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Thursday, September 5, 2024
You're never going to believe this. I am all-in on Nico Collins, De'Von Achane, and Jayden Daniels on what looks like an extremely fun Week 1 NFL DFS slate. You're shocked, aren't you? 
The DFS Helper should help point you in the right direction, but feel free to reach out to me on Twitter if you have any further questions! I try to respond to tweets throughout the week; I also have a weekly Twitter Q&A each Sunday morning to answer any lineup setting questions you have. Good luck this weekend everybody!
DraftKings Main Slate Tiers
Quarterback
Tier 1 -- Cash Game Considerations
Jayden Daniels ($5,700), Josh Allen ($8,000)
Tier 2 -- Preferred Tournament Options
Jayden Daniels ($5,700), C.J. Stroud ($7,500), Kyler Murray ($6,400), Josh Allen ($8,000), Daniel Jones ($5,400 - only in a stack with Malik Nabers), Trevor Lawrence ($6,200 - only in a stack), Tua Tagovailoa ($7,000 - only in a stack)
Running Back
Tier 1 -- Cash Game Locks
None
Tier 2 -- Cash Game Consideration
De'Von Achane ($6,800), Jaleel McLaughlin ($4,300), Rachaad White ($6,300), Travis Etienne ($7,200), Bijan Robinson ($7,700)
Tier 3 -- Preferred Tournament Options
De'Von Achane ($6,800), Raheem Mostert ($6,400), Kenneth Walker ($6,100), James Conner ($6,200), Jaleel McLaughlin ($4,300), Rachaad White ($6,300), Javonte Williams ($5,500), J.K. Dobbins ($4,900), Jonathan Taylor ($7,800)
Wide Receiver
Tier 1 -- Cash Game Locks
Nico Collins ($7,000), Malik Nabers ($5,900)
Tier 2 -- Cash Game Consideration
Diontae Johnson ($5,300), Jayden Waddle ($6,300), Tyreek Hill ($8,700), Chris Olave ($6,600), Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($4,900), Mike Evans ($7,300), Jalen McMillan ($3,300)
Tier 3 -- Preferred Tournament Options
Nico Collins ($7,000), Brian Thomas Jr. ($4,700), Jayden Waddle ($6,300), Malik Nabers ($5,900), Tank Dell ($5,500), Joshua Palmer ($5,200), Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($4,900), Rashid Shaheed ($4,400), Tyreek Hill ($8,700), Jalen McMillan ($3,300), Adonai Mitchell ($3,800), Mike Evans ($7,300), Curtis Samuel ($4,900), Keon Coleman ($5,000)
Tight End
Tier 1 -- Cash Game Consideration
Trey McBride ($6,100), Zach Ertz ($3,600), Kylen Granson ($2,900)
Tier 2 -- Preferred Tournament Options
Trey McBride ($6,100) , Dalton Kincaid ($5,800)
FanDuel Main Slate Tiers
Quarterback
Tier 1 -- Cash Game Considerations
Jayden Daniels ($7,000), Josh Allen ($9,200)
Tier 2 -- Preferred Tournament Options
Jayden Daniels ($7,000), C.J. Stroud ($8,500), Matthew Stafford ($7,300), Jared Goff ($7,500), Josh Allen ($9,200), Kyler Murray ($7,900), Tua Tagovailoa ($7,700), Trevor Lawrence ($7,400), Daniel Jones ($6,800)
Running Back
Tier 1 -- Cash Game Locks
De'Von Achane ($7,200)
Tier 2 -- Cash Game Consideration
James Conner ($6,100), Jahmyr Gibbs ($8,000), Travis Etienne ($7,500), Raheem Mostert ($6,600)
Tier 3 -- Preferred Tournament Options
De'Von Achane ($7,200), Bijan Robinson ($8,800), Jonathan Taylor ($8,600), Raheem Mostert ($6,600), Kyren Williams ($7,800), James Conner ($6,100), Jahmyr Gibbs ($8,000), Chase Brown ($5,400), Jaleel McLaughlin ($5,000), J.K. Dobbins ($5,500)
Wide Receiver
Tier 1 -- Cash Game Locks
Nico Collins ($7,100)
Tier 2 -- Cash Game Consideration
