NFL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel: Preseason Week 1 (Thursday, 8/7/25)

The top daily fantasy football lineup picks for DraftKings, FanDuel -- Thursday, August 8/7. Doug's NFL DFS analysis and sleepers picks.

I know it’s just preseason, but the excitement I feel every year for this week is indescribable. Football is back! Lineup-making is back! DFS is back! Last Thursday’s Hall of Fame game was a nice appetizer, but tonight we come in strong with the first of four straight nights of NFL DFS action, and I will be here with you every step of the way.

We shouldn’t expect most regular-season starters to play any significant snaps, with many unlikely to suit up, although some times are bucking this past trend and playing their starters for a few series. Even with a lack of well-known players, there are still players taking the field who will be worth monitoring. We will be hunting for snaps, targets, and carries just like we do on a typical NFL weekend, and if we can lock in some correlation, then all the better.

Here you will be provided daily fantasy football picks on FanDuel and DraftKings for the Thursday night three-game slate of Week 1 of the NFL preseason on 8/07/25. These NFL DFS lineup picks can vary from high-end players and elite options to backup and contrarian players on both DraftKings and FanDuel. Thanks for reading, and good luck, RotoBallers!

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Preseason NFL DFS - Quarterbacks

Jalen Milroe (SEA vs LV) (DK: $5.5k| FD: $6K)

Jalen Milroe is far from the most talented quarterback who will see the field on Thursday night, but he may be the one who gets the most snaps. Seattle’s quarterback room is veteran-laden, with Sam Darnold locked in as the starter and Drew Lock being a known entity. Milroe is the wild card, and he’s expected to see at least one whole half of snaps.

What’s most intriguing about Milroe is that the coaching staff has already made it clear that they plan to call multiple designed runs for him. Rushing yards are such a cheat code for quarterbacks, and if Milroe were to sneak in a touchdown, he could end up with a tournament-winning fantasy score.<

Jalen Milroe Surges Past Former NFL Starter on First Seattle Seahawks Depth Chart https://t.co/LBdx61852l

— Athlon Sports (@AthlonSports) August 6, 2025

Anthony Richardson (IND at BAL) (DK: $5.5k| FD: $6K)

Much like with Jalen Milroe, I’m intrigued by the rushing upside that Anthony Richardson brings to the quarterback position. Richardson is fighting for his job with Daniel Jones, and the coaching staff has said that he will see about a quarter and a half of playing time. That is a lot of snaps for a player of Richardson’s ilk, and with his rushing ability, he has tremendous upside.

Along with Richardson, you can expect to see most of the Colts' starters for a quarter and a half, meaning that AR is going to have time in the pocket and all his top weapons at his disposal. He should be a very popular pick given his pedigree, making him a prime cash game option if you choose to play that format.

ALSO CONSIDER: Joe Burrow (CIN), Cam Miller (LV), Drew Lock (SEA), Tanner McKee (PHI), Devin Leary (BAL)

Preseason NFL DFS - Running Backs

Shunderrick Powell (PHI vs CIN) (DK: $5.5k| FD: $6K)

ShunDerrick Powell is an undrafted rookie, but he’s been making waves in camp for the Eagles, including garnering praise from Saquon Barkley. With Barkley unlikely to play in this game, and with Will Shipley and A.J. Dillon having secure roster spots, there should be plenty of snaps to go around for Powell.

What has been particularly impressive about Powell has been his ability to catch passes out of the backfield. That will only add to his upside, especially with unproven quarterbacks Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Kyle McCord expected to get the majority of the snaps for the Eagles.

There is more and more buzz building around Eagles rookie RB ShunDerrick Powell. 📈

Read about Powell’s journey from the small town of Hughes, Arkansas to the NFL here:https://t.co/eCCj3AO8ZD

— Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaNFL) August 5, 2025

Keaton Mitchell (BAL vs IND) (DK: $5.5k| FD: $6K)

Every report out of camp has praised the improvements shown by Keaton Mitchell, who is finally healthy after two seasons marred by injuries. Derrick Henry isn’t expected to play in this game, while Justice Hill is a known quantity as the change-of-pace back for the Ravens.

That means Mitchell should get a significant amount of playing time early in this game, and we know that the Ravens love to run the football. Mitchell is known for his home run capabilities, making him the type of player who could pay off with just one play.

ALSO CONSIDER: Zamir White (LV), Tahj Brooks (CIN), Sincere McCormick (LV), DJ Giddens (IND)

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Preseason NFL DFS - Wide Receivers

Elijah Cooks (PHI vs CIN) (DK: $5.5k| FD: $6K)

No player in Eagles camp seems to be getting more buzz for Thursday’s game than Elijah Cooks. Beat reporters are hyping him up, saying that he’s playing better than second-year wideouts Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith.

All three should get a ton of snaps to continue their camp battle, but with the way Cooks is showing out in camp, he’s the one you’re going to want on your roster. He makes for a great stack with Kyle McCord and is one of the prime names I’m looking at for one of my cash game wide receiver options.<

These #Eagles are beginning to steal jobs...

🔥 The Elijah Cooks hype is real
📈 Sydney Brown improving
🤯 Overlooked pass rusher getting 1st Team reps

...and everything else from my visit to the Novacare Complex!

MORE HERE: https://t.co/2fpdBAMv1j pic.twitter.com/kRfW0ZNKsB

— The Philly Special (@thePHIspecial) August 6, 2025

 

Adonai Mitchell (IND at BAL) (DK: $5.5k| FD: $6K)

Adonai Mitchell was a bust last season, recording more than two catches only twice while having the lowest catch rate among rookie wide receivers. He started slowly in camp this year, continuing to drop passes, but over the last week or so, his play has improved to the point where he’s being lauded as a “camp standout”.

He looked great in the joint practices against Baltimore, and in this game, he won’t have to deal with their top defenders. I don’t expect Mitchell to get much more than a quarter and a half of playing time, but I’d be shocked if he wasn’t on the field with Anthony Richardson as a deep shot threat.

Jermaine Burton (CIN at PHI) (DK: $5.5k| FD: $6K)

The Bengals had big plans for Jermaine Burton last year, but a lack of maturity held him back, and the year was mostly a wash. This season, he came to camp with a renewed mindset and has been reminding the Bengals why they were so high on him last year.

He’s been getting some run with the top offense, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him getting snaps in the first quarter along with Joe Burrow in this game. Given his position on the team, it’s likely that he will stay in the game with the second-string offense, making him an attractive option in tournaments (in a stack with Burrow) and cash games.

ALSO CONSIDER: Jack Bech (LV), Dont’e Thornton Jr. (LV), Tommy Mellott (LV), Alex Bachman (LV), Ja’Marr Chase (CIN), Tory Horton (SEA), Kendric Pryor (CIN), Ainias Smith (PHI), Devontez Walker (BAL), Dayton Wade (BAL)

Preseason NFL DFS - Tight Ends

Elijah Arroyo (SEA vs LV) (DK: $5.5k| FD: $6K)

While it’s unlikely that the Seahawks will play the majority of their top offense, they have already stated that their rookies will see the field against the Raiders. The team has big plans for Elijah Arroyo, but they need to get him used to game speed, meaning he should see the field for a while in this game. He should be the main checkdown option for either Drew Lock or Jalen Milroe, while still having the talent to go down the seam for a big play.

ALSO CONSIDER: Tanner McLachlan (CIN)

Thanks for checking this out, and good luck!

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