Here we are on the cusp of a new season, a season that never seemed possible 6 weeks ago. The wait is over. Your Daily Fantasy Sports lineups are set. It’s time for the players to do the talking.

Throughout this crazy season, I will be providing you with weekly DFS recommendations. For those who are unfamiliar with the term DFS, this stands for Daily Fantasy Sports. This differs from your conventional fantasy football team. Your DFS team is yours for one night/weekend only. It doesn’t require the same level of commitment to the craft that your regular fantasy team may. However, it does require a different approach. 

Daily Fantasy Sports are competitions on a budget, but with the chance to win a share of a prize pot. Imagine walking into a supermarket like Asda (that’s walmart for our cousins from over the water). You look in your wallet or purse, you have 100 of the queens finest pounds. You are tasked with one job, BE EFFICIENT. Now, a foolish person will blow this on the most expensive items, but that won’t get the job done. Your resources will be in short supply. Remember, you are on a budget here. A wise person will spread the wealth, buying multiple items to give the best results. 

Imagine your team with the same principle. You have a budget, and you can’t exceed it. Your team is relying on sensible distribution of this budget. Too much on one thing leaves you short elsewhere. Without further or do, here are my week 1 picks for players you could target. These are players that will help you balance your team, balance your books and still offer you a chance at competing for the prize. 

For simplicity, prices will be based on Draft Kings and may vary on other platforms. The principles behind the picks however, won’t change. The points will also be based on Draft Kings points, which are scored slightly differently to Fantasy points.

QB – Cam Newton ($6,100) vs Miami Dolphins

There are some favourable matchups across the league this week, but the value here cannot be ignored. Cam Newton has drawn high praise from Bill Belichick since grasping the starting reigns. In week 1, he faces a Miami Defense that gave up 39 passing touchdowns last season. The Dolphins also gave up 23.1 draft king points per week to opposition Quarterbacks. The Dolphins defense has improved, but I still expect New England to score handily in week 1. This to me is a match made in heaven. If anyone can help Cam recapture his MVP form, it’s Bill.

RB – Miles Sanders ($6,300) @ Washington Football Team

This is a difficult one to recommend, because Miles Sanders is still listed as questionable. He’s also not exceptionally cheap at $6,300, but cheap enough. That said, if the dual-threat Running Back is good to go come game day, he has to be in consideration. Washington gave up 30.3 draft king points per week against Running backs in 2019. They were also one of the NFL’s worst teams in conceding passing touchdowns. Sanders has a clear path to the starting role in Philadelphia this season now that Jordan Howard left town. The price seems low for a back who is expected to have a great year!

RB – Tarik Cohen ($4,900) @ Detroit Lions

The enabler. Tarik Cohen is a great option week 1. David Montgomery had an awkward injury just two weeks ago and was slated to miss the opening game. Reports are now saying Montgomery is back in practice in limited capacity. Even if he features, he won’t have anywhere near a complete role. Tarik Cohen is another dual-threat Running Back. Detroit weren’t particularly good in either pass or run defense last season, which plays into Cohen’s hands both out of the backfield and in the slot where he often finds himself. You can’t ignore him at this price, especially given the work he likely gets week 1. Your team will hugely benefit.

WR – Emmanuel Sanders ($5,700) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It’s hard to say how big Sander’s role will be in the Saints offense. Michael Thomas is the clear go-to for Drew Brees, and a healthy Alvin Kamara offers threat in both aspects of the offense. With that said, I think this benefits Sanders. There will be less focus on him, and he has shown in both his time in Denver and San Francisco that he thrives in that no.2 receiver role. He still looks and moves as though he is 5 years younger. Tampa Bay also gave up a league leading 45.9 draft king points to opposition Wide Receivers last season. Yikes!

WR – John Brown ($5,600) vs New York Jets

“Smokey” Brown is coming off his first career 1,000+ yard season since 2015. The Bills seem the team to beat in the AFC East this season. If a team is to challenge them, it categorically will not be the New York Jets. The Bills added Stefon Diggs this off season, which should eat into Brown’s target share over the season. Though I see this as a benefit for Brown, as Diggs will likely be lined up with the Jets best corner. This should free Brown up for some big plays. We know speed kills in this league and Brown has it in abundance. Besides, lets be honest, the jets defense stinks. 

TE – Hayden Hurst ($4,300) vs Seattle Seahawks

Bargain of the week! This is another enabler that allows you to spend the funds elsewhere. I will be flexing George Kittle, as he plays the Cardinals. They were the worst team in the league vs Tight Ends last year, giving up 16 touchdowns. But George Kittle is $7,200, depending on your line up, he may be out of your price range. Step up to the plate, Hayden Hurst. He was acquired by the Falcons this offseason and walks straight into the team as their TE1. This is a passing offense, and we know they utilise their Tight End to good effect (see Austin Hooper pre-2020). The Seahawks were statistically the third worst team against Tight Ends last season. This seems like a perfect recipe for a bargain Tight End to score well week 1. Hurst should be in your line ups, especially at this price.

D/ST – Ravens ($3,100) vs Cleveland Browns

I was 50/50 on whether to pick the Baltimore Defense/Special Teams. They seem quite an obvious choice. Surprisingly however, there are 6 other team’s Defenses/special teams priced above them this week. This makes them hard to pass up at $3,100. I usually try to keep a $3,000 cap on my Defense/Special Teams, but this was one of the NFL’s strongest defenses in 2019. It’s also an area of the team they addressed and improved in free agency and the Draft. I’m expecting the Ravens to beat the Browns week one and beat them handily.

Best of luck in week 1 Rush Nation! See you again in week 2. Hope to see some success across the community.

– Nick (@nickofwigan)