FanDuel Week 1 Cheat Sheet
Rejoice: football is finally here. That means fantasy football is here as well, my friends. If you’re a fantasy junkie like me, you are probably familiar with FanDuel, the most popular daily fantasy site for NFL. Here are some recommendations, sorted by position and salary, for players that have a favorable matchup in Week 1. Highlighted in purple are must-take players, those who have a particularly enticing match-up.
QB
1. Peyton Manning (vs. IND): $10,200
2. Jay Cutler (vs. BUF): $8,000
3. Josh McCown (vs. CAR): $6,200
Peyton Manning is certainly a familiar name, but there are more reasons to take him this week than just his reputation. With Robert Mathis suspended the first 4 games, the Colts have little to pass rush. Peyton will have all day to throw. The Colts also have a suspect secondary, so expect Manning to pick them apart and approach the incredible numbers he put up in last year’s season opener (462 yards, 7 touchdowns, 0 interceptions).
McCown is just an average QB, but he offers excellent value as a starting quarterback priced at only $6,200. Add in a matchup with Carolina, a team with a secondary as bad as its front 7 is good, and there is a lot to like about McCown in Week 1.
RB
1. Adrian Peterson (@ STL): $9,300
2. Giovanni Bernard (@ BAL): $8,000
3. Andre Ellington (vs. SD): $6,800
4. Danny Woodhead (@ ARI): $5,700
5. Mark Ingram (@ ATL): $5,200
I cannot recommend Ellington enough: he has a low salary, no competition for carries, and a very favorable matchup against the terrible San Diego run defense. Ingram also offers good value. You rarely find a RB1 under $6,000, and Ingram’s stellar preseason performance has propelled him to the top of the Saints’ depth chart. Take him.
WR
1. Demaryius Thomas (vs. IND): $8,700
2. Vincent Jackson (vs. CAR): $7,300
3. Victor Cruz (@ DET): $6,900
4. Julian Edelman (@ MIA): $6,300
5. Allen Hurns (@ PHI): $4,500
As mentioned previously, the Carolina secondary is terrible. The supremely talented Vincent Jackson is poised for a 100-yard game against them. Cruz and Edelman both work primarily out of the slot, and they will draw matchups with two below-average nickel corners: Dwight Bentley for Cruz and Cortland Finnegan for Edelman. Both of these diminutive receivers are poised for big games.
Hurns was on fire during the preseason, and he will see a lot of the field with 2nd round pick Allen Robinson out with an injury. Just seeing the majority of offensive snaps sets Hurns apart from any other receiver with a salary under $5,000.
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