Week 1 DraftKings Cash Game Breakdown

Week 1 DraftKings Cash Game Breakdown

Cash games take a bit of a different approach. We only need to finish in the top half of finishing positions. The goal is to get the safest floor with a bit of upside for the cheapest price. Ownership is an afterthought. I tend to look for the most guaranteed touches from the RBs and WR. A floor is just as important as a players upside in cash. If there’s value on the slate at WR I’ll play the top RBs otherwise I’m looking for the most touches in the mid range. Cash games are a great way to build your bankroll and stay profitable long term.I will say that you should ALWAYS enter your cash lineups into a GPP. Believe me it is not fun coming 1st in a double up and winning the same amount as the person who came in 2,000th when you would’ve won a GPP.

Listen: Week 1 DFS Plays

QB

Jalen Hurts $7,800

Hurts was a monster last season averaging 26.7 DraftKings points per game. He had 13 rushing TDs and had 20 carries inside the five yard line, only Jamaal Williams had more. There’s no reason to think they’ll go away from that this year considering how successful it was. New England has historically struggled against rushing QBs as well.

Justin Herbert $6,900

Herbert is playing in the game with the highest over/under(50.5) and the Chargers have the highest implied team total(26.75) on the slate. Herbert also has all of his weapons healthy which was a rarity last season. The Dolphins were bottom 10 in passing yards and TDs allowed last season. They gave up the 2nd most points to opposing QBs and will be without Jalen Ramsey.

Anthony Richardson $5,600

Obviously this is a bit risky considering we have no idea what Richardson will be. What we do know is that he’ll run which provides a safe floor. If he adds anything through the air he pays off this salary that allows for more options as far as lineup construction goes. The Jags allowed the 4th most passing yards per game last season.

 

RB

Austin Ekeler $8,400

Targeting this game will be a recurring theme. Game Total/Team total with one of the safest floors and highest upsides on the slate. What more do I need to say. If you’re paying up for RB in Cash he’s the option.

Joe Mixon $6,800

Mixon will be the definition of a workhorse in Week 1 and that’s what we want for cash. He averaged 19 opportunities a week last season and with a lack of options behind him and a banged up Burrow he should easily eclipse that number in Week 1. Cleveland allowed five yards a carry and the 6th most points to opposing RBs last season.

Raheem Mostert $5,400

With Wilson on IR and Achane and Ahmed dealing with injuries of their own,  Mostert is in line for a heavy work load Week 1. Add to the fact that he’s playing in the game with the highest total on the slate against the Chargers who allowed a league high 5.6 yards per carry last season. High workload, big play upside against a bad run defense in a great game environment at a low salary is perfect for cash.

Jamaal Williams $5,100

I’m personally playing Mixon and Mostert but if you wanted to take a shot on Williams I completely understand. He’s the guy in the Saints backfield. Kamara is suspended, Kendre Miller is dealing with a hamstring injury and hasn’t been practicing. We saw the TD upside Williams has last year but he can also produce in the passing game. It’s rare to get a guaranteed workload at only $5.1k.

 

WR

Tyreek Hill $8,200

Any concerns about Hill leaving Mahomes were put to rest last season. He had career highs in targets, catches and yards. He averaged 14.4 YPC and had a 30% target share. League best 32.3% targets per routes run and 3.25 yards per routes run was by far the most in the league. Insert game total narrative here.

Chris Olave $6,500

I believe this is the cheapest we will see Olave all year. Even with injuries as a rookie he had an incredible season. He had a 26% target share and 28% targets per route run. 2.46 yards per routes run and a ridiculous ADOT of 14.6 yards. He also had the 4th most air yards despite being outside the top 20 in targets. The Titans gave up the most yards through the air and most points to opposing WRs last season.

Deebo Samuel $5,500

I normally wouldn’t consider Deebo in cash but this is a blatant misprice. Add the fact that Kittle is banged up and won’t be 100% if he plays. Shanahan designs plays to get Deebo the ball in space and he should see enough opportunities to justify the play and has considerably higher upside.

Jahan Dotson $5,000

McLaurin is banged up so Dotson will be the default number one. I would only play him if McLaurin sits. He showed well with Howell this pre-season catching seven balls on nine targets for 106 yards and a TD.

Dotson had four TDs in four games last season prior to getting injured. He came back strong and some quality performances in his final four games where he had at least 70 yards and/or a TD in three of them.

Marvin Mims $3,000

With Jeudy out Mims will get plenty of opportunities especially considering he can lineup outside or in the slot. He is a big play threat and could easily pay off this price tag with one play. Last season the Raiders gave up the 4th most yards per pass attempt. You can play Sutton($5.2k) but I prefer the savings of Mims.

Tutu Atwell $3,000

This one is a little more sketchy but Atwell will get a ton of work at the stone min. The Rams are 5.5pt underdogs at home and should have to throw often. It won’t take much to pay off this salary.

Related: DFS: Week 1 Top Stacks

TE

Tyler Higbee $4,800

Higbee had 6.5 targets per game, a 22% target share last season with a healthy Stafford. That was also with Kupp healthy for nine games. With Kupp out for Week 1, Higbee will be the safety valve for Stafford.

Hayden Hurst $3,000

I’ll be playing Higbee but Hurst should have plenty of opportunities with a rookie QB. Especially with DJ Chark out and Adam Thielen nursing am ankle injury.

 

DEF

WAS $2,800

Just take the free square.