Fantasy Football, Week 1: Last-minute DFS bargains on DraftKings
By Drew DeLuca
Tight Ends
Austin Hooper, ATL (at MIN), $3,200: Was there ever a quieter Pro Bowl season than the one Hooper posted last year? Expect Hooper to be a part of the game plan against a defense that boasts a secondary which actually poses a challenge to one of the best receiver trios in the game.
Mark Andrews, BAL (at MIA), $3,000: On film, Andrews looks like a man playing against boys in the open field. Andrews should finish among the league leaders in targets at the tight end position, and the Miami Dolphins will likely have no answer. Starting him at this price allows the flexibility to roster high-priced talent at other positions. Andrews is also a great potential stack with Lamar Jackson, who arguably could be featured in this article himself.
Darren Waller, OAK (vs. DEN), $3,000: Aside from Renfrow, no one will benefit more from Brown’s departure. This freakish talent is a steal at $3000, and the same logic above for starting Andrews applies here.
Jordan Akins, HOU (at NO), $2,600: Those who like to go cheap at TE so they can load up on other positions should look Akins’ way. With Jordan Thomas on the IR and Kahale Warring out with a concussion, Akins will be the lead tight end this week in a prolific offense. He is clearly the best active pass-catching TE on the roster.
Defense/Special Teams
It almost never makes sense to start a mid-to-lower tier defense in DFS, aside from an injury to an opposing quarterback. Only the Los Angeles Chargers fit the bill this week.
Los Angeles Chargers (vs. IND), $3,000: This matchup offers potential, especially in a home game, but the defense has its own share of injuries, and Jacoby Brissett is arguably one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league. The Indianapolis Colts offensive line is much better than it was the last time Brissett was a starter, and the collection of weapons in their arsenal is likewise more impressive.
Next. NFL Over/Unders: Predictions for all 32 teams. dark
Given the lower price of defenses comparative to other positions, it makes sense to go with the top DST units in DFS. Arguably the safest plays this week: the Baltimore Ravens ($3,800) fly south to face the lowly Miami Dolphins, the Philadelphia Eagles ($3,600) host the hapless Washington Redskins, and the Denver Broncos, who plan to ransack an Oakland Raiders‘ offense that just cut its best player loose.