The A List at DFS Academy | NFL DFS Week 1

Welcome to the 2024 edition of The A List, your weekly guide to DFS Cash lineups. If this is your first time reading, you can check out the intro to the inaugural article for an overview of the column and the second-ever article for insight into how I approach DFS before you dig into my NFL Week 1 picks.

This column focuses on cash contests. For new players, cash contests are 50/50s, double-ups, and head-to-heads. The potential winnings are lower than in tournament settings, but the odds of winning are much better. If you want some tournament picks, check out our DFS podcast on YouTube.

We have waited so long for football to be back. I don’t want to delay this column any longer. Let’s get into Week 1 NFL DFS. 

Cash is in session.

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NFL DFS Week 1

Teacher’s Pet

Rachaad White (DraftKings: $6,300 / FanDuel: $7,700)

In a week with so many unknowns, it’s time to rely on high-volume players. Rachaad White managed a consistent load in 2023. He tied Christian McCaffrey for the second most carries in the league and ranked ninth amongst running backs in targets. While Tampa Bay added some depth to the running back room, White should continue to carry a significant load, particularly to start the season. Fortunately, Tampa Bay matches up against the Washington Football Team in Week 1, who gave up the eighth most points to running backs down the stretch last season. Their defense did not significantly improve in the offseason, so Washington should remain a quality matchup for opposing running backs.

Honor Roll

Drake London (DraftKings: $6,000 / FanDuel: $6,700)

The Kirk Cousins era in Atlanta officially begins on Sunday. Drake London is among the many beneficiaries of the improved quarterback play. Last season, London accounted for nearly 23% of Falcons targets, but the dearth of passing volume limited his overall impact. Despite facing a traditionally tough Steelers secondary, London should be in line for significantly more volume than in previous years. Expect close to double-digit targets for London, making him a cash-game staple.

Diontae Johnson (DraftKings: $5,300 / FanDuel: $5,600)

Speaking of cash staples, Diontae Johnson has been freed of the Pittsburgh Steelers and is ready to return to WR1 status. Johnson has historically been the epitome of a DFS cash receiver. In recent years, that status has come into question as the Steelers offense has stumbled. And while the Panthers offense doesn’t bring much inspiration, he is set for a bounce back with an entire team that needs a bounce back. The Panthers specifically brought Johnson in to help Bryce Young, so expect him to return to his typical high-volume ways.

Evan Engram (DraftKings: $5,500 / FanDuel: $6,200)

If you told me that Evan Engram had never made this column before, I’d believe you. I have traditionally been fairly low on Engram, but his 2023 season has turned me into a believer. After setting the record for most catches by a tight end, Engram is ready to keep it rolling. Jacksonville will especially need him this week as they look to keep up with the Miami Dolphins. The Jaguars are three-point underdogs in one of the projected highest-scoring games of the week. That bodes well for Engram to bring in the catches and help you win your cash contests.

Check the Chalkboard

Josh Allen (DraftKings: $8,000 / FanDuel: $9,200)

Contrary to how last year may have felt, Josh Allen is one of the most certain things in fantasy football. Year after year, he remains one of the most consistent players, and this week, he gets one of the best matchups possible. The Arizona Cardinals are expected to have one of the worst defenses to start the season. However, they also potentially have one of the friskiest offenses, which could keep Josh Allen relevant through all four quarters. Needless to say, between the matchup and the sheer consistency Allen provides, he is a must-start in cash lineups. 

Participation Grade

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (DraftKings: $3,500 / FanDuel: $4,900)

Historically, this is the point where I convince you that you should punt at tight end and that someone like Cade Otton has an incredible matchup this week. But there are a few cheap position players I am excited about starting this week. Instead, I am all in on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The keys to a good cash defense are sack and turnover opportunities. Rookie quarterbacks provide plenty of those, particularly ones with high pressure-to-sack ratios, such as Jayden Daniels. 

Back of the Classroom Studs

Jakobi Meyers (DraftKings: $5,000 / FanDuel: $5,100)

Given Jakobi Meyers’ ADP entering the season, how many people would guess that he finished as WR28 in DraftKings scoring last year? Meyers finished the season with a 20% target share, which is pretty good for a team’s WR2. He should continue to play a vital role for Las Vegas, and now he has Gardner Minshew throwing him the ball. Say what you will about Minshew; he knows how to get the ball to his playmakers. This week, he gets to sling it against a Chargers team that allowed the fifth most points to opposing receivers during the last five weeks of 2023. And he’s going to need to because the Raiders are three-point underdogs. 

Jerome Ford (DraftKings: $5,500 / FanDuel: $6,200)

Jerome Ford was one of the unsung heroes of the 2023 season. Once Nick Chubb went out, Ford became the three-down back, racking up touches for the Cleveland Browns. Now, he enters 2024 with Chubb still sidelined and no competition for touches. His opponent this week is the Dallas Cowboys, who are known for their high-impact turnovers but are often pretty leaky against opposing running backs. As for Ford, his price allows you to pay up for the likes of Josh Allen and Tyreek Hill while still getting plenty of volume at the running back position.

Demario Douglas (DraftKings: $4,800 / FanDuel: $4,000)

If I asked you who had the most catches for the Patriots last year, do you think you would guess correctly? Turns out, it was Ezekiel Elliott. Did I trick you? Behind Elliott was Demario Douglas. That’s no joke. Now, while 49 catches isn’t much to brag about, Douglas did so despite only starting seven games. He continues to be an incredibly cheap player for DFS. Plus, the Patriots will most likely play from behind for most of this season, including this week against the Cincinnati Bengals. With that, expect Douglas to get plenty of targets to pay off his salary. 

Check out the Week 1 episode of DFS Academy now!

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Be sure you’re following Austin on Twitter! Also, you can find our Week 1 rankings here and the rest of our Week 1 content here!