DraftKings NFL: Week 1 lineup

By Joe Romano | Sep 10, 2017

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 19: Michael Crabtree #15 of the Oakland Raiders catches a pass and scores on a thirteen yard play against the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter of their preseason NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 20: Robert Quinn

Defense/Special Team

Best Value: Los Angeles Rams $3200

The Rams get the Indianapolis Colts for their first game of the season. The Colts do not have their best player and starting quarterback Andrew Luck. The Rams may also be missing their best player, Aaron Donald. The quarterback is much more significant.

Los Angeles’ defense is still a great unit as a whole, with or without Donald. They have strong players at every level that can give the Colts fits.

The Colts without Andrew Luck will rank as one of the worst offenses in the NFL. T.Y. Hilton will be getting passes from Scott Tolzien while Frank Gore fights for any running room possible. Indianapolis gave up almost three sacks per game last year and have also lost starting center Ryan Kelly.

Michael Brockers and Robert Quinn will have favorable match-ups. Alec Ogletree will continue to be the ballhawk he’s been since entering the league. The team has a strong secondary to shut down the Colts mediocre weapons outside of Hilton.

The Rams should get out to a lead and let their talented pass rushers attack Tolzien and force some turnovers. Not only will the Rams be a good value play, they would rank as the number one defense of the week.

Runner-up: Atlanta Falcons

This comes down to the offense they face, more than the defensive unit itself. The Falcons kick off the season against the NFC’s bottom-feeder, the Chicago Bears.

The Falcons added more talent to their defense through free agency and the draft. Dontari Poe and Takkarist McKinley will pair with sack leader Vic Beasley to form a powerful front four.

Chicago will start Mike Glennon and the wide receiver duo or Kendall Wright and Kevin White. Running back Jordan Howard will be the Bears best offensive option. He may be negated by the Falcons getting out to an early lead and forcing Glennon to beat them.

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They are one of the highest priced defenses on DraftKings. The unit should get off to a fast start and show why their blown Super Bowl lead won’t haunt them all season.