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

Week 1 DFS GPP Value Plays For FanDuel And DraftKings

Brandon Murchison analyzes optimal DFS value plays for tournaments for Week 1 of the NFL season. These GPP value plays are worth considering on FanDuel and DraftKings daily fantasy sports games.

With Week 1 of the NFL season finally at hand, fantasy football can begin in earnest. And while most are excited to begin their seasonal leagues and the march to a championship, many owners are ready for the return of NFL DFS.

The first week of the season is a clean slate that can open the doors for even the novice DFS player to be able to cash in GPPs. Player ownership will be spread across the board presenting numerous unique lineups in the big pools. But what is one way to ensure that you will be able to cash in? Hitting on the low-level and often overlooked players. These less expensive options allow you to build a stronger lineup and compete against even the best.

What are some of the top sneaky plays for Week 1? That is what I present to you. Some DFS options for Week 1 GPPs and tournaments with plus matchups that you would not normally consider.

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

 

Week 1 Quarterback Value Play for GPPs

Josh Allen @ New York Jets (Fanduel $6,900, DraftKings $5,600)

Josh Allen is not the first player that comes to mind for owners looking to cash in at the quarterback position in Week 1. But the truth of the matter is that he is presented with a quality matchup right out of the gates. In his lone previous game against the Jets (Week 14 last season), he did only muster 206 passing yards on the day. But where he excelled was on the ground (9 for 101 and a score). Now you won't be able to count on the rushing stats going into this one, but with the additions the Bills made to the passing game in the offseason, Allen could easily improve. Facing a Jets secondary that was 7th in points allowed to QBs in 2018 (19.4 FPPG), Allen could provide a very productive day at little cost in DFS.

 

Week 1 Running Back Value Play for GPPs

Justice Hill @ Miami Dolphins (Fanduel $5,000, DraftKings $3,600)

Talking about a deep dive as you construct your lineup for Week 1, I give to you Justice Hill. Although the rookie will be playing behind Mark Ingram in the Ravens backfield, the matchup could still prove to be fruitful for owners. Facing potentially the worst team in the league, look for the Ravens to get out to a large lead in this game. Which will mean plenty of playing time for the subs early on. The Dolphins come into Week 1 after surrendering the 4th most points per game to opposing RBs in 2018 (22.9 FPPG). Couple that with Hill's ability to break a long play and you have a back that could easily outproduce his price point in DFS this week.

 

Week 1 Wide Receiver Value Play for GPPs

Terry McLaurin @ Philadelphia Eagles (Fanduel $4,500, DraftKings $3,300)

Another rookie with a positive matchup in Week 1 is Terry McLaurin. Playing well during the preseason, he won the starting job at receiver coming out of camp and has a chance to prove just why this week. In a game in which the Redskins should be trailing all day, the team will be looking to throw the ball to keep up. This lines up well for McLaurin, who will be facing an Eagles secondary that was susceptible to allowing points to opposing WRs in 2018 (27.4 FPPG). I expect to see him targeted quite a bit on Sunday and has a high probability of getting into the end-zone. He is an option in DFS that is next to free and will allow you to load up in other areas.

 

Week 1 Tight End Value Play for GPPs

Geoff Swaim vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Fanduel $4,500, DraftKings $2,900)

Most players in DFS will either look to pay up at the tight end position or just simply punt it as they fill out a lineup. One option that you can use in Week 1 as an extreme long shot is Geoff Swaim. Playing against the Chiefs means that the Jaguars will be playing from behind in this game. Facing a defense that was the worst in points allowed to the position in 2018 (11.0 FPPG) does not hurt either. With Nick Foles under center for the team, you know that he will look to utilize the tight end in the passing game, making Swaim the prime beneficiary. He may not light up the scoreboard with yardage in Week 1, but I do expect to see him get into the end-zone. Making him a very sneaky play for the week.

