QUARTERBACKS
Andrew Luck $9,200 - Everything is shaping up for Andrew Luck to break out this year and get into that Manning, Brees and Rodgers tier. Week one is a perfect coming out party as he will go head to head against Peyton Manning. Luck has a nice collection of receiving targets and in a game with such a high point spread it is quite possible that the Colts could be playing catchup near the end of the game and Luck could see 350+ type of passing yards numbers and 2 or 3 touchdowns. The nice thing about Luck also is his ability to run the ball in for touchdowns near the goal line. The Colts have little in the run game right now and Trent Richardson has struggled last year when given chances at the goal line, so it is not out of the question that Luck could find his way into the endzone on the ground as well.
Nick Foles $8,500 - The Eagles offense plays fast and pile up a bunch of yards really quick. Foles is almost a lite Drew Brees as he can spread the ball to 5 or 6 receivers and although none of them have huge numbers games, he in turn gets himself on the score sheet. LeSean McCoy is obviously a threat to steal some of Foles value in the running game, but he can also add value for Foles with his explosiveness when it comes to catching the ball out of the backfield. Foles price of $8,500 is great value against a Jaguars defense that is still in transition.
Matt Ryan $8,100 - Ryan is a bit more risky then both Luck and Foles as he plays against a Saints defense that is underrated and one that is stocked with talent now in the secondary. The thing about Ryan is he has a great duo at the WR position in Julio Jones and Roddy White and in a game that might be a back and forth one, his price of $8,100 is more then moderate.
Value Plays: Geno Smith $7,000, Shaun Hill $5,000
RUNNING BACKS
Jamaal Charles $9,800 - Charles is pretty much the whole entire Chiefs offense and if you want to play him on FanDuel this week you are going to have to pay up. Although the steep price tag, Charles still has the potential to out perform his value and what ever damage he can do on the ground he can also do in the air. It is important to grab RB's with catching ability on FanDuel and utilize the 0.5 points per reception. I can envision a scenario where Alex Smith dumps the ball off to Charles at least 6 times and pairing that with what ever yards he gets from those receptions you are getting a nice bonus out of your RB.
LeSean McCoy $9,400 - Much like Charles, McCoy is a stud RB in everyway and has the same big play ability every time he touches the ball. He can catch and run with the best of them and is money on the goal line. McCoy should have plenty of opportunities early against the Jaguars and his floor is pretty well set at 100 rushing yards and at least 1 touchdown. Add in what he does through the air and your $9,400 investment is well worth it and just like Charles is probably the safest at the position.
Montee Ball $8,000 - Ball is priced nicely and is playing in the highest over/under game this weekend. It is no secret that the Broncos have one of the most deadly passing offenses in the NFL and with Peyton Manning at QB they are bound to score plenty of points through the air. With that being said they also have plenty of opportunities near the goal line after big plays and Ball can snipe a touchdown or two that way. Also if the Broncos build a lead they are going to be looking at Ball to help secure the game and run out the clock. Ball is actually a nice contrarian play from the Broncos passing game and some of the other RB's on the board.
Frank Gore $7,200 - Easy one here as the Cowboys defense is just plain awful. While up there in age, Gore continues to grind it out and run hard everytime he gets his hands on the ball. He should be able to double his value in this matchup and now that Michael Crabtree is questionable for Sunday's game he may see a handfull of more touches.
Andre Ellington $6,800 - When I think about the word "upside", Ellington is the first player that comes to mind. The Cardinals offense looks to have made huge strides entering the 2014 season and Ellington can be the center of all their success this year. When he gets the ball in his hands he makes plays as he rushed for 5.5 yards per carry as a rookie and added 39 receptions in a limited role. All the early rumblings out of Cardinals camp were that Ellington can be an every down back and in year two we are about to find out if that is true. The fact that he has very little competition behind him and the fact that he plays the Chargers weak rushing defense this week makes his $6,800 price look very tempting. The other nice thing about picking Ellington is that Monday night matchup, it is always nice to have a player or two in the Monday night game while playing in any DFS league or any fantasy league in general.
Value Plays: Chris Johnson $6,500, Toby Gerhart $6,100, Fred Jackson $5,800
WIDE RECEIVERS
Dez Bryant $8,500 - Dez Bryant is looking like a player that is setting up to have a special season. Although the Cowboys may not be the best team currently and their defense might actually be the worst in the NFL, they still are one of the top teams to target fantasy players from their offense. This Cowboys and 49ers games should be a high scoring affair and right now the 49ers secondary is not looking like it has in years past. Bryant should see plenty of targets throughout the game if the Cowboys want to keep this game close.
