DRAFTKINGS NFL WEEK ONE CASH PLAYS week 1 2021

QUARTERBACK

TOP PLAY

Kyler Murray, ARI ($7600)

If you read my GPP article you saw my affinity for the ARI/TEN game as a full GPP stack, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be using key pieces in cash as well. Arizona was second in the NFL in pace last season and now adds dynamic playmaker Rondale Moore to their stable of receivers (and AJ Green as well). Kyler was QB1 (yes, even over Mahomes) through 13 weeks last season and gets a matchup against Tennessee he can fully exploit. The Titans offer no form of defense in their secondary, especially since first rounder Caleb Farley will not be starting week one, and Tennessee allowed the fifth most passing yards per game. Kyler’s rushing upside only adds to his floor and ceiling, and there are enough values to make paying up at QB easy.

Other options - Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen

Mid-tier options - Jalen Hurts, Ryan Tannehill


VALUE PLAY

Teddy Bridgewater, DEN ($4800)

The Giants ranked seventh in pressure rate and the sixth fewest FPPG to opposing QB, plus this game has the second lowest O/U on the main slate. So why play Bridgewater? The price is right at $4800, and you get carte blanche for whatever high end RBs and WRs you want. Bridgewater has mild rushing upside, and the Giants allowed the tenth most rushing yards to opposing QBs. I’d pay up this week, but the punt does exist in Teddy Ballgame.

Other options - Matt Ryan, Sam Darnold, Mac Jones

RUNNING BACK

TOP PLAY

Alvin Kamara, NO ($8600)

McCaffrey seems to be the consensus RB1 (and of course I don’t argue it), but I have Kamara ruling the roost this week, and the $900 discount is just gravy on top. Jameis Winston being named the starter cements Kamara as an elite back even if Taysom Hill annoyingly vultures some of the TD equity. In his career, Kamara averages an incredible 31 FPPG on DraftKings with Michael Thomas out, and an additional 4.4 carries per game without Latavius Murray. The Packers allowed the seventh most FPPG to RBs and the eighth most receptions out of the backfield a year ago. Play him.

Other options - Christian McCaffrey, Dalvin Cook, Derrick Henry

Mid-tier options - Austin Ekeler, Aaron Jones


VALUE PLAY

James Robinson, JAX ($6400)

A cash lock for me at $6400, and I plan on being overweight in GPPs as well. The Texans project to be one of the worst teams in football and allowed the most FPPG to opposing RBs a year ago. With no improvement to their defense in the offseason, look for Robinson to feast with Travis Etienne on IR. I’ll grant that the offense will look very different with Trevor Lawrence quarterbacking the team, but Robinson finished RB5 last year and is once again looking at a three-down role. I’m not worried about Carlos Hyde, and this is the last time we should see Robinson in the $6000s.

Other options - Joe Mixon, Najee Harris, Antonio Gibson, Mike Davis

WIDE RECEIVER

TOP PLAY

DeAndre Hopkins, ARI ($7800)

Based on early ownership I’m going against the grain here as the masses seem to be more on Calvin Ridley for $100. Ridley should feast against the Eagles, but Hopkins should REALLY destroy the Titans. With Caleb Farley not starting for the Titans, Hopkins’ only form of resistance will come from Janoris Jenkins and Kristian Fulton, neither of who stand a chance of containing him. As good as Hopkins was in Houston, his 72% catch rate was actually a career high in Arizona last season. Rondale Moore will definitely be a factor, but Hopkins is a weekly top-5 WR, and this week I think he finishes WR1.

Other options - Calvin Ridley, Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs, DK Metcalf

Mid-tier options - Tyler Lockett, Terry McLaurin, DJ Moore, Robby Anderson


VALUE PLAY

Marquez Callaway, NO ($3400)
Callaway will be megachalk, and rightfully so. He burst out in preseason with some monstrous games and showed an immediate rapport with Winston. Keep this in mind, however - Green Bay gave up the third fewest FPPG to opposing WRs last season, and that’s not fluke as they boast elite CBs and safeties. For that reason, I think it definitely merits fading Callaway in GPP as he is still an unproven player in the NFL, but in this case you want to eat the chalk in cash since he’s pretty much a free square.

Other options - Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins, Jamarr Chase, Jerry Jeudy, Rondale Moore, Elijah Moore, Terrace Marshall

TIGHT END

TOP PLAY

Travis Kelce, KC ($8300)

This is likely going to be an evergreen pick unless he’s not on the main slate, but I can’t understate how much Kelce is actually worth paying for in all formats. Over his last ten games, Kelce is averaging over 105 receiving YPG and the Browns allowed the fourth most FPPG to the position in 2020. Only one receiver (Davante Adams) scored DK PPG last season, so treat Kelce as an elite talent, well worth his price tag at under 9k.

Other options - George Kittle


VALUE PLAY

Kyle Pitts, ATL ($4400)

If not ponying up the money for Kelce, Pitts looks like the logical cash choice at TE even though he has yet to play a down in the NFL. Early ownership projections have Pitts being the highest owned so if he busts, at least you’re not cratering your cash lineup. After giving up the ninth most FPPG to TEs, Philly once again does not have the LBs to combat a receiving threat like Pitts, and he should get plenty of looks even with Ridley dominating the usage. Russell Gage and Hayden Hurts do not concern me in the slightest.

Other options - Logan Thomas, Noah Fant, Tyler Conklin

TOP FIVE DEFENSES FOR CASH

Atlanta Falcons ($2000)
Buffalo Bills ($2500)
Jacksonville Jaguars ($2700)
New York Jets ($2400)
Denver Broncos ($3300)