Best NFL DFS Week 1 Plays

The NFL is back and that means it’s time to prepare for NFL DFS Week 1. Both DraftKings and FanDuel will be running a Millionaire Maker GPP with a reduced buy-in of just $5 for opening week.

We’ve identified the best NFL DFS Week 1 plays, including stacks, studs, value targets and sleepers.

Best Stacks for NFL DFS Week 1

Here are my top two stacks for NFL DFS Week 1:

• Justin Herbert ($6.9K on DK / $8.1K on FD) / Mike Williams (5.7K on DK and 7.1K on FD)

Herbert is the #1 QB on my board for NFL DFS Week 1. The Dolphins vs. Chargers game has the highest total (51 Points) on the main slate and LAC have the second-highest team total (26.5 Points).

Miami allowed 239.3 PYPG (28th) and 24.1 PPG (24th) last season. CB Jalen Ramsey is out for Miami to begin the season. Last season in Week 14 against Miami, Herbert went 39/51 for 367 yards and 1 TD. Mike Williams caught all six of his targets for 116 yards and 1 TD in the Week 14 game last season.

• Sam Howell ($4.9K on DK / $7.1K on FD) / Jahan Dotson ($5K on DK and $6.1K on FD)

A Howell/Dotson stack offers lots of value this week, especially on DK. Howell scored 19.26 FPs on DK and FD in his lone start (Week 18) last season. Arizona allowed 230.3 PYPG (24th) and 26.4 PPG (31st) last season. The Commanders have a high team total (22.5 Points) and will put up points at home.

In limited preseason action, Howell went 28/37 for 265 yards and 3 TDs, while Dotson hauled in seven of nine targets for 106 yards and 1 TD. WR Terry McLaurin is questionable, but even if he plays, he’ll likely be limited, which means Dotson should get even more targets in this Week 1 matchup.

Best Studs for NFL DFS Week 1

Here are the best studs for NFL DFS Week 1 at QB, RB, WR, TE and DST:

• QB Trevor Lawrence ($6.5K on DK and $8K on FD)

The Jags play the Colts in Week 1. Lawrence scored 18.5 FPs (Week 2) and 24.9 FPs (Week 6) in games against the Colts last season. Indy allowed 29.9 PYPG (11th) and 25.1 PPG (T28) last season. Lawrence will have an additional weapon in Calvin Ridley who caught 5/5 targets for 100 yards in the preseason.

Potential Stack: Calvin Ridley ($6.5K on DK and $7K on FD)

• RB Derrick Henry ($7.8K on DK and $8.5K on FD)

Henry scored 19.8+ FPs in ten of 16 games last season. He had 19+ carries in 11 of 16 games. He’ll get a lot of touches against a Saints defense that allowed 130.5 RYPG (24th). With DeAndre Hopkins on the Titans, opposing teams won’t be able to stack the box as frequently, which bodes well for Henry.

• WR Justin Jefferson ($8.8K on DK and $9.5K on FD)

Jefferson was the best fantasy football player last season, but he was boom or bust in DFS. He scored 28.5 FPs in nine of 18 games and less than 12 FPs in six of 18 games last season. Tampa Bay allowed 208.8 PYPG (9th) last season, but they allowed 35.6 FPPG (22nd) and 8.0 RZ FPPG (30th) to WRs.

• TE Dallas Goedert ($5K on DK and $6.4K on FD)

Goedert averaged 12.1 FPPG (DK) and 9.45 FPPG (FD) last season. He scored 9.0+ FPs in 12 of 15 games last season. The Patriots allowed 216.5 PYG (15th), but allowed 12.2 FPPG (T17) and 5.2 RZ FPPG (31st) against TEs. Goedert caught 6/8 passes for 2 TDs in the red zone last season.

• DST Baltimore Ravens ($4K on DK and $5K on FD)

The Ravens are the most expensive DST on DK and FD in NFL DFS Week 1, as they host the Texans who will be starting rookie QB CJ Stroud. Baltimore only allowed 18.8 PPG (3rd) last season. Baltimore allowed 89.8 RYPG (3rd) and 229.4 PYPG (23rd) last season, while averaging 2.9 sacks per game (5th).

Best Value Plays for NFL DFS Week 1

Here are the best value plays for NFL DFS Week 1 at QB, RB, WR, TE and DST:

• QB Derek Carr ($5.3K on DK and $7K on FD)

Carr will start his first game with the Saints on Sunday. Carr is set-up for a ceiling performance against a Titans defense that allowed 274.8 PYPG (32nd). Carr’s best game last season came in Week 3 against the Titans (23.82 FPs on DK and 20.82 FPs on FD). He has lots of weapons in the pass game with NO.

Potential Stack: Chris Olave ($6.5K on DK and $7.3K on FD)

• RB J.K. Dobbins ($6.6K on DK and $6.5K on FD)

Dobbins presents insane value on FD, as he’s priced as the RB19 on the main slate. Baltimore are the biggest Week 1 favorite (-10) and Dobbins is in line for a lot of touches if the Ravens are leading. The Texans allowed 170.2 RYPG (32nd) and 1.5 rushing TDs per game (31st) last season.

• WR Drake London ($5.4K on DK and $6.2K on FD)

London is Desmond Ridder’s #1 WR in Atlanta. Ridder started the last four Falcons games last season. In those games, Drake averaged 6.25 receptions, 83.25 receiving yards and 14.83 FPs (DK) per game. Carolina allowed 227.5 PYPG (22nd) and 39.4 FPPG against WRs (29th) last season.

• TE Tyler Higbee ($4.8K on DK and $5.3K on FD)

Higbee is priced as the TE5 (DK) and TE11 (FD), so he offers more value on FD. The Seahawks allowed 218.2 PYPG (17th), but they also allowed 17.1 FPPG against TEs (32nd). In the first five weeks of last season, Higbee averaged 6.6 receptions, 9.6 targets, 58.0 receiving yards and 12.4 FPs (DK) per game.

• DST Washington Commanders ($2.8K on DK and $4.9K on FD)

The Commanders DST offers value on DK where they’re priced as the DST14. The Cardinals are going to start Joshua Dobbs (no preseason reps) or rookie Clayton Tune. Washington allowed 191.3 PYPG (4th), 113.3 RYPG (11th) and 20.2 PPG (8th) last season. They could easily be the top DST in Week 1.

Best Bargain Bin Sleepers for NFL DFS Week 1

Here are a pair of low-priced bargain bin sleepers at RB and WR for NFL DFS Week 1:

• RB Deon Jackson ($4.1K on DK and $5.6K on FD)

With Jonathan Taylor on the IR and Zach Moss questionable (arm), Jackson is expected to get the start at RB for the Colts. The Jags allowed 113.8 RYPG (12th) and 24.3 FPPG to RBs (22nd). In games where Jackson had 5+ carries last season, he averaged 15.1 FPPG. Game script could be an issue, though.

• WR Marvin Mims Jr. ($3K on DK and $4.7K on FD)

Mims could easily offer the best FPs/$ spent by the end of NFL DFS Week 1. Mims could be the WR2 for Denver this week if WR Jerry Jeudy misses the game. The rookie WR is a speedster and coach Sean Payton will find a way to get him involved. The Raiders allowed 242.9 PYPG (29th) last season.