Week 1 DFS Targets
Filling your weekly DFS team with Lamar Jackson, Christian McCaffrey, Michael Thomas, and Travis Kelce is great until you have nothing left for the rest of your team. The position you can really jump up in contests with is your Flex. A big game from one of your cheaper players can put you over the line and into the money. This is the first edition of Feeling Flexy, and each week I’ll be identifying some great players to target with one of your last picks.
Week 1 Rankings!
To qualify, a player has to be cheaper than $5,000 on Draft Kings.
DeSean Jackson (@ Washington) – $4,900
The Washington Football team stinks, badly. Whilst their pass rush is strong, their secondary is very weak. Philadelphia’s offensive line will neutralize Washington’s one strength, whilst Wentz tears up their biggest weakness, cornerback. Fabian Moreau and Ronald Darby got burnt regularly last season. Kendall Fuller, their number one cornerback is questionable for Week One also.
Jackson is the WR1 for the Eagles for Week One at least. The speedster is the healthiest receiver not named Greg Ward and should be in line for plenty of targets in an easy game. Jackson also has a history of blowing up in Week One, averaging 150 yards and two touchdowns over his previous two Week One starts. One of those came against the Redskins, when he was matched up against Quinton Dunbar.
For less than $5,000 Jackson is well worth the risk. He’s the definition of a boom or bust candidate, but to win in DFS, you need to take risks. Hence why Jackson is the top of the Week 1 DFS targets.
Anthony Miller (@ Detroit) – $5,000
The last time Miller took on Justin Coleman, he went off for 140 yards on nine receptions. On any other team, Miller would be too expensive to be in this category, but with the question marks at quarterback, his value has dropped.
In what should be a blowout, the Bears will be playing catch up with the high-powered Lions’ offense. Whilst Robinson will be matched up with Jeff Okudah, Miller will reunite with Coleman in the slot. Expect Trubisky to target him early and often as the Bears try chase down the Lions.
Hunter Renfrow (@ Carolina) – $4,500
Renfrow finished the 2019 season with a bang, going for over 100 yards and 25 fantasy points in each of his last two outings. The chemistry between Carr and Renfrow is unmatched, and whilst Ruggs takes the top off defenses and Waller creates mismatches, expect Renfrow to sneak away with five-plus receptions.
He was Carr’s favorite target on third downs and in the red zone last season and should be again. The Raiders should waltz through the Panthers’ weak defense with ease. Ruggs and Edwards are still learning the offense, whereas Renfrow is entering his second year. The only plus of the Panthers defense is their defensive line which should affect Jacobs’ production in Week One. Expect the Raiders to adjust to short passes to move the chains as the Panthers key in on Jacobs.
Tarik Cohen (@ Detroit) – $4,900
We all know Cohen is a stud. He’s arguably the second-best receiving threat on his team. Whilst not getting a huge workload, he will still get more touches and opportunities to score than most receivers. He averaged under ten touches a game, with four coming on the ground and five in the air. The Bears offense was hard to watch last season, but Nagy has always been great at using his receiving back who can win out in space.
Add in that Montgomery is not likely to start, and Cohen could see up to ten carries and up to ten receptions in what should be a shootout. In a down year, he averaged 11-plus points against the Lions. A refreshed and hungry Cohen facing a bigger workload is great value as a flex.
Dallas Goedert (@ Washington) – $4,100
In pure potential points per dollar, Goedert could give you the biggest bang for your buck. He’s a stud and a top-three receiving threat on an unhealthy Eagles roster. In his last ten games, he averaged 12-plus points in DraftKings scoring formats. Washington is weak, and they will barely have anyone sufficient to cover Ertz, let alone Goedert.
If you’re running short on cash and need one player, Goedert is a great option. He averaged over five receptions a game in his last ten, and add in that he could be the recipient of a touchdown, and you will be getting 15-plus points out of your flex. Whilst tight-ends are risky to use as a flex, Goedert is an elite receiving threat on a team that uses them like no other.
