Eric has spent the last couple of seasons – well, last season and the first part of the 2018 season – providing Sportsballers fans with his weekly winners as he places bets against the spread. If you haven’t already, check out his Week 1 winners, published late last night.
After taking the last couple years off from playing DFS, I’ve decided to give it a go again this year and every week I will highlight three or four players I’m trying to start in most of my lineups.
I’ll be playing through FanDuel, as I prefer their format to DraftKings and generally feel that their player prices make more sense. So, keep in mind that my picks may not make as much sense if you play on a different platform. Shoot, they might not even make any sense to you on FanDuel. And hey, if that’s the case I’d love to hear why you think I’m off my rocker. Drop a comment below or hit me up on Twitter @CoryPuffett.
I also am not an addicted gambler, so I’m not in the game to change my life over one DFS victory. I prefer the smaller-stakes 50/50s, so a lot of where I’m coming from with my picks is about mitigating risk. But don’t worry, I’ll have at least one hot-take sleeper option each week for those of you with tournament entries.
Indianapolis Defense - $3,700
The Colts defense has improved this offseason, and this is a plus matchup for them against a Jaguars offense that only got worse this month with the release of Leonard Fournette.
Keep in mind, this is not the team that will make a difference for you in tournaments since the Colts have been getting a lot of buzz from fantasy experts over the past week or so, making this a common play. After all, not only is this a solid defense with a good matchup, they’re only the 14th most expensive on the site. For 50/50s, this is a great defense to start. If you’re entered in a tournament, this is a week where it might make sense to spend a little more to start a defense like the Bills or Patriots. Their costs will keep them from being common plays and both are heavy favorites in low over/under games according to Vegas.
DK Metcalf, SEA WR - $6,400
I like Metcalf’s matchup with the Falcons defense, especially at his price tag of just the 20th most expensive receiver on FanDuel. Metcalf should have a big year in his sophomore campaign and I like him to get off on the right foot this weekend.
I think Metcalf will be a bit overlooked this weekend since FanDuel doesn’t see the matchup with Atlanta as favorably as I do, which makes him an even better start. He’s fairly low-risk in my opinion and may not be as heavily started as some other guys carrying similar price tags, such as Stefon Diggs.
If you’ve put together a roster you really like and need a real cheap WR to complete it, might I suggest Willie Snead IV, the Baltimore receiver who carries just a $5,100 price tag? Look, Snead is unexciting from a season-long standpoint, but he did sign a one-year, $6 million contract this offseason, so he’ll be a part of the offense, and the Ravens have scored 116 points in their last two Week 1 games. If they continue that trend, Snead has to get a few catches and a touchdown, right?
Marlon Mack, IND RB - $6,100
Recent reports suggest Jonathan Taylor is in the building primarily to spell Mack and keep him fresh for the fourth quarter, so Mack is still the starter here. This may not work to his fantasy advantage in every game, but in a plus matchup against Jacksonville, I expect there to be plenty of rushing attempt available late in the game for Mack to take advantage of a heavy 4th quarter workload, should it come.
Sony Michel, NE RB - $6,000
Michel comes in right behind Mack and is another good play with the recent news that Damien Harris has been placed on IR. This makes Michel the de facto bell cow between the tackles, which could bode well for a heavy second half workload this Sunday against the Dolphins.
SUNDAY MORNING EDIT
Boston Scott, PHI RB - $4,700
Keep in mind a lot of people may be targeting Boston Scott if they waited until today to create entries. But if you created an entry earlier this week and aren't feeling great about it, you might consider Scott as a cheap contrarian play to free up some dollars to replace those players you aren't feeling great about. I did this with one of my entries I created Friday.
With the news that Miles Sanders is out for Philly's season opener, Scott enters a likely time share with Corey Clement. Scott has the PPR upside, though, and FanDuel runs half PPR. Like I said, Scott's price tag could make him attractive for those creating 50/50 entries today, but I wouldn't recommend him for tournament entries created today since he may be a popular play.
Drop me a line on Twitter if there are players you’re eyeballing for a big Week 1 and want my thoughts on their viability. And feel free to blame me if my advice costs you money; just know I’m not offering reimbursements.
I’ll be back next Saturday with another set of my three or four favorite DFS plays!
-Cory Puffett