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
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

NFL DFS Value Plays: Week 1 Bargain Bin for DraftKings, FanDuel and Yahoo

Jameis Winston

Juan's top NFL DFS value plays for the Week 1 of the 2022 season. These sleepers are cheap on FanDuel, DraftKings, and Yahoo daily fantasy football contests.

Welcome to the Week 1 Sunday main slate edition of RotoBaller's NFL DFS Bargain Bin, where the goal is to touch on some potentially mispriced players across the industry that find themselves in favorable match-ups and/or suddenly expanded roles.

Each week I’ll give you my thoughts on where there may be some value spots to exploit on the Sunday main slate and I hunt for value that might be site-specific on Yahoo, FanDuel, and DraftKings.

Week 1 usually offers a lot of mispricings, whether it's rookies or players who have moved teams and now have larger roles in their new offenses. There are a lot of mispriced players on each site this week, so finding the right value plays will be more important than ever.

Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 50% off using code SUMMER! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!

 

Bargain Bin Intro

Before we go NFL DFS Bargain Bin hunting, a few particulars about format and content.

The nature of the beast with value plays is at least a modest amount (and sometimes substantially more) of risk. Therefore, the Bargain Bin may prove to be a bit more of a roller-coaster ride on some slates than your typical “tout” article!

Naturally, that doesn’t mean there isn’t an upside to be had. All of these selections are therefore suitable for GPPs and can also often serve as solid cash game plays, while often helping you accommodate multiple higher-priced studs into your lineup.

Typically, I’ll suggest players that are value-priced across three major DFS sites (DraftKings, FanDuel, and Yahoo). However, there are certainly occasions where one or more sites price a player significantly lower than others. Whenever possible, I’ll typically at least note those players as an “XYZ site special.”

This article is by no means intended to serve as an exhaustive list of all value options for the week. Rather, it’s meant to take a deeper dive into those I feel offer some of the best combinations of savings and upside.

The goal is to recommend truly affordable players, as opposed to, say, a player priced just $300-$400 away from the highest-priced option at his position. I don’t have set-in-stone price limits in mind for each site, but I do consider legitimate affordability a very important criterion.

 

Quarterback DFS Value Plays              

Matt Ryan, IND at HOU | DK: $5,500, FD: $6,900, Yahoo: $26  

There are naturally going to be plenty of folks jumping on Jonathan Taylor in tournaments given last season's overall body of work and the fact he eviscerated the Texans for 288 rushing yards and four touchdowns across two games during the campaign. Consequently, that makes Ryan and at least one of his pass catchers a very intriguing leverage play in GPPs against a Houston defense that allowed 251.8 passing yards per game at home in 2021 and 27 touchdown passes overall. The Texans also gave up a co-NFL-high 6.2 yards per play at home a season ago, along with a 66.6 percent completion rate. Finally, consider the Texans also tied for the third-highest explosive pass play rate conceded overall in 2021 (10%), furthering Ryan's case at modest salaries.

Jameis Winston, NO at ATL | DK: $5,300, FD: $6,700, Yahoo: $25

Winston appears to be back to full strength after last season's ACL tear, even getting some action in the final preseason game and looking sharp while going 4-for-4 for 59 yards. While working without the players that will serve as his top three targets to open this season -- Michael Thomas, Chris Olave, and Jarvis Landry -- Winston still put together a 14:3 TD: INT across six-plus games before his injury last season, adding a 32-166-1 line on the ground. The Falcons gave up an NFL-high 71.6 percent completion rate at home last season and also ranked in the bottom half of the league with 7.0 yards per attempt surrendered there, while their NFL-low 17 sacks also helped facilitate plenty of time in the pocket, something of particular benefit to a turnover-conscious signal-caller like Winston.

