Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire
Welcome to our Week One DFS preview where we will highlight a cash game option along with a tournament option at each position to help with your lineup building for the week.
QUARTERBACK
Cash Game Option:
Los Angeles Chargers Philip Rivers – The Chiefs secondary allowed the fourth most passing yards in the league in 2017 and did not bring back six of their defensive backs from last year’s team. Star safety Eric Berry is looking doubtful to play as well which will only weaken a bad unit. It was only the preseason, but the Chiefs were shredding through the air as well in the month of August. The spread is only three with an over/under of 48 so the game should remain close, but be high scoring. Rivers is priced at $6,400 on DraftKings and $7,500 on FanDuel and makes a nice building block for your lineup.
Tournament Option:
Cincinnati Bengals Andy Dalton – The Colts finished dead in pass defense DVOA according to Football Outsiders and it appears it won’t be much better this year as Pro Football Focus has ranked them the worst secondary heading into Week One. Dalton has plenty of limitations, but he still has A.J. Green as his number one option and second-year wideout John Ross showed some life in the preseason. The game will be played in Indianapolis which is always a positive as we don’t have to worry about weather concerns. Dalton checks in at $5,800 on DraftKings and $6,800 on FanDuel which should keep his ownership low as he isn’t extremely cheap so many people who are using bargain quarterbacks will probably pass over the signal caller.
RUNNING BACK
Cash Game Option:
Pittsburgh Steelers James Conner – When we can get a starting running back at a price saved for backups we have to take advantage. The Steelers won’t have Le’Veon Bell, but that doesn’t mean there will be a significant drop-off. The 23-year-old isn’t at the talent level of Bell, but the Steelers won’t change their entire game plan because Bell isn’t playing. This means Conner will touch the ball plenty and at $4,500 on DraftKings and $5,000 on FanDuel, he is a cash game lock. Conner will more than likely be the highest owned player, but we have to eat the chalk and move on. It should be noted that the weather could play an impact in this game, but I think that would just lead to more carries and receptions in the passing game on dump offs.
Tournament Option:
Denver Broncos Royce Freeman – If you love your lineup with Conner, but want to differentiate in tournaments, Freeman is an easy replacement as he is the same price as the Steelers running back on DraftKings. For the same reason we like Conner, we have to like Freeman as it isn’t often to get a starting running back so cheap. Freeman has just as much upside as Conner as well as he is facing a depleted Seahawks defense and should touch the ball at least 15 times. The rookie had a strong preseason and the game script should be in the Broncos favor which is another positive for Freeman.
WIDE RECEIVER
Cash Game Option:
New England Patriots Chris Hogan – If not paying up at the position, Hogan makes a nice mid-range option. The wideout doesn’t have to compete with Julian Edelman for targets and torched the Texans last season by reaching the end zone twice. Hogan is $6,100 on DraftKings where I like him more since it is a full point per reception site. Vegas believes this game will be high scoring with an over/under of 51 so if you believe this to be true, then Hogan should benefit.
Tournament Option:
Los Angeles Chargers Tyrell Williams – As mentioned in the quarterbacks section, I’m high on Philip Rivers against an extremely bad Chiefs defense and secondary. If Rivers is going to have a big day then that means his receivers will as well. The cash option is easily Keenan Allen, but there should be enough production to go around. Williams is currently the starter over 2017 first round draft pick Mike Williams so I have to give him the nod for the other receiver that can have a big day. Williams is cheap on both sites and has the capability of having a big performance.
TIGHT END
Cash Game Option:
Tennessee Titans Delanie Walker – Walker battled a toe injury throughout the preseason, but is not on the injury report and will be in line for his normal workload this week. The Titans will take on a Dolphins defense that ranked 28th against the tight end position in DVOA according to Football Outsiders. Walker is priced at $4,900 on DraftKings and $6,100 on FanDuel which makes him a nice cash game option.
Tournament Option:
Pittsburgh Steelers Jesse James – Teammate Vance McDonald is dealing with a foot injury and will not play which means James will get the full allotment of snaps at the tight end position for the Steelers. The Steelers take on the Browns who ranked dead last against tight ends according to Football Outsiders. James went off against the Browns in Week One last year with six catches for 41 yards and two touchdowns. James is basically free on both sites with upside and allows you to fit in the high priced studs. As mentioned before, the weather could play a role today in Cleveland, but James doesn’t stretch the field so he could actually see a few more targets on short passing routes.