Fantasy Football: DraftKings and FanDuel advice for Week 1

By Mike Dente | Sep 6, 2017

SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 25: Quarterback Russell Wilson /

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 01: Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs after making a catch during the fourth quarter of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 1, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defatted the Cowboys 27-13. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 01: Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs after making a catch during the fourth quarter of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 1, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defatted the Cowboys 27-13. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Tight Ends

Start of the Week: Zach Ertz ($3,500 DK/$5,900 FD) at Washington

Ertz quietly finished as the sixth ranked tight end in fantasy last season. He also finished the season with a bang as he scored an insane 38.9 points in Week 17 versus the Cowboys. In his last matchup versus the Redskins in Week 14 of 2016, the Philadelphia tight end recorded 10 receptions for over 100 yards receiving.

Evidently, Ertz has a very high week-to-week ceiling and has clearly built strong chemistry with his young quarterback, Carson Wentz. Washington had some defensive breakdowns against tight ends last season as they finished bottom five in the league while allowing 15 fantasy points per game. Strongly consider the Wentz/Ertz combo to start out the 2017 campaign.

Value Pick of the Week: (Charles Clay $3,200 DK/$4,600 FD) vs. New York Jets

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After closing out the 2016 season averaging 17 point per game over the final four weeks, Clay seems to be the forgotten man in Buffalo. With the offseason losses of Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods, on top of the sudden retirement of Anquan Boldin, the Bills are left with rookie Zay Jones as their top receiver. Jordan Matthews’ status appears to be in doubt as he is yet to be cleared after suffering a chest injury shortly after his arrival to Buffalo.

This all leaves Charles Clay as the most reliable receiving option and a bargain in daily fantasy. The 28-year old tight end should see plenty of targets and could put up big points against the lowly Jets.

Deep Sleeper: Zach Miller ($2,800 DK/$4,500 FD) vs. Atlanta

You can probably notice a common theme here, but Miller is another player in a great situation heading into Week 1. He will likely be owned by fewer than five percent of daily fantasy players, so he could be a smart bargain pick for your roster.

The loss of Cameron Meredith to a torn ACL leaves the Bears depleted at the receiver position. The underwhelming Kevin White steps in as the number one, with Kendall Wright looking to get his career back in order as their potential underneath receiver. But once again, it’s the tight end who is the most reliable option in the passing game.

Miller faces an Atlanta defense that finished 25th against opposing tight ends last season. You probably won’t believe this but Miller was also on pace to finish top-seven in fantasy production at his position before getting injured in Week 11.

Best of the Rest:

– Tyler Eifert ($4,600 DK/$6,100 FD)
– Delanie Walker ($4,300 DK/$$6,100 FD)
– Martellus Bennett ($4,100 DK/$5,700 FD)

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