NFL DFS Week 1: Fanduel Picks for GPPs and Cash Games
Welcome to my first Fanduel NFL week 1 picks article! I hope everyone had a good summer and I’m happy to write more strategy articles for you guys. Be sure to check out our newly updated Fanduel NFL DFS strategy guide for this season.
Andrew Luck and Rob Gronkowski both retired last season but all of last year’s stars are back in action. There were a few key player movements like Antonio Brown to Oakland but the Raiders aren’t on Week 1 ‘s main slate.
I’ll list my favorite GPP picks along with an alternative pick for cash games.
Without further adu, let’s great right into week 1 GPP picks.
QB
Nick Foles $6,500
Foles finally escaped living in the shadow of Carson Wentz and will run the Jaguars offense in 2019. He was ranked 4th in completion percentage last year and gets an uptempo matchup against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Vegas assumes the Jaguars will be behind early due to the Chief’s high octane offense so Foles will throw early and often. He’s very underpriced at $6500 and he’s my favorite GPP quarterback.
Other Picks: Jameis Winston (Cash)
RB
Dalvin Cook $7400
He’s a bit chalky but I love his potential upside in GPP tournaments anyway. He looked explosive during offseason and looks to have put last year’s injury woes behind him. The Falcons are 1-6 in their last 7 road games and I except the Vikings to feed Cook all day long.
Chris Carson $6600
The Seahawks are one of the most run heavy teams in the league and the Bengals will play without star WR A.J. Green. I expect the game script to favor Carson who should be in line to 20+ carries. He’s cheap enough that you can pair him with Seahawks DEF for a high upside RB-DEF stack. Other than Tony Pollard (who may start if Elliott continues his holdout), I don’t see any other attractive picks below 7k.
Other Picks: Leveon Bell (GPP), David Johnson (Cash), Leonard Fournette (Cash)
WR
Anari Cooper $7500
Many people will be scared of him due to his lingering plantar fasciitis but he has unbelievable GPP upside. He is reportedly healthy for Sunday’s game so I’m firing him up in my lineups. Last year his 2 highest scoring FDP games were against the Redskngs (34 FDP) and the Eagles (44.7), both NFL east teams.
Chris Godwin $6900
Desaun Jackson signed with the Eagles and this gives Godwin a chance to soak up more targets. Bucs coach Bruce Arians said “Godwin won’t leave the field” this year so expect a big jump in snap count and targets. He’s priced under 7k and gives you exposure to the Bucs offense in a high vegas total matchup.
Dede Westbrook $5900
As I mentioned Nick Foles earlier, I love pairing him with Dede Westbrook who should see an uptick in production with Foles leading the show. Foles is an accurate passer and the Jaguars must put up points to stay within reach on the scoreboard. The Chiefs’ pass defense was ranked 31st last year and opposing teams throw a lot to keep up with the Chiefs’ high scoring offense.
Other Picks: Tyreke Hill (GPP), Chris Conley (GPP), Keenan Allen (Cash)
TE
Zach Ertz $7100
Ertz now enters elite TE status with Gronk’s retirement. He had monster home/away splits last year and the Eagles are projected to score a lot of points in week 1. No other Eagles’ receiver stands out in a crowded mix of Alshon Jeffrey, Desean Jackson, and Nelson Agholor. He’s a fine pick at TE and you can squeeze him in until his price increases.
Other Picks: Travis Kelce (Cash). O.J. Howard (GPP)
Flex
Tyreke Hill $7600
The Chiefs-Jaguars matchup sits at a 50+ over/under and I want to get some exposure to the WRs. Tyreke Hill was the highest scoring fantasy WR last year and had some crazy home/away splits (15 FDP at home vs 20.9 FDP away). All 3 of his highest FDP outputs came on the road last year and he opened the 2018 season with a whopping 38.8 FDP. People will be afraid to roster him due to Jalen Ramsey but I like the fresh legs of Tyreke Hill to start the season.
Other Picks: Todd Gurley (GPP)
DEF
Miami Dolphins
Yes, I know the Dolphins were terrible on defense last year but new head coach Brian Flores is in charge now. Last season Flores was defensive coordinator of the New England Patriots who completely shut down the Rams’ offense in the Super Bowl. He will surely influence the Dolphins’ in a positive way this season. At minimum defense salary, I think the dolphins are a bargain in a low scoring dogfight with the Ravens. If you plug in Dolphins defense, you can stack the rest of yourlineup with studs.
Other Picks: Chargers (Cash), Seahawks (Cash)
