Week one of the NFL season is now upon us, and with the explosion in popularity of daily fantasy sports, we decided to provide our readers a little bit of advice in choosing lineups for the huge guaranteed prize pool contests on tap at both DraftKings and FanDuel.
Week 1 Contest Info
DraftKings is running a $10 million Millionaire Maker contest for Week 1 which pays $2 million to the lucky entrant that comes in first place. Even if you don’t follow fantasy sports at all, how could you not put down $20 for a shot at fantasy football glory?
If the $20 price point is too steep for you, they are offering a $1 million guaranteed contest that only costs $3 to enter.
FanDuel is offering a $5 million guaranteed contest this week for $25 entry and a $1 million guaranteed contest for a $5 entry.
If you’re just getting started in daily fantasy sports and want to try to win some serious cash for free, DraftKings has a $100,000 guaranteed contest that you can enter for FREE without even making a deposit on the site.
You can also learn how to play the game by checking out this informative video!
If you haven’t signed up for an account yet, you can join DraftKings here and join FanDuel here so you can learn the game and even win some cash.
Quarterback
Blue Chip – Three quarterbacks stand out from the pack this week and deserve serious consideration for building your lineups around them.
Topping that list—and not coincidentally the highest salaried player on both DraftKings and FanDuel—is Aaron Rodgers on the road against the hapless Chicago Bears defense. Rogers traditionally has his way with the Bears and there’s no reason to think that will change come Sunday.
Our other two recommendations provide a little bit more relief in the salary department and have the potential to put up huge stat lines because of their favorable matchups. Absent any sort of a running game, Matt Ryan is set up to have a big night on Monday in what should be a high-scoring game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Cowboys vs the Giants on Sunday night also promises a lot of points, but because we expect the Cowboys to be able to run the ball at will, Eli Manning is our selected quarterback from this matchup. The younger Manning just signed an $84 million contract extension with $65 million guaranteed. Being in the national spotlight Week 1, he will likely want to prove his worth.
Sleeper – Our sleeper pick of the week at the QB position is Tyrod Taylor of the Buffalo Bills. His minimum salary was established before he was named the starter and allows you to load up on studs at other positions. While the Indianapolis Colts are not complete pushovers on defense, Taylor’s mobility should allow him to put up some big numbers and perhaps score a touchdown or two himself.
Running Back
Blue Chip – Our top pick of the week at the RB position is Jeremy Hill of the Cincinnati Bengals. Though the Oakland raider defense appears to be much improved, the big bruising back should get the touches he needs to more than justify his salary.
Eddie Lacy is also expected to have a big day. The Packers figure to be up big and will likely feed the rock to their star running back to close out the game.
Sleeper – While he may be flying out of the radar for Week 1, we don’t expect Doug Martin to be a well-kept secret much longer. Due to injuries, it has been two seasons since Martin put up big numbers, but he is finally healthy again and will assume the bell cow role in Tampa this year. Considering his ultra-low salary, it will be difficult to find better value at the RB position.
Wide Receiver
Blue Chip – Julio Jones is the highest salaried wide receiver this week, and for good reason. The Philadelphia Eagles have a difficult time containing wide receivers. Jones makes a great stack with Matt Ryan, and whether you’re playing one or multiple lineups it’s hard not to have a piece of this hook up.
Keeping with the theme of our top-rated quarterbacks, Odell Beckham Jr is another solid play at the WR position. The human highlight reel averages the most fantasy points per game at his position, and is bound to lead the team in targets once again.
Value – With the injury to Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams should see a huge increase in production. Though technically not a sleeper, like Taylor, his salary was set before being assigned a new role, and at his price with his matchup and his quarterback, you will want to take advantage of this play.
Another low-priced wideout with a lot of upside this week is John Brown of the Arizona Cardinals. The New Orleans Saints are not known for their defense and with a healthy Carson Palmer back under center, Brown could have a big day.
Tight End
Blue Chip – Our top pick at the tight end position this weekend is Greg Olson of the Carolina Panthers. Already a target hog, the injury to Carolina’s top receiver Kelvin Benjamin leaves Olson as the team’s most reliable pass catcher.
Value – Owen Daniels of the Denver Broncos won’t lead his team in targets, but Peyton Manning likes to look for his tight ends in the red zone, and Daniels figures to be the main beneficiary. Plus, his low salary allows you to load up at other positions.
Charles Clay has a new team in the Buffalo Bills, and we expect him to continue successful ways in 2015. His low salary makes him an attractive option at the TE slot.