Diontae Johnson ($5,600), Malik Nabers ($6,300), Jaylen Waddle ($7,200), Tyreek Hill ($9,600), Amon-Ra St. Brown ($8,900), Chris Olave ($7,000), Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($5,200)
Tier 3 -- Preferred Tournament Options
Nico Collins ($7,100), Brian Thomas Jr. ($5,100), Courtland Sutton ($5,500), Jaylen Waddle ($7,200), Tyreek Hill ($9,600), Diontae Johnson ($5,600), Chris Olave ($7,000), Marvin Harrison Jr. ($6,600), Puka Nacua ($8,400), Malik Nabers ($6,300), Tank Dell ($6,400), Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($5,200), Rashid Shaheed ($5,200), Curtis Samuel ($5,200), Jalen McMillan ($5,000), Keon Coleman ($6,000)
Tight End
Tight End
Tier 1 -- Cash Game Consideration
Trey McBride ($6,400), Colby Parkinson ($4,700)
Tier 2 -- Preferred Tournament Options
Trey McBride ($6,400), Sam LaPorta ($8,000), Dalton Kincaid ($6,800), Colby Parkinson ($4,700)
Optimal FanDuel Lineup
*Be sure to check back for updates.*
QB -- Jayden Daniels
RB -- De'Von Achane
RB -- Raheem Mostert
WR -- Nico Collins
WR -- Malik Nabers
WR -- Diontae Johnson
TE -- Trey McBride
FLEX -- Amon-Ra St. Brown
D/ST -- Bengals
Tournament FanDuel Lineup
Designed for large-field tournaments
QB -- C.J. Stroud
RB -- Jonathan Taylor
RB -- De'Von Achane
WR -- Brian Thomas Jr.
WR -- Nico Collins
WR -- Tank Dell
TE -- Colby Parkinson
FLEX -- Jahmyr Gibbs
D/ST -- Seahawks
Week 1 Rankings Update
Quarterbacks
Tier 1 -- Locked-in
QB1 - Josh Allen
QB2 - Jalen Hurts
QB3 - Patrick Mahomes
QB4 - Lamar Jackson
QB5 - C.J. Stroud
I love the matchup for Stroud against Indianapolis, but I am a bit worried about Anthony Richardson and the Colts offense. Houston's edge combination of Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter may be the most overwhelming pass rush duo in 2024. Indy's line is strong, but this will be a tough Week 1 test.
Tier 2 -- Upside to finish as the top scorer in Fantasy, but there's risk
QB6 - Anthony Richardson
QB7 - Jayden Daniels
QB8 - Kyler Murray
Murray doesn't feel as risky as the other two, but Arizona's implied team total (21 points) for Week 1 is sandwiched right in between Indy (23.25) and Washington (20.25). I feel pretty optimistic about Arizona's offense in this spot, but the Vegas total caught my eye.
Tier 3 -- Betting on touchdowns with pocket passers
QB9 - Jared Goff
QB10 - Tua Tagovailoa
QB11 - Matthew Stafford
QB12 - Jordan Love
QB13 - Joe Burrow
QB14 - Trevor Lawrence
QB15 - Caleb Williams
QB16 - Geno Smith
QB17 - Brock Purdy
QB18 - Dak Prescott
QB19 - Baker Mayfield
QB20 - Justin Herbert
QB21 - Kirk Cousins
Burrow and Prescott feel ridiculously low, but I don't feel great about the vibes around either team entering Week 1. Dallas has had its implied team total bet down below 20 points in anticipation of a road matchup against the Browns defense, and we still have no idea of what is going to happen with Ja'Marr Chase in Cincinnati. The Bengals draw a Patriots defense that has been stingy, and bettors are hitting the under in that game. I'm expecting a lot of Chase Brown on the ground for Cincinnati.
Don't let me talk you out of Jordan Love this week. I'm just a little hesitant to attack a Philadelphia defense that I expect to be much improved in 2024. The Packers have a good but not great implied point total (23.5), which is lower than the Lions, Dolphins, Rams, Bears, and Seahawks.
