🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

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.

 

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.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Amon-Ra St. Brown

Questionable, Expected to Play on Thursday
Rashee Rice

Chiefs Place Rashee Rice on Injured Reserve
T.J. Hockenson

Ruled Out for Week 17
Pete Fairbanks

Marlins Agree on One-Year Deal
Josh Johnson

to Start at QB on Thursday Against Dallas
Brooks Koepka

Leaving LIV Golf
Davante Adams

Could Sit Out Final Two Regular-Season Games
Brock Bowers

Placed on Injured Reserve Due to Lingering Knee Injury
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Expected to Play on Christmas Day Against the Vikings
Connor McDavid

Finishes Battle of Alberta With Five Assists
Karel Vejmelka

Battling Upper-Body Injury
Alexandre Texier

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Against Bruins
Alexander Nikishin

Dealing With Apparent Ankle Injury
Denver Barkey

Exits Early Tuesday
Travis Sanheim

Pulled by Concussion Spotter Tuesday
Cam Whitmore

Out Indefinitely With Deep Vein Thrombosis
Corey Kispert

Lasts for 13 Minutes in Comeback Game
Jaxson Hayes

Makes Early Exit Versus Suns
Gary Trent Jr.

Limited to Five Minutes Tuesday
Matas Buzelis

Exits With Leg Injury Tuesday
Keegan Murray

Sustains Calf Injury Tuesday
Cameron Johnson

Scheduled for MRI After Hurting Right Knee
Chet Holmgren

Suffers Facial Injury Tuesday
Caris LeVert

Upgraded to Available Tuesday
Ron Holland II

Remains Out Against Kings
Robert Williams III

Sits Out Tuesday's Game
Jonathan Isaac

Active Tuesday Night
Javon Small

Returns to Grizzlies Lineup Tuesday
Tristan da Silva

Remains Sidelined Against Portland
Goga Bitadze

Out Against Portland
Vince Williams Jr.

Misses Third Consecutive Game
Cedric Coward

Unavailable on Tuesday Night
Aaron Wiggins

Will Play Against Spurs
Ryan O'Hearn

Pirates Agree on Two-Year Deal
Grayson Allen

Absent for Third Consecutive Game
Zach LaVine

to Miss at Least One More Week
Victor Wembanyama

Ready to Take on Thunder
DK Metcalf

has Two-Game Suspension Upheld
Philip Rivers

to Remain the Starter in Week 17
George Kittle

Dealing With Mid-to-Low Ankle Sprain
Viktor Arvidsson

a Game-Time Decision Tuesday
Ryan Leonard

Available Tuesday
Tom Wilson

in Danger of Missing First Game of the Season
Phillip Danault

Makes Second Canadiens Debut Tuesday
Collin Graf

Available Against Golden Knights
Jack Eichel

Misses Fourth Straight Game
Vince Dunn

Won't Play Tuesday
Deshaun Watson

Will Not be Activated Off PUP List, 2025 Season is Over
J.J. McCarthy

Ruled Out for Week 17
Rome Odunze

Expected to Return This Season
Christian McCaffrey

Another Monster Game for Christian McCaffrey in Week 16
Brock Purdy

Throws for Five Touchdowns in Week 16
TreVeyon Henderson

in Concussion Protocol, Week 17 Status Unclear
George Kittle

Week 17 Availability in Question?
CFB

Jeff Brohm, Eli Drinkwitz "Names of Interest" for Michigan Head Coach
Timothy Liljegren

to Miss Second Straight Game Tuesday
Will Smith

Out Week-to-Week
Jaccob Slavin

Placed on Injured Reserve, Out Week-to-Week
Seth Jarvis

Considered Week-to-Week
Darren Raddysh

Totals Three Points in Monday's Win
Mason Marchment

Scores Twice Monday
Vince Dunn

Injured in Monday's Win
Rashee Rice

Still in Concussion Protocol, Estimated as Non-Participant on Monday
J.J. McCarthy

Listed as DNP on Monday Ahead of Week 17
Ilya Sorokin

to Miss Tuesday's Game
DK Metcalf

Suspended for Two Games Following Confrontation with Fan
CFB

Byrum Brown Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Bobby Petrino Joining Bill Belichick as North Carolina's Offensive Coordinator
TreVeyon Henderson

Exits Week 16 Victory with Head Injury
Willson Contreras

Shipped to the Red Sox
Brandon Lowe

Pirates Acquire Brandon Lowe in Three-Team Trade
Shane Baz

Orioles Acquire Shane Baz From the Rays
CFB

Darian Mensah Returning to Duke Next Season
CFB

Josh Hoover Linked to Indiana in Transfer Portal
CFB

Arch Manning Agrees to Reduced Compensation for 2026 Season
Michael King

Padres Bring Michael King Back on Three-Year Deal
Logan Webb

Will Pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic
Tarik Skubal

Joins Team USA for World Baseball Classic
CFB

Will Muschamp Becoming Next Texas Defensive Coordinator

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP