Vanek's Views: DraftKings NFL DFS Picks for Week 1

by Jordan Vanek (vanekjordan) Last Updated 2025-09-03 19:51:36 Premium Content Part of the product NFL DFS

Using his experience as a former scout and staff member at Central Florida under Josh Heupel, Jordan Vanek takes an in-depth look at the upcoming NFL DFS main slate on DraftKings for Week 1. Formerly of The 33rd Team and 4for4 Fantasy Football, Jordan’s deep dive into the best stacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends is a must-read before you start building your lineups.

Remember when the Saints put up 40+ points in back-to-back weeks? Or when the Bengals managed just 10 points at home against the Patriots – Joe Burrow stuck at 164 passing yards while Rhamondre Stevenson ran for 120? Or J.K. Dobbins ripping 135 rushing yards on just 10 carries? That’s early-season NFL: unpredictable, volatile, and full of surprises.

Some offenses come out flat, while others take sudden leaps. Defenses can flip overnight too – like when the Texans gave up 2,894 rushing yards in 2022 then cut that to 1,643 under DeMeco Ryans the next year. This season, I see Carolina as a defense ready to take a big step forward with their rebuilt front 7. It may not be a Texans-level turnaround, but it will matter.

The edge in Week 1 NFL DFS is identifying which changes are real and which trends will stick. That’s what this article is about – we’ll look at last season, but the focus is on projecting forward. With our NFL DFS projections, NFL weather report, and projected ownership insights guiding the way, this is where you can separate from the field before the data really settles in.

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NFL DFS DraftKings Picks: Top Stacks, RBs, WRs, & TEs for Week 1

Game Stacks

Tua Tagovailoa ($5,800, QB, Miami Dolphins)

Tyreek Hill ($6,700, WR, Miami Dolphins)

Jaylen Waddle ($5,700, WR, Miami Dolphins)

Tyler Warren ($4,400, TE, Indianapolis Colts)

This game stack is risky, but there’s massive upside with the Miami passing game at what should be very low ownership. Offseason drama has pushed the field away from this offense, funneling attention toward De’Von Achane – who’s also coming off an undisclosed calf injury. Meanwhile, the Colts have told us everything we need to know about their secondary: they signed Xavien Howard just two weeks ago, traded for Mekhi Blackmon, and clearly don’t trust their cornerback room.

Yes, they changed DCs, but they brought in the Bengals DC, and his defenses have consistently struggled without talent. Installing that scheme takes time, and this roster doesn’t look ready. That sets up perfectly for Miami to drop 300+ passing yards, with Hill and Waddle capable of combining for 200+ on their own. With no real TE threat and Achane potentially limited, the volume funnels to the WRs.

I even like the idea of pivoting to Malik Washington ($3,200, WR) over Hill – saving salary, avoiding drama, and still capturing exposure to a passing attack that could be the slate-breaker.

On the Colts side, I wish I could get to Josh Downs ($4,600, WR) here, but I’ll instead lean toward Warren, who should see plenty of volume from Daniel Jones ($5,100, QB) and even adds rushing upside through wildcat looks. I’ll also be considering Jonathan Taylor ($6,800, RB) and Michael Pittman Jr. ($4,900, WR) as strong bring-backs, giving this game stack multiple paths to hitting. I’m shocked that a dome game with the Dolphins is not getting much love from the field.

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