A.J. Green $8,300 - The Bengals have loved to throw the ball over the past couple of seasons and haven't been shy about doing so. Green is one of the best WR's in the league and no matter the matchup he always seems to find ways to get open and to make big plays. In a division rival game against the Ravens, Dalton is going to be looking for Green often and 10 or so targets is not out of the question. The Bengals also lost Marvin Jones for the start of the season so maybe even more redzone looks will go in Green's direction.
Victor Cruz $6,900 - Cruz was very inconsistant last season and paired with Eli Manning's performance they were both headaches to the daily fantasy player. It is a new season and week one's matchup on Monday night against the Lions secondary looks almost too good to be true not to mention Cruz' modest $6,900 price tag. He is an excellent option to roll out as a WR2 type as he can return WR1 type value. There is not much for Eli Manning to throw to currently in this offense and Cruz has always been targeted heavily by Manning.
Larry Fitzgerald $6,900 - Michael Floyd has become the fancy new WR in Arizona and is actually overshadowing the great Larry Fitzgerald. Much like Cruz, for $6,900 it is hard to ignore Fitzgerald with a juicy matchup against the Chargers on Monday night. There is a good chance that Fitzgerald is less then 10% owned as well which makes him a great option in GPP games. There could be very little defense played in this game and could have a back and forth feel to it so grabbing a piece of the pie is not a bad idea and if that piece happens to be Larry Fitzgerald on Monday Night Football it is an even better idea.
Jeremy Maclin $5,000 - I would say if you are going with Foles that you have to consider stacking him with Maclin at $5,000. The price is just too cheap for you not to take a piece of the Chip Kelly offense. With Maclin missing all of last season we are not sure exactly how he will fit into the offense but from preseason it looks like he could have a similar role to what DeSean Jackson had, and if nothing else he only needs 10 points to double his value.
Value Plays: Emmanuel Sanders $6,400, Julian Edelman $6,300, Golden Tate $5,000, Kelvin Benjamin $4,900
TIGHT ENDS
Jimmy Graham $8,100 - Simple put, Jimmy Graham is on another level from all other TE's in the league. He is expensive but he is also almost gaurenteed production with Drew Brees throwing him the ball. Graham is one of Brees favorite targets in the redzone and against the Falcons defense he should have plenty of opportunities there.
Julius Thomas $7,400 - No more Eric Decker this year and Wes Welker is out this week, to me that equals more opportunities for Thomas to get a touchdown or two. He is priced just under Graham and has just about the same opportunity to put up similar fantasy production.
Jordan Cameron $6,500 - Cameron would be in the next tier down from Graham and Thomas but mostly because it is hard to trust the Browns offense before we actually get to see them perform at least once this season. On paper it looks as if Cameron will be force fed the ball and post massive game after massive game. I consider him a GPP play this week as I feel there are safer options on the board for your Cash games.
Value Plays: Dwayne Allen $4,800, Zach Ertz $4,500, Travis Kelce $4,500
KICKERS
Stephen Gostkowski $5,400 - Gostkowski is the best kicker in the game and he also happens to play on a team with Tom Brady who can move the ball up and down the field with ease. There should be plenty of FG opportunities for Gostkowski in this game against the Dolphins and although he is the most expensive kicker on the board, he almost feels like a lock for double digit fantasy points.
Cody Parkey $4,900 - This one could be the most obvious play at the kicker position and Parkey could be the most highly owned kicker based on price and opportunity. If the Eagles build a good lead early, it could be Parkey taking over in the second half and icing the game with a few FG's.
Value Play: Greg Zuerlein $4,500,
DEFENSE
St Louis Rams $5,400 - The Rams defensive line is built to get to the quarterback, and playing against the Vikings and Matt Cassel is the perfect way to start the 2014 season. It is hard to envision the Rams not recording at least 4 sacks, and with QB sacks and pressure also comes plenty of turnover opportunities. Another thing the Rams have going for their defense/ST is Tavon Austin returning kicks and punts and is always a threat to take one for a touchdown.
New York Jets $5,000 - The Raiders offense is a mess right now and the Jets defensive line is deadly right now. I like that combination and feel the Jets are one of the best values at the defense position and just like the Rams should be able to rack up 4 or so sacks with some turnovers mixed in.
Value Plays: Detroit Lions $4,600
SUGGESTED ROSTER ($60,000)
- QB Nick Foles PHI (vs JAC) $8,500
- RB Montee Ball DEN (vs IND) $8,000
- RB Frank Gore SF (at DAL) $7,200
- WR Victor Cruz NYG (at DET) $6,900
- WR Larry Fitzgerald ARI (vs SD) $6,900
- WR Dez Bryant DAL (vs SF) $8,500
- TE Zach Ertz PHI (vs JAC) $4,500
- K Greg Zuerlein STL (vs MIN) $4,500
- D New York Jets (vs OAK) $5,000
