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Week 1 Daily Fantasy Football Tournament Stacks

Andrew Lovell's daily fantasy football stacks and lineup sleepers for DraftKings, FanDuel. DFS tournament stacks & GPP picks for Week 1 of the 2017 NFL season.

Football. Is. Back. And, wouldn't you know, it's just as unpredictable as ever. The Kansas City Chiefs opened the 2017 season with a 42-27 romp over the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass. Just like everyone predicted, right? If Thursday's outcome was any indication of what's to come in Week 1 and beyond, we should be in for a wild ride this season.

The goal of this weekly column is to help find the most profitable DFS stacks, while avoiding the duds. Stacking, or pairing multiple players from the same NFL team, is an ideal way to maximize your point production, which is crucial in larger GPP (guaranteed prize pool) tournaments.

Let's take a look at some of the top DFS stacks for Week 1, loosely sorted by salary.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

High Priced Week 1 DFS Stacks

Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger and WR Antonio Brown at Cleveland 

New season, same old Browns. Sure, Cleveland has some nice young pieces in place, but the likelihood of that translating into wins in 2017 is slim to none. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, is a legitimate Super Bowl contender. This matchup should play out accordingly.

Roethlisberger and Brown have bullied the Browns for years, and while that's hardly earth-shattering analysis, it's all you need to know. Look for Brown to catch somewhere around 10 passes, finish with 100 yards, and score at least one touchdown.

Carolina QB Cam Newton and TE Greg Olsen at San Francisco

Make sure to monitor Newton's status prior to kickoff. He's listed as questionable, but all indications point to him starting. As long as that's the case, he makes for a solid play against an improving, but still below-average defense.

Olsen torched San Francisco for 122 yards and a touchdown on five receptions in last season's meeting, so he's a solid stacking option. Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who caught a pair of touchdowns against the 49ers last season, is also worth a look.

Seattle QB Russell Wilson and WR Doug Baldwin at Green Bay

Wilson enters the 2017 season after battling a multitude of injuries in 2016. Baldwin, well ... he's still Baldwin: dependable, consistent and productive. With some uncertainty in the ground game, Wilson and Baldwin stand out as a strong Week 1 stack against a beatable Packers secondary.

Baldwin tallied at least five receptions in 10 games last season, and should be in line for another 90-catch season. His touchdowns predictably dipped, from 14 in 2015 to seven in 2016, but he's a good bet to find the end zone in what should be a high-scoring game against Green Bay.

 

Moderately Priced Week 1 DFS Stacks

Oakland QB Derek Carr and WR Amari Cooper at Tennessee 

The Titans surrendered the third-most passing yards in the NFL last season. Offseason additions Logan Ryan and Jonathan Cyprien should help, but Tennessee still looks to have an exploitable secondary.

That's great news for Carr and Cooper, the Raiders' dynamic young duo. Cooper has been solid in his first two professional seasons, but could be truly special in his third season. Look for Oakland to get him involved early and often in Week 1.

Washington QB Kirk Cousins and WR Terrelle Pryor vs. Philadelphia

Cousins tossed two touchdowns in each meeting with the Eagles last season, a trend that should carry over into 2017. Pryor is coming off a breakout campaign with Cleveland last season, and he'll immediately step into the No. 1 role in Washington.

Neither the Eagles or Redskins have dependable ground attacks, so this matchup could turn into an aerial shootout. If that's the case, Cousins and Pryor represent solid value.

Cincinnati QB Andy Dalton and WR A.J. Green vs. Baltimore

This stack is more about Green than it is about Dalton. Green, who was limited to just 10 games last season, didn't face the Ravens in 2016. But in 2015, the six-time Pro Bowler absolutely abused Baltimore to the tune of 14 receptions for 261 yards and three touchdowns in two games.

Baltimore's defense is traditionally solid, but Green is matchup-proof. Expect Dalton to look his way often in the opener against an AFC North rival. Dalton's relatively cheap DFS price tag also helps offset Green's premium price.

 

Bargain Week 1 DFS Stacks

Philadelphia QB Carson Wentz and WR Alshon Jeffery at Washington

Is Jeffery the best wide receiver in the NFL? Of course not, but you couldn't fault Wentz for possible thinking so. Wentz put together a respectable rookie season with no dynamic threats at wide receiver. Jeffery, a free-agent acquisition from Chicago, represents a major step up.

