FanDuel fantasy football picks: Week 1, 2015
High Value Wide Receivers
Jeremy Maclin-Kansas City Chiefs (7,600): The Chiefs signed Maclin this offseason and are ready to incorporate him heavily into their offense. The Texans were torched by opposing WR last season, so starting the season in Houston is a good way for Maclin to make a splash in his KC debut. He average more fantasy points per game last season than T.Y. Hilton, Mike Evans, Alshon Jeffery, and A.J. Green who are all more expensive than him, so I think Maclin makes a solid value option at 7,600.
Golden Tate-Detroit Lions (7,100): Tate had one of the most impressive preseasons in the NFL and is a nice value at 7,100 coming into his week one matchup against the Chargers. It does need to be stated that most of his success came without Megatron on the other side soaking up targets, but Tate still looks lined up for a nice season in a high-scoring Detroit passing attack.
Jarvis Landry-Miami Dolphins (6,900): Landry is one of my top breakout picks to start the season, and he’s a great value at just 6,900 on DraftKings for week one as the Dolphins visit Washington. Landry caught five of his six targets for 84 yards in the Dolphins preseason week 3 dress rehearsal and looks to be lined up for tons of targets from Ryan Tannehill. In a nice matchup against an iffy Washington secondary, I expect Landry to get off to a strong start to what I think will be a breakout season.
Jordan Matthews-Philadelphia Eagles (6,800): It’s pretty obvious from their FanDuel salaries that the FanDuel PTB’s don’t love the Eagles offense. Matthews is way down the WR list despite looking like the clear #1 WR in the Eagles high octane attack. He’s clearly Sam Bradford’s top target and in a nice matchup against the Falcons who were beaten up by opposing WR last season. I think they’ll be a ton of Monday Night Football fantasy points, and I expect Matthews to lead the way agains the Falcons suspect secondary.
Allen Robinson-Jacksonville Jaguars (6,100): Robinson is the #1 receiver for Blake Bortles as he gets started in his second NFL season. Robinson should get even more work than normal with Julius Thomas sidelined early in the season, and he’s a nice matchup against Carolina to start the season. Robinson is another breakout candidate who can be had at a very nice price in week 1.
Davante Adams-Green Bay Packers (5,500): Adams is sure to be a popular value pick at 5,500 since his pricing doesn’t indicate his promotion to the Packers 2nd WR role after the injury to Jordy Nelson. While Adams is still unproven, he will have a huge opportunity to seize a big par of the Aaron Rodgers-led attack against Chicago in week 1.
Steve Johnson-San Diego Chargers (4,700): I’ve been high on Stevie Johnson all preseason, and he was one of my top waiver wire pickups and late round fliers leading up to week 1. His stock took another jump with the possibility that Ladarius Green will miss week 1’s game against the Lions. Johnson would see extended time on the field if Green joins Antonio Gates as tight ends not playing Sunday. He’s had a great preseason with his new team, and I expect him to emerge as a solid option for Philip Rivers and to revive his fantasy value after a down year after leaving Buffalo for a year in run-heavy San Francisco.
Next: Tight Ends