Value plays can be the key to success in fantasy football lineups. Players who are under-priced who have big games can allow you to roster other big name players. Commentary based on DraftKings strategy and scoring.
Week 1 Cheat Sheet | Week 1 Quarterbacks | Week 1 Running Backs |
Week 1 Wide Receivers | Week 1 Tight Ends
Ryan Fitzpatrick ($5,500) gets the opportunity to start after first stringer, Geno Smith, broke his jaw during an altercation with a teammate. Fitzpatrick is no stranger to the starting role, starting twelve games for the Houston Texans last season. He only threw for 2 or more TDs in 4 of those starts, but flashed his upside with a 6 TD performance in week 12 vs. the Titans. Â You could argue that he has a better receiving core this season in New York with Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker as his receiving options. Fitzpatrick might have his hands full with a Cleveland defense that surrendered only 6.1 yards per pass attempt last season, but for a near min-priced QB, you don’t need much of a return.
With Arian Foster going down to injury, Alfred Blue ($3,600) appears to get the first opportunity to take over the starting role. This is a fairly simple equation for Blue. The Texans love to run the ball, leading the league with 34.5 rush attempts per game last season. In games where Blue saw at least 11 rush attempts (6 games), he averaged 4.17 YPC. The match-up seems to be juicy as well. Only two teams allowed more yards per rushing attempt that Kansas City last season. So this is all about opportunity. Assuming Blue sees the majority of the rush attempts, which should be 20+ he should easily pay for himself against the porous KC run defense.
Opportunity abound for Davante Adams ($4,400). The second year wideout is going to benefit from the Jordy Nelson torn ACL. He will presumably start in the second WR position opposite of Randall Cobb. Adams showed some great promise in his first season, with 446 yards on only 38 receptions. The loss of Nelson opens up a ridiculous 151 targets that will be spread out amongst other wide receivers. Adams stands to benefit the most. The matchup couldn’t be better either, as Chicago surrendered the most passing yards per game than any team in the league!
It’s difficult to find a minimum priced QB, but it looks like Tyrod Taylor ($5,000) will fit that bill in Week 1. First off, every Bills QB was very impressive in their dress rehersal vs. the Steelers in the preseason. They were a combined 30/33 with 386 passing yards and 3 TDs. That’s a great sign for Rex Ryan’s system that all four QBs could find success. Taylor was 12/13 with 122 yards. What’s really important is his running ability. Taylor can provide a solid floor to his min price via his legs. I have mentioned this article in the past but it will get you familiar with Taylor if you haven’t seen him before.
The Jordy Nelson injury has over-shadowed the Kelvin Benjamin injury. In turn, the biggest beneficiary in Devin Funchess ($3,800) hasn’t gotten much press time around the industry. Very similar situation for the Panthers, where Kelvin’s 146 targets are now up for grabs. Expect a lot to go to tight end Greg Olsen, but Funchess is really the only wideout the Panthers have! The Rookie out of Michigan will be hurled into a position of great opportunity. His size should lend to plenty of redzone targets. The Panthers take on the miserable Jaguars in Week 1, so keep an eye on Funchess before his price jumps.
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