Expect Wentz to target Jeffery heavily against Washington, particularly if the Eagles' running game stalls. If Wentz is to take a major step forward in his sophomore year, Jeffery will be a big reason why.

Los Angeles Rams QB Jared Goff and WR Sammy Watkins vs. Indianapolis

Warning: This stack is not for the faint of heart. Watkins, and to a lesser degree Goff, have frustrated fantasy owners over the years. Goff was largely ineffective in his rookie season and Watkins, though productive when healthy, is virtually never healthy.

However, at home against a banged-up and porous Colts defense, there is upside for a long Watkins touchdown or two. This stack is a major roll of the dice, but sometimes you need to lightning to strike to win big in a GPP.

Houston QB Tom Savage and WR DeAndre Hopkins vs. Jacksonville

Hopkins was a major fantasy disappointment in 2016, as his receptions dropped by 33 and his receiving yards plummeted by 567 yards. No one is going to mistake Savage for Drew Brees, but he's certainly an upgrade over Brock Osweiler.

The Jaguars defense is improved, but Hopkins remains the Texans' top target by a wide margin. With Will Fuller injured and Jaelen Strong suspended, Houston should lean heavily on Hopkins in the opener. He's worth some exposure in GPPs.

 

More Week 1 Lineup Prep




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Malik Nabers

Expected to be Full-Go for Week 1
Freddie Freeman

Out Wednesday With Neck Stinger
Alejandro Kirk

Avoids Major Injury, Remains Out on Wednesday
Travis Hunter

Back at Practice, Will be Ready for Week 1
Luis Robert Jr.

Could Miss the Rest of the Season
De'Von Achane

Not Practicing on Wednesday
Trevor Megill

Brewers Place Trevor Megill on Injured List With Flexor Strain
Luis Robert Jr.

Placed on Injured List With Hamstring Strain
Rashee Rice

Accepting Six-Game Suspension to Begin the Year
Kyle Hamilton

Ravens, Kyle Hamilton Finalizing Four-Year Extension
Rashee Rice

NFL Aiming to Place Six-Game Suspension on Rashee Rice
De'Von Achane

Dolphins GM Says De'Von Achane Will be Ready for Week 1
Joe Mixon

Texans GM: "We'll See" if Joe Mixon Plays in 2025
Adam Thielen

Traded to the Vikings
Nick Lodolo

Expected to Return Wednesday Against the Dodgers
Terance Mann

Confident About Having a Big Year in Brooklyn
Zaccharie Risacher

Aims to Improve Ball-Handling Skills
NBA

Pistons And Timberwolves Join Race for Malik Beasley
John Tonje

Signs Two-Way Deal With Jazz
Max Strus

to Miss 3-4 Months After Surgery
Blake Snell

Activated From Paternity List Tuesday
Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys Still Expect Micah Parsons to Play in Week 1
Luis Robert Jr.

Exits Early With Hamstring Soreness
Chris Godwin

Passes Physical, Will be Activated From PUP List
Willson Contreras

Issued Six-Game Suspension
Randy Rodríguez

Randy Rodriguez Placed on Injured List
Brandon Aiyuk

49ers Officially Place Brandon Aiyuk on PUP List
Nathan Eovaldi

Likely Done for the Season
Tyreek Hill

Remains Out of Practice
Najee Harris

Moved to Active Roster
Yordan Alvarez

Activated and Starting on Tuesday
Oneil Cruz

Back From Injured List
New York Mets

Jonah Tong Promoted to Major Leagues
Spencer Rattler

Saints Name Spencer Rattler as Starting QB
MarShawn Lloyd

Packers Leaning Toward Placing MarShawn Lloyd on Injured Reserve
Tyjae Spears

to Begin the Season on Injured Reserve
Nikola Jović

Heat Have High Hopes for Nikola Jovic
Golden State Warriors

Cody Martin Drawing Interest From Warriors
Minnesota Timberwolves

Timberwolves Interested in Reunion With Bones Hyland
Kylor Kelley

Joins Lakers
Colin Castleton

Links Up With Magic
Brock Bowers

Pete Carroll Classifies Brock Bowers Among His Best Players Ever
De'Von Achane

Lingering Calf Injury Poses Concerns for De'Von Achane
Adam Thielen

Vikings and Panthers Struggling to Finalize Adam Thielen Trade
Malik Monk

Kings "Not Actively Engaged" in Trade Discussions Involving Malik Monk
P.J. Washington