Tier 4 -- Fine to start if needed, I would not want to use these players
QB22 - Daniel Jones
QB23 - Deshaun Watson
QB24 - Aaron Rodgers
QB25 - Sam Darnold
QB26 - Will Levis
QB27 - Derek Carr
QB28 - Russell Wilson
QB29 - Bryce Young
QB30 - Bo Nix
QB31 - Gardner Minshew
QB32 - Jacoby Brissett
Running Backs
Tier 1 -- Locked-in
RB1 - Christian McCaffrey
RB2 - Breece Hall
RB3 - Bijan Robinson
RB4 - Jonathan Taylor
RB5 - Jahmyr Gibbs
RB6 - De'Von Achane
RB7 - Saquon Barkley
RB8 - Kyren Williams
RB9 - Travis Etienne
RB10 - Raheem Mostert
Maybe Mostert does not belong in this tier. He did the last time that we saw him healthy. I like this matchup for Miami's ground game, and the Dolphins (26.5-point implied point total) are just 0.75 points short of the highest Week 1 total (Detroit - 27.5).
Tier 2 -- Looking like Week 1 workhorses
RB11 - Joe Mixon
RB12 - Derrick Henry
RB13 - Kenneth Walker
RB14 - James Conner
RB15 - Josh Jacobs
Walker is the player who I am the least convinced belongs in this workhorse tier, but his matchup offsets it. We could see him rip off multiple explosive runs in Week 1.
Tier 3 -- These guys are great, their offense may score a buncha points, I do not have any idea what the backfield split will look like.
RB16 - James Cook
RB17 - Rachaad White
RB18 - Isiah Pacheco
RB21 - David Montgomery
I have the least confidence in Cook's role, but the Bills have a much better projected Week 1 offensive environment than Kansas City or Tampa.
Tier 4 -- Role and matchup both check out, but can we trust the offensive environment?
RB19 - Alvin Kamara
RB20 - Aaron Jones
RB22 - Najee Harris
RB23 - Javonte Williams
RB25 - Devin Singletary
RB29 - Rhamondre Stevenson
Tier 5 -- I have several concerns
RB24 - D'Andre Swift (offensive environment/role - I think Khalil Herbert is going to play on early downs)
RB26 - Tony Pollard (matchup/offensive environment/role)
RB27 - Chase Brown (matchup/role)
RB28 - Jerome Ford (matchup/offensive environment)
RB30 - Brian Robinson Jr. (offensive environment/role)
RB34 - Chuba Hubbard (offensive environment/role - surely we're done with Miles Sanders, right?)
RB36 - Tyjae Spears (matchup/offensive environment/role)
RB37 - Zamir White (offensive environment/role)
Tier 6 -- I also like to live dangerously
RB31 - Jaleel McLaughlin
RB32 - J.K. Dobbins
RB33 - Gus Edwards
RB35 - Zack Moss (purely a bet on touchdowns)
RB40 - Ray Davis
Tier 7 -- Desperation plays
RB38 - Austin Ekeler
RB39 - Ezekiel Elliott
RB41 - Jaylen Warren
RB42 - Blake Corum
RB43 - Zach Charbonnet
RB44 - Khalil Herbert
RB45 - Bucky Irving
RB46 - Rico Dowdle
RB47 - Tyler Allgeier
RB48 - Antonio Gibson
RB49 - Ty Chandler
RB50 - Justice Hill
Wide Receivers
Tier 1 -- Locked-in
WR1 - Tyreek Hill
WR2 - Amon-Ra St. Brown
WR3 - CeeDee Lamb
WR4 - Justin Jefferson
WR5 - Nico Collins
WR6 - A.J. Brown 
WR7 - Garrett Wilson
WR8 - Deebo Samuel
WR9 - Mike Evans
WR10 - Puka Nacua
WR11 - Jaylen Waddle
WR12 - Davante Adams
WR13 - Rashee Rice
Tier 2 -- Slightly more risk, but probably gonna deliver a big Week 1 score
WR14 - Ja'Marr Chase
WR15 - Chris Olave
WR16 - Cooper Kupp
WR17 - Marvin Harrison Jr.
