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Week 1 FanDuel Picks

Welcome to the Week 1 FanDuel picks!

Each week, I’ll share top plays for both cash games and tournaments. Picks will focus on the FanDuel main slate, which runs from 1:00 Sunday through the Sunday night game.

FanDuel including the night game is new for at least Week 1. You can learn more about another change – passing, rushing and receiving bonuses – inside this FanDuel blog.

Now, let’s jump into a position-by-position look at the Week 1 FanDuel picks.

Cash Game Quarterbacks

Jared Goff, Lions ($7,500) vs. Rams 

He’s indoors. He’s home. And he’s facing a Rams defense that’s missing some key pieces from 2023 (most notably: game-wrecker Aaron Donald).

Meanwhile, the Lions enter this one healthy. It’s no wonder why they’re implied for a slate-high 28.5 points.

Also in my player pool: C.J. Stroud, Jayden Daniels, Justin Fields

Tournament Quarterbacks

Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars ($7,400) at Dolphins 

Lawrence enters year three alongside HC Doug Pederson. While he lost Calvin Ridley, the duo of Gabe Davis and Brian Thomas Jr. gives this unit an upgraded look.

Miami enters without EDGE Bradley Chubb. Jaylen Phillips will be limited following an Achilles’ tear – and top CB Jalen Ramsey is questionable with a hamstring.

Also in my player pool: Josh Allen, C.J. Stroud, Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams

Cash Game Running Backs

Alvin Kamara, Saints ($7,100) vs. Panthers

Kamara enters the regular season without the new contract he desired. 

As a consolation, he gets a Panthers run D that allowed the sixth most fantasy points to RBs last season. Given New Orleans’ lack of RB depth, Kamara could push for 20 touches out of the gate.

James Conner, Cardinals ($6,100) at Bills

Conner leads the way in our RB dollar per point ranks. He’s set for a clear RB1 role against a Bills defense that -- minus LB Matt Milano -- brings more questions than usual.

Also in my player pool: Joe Mixon, Kenneth Walker

Tournament Running Backs

De’Von Achane, Dolphins ($7,200) vs. Jacksonville

Achane hit 20+ FD points in five of 12 games as a rookie.

So even on relatively light volume, he’s a candidate to pop in any matchup.

That doesn’t change vs. Jacksonville. The Jags actually project as a fine rush defense – particularly up the middle after adding DL Arik Armstead. But consider Miami’s ability to stretch defenses horizontally; Achane faced an average of 6.66 defenders in the box on his carries, near the league-low. 

At a reasonable price, take a shot on his big-play talent.

D’Andre Swift, Bears ($6,500) vs. Titans 

The Bears paid Swift to be their featured back; $15.3 million in guarantees, to be exact. HC Matt Eberflus basically confirmed heavy usage this week.

He’ll get a chance to shine right away as a home favorite (-3.5) against Tennessee. The Bears are implied for 24 points – fifth most on the slate.

Also in my player pool: Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Rhamondre Stevenson, Kenneth Walker

Cash Game Wide Receivers

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions ($8,900) vs. Rams

On paper, the Rams’ defense looks weak over the middle. Of course, that’s a key area where St. Brown wins (63% career slot rate; 7.3-yard aDOT). 

In a potential shootout, St. Brown brings a nice blend of safety, upside, and relative value at $8.9K.

Chris Godwin, Buccaneers ($5,600) vs. Commanders

Godwin projects as our top dollar per point play at WR. Maybe the ceiling isn’t particularly high – but he draws a Washington unit that ranked dead last in WR fantasy points allowed.

Perhaps new HC Dan Quinn fixes the defense eventually. I’m just not betting on it in Week 1. 

Also in my player pool: Tyreek Hill, Terry McLaurin, Marvin Harrison Jr., Cooper Kupp, Nico Collins

Tournament Wide Receivers

Tyreek Hill, Dolphins ($9,600) vs. Jaguars

Hill predictably slots first among WRs in our ceiling projections. 

And he’s relatively easy to fit in this week given the pricing. The matchup is just fine, as the Jags secondary brings questions behind CB Tyson Campbell. 

Malik Nabers, Giants ($6,300) at Vikings

Nabers’ price makes him cash-game viable. But in the rookie’s NFL debut, I’ll aim to chase his ceiling in tournaments.

Our numbers have him for 8 targets, an attainable number given the rest of New York’s pass catchers. The matchup looks fine, too. 

DC Brian Flores loves dialing up blitzes – his unit ranked first in Cover 0 looks in 2023. So we should see one on one chances for the rookie. 

Plus, the Vikings will rely on heavy snaps from 34-year-old CB Stephon Gilmore, who joined the team just a few weeks ago.

Also in my player pool: Justin Jefferson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Marvin Harrison Jr., Drake London, Tank Dell, Nico Collins, Cooper Kupp, Mike Evans, Terry McLaurin, Andrei Iosivas, Brian Thomas Jr., Khalil Shakir

Cash Game Tight Ends

Trey McBride, Cardinals ($6,400) at Bills

McBride faces the Bills without Matt Milano, who’s graded as one of Pro Football Focus’ better coverage linebackers in recent seasons.

Marvin Harrison Jr. might shave a bit off McBride’s 20% target share from 2023. Still, the TE is likely still ascending at only 24. Sunday’s game script should also find the Cardinals (+6.5) playing from behind.

Also in my player pool: Sam LaPorta, Dalton Kincaid

Tournament Tight Ends

Sam LaPorta, Lions ($8,000) vs. Rams

LaPorta missed some summer practices with a hamstring injury. However, he’s off the Week 1 injury report to face a Rams defense that recently traded LB Ernest Jones.

Look for the Rams’ defensive youth to be exploited by Jared Goff and ace play-caller Ben Johnson.

Also in my player pool: Trey McBride, Dalton Kincaid, Kyle Pitts, Taysom Hill

Defense

*At defense, I’m generally looking to spend down across formats.

Atlanta Falcons ($3,600) vs. Steelers

Atlanta opens at home against either a banged-up Russell Wilson … or more likely, a sack-happy Justin Fields. (The former Bear has taken nearly 3.5 sacks per game for his career.)

This pass rush remains uninspiring, but it’s at least improved following the trade for Matthew Judon.

Also in my pool: Bears, Panthers, Browns, Patriots

Kevin English, Senior Analyst

Kevin brings 15 years of experience as a fantasy analyst and mid-stakes competitor across various formats (redraft, best ball, dynasty, DFS). His work has been featured on The Mercury News, Rotoworld, and FantasyPros.