Of the consensus top-salary DFS options, which are worth making a cornerstone element to lineups? Is this more for cash games or tournaments?
Patrick Mahomes II: Electric in Week 1, loses Tyreek Hill, heading to Oakland
Saquon Barkley: Game script crushed his high-efficiency Week 1 performance, now against stingy Buffalo defense
Ezekiel Elliott: Is Elliott back to full usage in Week 2? Dallas with high-flying passing game and at Washington this week.
DeAndre Hopkins, Michael Thomas: Both strong performers in Week 1
Travis Kelce: In his own tier of tight end salaries, but even higher floor and ceiling with no Tyreek HIll? Is he that much better than George Kittle and Evan Engram on main slates to warrant the cost?
PHIL ALEXANDER
- Patrick Mahomes II - It's 2018 all over again. If you're multi-entering tournaments, don't come up empty regardless of the opponent and consider him in cash games every single week.
- Saquon Barkley - Buffalo's defense might be stingy but they couldn't stop another do-it-all back, LeVeon Bell, from exceeding 20 fantasy points in Week 1. The Bills are far less of a threat to blow the Giants out of the water than the Cowboys, especially with the game being played in New Jersey. Barkley remains an elite play in all formats.
- Ezekiel Elliott - When Elliott gets back to his normal usage, you'll want to be ahead of the curve. Keep an eye on the news cycle, but unless we're told he'll be limited again, don't rule him out of cash game consideration in a game the Cowboys should win handily. There's probably no need to go there in cash this week, though.
- DeAndre Hopkins - Houston's passing game may not be needed much if the Texans defense can dominate rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew at home. Michael Thomas is the better top-tier option this week.
- Travis Kelce - Kelce absolutely deserves to be in his own salary tier. But with Sterling Shepard in the concussion protocol, it wouldn't be shocking to see Evan Engram command even more than last week's 14 targets. In cash games, you have to pocket that $2,100 savings (DraftKings).
JAMES BRIMACOMBE
Patrick Mahomes II: You can safely play him in any format regardless of format but you will have to pay up. With the quarterback position one that rarely has a high single-player ownership you could give yourself some leverage with going over the field on Mahomes and getting the safety and a high ceiling at the same time.
Saquon Barkley: Even in a tough matchup you have to consider Barkley in tournaments as he can produce no matter the game script and can beat you in both the run and pass game on any given week.
Ezekiel Elliott: He is a wait and see right now for cash games but if you are fading the Cowboys passing offense right now you would want to get him in your lineup this week in tournaments.
Travis Kelce: In the early weeks it might be smart to just insert Kelce into your lineups and now with Tyreek Hill sidelined it makes even more sense. With the onesie positions stacking Mahomes and Kelce could set up the rest of your roster for a huge score.
JASON WOOD
Patrick Mahomes II has the highest salary, but it's deserved. Until proven otherwise, he's in a tier of his own. The matchup is juicy particularly for someone who's proven matchup-proof. The only fly in the ointment is his ankle, which the Chiefs aren't making a big deal about but I'd still want to make sure he practices this week before committing. Mahomes certainly needs to be a part of your GPP builds, and I would at least match the projected ownership, if not tilt slightly higher.
Saquon Barkley is playable, but he's not a priority as the highest-priced running back. I much prefer Dalvin Cook, Alvin Kamara, and Ezekiel Elliott at their respective prices.
DeAndre Hopkins proved on Monday Night he's still at or near the top of the receiving heap. His price is justifiable, but the Jaguars defense is better than it showed against Kansas City, and will be playing with a sense of pride and anxiousness -- not wanting to start the season 0-2. I'll be underweight Hopkins this week particularly with values like Sammy Watkins on the board.
Travis Kelce is always a smart play, and with Tyreek Hill out for a few weeks, Kelce has the highest floor at the position. He also has the highest ceiling. It's a compelling combination and the matchup cements Kelce as a key part of multi-lineup builds. Assuming, of course, Mahomes is healthy.
WILL GRANT
Patrick Mahomes II: - Agree with the others that Mahomes is a safe cash or GPP play for the foreseeable future. Don't be scared off by the loss of Hill - clearly, it didn't seem to bother the offense last week and it won't again this week against Oakland. The Raiders are on a short practice week and despite being at home, KC would love to start 2-0 in the division. No one will be surprised if they put another 40 on the board and Mahomes will be a ton of that production.
Saquon Barkley: I don't see anyone stopping Barkley this season. The Cowboys 'held him in check' and he still had almost 140 yards from scrimmage. This week Buffalo will be just as tough against the run, but playing in front of the home crowd should give Barkley an opportunity to shine. I don't know if he's GPP ready just yet - but he's worth a couple of shares just in case. His opportunities will definitely be plentiful.
Ezekiel Elliott: As I mentioned above - Washington and Dallas are going to be in a knock-down-drag-out-brawl this weekend. Elliott may get more opportunities, but I don't expect big numbers from him.
Travis Kelce: I like Kelce's opportunities but think that his salary is topped out. While Mahomes will be involved in every touchdown pass, Kelce will most likely not. I think he's a good cash-game play, but if you're looking for that explosive EV that makes him a great GPP option, he'll need to catch a couple of touchdowns. Is he more likely to do that than Zach Ertz or George Kittle? Yes. Enough to justify the big salary jump? In very limited quantities.
CHAD PARSONS
My biggest take among the high-salary players is fading Travis Kelce. Evan Engram is significantly cheaper and a similar fixture of his offense. Also, Zach Ertz is coming off a ho-hum Week 1, also at a cheaper salary. Saquon Barkley did not find the end zone despite sky-high efficiency and looking fantastic in Week 1. With questions on the outside, this offense will run through Barkley and Engram, two blue-chip talents, this season.
