NFL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel: Preseason Week 1 (Saturday, 8/9/25)

The top daily fantasy football lineup picks for DraftKings, FanDuel -- NFL preseason Week 1 on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Doug's NFL DFS analysis and sleepers picks.

After back-to-back nights of three-game slates, tonight we get a much larger six-game slate. With twice as many teams and players to choose from, I’m going to focus my lineup builds on stacks in much the same way I would for a regular NFL Sunday slate. I’m also going to have a much smaller pool of players, focusing heavily on those who will see more than a quarter’s worth of action.

Green Bay and Kansas City have four active quarterbacks, and the coaching staff has said they plan on using all four in their games. On a slate this big, there’s no reason to force ourselves to use a quarterback from either of these teams. I’d much rather get a half (or more) of Stetson Bennett IV than a dozen plays from Patrick Mahomes. That mindset is what’s going to guide my picks tonight.

Here you will be provided daily fantasy football picks on FanDuel and DraftKings for the Saturday night six-game slate of Week 1 of the NFL preseason on 8/09/25. 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!

Preseason NFL DFS - Quarterbacks

Joe Milton III (DAL at LAR) (DK: $5500 I FD: $6000)

“Every rep that Joe gets is critical. So he’ll play a ton of football.” Those words came directly out of the mouth of Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer when asked about second-year quarterback Milton. The last time we saw Milton was in last year’s Patriots season finale, a game where Milton dazzled and showed the kind of upside he possesses. The Cowboys only have three quarterbacks on the roster, with Dak Prescott not expected to play and Will Grier being a known quantity.

It would be shocking if Milton didn’t get at least one whole half of playing time, with the potential to play into the third quarter and beyond. Last year, in a similar spot for Dallas, Trey Lance threw the ball 48 times. Milton has more upside than any other quarterback on the slate, and you can stack him in tournaments with under-the-radar receivers like Jalen Brooks and Traeshon Holden.

Cowboys’ Joe Milton hoping to display rocket arm, impressive tools in preseason debut https://t.co/mtopBfQHgc

— Dallas Morning News (@dallasnews) August 9, 2025

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Stetson Bennett IV (LAR vs DAL) (DK: $5500 I FD: $6000)

Rams coach Sean McVay is known for resting his starters in the preseason, especially at the quarterback position. Bennett got the start each in the first preseason game for the Rams in each of the last two seasons, throwing at least 29 times in both games. There’s no reason to believe that McVay won’t follow this same plan in 2025, especially now that Bennett seems to be making strides in training camp.

He knows the offense, and he will have some explosive weapons at his disposal in this game, including wide receivers Jordan Whittington, Xavier Smith, and Sean McVay-favorite, Konata Mumpfield. While some other quarterbacks may end up with more passing attempts, none of them come with the history of that kind of volume outside of Bennett. He’s a great pivot off of Milton in tournaments, who should carry a high roster percentage.

ALSO CONSIDER: Mac Jones (SF), Skylar Thompson (PIT)

Preseason NFL DFS - Running Backs

Phil Mafah (DAL at LAR) (DK: $5500 I FD: $6000)

Rookie Mafah could see a heavy workload this weekend against the Rams, given the current landscape of the Cowboys' backfield. Jaydon Blue and Miles Sanders are banged up and unlikely to see time in this game. Javonte Williams is the presumed starter, so his snaps will be limited. That leaves just Mafah, Deuce Vaughn, and fullback Hunter Luepke to cover the rest of the game in the backfield.

Mafah has impressed the coaching staff with his bruising running style, making him a perfect option down at the goal line. I wouldn’t be afraid to use him in a Milton lineup, and he’s a must-start in any other lineup, especially in cash games, given his expected workload.

Phil Mafah stands to get a ton of burn in the #Cowboys preseason opener against the Rams, and the rookie explained to me what he's trying to put on film come Saturday:

"I want to see a smart player. I just really want to see effort in myself and how I play the game. I want… pic.twitter.com/S7q5pjpMg5

— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 8, 2025

Trey Benson (ARI vs KC) (DK: $5500 I FD: $6000)

Second-year running back Benson is getting a ton of love from the Cardinals coaching staff, especially in the passing game. Head coach Jonathan Gannon has praised Benson’s ability to “be in the right spot” to take it down the field on checkdowns. That was something that was missing from his game last year, and it’s made such a difference that everyone from Benson to Gannon to James Conner has spoken about how Benson is going to see far more touches this season.

