NFL DFS Week 1 — DraftKings Value Picks and Bargains

The Week 1 NFL slate is finally here and I am beyond excited about this. This will be a new article that is introduced this year and I will highlight a value play on the DraftKings NFL Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) slate. A value play that can certainly save you salary for the week and explode in your lineups. Week 1 is always fun to try to predict because of the many unknowns. I hope these plays help and let’s make a ton of money! Let’s get right into NFL DFS Week 1 — DraftKings Value Picks and Bargains.

Quarterback – Sam Howell, $4,900, Washington Commanders 

When I first saw Sam Howell‘s DraftKings price tag I was excited but I know he will be the fantasy darling everyone wants. Arizona Cardinals is the team he is facing which isn’t scary to face as well the team doesn’t have a viable starting quarterback. Howell will be on the field a ton in this game and the pass attempts will be there for him.

Furthermore, Howell is coming into the starting season looking explosive in the preseason. Confidence is high for him and the team believes in his abilities on the field. Additionally, the rushing ability is also in his favor and the stacking options he provides are worthwhile. Terry McLaurin is hurt but the team has viable targets in Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson.

Honorable Mentions:

Jordan Love and Kenny Pickett

Running Back – Deon Jackson,  $4,100, Indianapolis Colts

This will be one of the most obvious plays of the Week 1 slate. Deon Jackson is now the starting running back on the team. Jonathan Taylor is out for at least four weeks. Zack Moss is currently hurt and the lone back behind Jackson will be Evan Hull who is a rookie. We saw spurts of Jackson last season while the catching ability was shown off.

Additionally, the workload will be no issue for Jackson despite the matchup. He knows how to fulfill the duties of a full workload on the team which we saw last season. Take advantage of the price tag on DraftKings before it goes up in Week 2.

Honorable Mentions:

Jamaal Williams and Khalil Herbert

Wide Receiver – Adam Thielen, $4,600, Carolina Panthers

The former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver found a new home in Carolina. He is a veteran and Bryce Young will depend on him through the season as a rookie quarterback. I keep looking back to the preseason because this is Week 1 and there are unknowns. However, the one thing that we are well aware of is the connection with Young.

Personally, I am expecting a lot of targets for Thielen and the check-down target for Young. Last season, in our Fantasy Football Median Points Per Game, he had a median points per game of 12.3 points. A touchdown and over 60 receiving yards out of him would be fantastic at his DraftKings price tag. I am expecting him to dip into the fountain of youth and prove his worth in his new home!

Honorable Mentions:

Michael Thomas and Nico Collins

Tight End – Chigoziem Okonkwo, $3,800, Tennessee Titans

Chigoziem Okonkwo is now the starting tight end on the Tennessee Titans with the departure of Austin Hooper. What was once an afterthought, turned into a consistent target at the end of the season last year. DeAndre Hopkins is now on the team who will be a primary focus as well as Derrick Henry for the New Orleans Saints defense.

The targets can be there for Okonkwo as the third option on the team which may seem like he isn’t an outstanding pick in our lineups. We are looking for value and if you aren’t paying up for Mark Andrews or George Kittle, Okonkwo can be your guy. Having a veteran quarterback in Ryan Tannehill will only help him because of the connection last year they had.

Also, I will include this as a side piece for the tight end position, if Mark Andrews is in fact out. We have an elite value play on our hands. Andrews has been dealing with an undisclosed injury all week and Isaiah Likely will step up as the starter if he is out. If Andrews is limited on his snap count, I still am all over Likely. The price on DraftKings for him is $3,000 and it will provide a lot of options for your team.

Honorable Mentions:

Logan Thomas and Hayden Hurst

In conclusion, Week 1 is interesting and this week will prove a lot based on the play of teams of course. Targets will be scattered for receivers and the backfield for running backs will be crazy. Stay tuned for next week on our DraftKings value plays!

---

For the latest free agent news, check out the Fantasy Football News Tracker.

Trending Now

Week 1 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em

2023 Fantasy Football Rankings

Free NFL Picks

2024 NFL Draft

Fantasy Football Team Names