NFL FanDuel: Week 1 top plays (Early only!) Start with CMC

FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 22: Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) prays before a preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers on August 22, 2019, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 22: Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) prays before a preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers on August 22, 2019, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 4: Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) scores a touchdown during the second quarter in a game against the Washington Redskins and Atlanta Falcons at FedEx Field on November 4, 2018 in Landover, Md. (Photo by Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 4: Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) scores a touchdown during the second quarter in a game against the Washington Redskins and Atlanta Falcons at FedEx Field on November 4, 2018 in Landover, Md. (Photo by Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

NFL FanDuel: Week 1 WR Targets – (Early Only)

Calvin Ridley – $6,500 – (Cash/GPP)

Another one for last year’s readers, as we are back to #NeverJulio season! In all honesty, I recognize that Julio Jones is one of the best receivers in the game, but he has had his share of DFS disappointments over the last couple of seasons. Jones will be locked up with Xavier Rhodes for most of this game, and that should open things up for second-year wide receiver Calvin Ridley who will see mostly Trae Waynes and Mackenzie Alexander in coverage.

Ridley burst onto the scene in his rookie campaign last season with a monster 7-146-3 game against the Saints in week three and was able to find the end zone six times in his first four career starts. Things slowed down a bit over the course of the season as can be expected from a rookie, but he still was able to finish the season with 10 TD’s. With the Vikings expected to make life tough on Julio Jones, I think things open up for Matt Ryan‘s other options. Ridley is the best of the bunch, and he is another borderline cash safe play this week.

Dede Westbrook – $5,900 – (Cash)

My boys in the FanSided Fantasy chat have also been all over this one since prices first dropped, but surprisingly the love is not as widespread around the industry as we thought it would be. Dede Westbrook is an extremely gifted wide receiver and he will finally have a quarterback other than Bortles throwing him the ball. Foles was brought in to be the guy this season, and being a proven winner, this could be a match made in DFS heaven in week one against one of the worst defenses on the slate.

I briefly touched on it with Foles but lets elaborate on that connection a bit. Obviously not much can be taken out of the preseason, but when you have a veteran QB switching teams you might want to focus on where he was comfortable in his new situation. Both Westbrook and Foles were held out of the preseason until week three, and when they finally hit the field together against the Dolphins for four drives on offense it was like they were the only two on the field just playing a short game of catch.

Westbrook was targeted seven times and caught four passes for 29 yards. I think we found where Foles is comfortable, and this combo against the defense feels like a winner.

***Also Consider or FLEX: Odell Beckham Jr. $8,200 – Alshon Jeffery $6,700 – Rashard Higgins $4,500***