Week 1 DFS Core Plays: Building a Winning Lineup
Core players to build your winning lineups around.
🏈 Quarterbacks
Veteran value with a steady floor. Expect high-percentage throws to David Njoku/Cedric Tillman in a divisional grind.
- Projection: ~210–240 yards, 1–2 TD
- DFS Fit: Cash viable salary saver; mini-stack with Njoku
Soft secondary + Tyreek/Waddle = ceiling. Miami’s pace and explosives create multi-TD upside.
- Projection: ~270–320 yards, 2 TD (300-yard bonus in play)
- DFS Fit: GPP stacks with Tyreek or Waddle; bring-back optional
🏃 Running Backs
Offensive centerpiece with dual-threat usage. Even vs a sturdy front, volume + targets stabilize the floor.
- Projection: ~20–24 touches, 105–125 total yards, TD upside
- DFS Fit: Core in cash; correlate with Drake London for GPP leverage
Space back with elite receiving role. Game scripts don’t hurt him—targets keep the floor intact, speed adds slate-break.
- Projection: ~16–20 touches, 95–115 total yards, TD upside
- DFS Fit: Cash/GPP core; pair with Lions DST fade (anti-correlate) for ceiling builds
Mid-tier salary saver with early-down + goal-line path. If CIN controls tempo, Brown can smash value.
- Projection: ~15–18 touches, 70–90 total yards, TD chance
- DFS Fit: GPP leverage off Bengals passing chalk
🎯 Wide Receivers
Single-coverage beneficiary with red-zone chops. Premium pivot off Ja’Marr chalk in tournaments.
- Projection: 6–9 targets, 70–95 yards, TD upside
- DFS Fit: One-off in GPPs or mini-stack with CIN QB if you go that route
Year 2 WR1 with alpha volume. Tough secondary, but 8–10 targets keep the path to value clear.
- Projection: 8–10 targets, 65–90 yards; long TD in range
- DFS Fit: GPP ceiling play; correlate with opposing bring-back if stacking ARI
Year 3 breakout traits + Bijan gravity = advantageous looks. TB pass D a target for volume WRs.
- Projection: 7–10 targets, 75–100 yards, TD chance
- DFS Fit: Pair with Bijan for ATL correlation; run-back not required
🧩 Tight Ends
Primary chain-mover + red-zone read for Flacco. Mid-tier TE with bankable usage.
- Projection: 6–8 targets, 50–65 yards; TD path via RZ looks
- DFS Fit: Cash stable; QB-TE mini-stack friendly
Second-year punt TE. Salary relief with spike-week potential if schemed in the red zone.
- Projection: 4–6 targets, ~35–50 yards; TD-dependent value
- DFS Fit: GPP salary unlock to fit studs elsewhere
🛡️ Defenses
Elite pass rush vs shaky OL. Sacks/turnovers fuel DST scoring—ideal value D/ST.
- Projection: 6–9 pts via sacks + takeaways
- DFS Fit: Cash-friendly; pairs well with non-Jets stacks
Premium spend-up with pressure floor. Strong shot at sacks, short fields, and a DST spike.
- Projection: 7–10 pts; defensive TD always live with this front
- DFS Fit: Cash/GPP anchor D/ST
✅ Final Thoughts
- Primary stacks: Tua + Tyreek/Waddle (add bring-back Michael Pittman Jr. or Josh Downs), Flacco + Njoku (skinny stack; bring-back Tee Higgins if you fade Ja’Marr).
- Team correlations: Bijan + Drake London (positive correlation on TD drives). If you play that duo, a TB bring-back like Mike Evans keeps the game script competitive.
- RB portfolio: Anchor with Bijan and Gibbs (volume + receiving). Use Chase Brown to unlock premium WRs/DEF in GPPs.
- Cash vs GPP: In cash, prefer Tua, Bijan, Gibbs, Njoku, 49ers D for floor. In GPPs, rotate Harrison Jr. and Higgins as leverage off chalkier studs; mix Jets D to save salary.
- Leverage ideas: If Tua stacks are popular, pivot to Flacco + Njoku and spend up at WR (Higgins/London) or 49ers D for uniqueness without punting floor.
- Late-swap edge: You have two late games: 49ers D @ SEA (4:05) and Gibbs @ GB (4:25). If your early plays underperform, pivot to lower-owned late WR one-offs or swap 49ers D → mid-price D to open salary for a contrarian late WR.
- Ownership & duplication: Avoid “QB + RB + DST from same team” in GPPs (negative correlation). Use QB + WR/TE + bring-back or RB + WR teammate correlations instead.
- Salary structure tips: One premium RB (Bijan or Gibbs) + one mid (Brown) balances stacks. Paying up at D/ST (49ers) is viable on small slates; if you need cap, drop to Jets and upgrade a WR ceiling.
- Game environments to prioritize: MIA–IND for explosive pass plays; T.B.–ATL for condensed usage (Bijan/London, Evans as bring-back); CIN–CLE for skinny stacks and RB leverage (Brown).
- Contest selection: In small-field single entries, play the best median lineup (Tua/ Bijan/ Gibbs/ Njoku/ 49ers D). In large-field GPPs, add one contrarian swap (e.g., Harrison Jr. over a chalky WR) and consider Jets D for differentiation.
TL;DR — Build around Tua stacks and Bijan/Gibbs volume, use Brown for salary relief, and keep a late-swap plan with Gibbs/49ers D to chase ceiling if early pieces miss.