RADIO
Hello, old friend. It's great to finally see you again.
NFL football returned Thursday night, giving us a thrilling 21-20 Denver Broncos win against the Carolina Panthers. Sure, we all filled our lives with seven months of free agency, trades, the NFL draft, training camp and four weeks of preseason games, but let's be real -- that all pales in comparison to the regular-season games. Starting this weekend, we will embark on a five-month journey from Week One to Super Bowl LI, and in between we get to enjoy plenty of football.
We also get to enjoy plenty of fantasy football, which for many fans is more rewarding than the actual on-the-field product (Cleveland Browns supporters, we sympathize with you).
If you play daily fantasy football at DraftKings, FanDuel or any other DFS site, you're likely approaching the final stages of your research and lineup setting, which also means you're considering the best quarterback-wide receiver (or tight end, or in rare cases, running back) stacks.
Stacks are a perfect way to maximize points, which is particularly crucial in GPP (guaranteed prize pool) DFS tournaments. With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the top stacks for Week One, loosely sorted by price.
High Priced DFS Stacks
Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger and WR Antonio Brown at Washington
Get used to seeing this duo in this column space each week. If there's a more consistently productive QB-WR combo in the NFL, we haven't seen it yet. Just to recap: Brown finished with 136 receptions for 1,834 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, and that was with Roethlisberger missing four games and fellow wide receiver Martavis Bryant vying for targets.
Well, Bryant is now suspended, and Roethlisberger is healthy. Brown is the definition of matchup-proof, and despite the astronomical price tag, he's one of the best Week One plays.
Atlanta QB Matt Ryan and WR Julio Jones vs. Tampa Bay
Though Brown is the NFL's unquestioned top receiver, Jones isn't far behind. In fact, the Falcons star actually finished ahead of Brown in yardage last season (1,871) while tying him in receptions.
Tampa Bay focused on improving its secondary this offseason, signing veteran Brent Grimes and drafting Vernon Hargreaves III in the first round of the draft. Don't be deterred by this. Jones is still a stud worth paying up for in DFS.
Jacksonville QB Blake Bortles and WR Allen Robinson vs. Green Bay
This was one of the best stacks in DFS throughout the 2015 season, and that should continue in 2016. The only difference? The price tags. Bortles and Robinson, particularly early last season, could be had for relatively cheap prices, considering their production.
That won't be the case this season, but that doesn't mean you should ignore them. The Packers have a solid defense, but their secondary is beatable. Plus, if Jacksonville is playing from behind (as Las Vegas expects), that means additional opportunities for Bortles and Robinson.
Moderately Priced DFS Stacks
Seattle QB Russell Wilson and WR Doug Baldwin vs. Miami
This duo was downright unstoppable over the final eight games of last season. You remember, right? Baldwin caught 12 touchdowns over that stretch and finished in a tie for the league lead with 14 overall.
It's unlikely Wilson and Baldwin will maintain that record-setting pace for a full 16 games, but it's less likely that the Dolphins' retooled secondary will completely shut down the Seahawks pairing. Wilson and Baldwin might be popular from an ownership perspective, but for good reason.
Buffalo QB Tyrod Taylor and WR Sammy Watkins at Baltimore
Be warned: The "bust" potential for this stack is very, very real. But the "boom" upside is simply too strong to overlook. Taylor is almost always a solid DFS play, as his rushing ability gives him a nice floor. Watkins is more frustrating -- for every 100-yard, two-touchdown game, he seems to post a sub-50-yard game.
Baltimore's secondary has some big names (Eric Weddle, Lardarius Webb), but it's beatable. The home-run upside alone makes this Bills duo worth a look.
Houston QB Brock Osweiler and WR DeAndre Hopkins vs. Chicago
Let's take a moment to remember that Hopkins posted a staggering 111-1,521-11 receiving line last season with the underwhelming quartet of Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, T.J. Yates and Brandon Weeden throwing him the ball. That's nothing short of incredible.
By comparison, Osweiler looks like Joe Montana. Factor in a weak Bears secondary that could be without Kyle Fuller, and the Texans' QB-WR connection looks like a solid play.
Bargin DFS Stacks
Tennessee QB Marcus Mariota and TE Delanie Walker vs. Minnesota
Just call this one a hunch. The Vikings boast one of the league's top defenses, but Mariota is a talented dual-threat at quarterback. He was absolutely brilliant in last season's opener, tossing four touchdowns in a rout of Tampa Bay.
The obvious pairing is Walker, who is coming off a career-best 1,088 yards in 2015. Wide receiver Rishard Matthews is also a viable option, as is rookie wideout Tajae Sharpe.
New England QB Jimmy Garoppolo and TE Martellus Bennett at Arizona
And finally, we come to the top value stack of Week 1. Garoppolo, who will start in place of the suspended Tom Brady, is likely to be a popular play. Bennett should play a major role with Rob Gronkowski expected to miss Sunday night's game against the Cardinals.
Wide receivers Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola are viable pairings as well. Running back James White, a pass-catching specialist, is also an intriguing, albeit risky, option.
