Classic Slate – DraftKings Strategy Survey

Every Saturday we’ll break down the DraftKings Class slate in this survey format between Steve and myself. Check out our favorite QB stacks, values, contrarian plays, fades, and more!

Good luck and Happy NFL Kickoff Sunday!

 

TOP 3 QB STACKS YOU’RE PLAYING? 

STEVE:

 

 

FAVORITE GAME STACK OUTSIDE OF CHARGERS/DOLPHINS?

STEVE:

 

TOP 3 VALUE PLAYS (ANY POSITION)?

STEVE:

 

TOP 3 CONTRARIAN PLAYS (ANY POSITION)?

STEVE:

 

TOP 3 FADES (10% OWNERSHIP OR HIGHER)?

STEVE:

 

FAVORITE DEFENSE OUTSIDE OF WASHINGTON?

STEVE:

 

OVERALL LINEUP STRATEGY FOR WEEK 1 AND SUMMARY:

STEVE:

There is still a lot of injury news to parse out from this slate, but generally speaking, I don’t want to get too cute this week. For my stacks, my focus is on the Chargers, Jaguars, and Dolphins, with some interest in the Eagles, Ravens, and Vikings. The Ravens still carry a lot of scoring potential, but I do worry about that game getting out of hand and players reaching their ceiling. With Andrews being banged up, and some uncertainty about the Ravens WR and RB usage, I don’t want to take a lot of shots on guys who might play less than expected.

 

I think Kirk Cousins is a solid pivot play off the chalk, to pair with Justin Jefferson against this weak Buccaneers secondary. I generally don’t love playing QBs against the Patriots’ defense, but Hurts is an exception here. His upside is slate-breaking, and unlike the Ravens game, there could be a little pushback to keep him throwing later in the game.

 

Most of my ownership though will fall on Herbert, Lawrence, and Tagovailoa. The Chargers/Dolphins game has the chance to be a real shootout, even in week 1. There are explosive weapons on both sides, and some questions in the secondary. Tua’s ownership is projected lower than expected, which does make him a bit more intriguing. I do really like Lawrence in this game against the Colts’ extremely inexperienced secondary. Lawrence ended the year strong, and now he has a real alpha weapon in Calvin Ridley.

 

I’m generally going to save some money at running back given some of the value out there, but I do like both Nick Chubb and Bijan Robinson at the high-end, and Joe Mixon in the middle. All three can be real bell-cow backs and can have that 30-point upside. I’ll play some of the chalkier plays like Ekler and Mostert in stacks, but may be lower on them outside of those builds.

 

Kenneth Walker intrigues me as his injury status could actually see his ownership plummet, but the latest reports sound promising. In a game vs. a Rams defense that is devoid of talent, sign me up. Brian Robinson is my favorite value play as even in this split back-field he could see major work given the expected game script. I also like A.J. Dillon as a cheap, low-owned guy. The Packers will be without their top receiver and their number two is potentially limited as well. I’d look for them to rely on the run more, and Dillon could see an expanded role in this new offense. Most people will look at Aaron Jones, but he’s over $1,000 more and could see 10%+ ownership. Dillion on the other hand might be less than 1%.

 

For non-stacked receivers, I am going to look at some guys who I think will go under the radar a bit. I really like Van Jefferson in this match-up, which could see Matt Stafford forced to throw 40+ times. Mike Evans‘s expected ownership is well below Chris Godwin‘s, but Evans has an even bigger upside. No one really wants to play the Steelers in this match-up despite how good their offense looked in the preseason. I will take a few shots at both George Pickens and Diontae Johnson, as leverage plays.

 

I will take some shots on the cheap rookies, but I also want to pivot to some of the veterans on those teams that might be going overlooked. If Adam Thielen plays he is probably going to lead the Panthers in targets vs. Mingo. I understand Marvin Mims Jr. is $3K, but Courtland Sutton is reasonably priced and carrying considerably lower ownership. While I don’t love guessing on the Ravens receivers, I will take more shots on Bateman vs. Flowers.

 

At tight end, I will mainly be paying down targeting Gerald Evertt, Juwan Johnson, and Luke Musgrave. I’ll sprinkle in a little Dallas Goedert, Evan Engram, and Hunter Henry.

 

For Defense, I will eat the chalk a lot with the Commanders, but I love the Packers as a pivot. Similarly priced, with a lot of young talent, against the QB who had the highest sack rate a year ago, behind a bad OL. I also don’t mind some looks at all the defenses vs. the rookie QBs, Ravens, Jags, and Falcons.