WR18 - DJ Moore
WR19 - Malik Nabers
WR20 - Drake London
WR21 - DeVonta Smith
WR25 - Stefon Diggs
WR29 - Tank Dell
Tier 3 -- Offensive environment or matchup concerns keeping them out of Tier 2
WR22 - Diontae Johnson
WR23 - Michael Pittman
WR24 - DK Metcalf
WR26 - Terry McLaurin
WR27 - Amari Cooper
WR28 - George Pickens
WR30 - Tee Higgins
WR32 - Brandon Aiyuk
WR34 - Calvin Ridley
WR35 - Courtland Sutton
Tier 4 -- Super solid Week 1 projections (even if there's not quite as much blow-up game potential)
WR31 - Chris Godwin
WR33 - Christian Kirk
WR34 - Joshua Palmer
WR46 - Jayden Reed
WR47 - Khalil Shakir
WR48 - Romeo Doubs
Tier 5 -- I have no idea what to expect from this group, but it could be fun!
WR37 - Xavier Worthy
WR38 - Zay Flowers
WR39 - Keenan Allen
WR40 - Brian Thomas Jr.
WR41 - Jaxon Smith-Njigba
WR42 - Curtis Samuel
WR43 - Keon Coleman
WR44 - Christian Watson
WR45 - Rashid Shaheed
WR48 - Rome Odunze
WR52 - Adonai Mitchell
WR61 - Ladd McConkey
WR65 - Marvin Mims
WR73 - Luke McCaffrey
Tier 6 -- Desperation plays
WR50 - DeAndre Hopkins
WR51 - Jameson Williams
WR53 - Adam Thielen
WR54 - Tyler Lockett
WR55 - Darnell Mooney
WR56 - Jakobi Meyers
WR57 - Demarcus Robinson
WR58 - Gabe Davis
WR59 - Jalen McMillan
WR60 - Jordan Addison
WR62 - Brandin Cooks
WR63 - Demario Douglas
WR64 - Michael Wilson
WR66 - Jerry Jeudy
WR67 - Rashod Bateman
WR68 - Darius Slayton
WR69 - Ja'Lynn Polk
WR70 - Tyler Boyd
WR71 - Greg Dortch
WR72 - Wan'Dale Robinson
WR74 - Andrei Iosivas
WR75 - Josh Reynolds
Tight Ends
Tier 1 -- Locked-in
TE1 - Sam LaPorta
TE2 - Trey McBride
TE3 - Travis Kelce
TE4 - Mark Andrews
TE5 - Dalton Kincaid
TE6 - Evan Engram
Week 1 with a massive implied point total vs. a susceptible Arizona defense sure feels like a coming-out party for Buffalo's new pass-game centerpiece, Dalton Kincaid.
Tier 2 -- Don't love the matchup/game set-up
TE7 - Kyle Pitts
TE8 - George Kittle
TE9 - David Njoku
TE10 - Jake Ferguson
Tier 3 -- Wild cards!
TE11 - Taysom Hill
TE12 - Brock Bowers
Tier 4 -- These guys are probably going to play a ton. I'm not sure what they'll do with their opportunities, but you can feel some level of confidence placing cheap bets on them in Week 1
TE13 - Colby Parkinson
TE14 - Dallas Goedert
TE15 - Tyler Conklin
TE16 - Luke Musgrave
TE17 - Zach Ertz
TE18 - Noah Fant (revenge game, please give us a big Noah Fant game!)
TE19 - Dalton Schultz
TE24 - Cade Otton
TE28 - Kylen Granson
TE29 - Dawson Knox
Tier 5 -- Playing time feels less clear
TE20 - Hunter Henry (health?)
TE21 - Pat Freiermuth
TE22 - Juwan Johnson
TE23 - Cole Kmet
TE25 - Jonnu Smith
TE26 - Chigoziem Okonkwo
TE27 - Tucker Kraft
TE30 - Gerald Everett
TE31 - Michael Mayer
TE32 - Isaiah Likely
TE33 - Greg Dulcich
TE34 - Ja'Tavion Sanders
TE35 - Hayden Hurst
TE36 - Theo Johnson
TE37 - Mike Gesicki
TE38 - Will Dissly
TE39 - Johnny Mundt
TE40 - Mo Alie-Cox
I'll be in your inbox every weekday and every Sunday morning for the foreseeable future! NFL is back, baby! I am so grateful and excited to be able to deliver this newsletter to you as we navigate the 2024 season together. Thank you! This is going to be fun!
If you have any feedback on the newsletter, feel free to send them my way. Thank you for reading! And please, do check out Beyond the Boxscore on FFT! Dan and I put a lot of work into that podcast project and aim to make it fun and accessible for any level of NFL fan!
 
 
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