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

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Chase Elliott

Under Playoff Pressure After 17th-Place Darlington Finish
Kyle Larson

Despite Hendrick Mediocrity, Kyle Larson Remains Pretty Safe in Playoffs
Alex Bowman

Opening Lap Crash and Botched Pit Stop Might've Sunk Alex Bowman's Playoff Hopes
Erik Jones

Darlington Master Erik Jones Comes Up Short, but Still Finishes Third
AJ Allmendinger

Highest-Finishing Chevy Driver on an Unrestricted Oval for the First Time Since 2016
Dameon Pierce

Ahead of Schedule, Ready for Season
Jordan Love

May Wear Thumb Brace During Season
Chicago Bears

Bears HC Admits Offense Could Face Learning Curve
Matt Chapman

Leaves Early on Sunday, Expects to Play Monday
A.J. Brown

Says He'll Be Active For Season Opener
Luis Garcia

to Make Season Debut on Monday
Max Scherzer

Exits Due to Back Tightness
Taylor Ward

Exits Early After Collison
Braelon Allen

Says He Has a Lot Left to Prove
Sal Stewart

Reds Promoting Sal Stewart to Majors
Daniel Suarez

is A DFS Risk for Darlington Lineups?
Randy Rodríguez

Randy Rodriguez to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Noah Gragson

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Noah Gragson for Darlington?
Ty Dillon

is an Excellent Punt Option for Darlington DFS Lineups
Bogdan Bogdanović

Bogdan Bogdanovic to Miss the Rest of EuroBasket
Denny Hamlin

Picking Up Where He Left Off At Darlington
Kyle Larson

The Sky Is The Limit for Kyle Larson at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

a Strong DFS Play at Darlington This Weekend
Tyler Reddick

Shouldn't Be Overlooked at Darlington This Weekend
Alex Bowman

An Easy Place-Differential Play in DFS This Weekend
Ty Gibbs

Could Be Strong at Darlington This Weekend
Erik Jones

Has Best Darlington Qualifying Effort Since Last Win
Zane Smith

Hopeful For Another Solid Run At Darlington
AJ Allmendinger

Still Seeking First Top-10 Finish at Darlington
Chase Elliott

Likely Won't Factor for the Win at Darlington
Joey Logano

Might Focus More on Playoff Races
Chris Buescher

Missing Playoffs Allows Chris Buescher to Potentially Go All Out at Darlington
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Qualifies Too Well for DFS Consideration
Aroldis Chapman

Agrees to Contract Extension
Juan Soto

Homers Twice in Loss
Nick Kurtz

Avoids Serious Injury
MacKenzie Gore

Placed on 15-Day Injured List
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Reaches 25-Homer, 25-Steal Milestone
Chris Sale

Activated on Saturday
Dansby Swanson

Homers Twice, Drives in Six in Win
Nick Kurtz

Leaves Game With Oblique Soreness
Joe Burrow

Bengals Feel Joe Burrow Just had "the Best Training Camp of his Career"
Randy Rodríguez

Tommy John Surgery Recommended for Randy Rodriguez
Corey Seager

Placed on Injured List
Jackson Chourio

to Return From Injured List on Saturday
Jordan Lawlar

Diamondbacks Set to Promote Jordan Lawlar
Dallas Mavericks

Olivier-Maxence Prosper Waived by the Mavs
Lauri Markkanen

Dominant in Win Over Great Britain
Xander Bogaerts

Suffers Foot Fracture, Set to Hit Injured List
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Leads Serbia to a Win
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Shines Versus Portugal
De'Von Achane

Should be Ready for Week 1
Jose Alvarado

"Good" After Recent Fall
Alec Burleson

Lands on Injured List With Wrist Inflammation
Emmanuel Clase

Luis L. Ortiz to Remain On Leave for Rest of Season
Green Bay Packers

Packers Acquire Micah Parsons, Sign him to Four-Year Extension
Jauan Jennings

Remains Sidelined at Practice
Chris Godwin

to Miss First Month of Season, Possibly More
Quinshon Judkins

Not Considering Return to College
A.J. Brown

Returns to Practice, Expected to Play in Week 1
Jaylen Wright

Undergoes Surgery, Could be Back "Septemberish"
Tyreek Hill

on Track to Play in Week 1
Kyren Williams

to See Reduced Workload?
Jayden Reed

Dealing with Jones Fracture in Left Foot
Lauri Markkanen

Torches Sweden
Neemias Queta

Dominates in EuroBasket Opener
Kawhi Leonard

Clippers Not Allowing Kawhi Leonard to Play Back-to-Backs
Dallas Mavericks

Mavericks Looking to Trade Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Tyrese Haliburton

Expects to Return in 15 Months
Malik Nabers

Expected to be Full-Go for Week 1
Travis Hunter

Back at Practice, Will be Ready for Week 1
De'Von Achane

Not Practicing on Wednesday
Rashee Rice

Accepting Six-Game Suspension to Begin the Year
Kyle Hamilton

Ravens, Kyle Hamilton Finalizing Four-Year Extension
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
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

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP