Building the Perfect DFS Lineup – Week 1

Themi and I have listed out our picks/options for the optimal DFS lineup. We plan on making one every week and competing head-to-head. These selections reflect DK prices. Good luck!

Max’s Lineup

QB: Teddy Bridgewater ($5,900)
Teddy is a good quarterback. Yes, he is leading a new offense under a rookie head coach, but I really don’t expect them to be that bad. Teddy has weapons on offense in DJ Moore and Christian McCaffrey. The Raiders secondary projects to be one of the worst in the league. I expect this game to quietly be a shootout.

RB: Josh Jacobs ($6,800)
Jacobs is probably by favorite play in the lineup and surprisingly, his $6,800 price tag is awfully cheap. He is in the top-ten of most expensive backs this week, but I think he should be priced near the top. I’m tempted to take one of those top-five talents but Jacobs provides the highest value. The Panthers have a revamped defense, which may be good later on this year, but I think Jacobs will rip them apart behind a quietly-elite Raiders offensive line.

RB: Boston Scott ($4,800)
With Miles Sanders going down for Week 1, Boston Scott provides the perfect solution to my RB2 problem. Sanders would have been slightly too expensive for this lineup, but going with the cheaper Scott allows me to get some depth in other spots. The matchup is great for the Philly offense. While I don’t think this will be an Eagles blowout, I think the Eagles will lean towards high volume in the run-game, which will bode well for the talented backup RB, thrust into starter reps.

WR: DJ Moore ($6,500)
This play has almost the same analysis as the Bridgewater pick. This game is going to be more high-scoring than it appears on paper, as two potential bottom-feeders go at it. The Raiders pass-rush is suspect at best, so expect that Bridgewater will be able to get passes out into the Raiders god-awful secondary. There is not one player, I trust to matchup with DJ Moore and his route-running ability should carve up any zone packages.

WR: Tyler Lockett ($6,500)
Why not target another terrible secondary? Despite the astounding physical stature of DK Metcalf, it is Lockett who remains the #1 receiver. Lockett will get a steady dose of receptions to pair along with his boom-potential. Lockett will outrun an inexperienced Falcons secondary as long as the Seahawks line can hold against a fairly average pass-rush. I’m low on the Falcons this season so here’s my first attempt to fade them.

WR: DeSean Jackson ($4,900)
Talk about boom-or-bust, right? When Jackson can stay on the field he is still one of the premier deep ball receivers in the league. Despite his flaws, QB Carson Wentz can certainly deliver a strike deep down the field against a poor redskins defense. With both RB Miles Sanders and WR Alshon Jeffery out, look for big production form the de-facto #1 option in D-Jax. (Sorry Zach Ertz fans)

TE: George Kittle ($7,200)
What’s not to like here? The top tight-end going up against one of the worst defenses in the league. The Niners have a serious lack of options, as much of their suspect receiving core will be out/hurt this week. The Cardinals gave up the most points to tight-ends last year and do not have the personnel to defend Kittle. Expect a huge week for Kittle.

FLEX: Hayden Hurst ($4,300)
Is flexing a TE a cardinal sin in DFS too? I love the matchup for Hurst, as the Seahawks defense does not give the overwhelming confidence it did a few years ago. Hurst has the talent to put up the same numbers that Mark Andrews did for Baltimore last year and I’m hopeful he will be more appreciated in the Falcons system. With a poor running-game, I think the Falcons will be in many passing-down situations. If Matt Ryan throws upwards of 40 times, I would not be surprised. If that’s the case, Hurst should see some action, especially in the red-zone.

D/ST: Indianapolis Colts ($3,800)
The Colts defense was just a bit overrated last year and I think markets have corrected themselves. However, there are certainly solid and posses multiple talented playmakers. They go up against a Jaguars offense which will completely lack a running game. The Jaguars line could be the absolute worst in the league, so expect multiple sacks from the Colts talented front seven. The only thing stopping thje Colts defense from a dominant performance is Gardner Minshew. Take what you will from that…

Themi’s Lineup

QB: Jimmy Garroppolo ($5,800)
Jimmy G gets a bad wrap in fantasy for being a conservative play, but two of his biggest games last season came against the Cardinals. In what I project to be an even bigger challenge with DeAndre Hopkins and a year of experience for both Christian Kirk and OROY Kyler Murray, even an elite defense is going to get exposed every once in a while. The Cardinals defense is porous and even without Deebo Samuel and possibly Brandon Aiyuk, I expect a great value game.

RB: Christian McCaffrey ($10,000)
I almost always take an elite RB or two in H2H matchups or smaller tournaments. I expect the Raiders to win this game or at least keep it close, and that means plenty of Teddy Bridgewater dumping it off to one of the best in the game. At $10,000 this price tag might scare some away but sometimes you need to take the points you know are almost guaranteed.

RB: Josh Jacobs ($6,800)
Like I said, I expect the Raiders to win, which is why a back who may not get as many receptions still offers a lot of value. Jacobs can say all he wants about how many more catches he wants this season, but I’m taking him with the expectation that he gets over 120 rushing yards and a touchdown or two. The receiving upside is just gravy. The Raiders arguably have a top-10 offensive line this year and the Panthers, despite having a pretty decent defensive line, can’t possibly stack the box and also somehow defend against Henry Ruggs, Bryan Edwards, Hunter Renfrow, and Darren Waller.

WR: Tyler Lockett ($6,500)
This game is looking like the next best offensive shootout after the Thursday night game. Tyler Lockett might line up against former Bengal Darqueze Dennard who missed some time last season but improved upon his 2018 campaign. Still, this is not an elite CB we are talking about and I am expecting either him or Metcalf (or both) to feast. I just personally want Lockett here until Metcalf can fix his drops.

WR: DeSean Jackson ($4,900)
DeSean Jackson has been nothing short of spectacular in his revenge games. This is chalky but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider using him. Will Fuller was the same Thursday night but still put up insane points. As your WR3 or FLEX, you might as well take him because there is no better time to put him in your lineup. If he hits and you miss out, you’re going to regret it.

WR: Diontae Johnson ($4,200)
Someone I have been high on all season. The Steelers are favorites on the road and the defense should stifle the Giants, but Diontae is still a great play even if the Steelers get a double-digit lead by halftime or the third quarter. He put up impressive numbers as a rookie last season with terrible QB play. If Ben isn’t limited, he can get the deep balls. If Ben is limited, he can take screens to the house. His upside is immeasurable but he can provide a nice floor as well if Ben trusts him as the #2 WR.

TE: Hayden Hurst ($4,300)
Someone needs to get fed in this shootout and the Seahawks were terrible defending the tight end last season. Jamal Adams could help some more glaring issues now, but when you need to defend against Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, those short/medium routes might be open. Hurst can take advantage as a TE play that won’t break the bank.

FLEX: Kendrick Bourne ($5,000)
Deebo Samuel is on the IR and Brandon Aiyuk is questionable. Bourne can be the top receiving option here. Like I said with Jimmy G, the Cardinals defense is a great matchup. He might also be a chalky play but it might be last minute enough that his ownership in H2H games is not insane. Take advantage and grab the stack.

D/ST: New York Jets ($2,100)
While everyone else is taking the Eagles, Bills, and Steelers, I’m almost always going to take a shot on a sleeper defense when I can get some more talent on offense. Sure, I could have taken someone cheaper than CMC and grabbed an elite defense like the Steelers who should wreak havoc on poor Daniel Jones but I think based on prior matchups, this is just a steal.