DFS Week 1 Picks: Top Plays for FanDuel & DraftKings

Ryan Weisse

8 months ago

Welcome back to DFS Academy at Club Fantasy! We’re keeping it simple this year — no full DFS article series, but don’t worry, we’ve still got you covered with our DFS podcast and this quick-hit recap. Think of it as your Week 1 DFS study guide.

Oh, and don’t forget, you can play against us every week on DraftKings and FanDuel. Subscribe to the pod, hop in the Discord, and join the fun.

Here are the necessary links:

- DraftKings Contest
- FanDuel Contest
- Discord Invite
- This Episode: YouTube – Spotify – Apple

DFS Week 1 Picks

Answers to the Test

Every week, we start by looking at what worked last week. The milli-maker lineup and slate breaker always tell a story. This segment will start in Week 2!

Cash Plays: Austin’s Specialty

When you’re grinding cash games, it’s all about safety and volume.

Top of the Class ($8K+)

Bijan Robinson (DK $8,000 / FD $8,800): The rare “expensive but still worth it” play. His volume and role are cash gold.

Band Nerds ($6K–$8K)

Brock Purdy (DK $6,200 / FD $6,900): Not flashy, but steady with a 23-point implied team total.
Brian Thomas Jr. (DK $6,800 / FD $7,700): Pure volume play.
Drake London (DK $6,500 / FD $7,000): His target share with Penix is borderline ridiculous.
Christian McCaffrey (DK $7,300 / FD $8,100): Monitor that questionable tag, but he’s always in play.

Bookworms ($4K–$6K)

Jakobi Meyers (DK $5,100 / FD $6,200): Underpriced for his role.
Tetairoa McMillan (DK $5,200 / FD $5,600): Cheaper pivot than Hunter on FD.
Chuba Hubbard (DK $6,000 / FD $6,500): A steady floor with room for upside.
Joe Flacco (DK $4,900 / FD $6,600): Punt QB, anyone? Not pretty, but viable.

C’s Get Degrees (<$4K)

Mike Gesicki (DK $3,600 / FD $4,900): If he finds the end zone, he crushes at this price.
Jacory Croskey–Merritt (DK $4,000 / FD $4,000): High roster % risk, but can help you jam in studs.
Houston Texans D (DK $2,500 / FD $3,800): Cheap, solid defense that won’t sink your lineup.

Reminder: This article is a recap of our latest DFS Academy episode. You can watch the whole thing on YouTube. And while you’re there, hit subscribe!

Tournament Talk (GPP Plays)

Cash is safe, but tournaments are where you take the test with no notes. Time to swing big.

Quarterback

Austin: Jordan Love – Packers could surprise if Detroit’s defense stumbles out of the gate.
Ryan: Trevor Lawrence – A value pivot if the Jags’ passing game shows life against a bad Panthers defense.

Running Back

Austin: Chuba Hubbard / Kenneth Walker – Solid price, sneaky spots. Walker especially, if SF’s run D stumbles again.
Ryan: Chase Brown – Cheap, explosive upside in what could be a high-scoring game.

Wide Receiver

Austin: Matthew Golden (stack with Love), Darnell Mooney, Jameson Williams (bring back to the GB stack), Ja’Marr Chase.
Ryan: Mike Evans – steady vet who can still smash and is Baker’s best option in Week 1.

Tight End

Austin: Kyle Pitts to pivot off London/Bijan, or Gesicki dart throw.
Ryan: Hunter Henry – a cheap option who could lead this team in targets and have a red-zone role.

Defense

Austin: Texans or Packers (don’t sleep on Goff struggling outdoors).
Ryan: Texans again. Safe, cheap, and talented.

Valedictorian Shootout

Every week, Austin and Ryan go head-to-head on DraftKings. Here are our Week 1 lineups:

Austin: Brock Purdy – CMC – Bijan – Bill Croskey-Merritt – BTJ – Drake London – Jakobi Meyers – Mike Gesicki – Texans D
Ryan: Trevor Lawrence – Chase Brown – Bucky Irving – Mike Evans – BTJ – Drake London – Ricky Pearsall – Hunter Henry – Texans D

Winner gets bragging rights… and by season’s end, we’ll see who takes home the class crown and who is the class clown!

Join the Class

Want to test yourself against us? Play DFS with Club Fantasy every week on DraftKings and FanDuel. We’ll post contest links, announce winners, and keep the banter going in Discord.

Good luck in Week 1, and remember, in DFS, sometimes Cs really do get degrees.