NFL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel: Preseason Week 1 (Sunday, 8/10/25)

August 9, 2025

The top daily fantasy football lineup picks for DraftKings, FanDuel -- NFL preseason Week 1 on Sunday, August 10, 2025. Doug's NFL DFS analysis and sleepers picks.

Yesterday saw a massive six-game slate, but today we calm down with only two games on the docket. The Dolphins head to Chicago to take on the Bears in the early game, while the Chargers host the Saints in the later window. This is the first game for all but the Chargers, who played last Thursday night in the Hall of Fame game.

Chicago has already ruled out Caleb Williams for this game, but that doesn’t mean we won’t have some excitement at the quarterback position on this slate. All four teams have quarterback competitions; the biggest of which is in New Orleans, where second-year pro Spencer Rattler will try to hold off rookie Tyler Shough. Rattler will get the start tonight, but both quarterbacks are expected to see significant playing time.

Here you will be provided daily fantasy football picks on FanDuel and DraftKings for the Sunday two-game slate of Week 1 of the NFL preseason on 8/10/25. 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

Quinn Ewers (MIA at CHI) (DK: $5500 I FD: $6000)

There’s a real battle going on for the backup quarterback role in Miami, and a lot of that has to do with the play of rookie Quinn Ewers. He has looked poised and polished in camp, often outplaying veteran backup Zach Wilson. Ewers was once projected to be a first-round draft pick, but inconsistency and a nagging injury in college pushed him back to the seventh round.

The Dolphins' offense is very similar to what Ewers would run at the University of Texas, and ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller said that the offense is “a very good fit for him.” With only three quarterbacks on the roster, and Tua Tagovailoa not expected to play, Ewers should get at least two quarters of action.

Quinn Ewers is the player I'm MOST EXCITED to watch during the first preseason game!@ChatSports pic.twitter.com/NLqGQdXJsk

— Nic Rohloff (@nic_rohloff) August 9, 2025

Tyson Bagent (CHI vs MIA) (DK: $5500 I FD: $6000)

Tyson Bagent was a preseason darling two years ago as a rookie for the Bears. He shockingly made the Chicago roster and even saw live game action as a starter in four games when Justin Fields got hurt in 2023. He played well in those games and showed the world that he belongs in the NFL. Bagent didn’t need to play much last year with Caleb Williams taking just about every snap for the Bears, but that doesn’t mean his command of the offense has dissipated.

He is currently battling with Case Keenum for the backup job in Chicago and earned the start in this game. He should see about two quarters' worth of action, and with his scrambling upside, he’s an intriguing option in tournaments on a short slate.

ALSO CONSIDER: Spencer Rattler (NO), Trey Lance (LAC)

Preseason NFL DFS - Running Backs

Ollie Gordon II (MIA at CHI) (DK: $5500 I FD: $6000)

Word out of the Dolphins’ camp is that Ollie Gordon II is pushing Jaylen Wright for playing time. Offensive lineman Terron Armstead recently said, “I saw explosive plays out of Ollie Gordon every period”, which has helped endear him to his teammates. Armstead also noted that “everybody likes him.”

With only four running backs on the Miami roster, Gordon should get plenty of snaps to prove that he belongs on an NFL roster, considering that two of the other three backs are veterans, De’Von Achane and Alexander Mattison. Gordon should easily be the top running back option on this slate, given his production in camp and the opportunities that he’s expected to see in this game.

Raheim Sanders (LAC vs NO) (DK: $5500 I FD: $6000)

Raheim Sanders was making waves in the Chargers’ camp in July, but then he got banged up and wasn’t able to play last week in the Hall of Fame game. He’s healthy now and should get a chance to get on the field in today’s game against the Saints.

Sanders is nicknamed “Rocket”, and that was evident at the 2025 Scouting Combine, where he had the fastest top speed of any running back in the draft class. Sanders has far more competition for touches than Ollie Gordon of Miami, but his speed and upside make him an excellent option for your tournament lineup.

New: wrote about the five Chargers I'll be watching closely vs. the Saints.
-Jamaree Salyer's left tackle start in the wake of Rashawn Slater's injury
-Junior Colson looks for a bounce back
-the debut of Raheim "Rocket" Sandershttps://t.co/7lgyOPiRLT

— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) August 9, 2025

ALSO CONSIDER: Kyle Monangai (CHI)

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Preseason NFL DFS - Wide Receivers

Theo Wease Jr. (MIA at CHI) (DK: $5500 I FD: $6000)

Theo Wease Jr. is an undrafted free agent whom the Dolphins rushed to sign after the draft. They loved his size (6’2”) because their two leading receivers, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, are on the smaller side.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald wrote on Thursday that Wease has been the “most impressive” of the rookie receivers, and he’s expected to see a lot of game action this weekend. Observers at camp have said that he’s developed chemistry with Quinn Ewers, making them a perfect duo to stack together in tournament lineups.

Luther Burden II (CHI vs MIA) (DK: $5500 I FD: $6000)

As a top draft pick for the Bears, Luther Burden II is expected to make an impact for the team quickly as an additional offensive weapon for Caleb Williams. Burden was injured for most of the offseason and into the start of training camp, meaning he’s going to need to play a lot this preseason to get up to game speed.

With Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum at quarterback for Chicago in this game, Burden is set up with veterans who are used to the speed of the NFL and who are capable of getting the ball to the open receivers. On a short slate like this, it makes sense to stack Burden with Bagent and fellow rookie JP Richardson to try to hit on a big offensive game from the Bears.

Friendly reminder to #Bears fans that Luther Burden is an incredibly talented receiver lol

Ball skills, hands, speed, agility, contact balance. He just about has it all. Just some route refinement away from legit WR1 upside pic.twitter.com/8SWk8QOs4s

— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) August 9, 2025

Keandre Lambert-Smith (LAC vs NO) (DK: $5500 I FD: $6000)

 KeAndre Lambert-Smith was the talk of Chargers’ camp, and he didn’t disappoint in the Hall of Fame game, catching two passes for 43 yards and a score. The team signed Keenan Allen this week, which leads me to believe that they still need to see more out of their young receivers in the preseason. Lambert-Smith’s roster spot is far from locked up, so he should be given every opportunity to get on the field and once again show his talents.

Taylor Heinicke will start for the Chargers and get a couple of series before giving way to Trey Lance. Lambert-Smith has already demonstrated a rapport with Lance, and that’s a duo I’m excited to stack in tournaments as both try to show that last week’s game wasn’t a fluke.

ALSO CONSIDER: JP Richardson (CHI), Andrew Armstrong (MIA)

Preseason NFL DFS - Tight Ends

Colston Loveland (CHI vs MIA) (DK: $5500 I FD: $6000)

The Bears won’t be playing the majority of their starters in this game, but all rookies should get on the field, and that includes first-round tight end stud Colston Loveland. He’s looked strong in camp, catching long passes from Caleb Williams and showing that he’s a bigger downfield threat than the average tight end.

He was a matchup problem in college, and if reports out of camp are to be believed, that is going to translate nicely to the NFL. He may not get a ton of snaps because of his importance to this offense, but even a couple of series could be enough to make him the top tight end on a weak slate for the position.

ALSO CONSIDER: Tanner Conner (MIA), Oronde Gadsden II (LAC)

Thanks for checking this out, and good luck!

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