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Hey there RotoBallers! It's that magical time of the year, right before the brand new NFL season kicks off.
In this article, I will be taking a look at some of my favorite Yahoo DFS lineups picks for the Week 1 game slate. These DFS picks are based on a multitude of factors including matchup, talent, recent performance, Vegas odds, and pricing on Yahoo.
Generally, I will try to outline a top option at each position along with a value option with a chance to at least hit value. Let's get to it!
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DFS Quarterback Picks for Yahoo
Cam Newton (@ SF, $33)
Newton appears primed for a bounce-back season in 2017 and should start off on the right foot as the Panthers travel to San Francisco to take on a vulnerable 49ers defense. The 49ers had one of the worst passing defenses in the league last season, ranking 28th in DVOA according to Football Outsiders. Heading into Week 1, don't expect things to be much better for the rebuilding 49ers. Newton has several new toys to utilize in the passing game, including future star running back Christian McCaffery and speedster Curtis Samuel. Add in a healthy Kelvin Benjamin and the Panthers are set up for a big game on Sunday. Newton comes in a bit cheaper than the top names on the slate but has just as much upside as anyone. There hasn't been much buzz around Newton heading into Week 1, so there's a chance he goes under-owned in DFS.
Carson Wentz (@ WAS, $27)
Wentz didn't overly impress during his rookie season, but he had his moments and the Eagles went out and put some pieces around him to help ensure his success in 2017. With Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith on the outside and (possibly) a resurgent Nelson Agholor in the slot, Wentz saw the weapons in the passing game upgraded from a year ago. The Eagles have a reasonably high 23.5 implied team total on Sunday in a game with a solid 47.5 point over/under. Washington's pass defense ranked just 24th in DVOA in 2016 and shouldn't give Wentz much trouble on Sunday.
DFS Running Back Picks for Yahoo
LeSean McCoy (vs. NYJ, $36)
Of course, David Johnson and Le'Veon Bell are both strong considerations in lineups any time they step on the field. In order to diversify a little, though, it may be worth considering McCoy. The Bills are clearly a mess, having traded their top wide receiver in Sammy Watkins and seeing his replacement, Jordan Matthews, already get injured. Then over the weekend, they released Jonathan Williams, who was expected to be the team's No. 2 back. Shady should get all the work he can handle against the Jets on Sunday. Granted, the Jets had a stout run defense in 2016, but McCoy does exceptional work in the passing game and will still be able to roll up points that way. If the Bills are going to get anything done at all on offense this weekend, it's going to have to run through McCoy.
Bilal Powell (@ BUF, $16)
Who would have thought the Bills-Jets game would offer any semblance of fantasy goodness? Powell is a fantastic deal heading into Week 1 and makes for a solid RB2 in lineups. The veteran back exploded for 58 receptions and 388 receiving yards in 2016 in a running back by committee with Matt Forte. While he's still expected to split the backfield work with Forte, Powell will catch enough passes to hit value on his salary on Yahoo this weekend. Buffalo's pass defense, for what it's worth, ranked 21st in DVOA and 21st against running backs in the passing game in 2016.
DFS Wide Receiver Picks for Yahoo
Amari Cooper (@ TEN, $22)
Over the first two years of his career, Cooper hasn't flashed the touchdown scoring upside that many fantasy owners would have liked to see. This year should be the year he takes a step forward in that department and starts taking touchdowns away from teammate Michael Crabtree. Cooper was excellent in the preseason, racking up seven catches for 124 yards and one touchdown across two games. Considering his upside, Cooper is way too cheap on Yahoo. Now is the time to play him before he explodes in Week 1 and sees Yahoo raise his price to match his talent. The Titans ranked 27th in pass defense DVOA in 2016, while their rush defense was stout. That should help funnel additional work to the Raiders' pass catchers on Sunday.
Kendall Wright (vs. ATL, $13)
The unfortunate preseason injury to Cameron Meredith opened the door for Wright to become a main cog in the Chicago passing attack. At just $3 over the minimum price on Yahoo, Wright is practically a free square for your lineups this weekend. Wright should have no trouble paying off his paltry price tag running routes out of the slot for the Bears on Sunday against Atlanta. He should be a popular play on daily sites this weekend, but at his pricing, it's hard to get away from him, especially in cash games.
DFS Tight End Picks for Yahoo
Zach Ertz (vs. WAS, $18)
Ertz is a great option to stack along with Carson Wentz if you opt to go with the second-year signal caller this weekend. The Washington defense wasn't very good against tight ends in 2016, ranking just 25th in DVOA. With Jordan Matthews no longer a part of the Eagles, there's a case to be made that Ertz will soak up plenty of extra targets in the middle of the field in 2017. At $18, he isn't exactly cheap, but he is one of the better plays in the upper-priced tier of tight ends this weekend.
Austin Hooper (@ CHI, $11)
If spending down at tight end is your thing, look no further than Hooper this weekend. Hooper is poised to make a big second-year leap and draws the perfect opponent to get off to a hot start. The Bears really struggled against enemy tight ends in 2016, ranking just 28th in DVOA against the position. With Julio Jones drawing most of the defense's attention, look for Hooper to be able to do some damage in the middle of the field and down the seam on Sunday. He's a great tournament option and isn't terrible in cash, either, if you need to save some money to fit in a few high-priced stars.
Defense/Special Teams Pick for Yahoo
Carolina Panthers (@ SF, $17)
Due to the Jets' general ineptness, the Buffalo Bills defense is shaping up as a popular play this weekend. They do draw a great matchup against a barren Jets offense, but the Buffalo defense isn't exactly that great of a unit, either. I generally try to avoid playing what I believe to be bad defenses, even if they have good matchups. The Panthers boast a much better defensive unit than the Bills and have an equally great matchup against a 49ers offense that shouldn't be very good this season. San Francisco has an implied team total of just 21 points and doesn't have much on offense outside of Pierre Garcon and Carlos Hyde.
