Cracking DraftKings Week 1

A weekly overview of DraftKings cash and GPP contests.

Ben Cummins's Cracking DraftKings Week 1 Ben Cummins Published 09/05/2024

Favorite Fantasy Game Environments

Favorite Additional Fantasy Spots

  • Bengals at home vs. Patriots - Implied Team Total 24.8
  • Falcons at home vs. Steelers - Implied Team Total 22.5
  • Bears at home vs. Titans - Implied Team Total 25

CASH GAMES

Quarterbacks

RankPlayOpponentSalary
Kyler Murrayat Bills

$6,400

2

3

Caleb Williams

Jayden Daniels

 

vs Titans

at Buccaneers

 

$5,900

$5,700

 

Kyler Murray was rounding back into form upon returning from injury last season but ranked fifth in DraftKings points per game (22.8) at the quarterback position in 2021 and eighth (19.9) in 2022. Murray is fairly priced and plays in the game with the third-highest Over/Under (48.5) on that main slate.

The Chicago Bears Implied Team Total is 25 points. The Chicago Bears!? Caleb Williams injects life into an organization that has historically struggled on offense. Williams is at home in a favorable spot to begin his career against a Titans defense that only ranked 25th in Expected Points Added per Play (EPA/Play) Allowed and 26th in Dropback Expected Points Added Allowed last season.

Jayden Daniels ran for 3,307 yards and 34 touchdowns in his collegiate career. He also threw for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns last season at LSU. This talented dual-threat is priced at just $5,700 in a great spot against a Buccaneers defense that only ranked 23rd in EPA/Play Allowed and 30th in Dropback EPA Allowed last season.

Running Backs

RankPlayOpponentSalary
1Bijan Robinsonvs Steelers$7,700
2James Connerat Bills$6,200
3Devin Singletaryvs Vikings$5,700
4Jerome Fordvs Cowboys$5,500
5Chuba Hubbardat Saints$5,300

Bijan Robinson ranked just 15th in opportunities per game (17.6) last season under Arthur Smith. Expect that workload to increase under Raheem Morris. Robinson is one of the most talented dual-threat running backs in the NFL and plays at home as a three-point favorite.

James Conner is $1,500 cheaper than Bijan Robinson yet averaged just 0.1 opportunities per game less than him last season. Connor's $6,200 price is favorable in an exciting fantasy game. Plus the Bills are without starting middle linebacker Matt Milano due to injury.

Devin Singletary has a history with Giants head coach Brian Daboll and projects as the Giants' replacement for Saquon Barkley to begin the season. Singletary averaged 14.3 opportunities per game a year ago sharing some of the work with Dameon Pierce and he projects to see a higher workload than that to begin the 2024 season. Singletary is no slouch and offers a dual-threat floor in a decent matchup.

Jerome Ford will once again handle the majority of the work for the Browns while Nick Chubb continues to rehab. Ford averaged 16.3 opportunities per game last season and provides safe projectable volume at home against a Cowboys defense that ranked 21st in EPA/Play Allowed in 2023.

Chuba Hubbard averaged 16.1 opportunities per game last season and rookie Jonathan Brooks won't suit up until October. Hubbard provides safe projectable volume but is ranked behind Jerome Ford as Carolina's new coaching staff provides a bit more uncertainty.

 

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