ALSO CONSIDER: Ryan Tannehill, TEN vs. NYG | DK: $5,700, FD: $7,100, Yahoo: $20

 

Running Back DFS Value Plays   

D'Andre Swift, DET vs. PHI | DK: $6,800, FD: $7,600, Yahoo: $24

Swift particularly saw a big boost in production as a receiver last season, generating an impressive 62-452-2 tally through the air over 13 games while building chemistry with then-new QB Jared Goff. The Lions' offense got a much-needed talent infusion this offseason at receiver, and even with first-round pick Jameson Williams (knee) not ready to start the season, new downfield threat DJ Chark and surging second-year wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown should help earn some respect from opposing defenses given their prior body of work. The Eagles also made for a great matchup for pass-catching backs last season, giving up the third-most receptions (116) to the position, along with the eighth-most passing yards (719). Philly also ranked No. 22 in second-level yards per carry allowed (1.27), while Swift generated an impressive 13.9 percent broken-tackle rate last season.

Elijah Mitchell, SF at CHI | DK: $5,400, FD: $6,700, Yahoo: $19

Mitchell sat out the last few weeks of training camp and preseason with a hamstring issue, but he jumped back into practice August 28th and appears primed to suit up in Week 1. Considering how impressive Mitchell was as both runner and receiver while battling multiple injuries last season, he's not likely to be at these salaries for very long into the season as long as good health prevails. The Bears were particularly vulnerable against the run last season, even at Soldier Field, where they allowed 126.4 rushing yards per game. Chicago also gave up 4.51 RB yards per carry overall, a figure that included a No. 26 ranking in second-level yards per carry (1.29) and explosive rush play rate (12%) allowed, which could certainly benefit a player with Mitchell's speed.

ALSO CONSIDER: A.J. Dillon, GB at MIN | DK: $5,300, FD: $6,100, Yahoo: $18 

 

Wide Receiver DFS Value Plays   

Hunter Renfrow, LV at LAC | DK: $5,800, FD: $5,900, Yahoo: $18

Renfrow is arguably just a tad overshadowed on his own team with the blockbuster offseason acquisition of Davante Adams, and the expectation is  the elite wideout will immediately reignite his college chemistry with Derek Carr. However, it's Renfrow who naturally has much more recent history with Carr, and the fourth-year wideout is also coming off a career-best 103-1,038-9 line last season. Renfrow recorded three touchdown grabs on 10 catches in two games against the Chargers in 2021, and Los Angeles allowed its two highest passer ratings in the short left and short left passing windows, areas of the field where Renfrow produced a 71-627-3 line in 2021.

Michael Pittman Jr., IND at HOU | DK: $5,500, FD: $7,200, Yahoo: $23

Building on what was written about Ryan earlier, Pittman is an excellent value option to pair him with if you're indeed leaning toward going contrarian with your Colts builds in tournaments. The clear-cut No. 1 wideout got plenty of work in with his new quarterback this summer, and he should be busy in Week 1 against a Texans defense he posted 110 total yards against on eight total touches last time he saw Houston in Week 13 of last season. The Texans also gave up 20 touchdowns in the three short passing windows last season, areas of the field where Pittman recorded 74 receptions and four touchdowns.

DeVonta Smith , PHI at DET | DK: $5,500, FD: $6,100, Yahoo: $16

Much like in Renfrow's situation, Smith, despite his ample talent, is a tad under the radar with all the hoopla surrounding Philly's own major offseason acquisition at receiver, A.J. Brown. However, Smith has a year head start on Brown in terms of working with Jalen Hurts, and the second-year speedster should naturally benefit immensely from the attention defenses will be forced to bestow on his new position mate. Smith brings no shortage of big-play upside and recorded 16 receptions of at least 20 yards last season, while Detroit yielded an NFL-high 12.4 yards per completion at home and gave up a 29-881-5 line in the deep left and deep middle passing windows in 2021. With the Eagles boasting the fourth-highest projected team total of the Sunday slates as of early Tuesday (26.3) and Smith's downfield chops, he makes for an intriguing value option.

ALSO CONSIDER: Adam Thielen, MIN vs. GB | DK: $5,300, FD: $6,100, Yahoo: $19; Chris Olave, NO at ATL | DK: $4,500, FD: $5,000, Yahoo: $15

 

Tight End DFS Value Plays  

T.J. Hockenson, DET vs. PHI | DK: $4,900, FD: $5,700, Yahoo: $19

The Eagles-Lions game has a solid amount of shootout potential -- the projected 48.5-point total is the highest of the early window -- and both teams' tight ends could well be heavily involved. Hockenson certainly was in last season's meeting with Philadelphia, posting a 10-89-1 line on 11 targets in that contest. The fourth-year pro was targeted on an impressive 23.0 percent of his routes run last season as well, and with a year of rapport with Goff under his belt and the Eagles having surrendered an NFL-high 107 receptions and 14 touchdowns to tight ends last season, Hockenson is worthy of consideration in a game that could certainly have a favorable environment for offense.

