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FanDuel Picks for Daily Fantasy Football Week 1: DFS Lineup Advice and Sleepers

Welcome to RotoBaller's daily fantasy football FanDuel article. In this article, I, Justin Bales, will be taking you, the reader, through the best plays of the week for this upcoming Sunday. These recommendations are based on matchup, recent performance, overall upside and talent level, and other factors, such as Vegas odds, home field advantage, and more.

FanDuel DFS Quarterback

Matthew Stafford (at IND, $7,400)  

Stafford is an interesting fantasy option early in the season. He flashed great upside at times last year, but he is far from a sure-fire fantasy producer. This season, the Lions are expected to run at a much faster pace after ranking near the bottom of the NFL in pace last season. That means Stafford is going to be throwing the ball more this season, and he gets a great matchup against the Indianapolis Colts this week. The Colts are dealing with multiple injuries in their secondary, and Stafford is the type of quarterback that can take advantage of that. This game has one of the higher over/unders on the slate, and the Lions are underdogs. Stafford should be throwing the ball early and often, and his price tag is only going to stay this cheap for so long.

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FanDuel DFS Running Backs

Todd Gurley (at SF, $8,900)  

Gurley is a running back that I have no problems paying up for this week. He’s a huge part of the Rams offense, and he was a fairly consistent option with elite upside his rookie season. He’ll be looking to take a jump this year, and he starts with a great matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. They were one of the worst defenses in the NFL against the run last season, and that likely is not going to improve this year. They hired Chip Kelly as their head coach, which means they will be playing at a lightning fast pace, which will allow Gurley more opportunities as the game progresses. Another major reason to use Gurley is game script. The Rams are small favorites in this game, which means Gurley will be the focal point of their offense from start to finish. They likely are not going to be forced to throw the ball, and Gurley is a safe option in all leagues this week.

 

DeMarco Murray (vs MIN, $6,500)  

Murray is a sneaky option this week. People may avoid him because of the threat of Derrick Henry, but the Titans have made it clear that Murray is the lead back; at least for the time being. He’s coming off a terrible season in an offense that didn’t fit his style of play. He’ll likely feel much more at home for the Titans, who are going to be a run heavy offense this season. He gets a decent matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, who have a solid defense, but struggled at times against the run last season. Murray is far from a safe option, but he is oozing with potential, and he comes with a cheap price tag. It would be wise to use him before it skyrockets.

 

FanDuel DFS Wide Receivers

Sammy Watkins (at BAL, $7,300)

Watkins is a huge liability in season long leagues because of his injury risk, but that’s what makes daily fantasy football so much fun. When he isn’t injured, he’s an elite fantasy option, as he had two games with more than 150 yards and one touchdown last season. He will be the main target in the Bills passing offense, and while they are a run heavy team, Watkins should see more than enough targets to hit value. He gets a great matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, and it’s going to be difficult for Jimmy Smith and Shareece Wright to handle him. Watkins has similar upside to some of the other elite wide receivers this week, but his price tag is more reflective on his injury history than his talents. Take advantage of that.

 

Marvin Jones Jr. (at IND, $5,500)

Jones will likely be owned by everyone and their mother, and for good reason. He’s one of the top targets for the Lions, who will be playing at a much faster pace this season. Jones looked outstanding in preseason and he should continue to be a huge part of the offense. His price tag is a bit ridiculous, as he’s cheaper than both Golden Tate and Anquan Boldin, and there is a real possibility that he outscores both of them. He gets a great matchup against the Colts, who are dealing with injuries in their secondary, and Jones is a great player to start your cash games out with.

 

FanDuel DFS Tight End

Clive Walford (at NO, $4,700)

Walford is a young player, who should continue to grow with one of the most promising offenses in the NFL. He gets a matchup against the New Orleans Saints this week, and this game should be a complete shootout. The Saints have terrible defense, and Walford is a cheap player that is playing for a team that should end up with one of the best offenses of the slate. Walford is a big target in the red zone, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him catch a touchdown this week. Keep in mind, there are other mouths to feed in Oakland, though, so Walford does come with a bit of risk.




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Brian Thomas Jr.

Uncertain Future Could Make Him a Buy-Low Candidate
Isaiah Jackson

is Ruled Out for Sunday
Kyle Larson

Is Likely to Pay Off for DFS at Martinsville
Bobby Portis

to Miss Third Straight Game
Luke McCaffrey

Is Luke McCaffrey Still Worth Stashing on Dynasty Benches?
Ryan Rollins

is Absent on Sunday
Christopher Bell

Could Have Another Top-10 Performance At Martinsville
Kyle Kuzma

Remains Out on Sunday
Myles Turner

Gets Downgraded to Out
William Byron

Is A Threat to Win Again at Martinsville
NFL

Elijah Sarratt's Contested-Catch Ability is a Double-Edged Sword
Jayson Tatum

is Upgraded to Available
Chase Elliott

is A Solid DFS Option for Martinsville Lineups
Jaylen Brown

to Miss Second Straight Game
Roman Wilson

a Cut Candidate for Dynasty Managers Facing Roster Decisions
Chase Briscoe

has Plenty of Upside for DFS Lineups at Martinsville
Patrick Mahomes

Andy Reid Doesn't Offer Timeline on Patrick Mahomes
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Unlikely to See High-Leverage Opportunities in Near Future
Tre' Harris

The Buy-Low Window for Tre' Harris Could Be Closing
Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Is Dont'e Thornton Jr. Still Worth Rostering in Dynasty Formats?
Braelon Allen

Has Clear Buy-Low Upside Coming Off a Lost Year
Michael Mayer

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KaVontae Turpin

Blocked Off from a Significant Offensive Role in Dallas
Josh Allen

"Good to Go" After Foot Surgery
Cole Hutson

Delivers Two Assists Saturday
Mikhail Sergachev

Ties Mammoth Record With Four Assists
Connor McDavid

Reclaims Scoring Lead With Three-Point Effort
Dmitri Voronkov

Unavailable Sunday
Aliaksei Protas

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Saturday Night
Ty Gibbs

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Ty Gibbs at Martinsville?
Josh Anderson

Limited Due to Illness Saturday
Ryan Preece

Is A Solid DFS Option for Martinsville Lineups
Josh Berry

Could Josh Berry Pay Off for Tournament DFS Lineups At Martinsville?
DAL

Nathan Bastian Makes Early Exit Saturday
Carson Hocevar

May be Too Inconsistent to Start in Martinsville DFS Lineups
Dejounte Murray

Uncertain for Sunday
Austin Cindric

Is Austin Cindric Worth Rostering for DFS At Martinsville?
Jerami Grant

Won't Play Against Wizards
Pascal Siakam

Iffy for Sunday
Chet Holmgren

Available Against Knicks Sunday
Norman Powell

May Miss Sunday's Game
Jaylen Brown

Questionable Sunday
Kevin Porter Jr.

Unlikely to Return This Season
Denny Hamlin

the Favorite to Win at Martinsville
Ryan Blaney

Should Contend at Martinsville
Tyler Reddick

Should Come Back Down to Earth at Martinsville
Joey Logano

Will Be Strong at Martinsville
Deshaun Watson

in "Pole Position" to be Week 1 Starting QB?
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Looking to Rebound at Martinsville
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Showing Progress, Qualifies Fifth at Martinsville
Gabriel Vilardi

has a Two-Point Performance
Ivan Demidov

Collects Two More Points on Saturday
Alexandre Sarr

Out Sunday vs. Trail Blazers
Neemias Queta

Questionable for Sunday
Jayson Tatum

Could Rest on Back-to-Back
Derrick White

Could Miss Hornets Game
Immanuel Quickley

Remains Sidelined vs. Magic
Brandon Ingram

Questionable Against Orlando
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic to Serve One-Game Suspension Monday
Dylan Cease

