DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports Week 1 Playbook: Top Value Targets & Tournament Stacks
Week 1 of the NFL season is finally here, and with it comes the cleanest slate of the year on DraftKings. Drafts are officially behind us, rosters are locked in season-long leagues, and now it’s time to attack daily fantasy sports (DFS).
The key to building a winning DFS lineup on DraftKing, especially for high-stakes GPP tournaments, comes down to three pillars: targeting high implied game totals, hunting concentrated target shares, and unlocking reliable salary relief to afford game-breaking alpha receivers.
Here is your complete position-by-position target guide and blueprint for Week 1.
Quarterbacks (QB)
Jared Goff (DET vs. NO) – Top Overall / Cash Core
The Lions open inside Ford Field in one of the slate's highest projected game totals. Goff averaged nearly 24 fantasy points per home start last season and routinely shreds coverage in a clean dome environment. Under DraftKings' scoring system—featuring a 3-point bonus for 300+ passing yards—Goff provides an elite floor and tournament ceiling without demanding an inflated salary tag.
Caleb Williams (CHI @ CAR) – Tournament Upside
Dual-threat mobility combined with an upgraded receiving corps makes Williams an ideal GPP leverage play away from chalky pocket passers. Going against a depleted Carolina secondary, Williams gives you explosive rushing equity and 30+ fantasy-point upside.
Running Backs (RB)
Bucky Irving (TB @ CIN) – Core Value / PPR Anchor
With injuries shifting touches in the Tampa Bay backfield, Irving steps into a high-value role in a projected shootout. He carries dependable early-down work alongside 4 to 6 designed passing targets, giving you an elite full-PPR floor that frees up necessary cap space.
Tony Pollard (TEN vs. NYJ) – Mid-Tier Volume
The Jets surrendered the most fantasy points to opposing running backs last season, yielding 16.7+ PPR points in six of their final seven contests. Pollard closed last season on a roll, averaging 100 rushing yards over his last five games, putting him directly in line for the DK 100-yard bonus.
Bhayshul Tuten (JAX vs. CLE) – GPP Leverage Play
Home favorites in positive game scripts are daily fantasy gold. With backfield vacancies in Jacksonville, Tuten is positioned to command the lion's share of early downs and goal-line looks at minimal tournament ownership.
Wide Receivers (WR)
Jameson Williams (DET vs. NO) – Stacking Partner / Ceiling Play
The natural pairing with Jared Goff. Williams delivered 12+ PPR points in 12 of his last 17 home games at Ford Field and closed last season averaging 14.2 points over his final 12 appearances. His vertical explosiveness gives you access to a 100-yard bonus and multi-touchdown upside on just a handful of targets.
Nico Collins (HOU vs. BUF) – The Alpha Pay-Up
If you are paying up for raw target dominance, Collins is the premier choice. In a potential high-tempo shootout against Buffalo, he commands high red-zone volume and single-coverage separation that offers an 8-to-12 target floor.
Luther Burden III (CHI @ CAR) – Value Breakout
A dynamic boundary playmaker walking into favorable single coverage against a thin Carolina defensive backfield. His ability to create yards after the catch makes him an affordable flex or stack correlation with Caleb Williams.
Tight Ends (TE)
Tucker Kraft (GB @ MIN) – Primary Target / High Floor
Kraft is fully healthy and practicing without restrictions, stepping directly into a featured role in Green Bay’s passing game. In a divisional road matchup where Minnesota's aggressive blitz schemes force quick decisions, Kraft serves as the designated hot read over the middle. He led tight ends in yards after the catch per reception (8.5 YAC) and commands heavy red-zone involvement, giving you steady target volume and multi-touchdown equity without paying top-tier salary.
Mark Andrews (BAL @ IND) – Rebound Value
The Colts allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to tight ends last year. As Lamar Jackson’s top red-zone security blanket, Andrews offers legitimate multi-touchdown equity at a discounted price point.
Isaiah Likely (NYG vs. DAL) – Tournament Salary Saver
If you want cheap leverage in tournaments, Likely is positioned to see expanded volume with Malik Nabers returning a knee issue. In a projected negative game script where the Giants will be forced to chase points through the air, Likely steps into a heavy target share over the middle at a fraction of the cost. Nabers will draw double teams with Likely taking advantage of one on one matchups.
Defenses & Special Teams (DST)
Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. CLE) – Top Play
Facing Deshaun Watson in his first regular-season action following an Achilles tear, Jacksonville is set up for high takeaway volume. Jacksonville allowed only four passing touchdowns against 10 interceptions across their final eight regular-season games last year, giving them a high sack and turnover floor.
Baltimore Ravens (@ IND) – High Floor
Baltimore’s aggressive front seven routinely collapses the pocket against immobile quarterbacks. Expect consistent sack production and minimal points allowed.
Sample DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports Tournament Build
Position | Player | Matchup | Role / Strategy |
QB | Jared Goff | DET vs. NO | Primary Stack (Dome ceiling) |
RB | Tony Pollard | TEN vs. NYJ | High-volume floor vs. weak run D |
RB | Bucky Irving | TB @ CIN | Salary relief + PPR pass-catching |
WR | Jameson Williams | DET vs. NO | Goff Primary Stack (Field stretcher) |
WR | Nico Collins | HOU vs. BUF | Elite Alpha Pay-Up WR |
WR | Luther Burden III | CHI @ CAR | Low-cost breakout boundary threat |
TE | Tucker Kraft | GB @ MIN | High-floor security blanket + YAC upside |
FLEX | Bhayshul Tuten | JAX vs. CLE | Positive game-script RB leverage |
DST | Jacksonville Jaguars | JAX vs. CLE | High turnover/sack projection |
The Verdict for your Fantasy Football Lineup
In DFS tournaments, victory isn't just about picking the best players, it’s about roster construction, correlation, and finding the right salary pivots to separate yourself from the herd. Lock in your core plays, trust the game scripts, and take down Week 1!
Before kickoff, make sure you're geared up for game day, reps, tailgates, and watch parties hit different when you're repping your squad. Grab your fresh jerseys, hats, and official sideline apparel right here at NFL Shop.
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