Pat Freiermuth, PIT at CIN | DK: $4,200, FD: $5,300, Yahoo: $15

Freiermuth was a bright spot in what was an up-and-down 2021 season for the Steelers offense, producing a 60-497-7 line across 16 games as a rookie. That included a tally of seven receptions for 62 yards and a pair of scores in two games against the Bengals, which gave up 96 receptions, 1,083 yards, and eight TDs to tight ends during the regular season. Freiermuth has displayed good chemistry with projected starter Mitch Trubisky by all accounts this summer, and he appears poised to start off the season hot after a productive preseason where he generated a 5-80 line during limited playing time.

ALSO CONSIDER: Dallas Goedert, PHI at DET | DK: $4,500, FD: $5,700, Yahoo: $18



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Weekly DFS Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Alex Bregman

Will Return to Red Sox This Weekend
Chris Sale

Braves Won't Consider Trading Chris Sale
Clarke Schmidt

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery on Friday
Nick Nash

Unlikely to Make Falcons Active Roster
Lane Johnson

in No Rush To Retire
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Blake Corum

has "Gotten His Speed Back"
Jarquez Hunter

Picking Up Rams Offense Quickly
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Kirk Cousins

Feels Misled by Falcons
Bijan Robinson

Says Falcons Have "Outlandish Goals" for the Running Game
Luther Burden III

Bears Expect Luther Burden III to be Ready for Training Camp
Cole Kmet

an Unlikely Trade Piece
Tony Pollard

Titans Hope to Balance Rushing Attack With Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears
Byron Buxton

Sitting Thursday
Quentin Johnston

Not Assured of Starting Role
Cordarrelle Patterson

on the Roster Bubble in Pittsburgh?
Shedeur Sanders

Not Assured of Roster Spot in Cleveland?
Wan'Dale Robinson

Hoping For More Downfield Opportunities
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Homers Twice on Wednesday
Mike Trout

Homers Twice in Win Over Rangers
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Leads Yankees to Victory
Salvador Perez

Crushes Two Homers in Win
Cleveland Browns

Greg Newsome on the Trade Block?
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Zach Tom

An Extension Candidate in Green Bay
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Trevor Williams

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Kyren Williams

Rams Not Willing to Pay Kyren Williams Top-Market Money?
Byron Buxton

Exits After Hit-by-Pitch, X-Rays Negative
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Playing on Wednesday
Alex Bregman

has "Really Good Chance" to Return Before All-Star Break
Christian Kirk

the No. 2 WR in Houston?
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Expected to Return on Friday
Jerome Ford

the Likely Starter for Cleveland to Begin 2025
Chig Okonkwo

"Poised" for Best Season of Career
Xavier Watts

Falcons High on Xavier Watts
Xavier Restrepo

Training With Star Wideouts
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
Carter Bryant

Struggles in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Drops a Double-Double in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Oklahoma City Thunder

Malevy Leons Logs Impressive Summer League Outing on Tuesday
Dalton Knecht

Collects 25 Points in Lakers Summer League Win
Los Angeles Lakers

Darius Bazley Drops 27 Points in Summer League on Tuesday
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Chet Holmgren

Agrees to Rookie Max Extension
Alex Bregman

Not Returning Wednesday
Jhoan Duran

Unavailable Due to Illness
Shane McClanahan

Tosses Clean Frame in First Rehab Appearance
Jacob Wilson

Day-to-Day After HBP
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. to be Reassessed Wednesday
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Malaki Branham

Traded to Washington
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Blake Wesley

Moves to Washington
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Kelly Olynyk

on the Move Again
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Cal Raleigh

Continues Historic Homer Pace Tuesday
Jacob Wilson

Exits Early On Tuesday With Left Hand Contusion
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
Luis Garcia

Fans Four in Rehab Outing
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups