Mahomes seems to always pay dividends.

But the thing the really helps in all forms of fantasy football is an ability to find a sleeper. Mahomes will certainly bring production against the Texans, but his $7,400 salary on your team (roster limit: $50,000) is a big chunk of change.

Instead, there’s a tempting sleeper option that can be found in KC’s backfield: Darrel Williams. He’s not the starter for the Chiefs – that’s rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire – but rolling the dice on the No. 2 running back in Week 1 could pay dividends.

Edwards-Helaire is among the most-expensive backs at $7,000. Williams is a worthwhile selection at $4,200 against the Texans. He has short-yardage ability which could pay off, against a defense that allowed the sixth-most points to running backs in fantasy football last season (452.8 total). Considering the COVID-19 offseason, Edwards-Helaire might be slowly brought along as well, giving Williams more early-season opportunities.

Receiver options for the Chiefs could make a difference, but the Texans attempted to address that area of their defense, bringing in Bradley Roby and Vernon Hargreaves this offseason. Williams is much more of a low-risk, high-reward option.

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Daily Fantasy: The one Bills player you need to start in Week 1 on DraftKings

Zack Moss has sneaky upside in daily fantasy for Week 1.

The Buffalo Bills are preparing to host the New York Jets on Sunday in a Week 1 matchup at Bills Stadium. As real football commences, daily fantasy football will also begin taking place this weekend.

The Bills have recently enjoyed an emergence in relevant fantasy football assets. Third-year quarterback Josh Allen has a high rushing floor, which is becoming ever so valuable in fantasy football. But he isn’t the best value in daily fantasy for Week 1. New wide receiver Stefon Diggs joins John Brown and Cole Beasley, but none of them present the right value.

Instead, when looking for value in daily fantasy on the Bills’ side of the ball, look no further than rookie running back Zack Moss. Sure, the Utah product is likely to be sharing the field with second-year back Devin Singletary, but the rookie has already carved out a role at the goal-line during training camp. Not to mention, Moss has shown up as a receiver as well, which we know is vital in fantasy football.

Priced at just $4,400 on DraftKings ($50,000 roster limit), it wouldn’t be a surprise to many if the third-round pick winds up having an explosive day for fantasy managers. He’s already taking over the Frank Gore role at the goal line and with Singletary struggling with fumbles at camp, Moss could be in for a bigger workload than expected.

The backfield in Buffalo is likely to work in tandem but given his likely role inside the five-yard line and his work as a receiver, Moss represents the best value in daily fantasy for the Bills in Week 1.