The preseason is a great time to work on passing-game usage, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Cardinals work Benson into the passing game while he’s on the field. That will only add to his upside at a position where a handful of points is all that’s needed to make a difference in a tournament lineup.

ALSO CONSIDER: Blake Corum (LAR), Jarquez Hunter (LAR), RJ Harvey (DEN), Sean Tucker (TB)

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Preseason NFL DFS - Wide Receivers

Roman Wilson (PIT at JAX) (DK: $5500 I FD: $6000)

Wilson was a third-round selection out of Michigan in the 2024 NFL Draft who looked good in camp, but he was limited to just five snaps last season for a variety of reasons. This year, he’s once again making plays at Steelers camp and is positioned to move up the depth chart with a strong preseason. Pittsburgh’s wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni said of Wilson’s development, “His releases are improving. He’s made strides there.”

The team will be sitting DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III in this game, making Wilson one of the top targets for quarterbacks Mason Rudolph and Thompson. Steelers beat writer Nick Farabaugh expects Wilson to get his first “extended action” against the Jaguars. A great way to use Wilson in tournaments is as part of a three-man stack of Thompson, Wilson, and rookie receiver Roc Taylor.

Roman Wilson will have his first extended action tomorrow against the Jaguars.

WRs coach Zach Azzanni thinks he can play outside.

"He's got speed, and he's starting to use his hands well. His releases are improving...beating press is big for him. He's made strides there."

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) August 9, 2025

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Elic Ayomanor (TEN at TB) (DK: $5500 I FD: $6000)

If we can trust quarterbacks Bandon Allen and Tim Boyle, then the Titans are a sneaky tournament team on this slate. First overall draft pick Cameron Ward should only see a drive or two in this game, meaning journeymen Allen and Boyle will take Tennessee the rest of the way. They have some weapons at their disposal, headlined by fourth-round sensation out of Stanford, Elic Ayomanor.

He has been making waves daily at Titans’ camp, leaving defenders with broken ankles on his breaks. This is a kid who torched Travis Hunter last season for nearly 300 receiving yards, so we know he has talent. He and fellow rookie speedster Chimere Dike have generated a lot of buzz, and they make for a high-upside stack in tournaments this weekend.

the way rookie WR Elic Ayomanor sets this up & executes it is 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/1osCOFLC3x

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 8, 2025

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Jordan Watkins (SF vs DEN) (DK: $5500 I FD: $6000)

The injury bug has bitten no team more at the wide receiver position than the San Francisco 49ers. Brandon Aiyuk may not be ready by Week 1, and Jauan Jennings is either banged up or “holding in” while waiting for a new contract. Second-year stud Ricky Pearsall has looked unstoppable, but he won’t play much in this game. The other receiver who has been stepping up and making a name for himself is speedster Jordan Watkins.

The fourth-round pick has 4.37 speed and has developed a connection with starting quarterback Brock Purdy and backup Mac Jones. It’ll be Jones who will see the majority of the work under center in this game, and he is one of the more experienced quarterbacks on the slate. Watkins is a great tournament option who can break a slate with one long reception.

ALSO CONSIDER: Roc Taylor (PIT), Jalen Royals (KC), Traeshon Holden (DAL), Xavier Smith (LAR), Konata Mumpfield (LAR), Tyquan Thornton (KC), Matthew Golden (GB), Troy Franklin (DEN), Pat Bryant (DEN), Kyrese Rowan (DEN), Malachi Corley (NYJ), Chimere Dike (TEN)

Preseason NFL DFS - Tight Ends

Devin Culp (TB vs TEN) (DK: $5500 I FD: $6000)

With starter Cade Otton banged up, there are only three healthy tight ends on the Buccaneers roster, one of whom is primarily a blocking tight end (Ko Kieft). Culp had some run last year for Tampa Bay, and the one most evident thing was his ability as a downfield option, catching passes of 20 and 26 yards over the final two weeks of the 2024 season.

He has played well in camp and should see a ton of playing time as Kyle Trask’s main checkdown option. With the tight end position, that’s about all you can ask for in the preseason.

ALSO CONSIDER: Caleb Lohner (DEN), Gunnar Helm (TEN), John FitzPatrick (GB)

Thanks for checking this out, and good luck!

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