DraftKings Cash Lineup Recap: Week 1
Week 1 Recap: Below top NFL Grinder killab2482 recaps the thoughts he had while building his Week 1 Lineup
Is it Christmas Day?!? Rather than a kid waking up at 6 am to see gifts under the tree, I am an adult turning on the TV at 7 am to listen to any football coverage available to me. Yes, the same coverage I heard from 20 different analysts throughout the week. There is nothing like week 1 of NFL Sunday.
Each week I will be analyzing either a cash game or GPP lineup from Draftkings, Fanduel, or Draftday. Today I am breaking down my Draftkings cash game lineup and justification behind the individual plays.
Starting Quarterback
Matt Ryan($7,900)
Matty “Ice” Ryan. If you take a look purely on last year’s passing stats, New Orleans actually isn’t that favorable of a matchup. As I dug a little deeper into the matchup I grew to like the play. Although he lost a future HOF in Tony Gonzalez, he gained back arguably one of the most dangerous weapons in Julio Jones. Parlay that with a healthy Roddy White and you have two dangerous weapons to throw to all day. Oh and 60 year old Steven Jackson is his running back…no other option but to throw the ball.
Starting Running Backs
Fred Jackson($4,400)
Has anyone else owned CJ Spiller the past couple years in season long? Has anyone else heard the Bills say we have to get Spiller the ball more? YET, Fred Jackson continues to weasel his way into 10-15 touches per game. The Bears were horrid last year against the run and didn’t do much to address it in the offseason. He will continue to get the goal line carries and is 3rd down back on a PPR site. The price point was too good to pass up and allowed me to pay up at other positions.
LeSean McCoy(8,400)
Cash games are about putting together a lineup full of consistent players. Let me introduce you to Mr. Consistent….Shady McCoy. Chip Kelly and his up tempo offense are perfect for Shady. The Eagles are expected to put up the most points (31.5) according to Vegas, and that will not happen without McCoy getting plenty of work.
Starting Wide Receiver
Julian Edelman($5,300)
Edelman is a position receiver. When you plug him in your lineup don’t be surprised to see a line such as 8 receptions for 60 yards. Brady loves to dump it off to him in short yardage situations. In PPR scoring formats he is worth a look purely based on his receptions. His matchup isn’t great but his price is favorable and Gronk should open things up for Edelman.
Emanuel Sanders($4,800)
If you don’t invest in the Denver offense, you are playing against daily fantasy football odds. Arguably the most potent offense in the NFL, you need to buy a Bronco or two…or five! I wanted either of the Thomas tandem but couldn’t fit them in my lineup due to price constraints. Sanders’ price was intriguing and allowed me to upgrade at QB, RB #1, and WR #1.
Andre Johnson ($6,600)
Oh Mr. Johnson! Such a talent but he cannot stay healthy. When AJ is healthy I will take him at this price all day. Add in the fact that he has a favorable matchup against the Washington defense and I could not pass on the price.
Starting Tight End
Zach Ertz($4,100)
Am I the only idiot buying in on the Ertz hype? Did he really figure it out after his poor rookie season? The Jaguars ranked 31st against tight ends last year and Ertz’s price allows me to upgrade at other positions. I feel this play is a low risk high reward option.
Flex
Frank Gore ($5,200)
I will not fault you if you fade this play. I am not a big Frank Gore fan myself, but I could not argue the matchup or the price. Dallas allowed the most points to running backs last year. Some would argue their defense is actually worse this year. At some point Carlos Hyde will begin to take touches away from Gore but I don’t think it will happen this early in the season. Caution! Enter at your own risk!
Starting Defense
Buccaneers ($3,100)
I am buying into the Cam Newton injury. Does anyone know Cam’s backup? I don’t think the Carolina coaching staff does either. His name is Derek Anderson and he found out 15 minutes before game time he was starting. I like my chances.