Mavs Likely to Offer P.J. Washington a Contract Extension
Kenny Pickett

Raiders Acquire Kenny Pickett From Browns
NHL

Jan Rutta Lands in Switzerland
Kirby Dach

Skates on Monday
COL

Tyson Barrie Retires From NHL
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Back in Toronto's Lineup
Zhang Mingyang

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Johnny Walker

Gets Back In The Win Column
Brian Ortega

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Aljamain Sterling

Proves Too Much For Brian Ortega
Chris Sale

Penciled in to Start on Saturday
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Suffers Unanimous-Decision Loss
Sergei Pavlovich

Wins Decision At UFC Shanghai
Kevin Borjas

Drops Decision At UFC Shanghai
Sumudaerji

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Kiefer Crosbie

Still Winless In The UFC
Taiyilake Nueraji

Gets His First UFC Win
Ryan Blaney

Earns his Second Daytona Cup Series Win
Tyler Reddick

Locks Into the 2025 Playoffs Despite Underwhelming Daytona Performance
Erik Jones

Misses the 2025 Playoffs Despite Top-Five Run at Daytona
Justin Haley

Best Performance of 2025 Falls Short of Victory at Daytona
Chase Burns

To Throw Bullpen on Tuesday
Kyle Larson

Enters Playoffs As Co-Points Leader
Alex Bowman

Advances to Playoffs Despite Crashing at Daytona
Cole Custer

Finally Shows Signs of Life at Daytona
Daniel Suarez

Lame-Duck Daniel Suarez Delivers Clutch Second-Place Finish
Logan Gilbert

Punches Out 13 in Victory
Randy Rodríguez

Randy Rodriguez Battling Arm Soreness
Marcus Semien

Out 4-6 Weeks, Could Miss Rest of Season
Ranger Suárez

Ranger Suarez Strikes Out 11 in Win
Chase Elliott

Despite Being Winless at Daytona, Chase Elliott is Probably the Best DFS Option
Ryan Blaney

Will Likely Lead a Lot at Daytona
Kyle Larson

a Poor DFS Option at Daytona
Christopher Bell

Consistent Enough to Consider for DFS
Chris Buescher

Now Must Win His Way Into Playoffs
Ryan Preece

Being One of the Slowest-Starting Fords Makes Ryan Preece a Strong DFS Option
Ross Chastain

Leads a Lot on Drafting Tracks
Daniel Suarez

Now in Desperation Mode With his Career on the Line
Chase Briscoe

Tendency to Finish Better Than He Runs May Reap Dividends at Daytona
Carson Hocevar

Hard to Forecast Since He's Rarely Given 100 Percent at Daytona
Michael McDowell

has a Solid Drafting Record
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Arguably Starting Too Well for Place-Differential Points
Austin Dillon

Will Likely Be Too Conservative for DFS Consideration
Moses Moody

Warriors Not Interested in Trading Moses Moody
Kevin Durant

Rockets Expected to Agree on New Contract
Trey Murphy III

Warriors, Spurs Interested in Trey Murphy III
CAR

Luke Kunin Joins Panthers on One-Year Deal
Auston Matthews

Says His Health is "Good" Before Start of Season
Roope Hintz

"Feeling Good" Ahead of New Season
Matthew Tkachuk

Recovering From Surgery
Marco Rossi

Wild Re-Sign Marco Rossi to Three-Year Deal
NBA

Malik Beasley Now Drawing Interest from Teams
Zhang Mingyang

Set For UFC Shanghai Main Event
Johnny Walker

In Dire Need Of Victory
Brian Ortega

An Underdog At UFC Shanghai
Aljamain Sterling

Set For UFC Shanghai Co-Main Event
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Sergei Pavlovich

A Favorite At UFC Shanghai
Kevin Borjas

Set for UFC Shanghai Main-Card Bout
Sumudaerji

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Kiefer Crosbie

Set To Open Up UFC Shanghai Main Card
Taiyilake Nueraji

Set For His UFC Debut

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