Fans 12 in Blue Jays Debut on Saturday
Kyler Murray

Dynasty Value Gets New Life With Move to Minnesota
Rachaad White

Is Rachaad White the New RB1 for the Commanders?
Shane Wright

Exits Early Saturday
Connor Zary

Remains Out Saturday Night
Noah Laba

a Game-Time Call Sunday
Jonathan Quick

to Remain Unavailable Sunday
Stefon Diggs

Still a Free Agent With April Approaching
Joel Hanley

to Miss Rest of Season
Alvin Kamara

Workload Expected to Look Drastically Different in 2026
Ethen Frank

Remains Out Saturday
Robert Thomas

Available Saturday
Andrew Vaughn

Needs Hand Surgery, Expected to be Out 4-6 Weeks
Jacob deGrom

"Confident" he Will Make his Next Start
Trey Benson

Facing Uphill Battle for Playing Time in Arizona
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Can Jacory Croskey-Merritt Emerge as the Clear RB1 in Washington?
Lamar Jackson

Looking for Return to Full Health in 2026
Sean Tucker

Remains Buried on Buccaneers' Running Back Depth Chart
Jake Tonges

Appears Likely to Enter 2026 Atop 49ers' Tight End Depth Chart
Jacob deGrom

Scratched From Saturday's Start Due to Neck Stiffness
Jeferson Quero

Brewers Calling Up Catching Prospect Jeferson Quero
David Pastrnak

Riding 11-Game Point Streak
John Gibson

Gets Back on Track Friday
J.T. Miller

Bags Three Points Against Blackhawks
Tage Thompson

Picks Up 400th Career Point
Patrick Kane

Collects Two Points in Friday's Win
Deyvison De Los Santos

Marlins Promote Deyvison De Los Santos to Major Leagues
Shea Langeliers

Hits Two Home Runs on Opening Day
Kevin Gausman

Picks Up No-Decision But Strikes Out 11 on Opening Day
Tanner Bibee

Day-to-Day, Could Make his Next Start
Shane Baz

Orioles Agree to Five-Year Extension
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Making Season Debut on Friday Against Angels
Tiger Woods

Involved In Rollover Car Crash
Tanner Bibee

Shoulder Issue Not Considered Serious
Joe Pyfer

Set For UFC Seattle Main Event
Israel Adesanya

Returns At UFC Seattle
Maycee Barber

Looks To Extend Her Win Streak To Eight
Alexa Grasso

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Dominic Canzone

a Top Pickup After Two-Homer Game
Niko Price

In Dire Need Of Victory
Michael Chiesa

Set For Retirement Fight
Chase DeLauter

Launches Two Home Runs, Emerges as Top Waiver-Wire Target
Lerryan Douglas

Set For His UFC Debut
Julian Erosa

Looks To Bounce Back
Tanner Bibee

Leaves Opening Day Start Early With Shoulder Inflammation
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Makes a Statement on Opening Day With 10 Strikeouts
Kevin McGonigle

has Four Hits in Impressive MLB Debut
Nico Hoerner

Cubs Agree to Six-Year Deal With Nico Hoerner
Jacob Misiorowski

Shows Off his High-Strikeout Upside in Opening Day Win
Paul Skenes

Greeted Harshly by Mets on Opening Day
Ryan Fox

a High-Upside Value in Houston
Marco Penge

a Boom-or-Bust Option in Houston
Aaron Rai

Looks to Bounce Back in Houston
Jason Day

a Volatile Option at the Texas Children's Houston Open
Harris English

Eyes a Bounce-Back at the Texas Children's Houston Open
Ben Griffin

Looks for Turnaround at the Texas Children's Houston Open
Rickie Fowler

Brings Strong Form Into Texas Children's Houston Open
Ryan Gerard

Can Continue Rolling at Texas Children's Houston Open
Pierceson Coody

Bounces Back at Valspar Championship
Rasmus Hojgaard

Trying to Get Back on Track at Texas Children's Houston Open
Michael Thorbjornsen

Playing Well Heading to Texas Children's Houston Open
Harry Hall

Looking for Consistency at Texas Children's Houston Open
Brooks Koepka

Continues Building Momentum
Scottie Scheffler

Withdraws From Texas Children's Houston Open
Luke Clanton

Might Have a Problem in Houston
Sam Stevens

Happy to See Houston This Week
Keith Mitchell

Tries to Rebound After The Players Championship
Will Zalatoris

Returning This Week at Houston
Wyndham Clark

Trending in the Wrong Direction Heading to Houston
Shane Lowry

Seeking Better Luck in Houston This Weekend
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