Week 1 of the NFL season was rough for offenses. Only six of 24 teams (25%) scored more than 20 points. For some, it was their starters’ first real snaps. For others, it was simply poor play or tough matchups. Here’s a look back at my Week 1 performance and a preview of Week 2.

Week 1 Results

QB: Baker Mayfield – 22.58, Brock Purdy – 18.78
RB: Chuba Hubbard – 17.9, Travis Etienne – 21.6, James Conner – 14.4, Josh Jacobs – 14
WR: Michael Pittman Jr. – 20, Ricky Pearsall – 17.8, Marvin Harrison Jr. – 18.1, Courtland Sutton – 18.1, Jakobi Meyers – 17.7
TE: Zach Ertz – 11.6, Brock Bowers – 18.3
D/ST: Broncos – 14, Commanders – 9, Texans – 6

My best DraftKings lineup (free-entry contests only):

• QB: Jayden Daniels – 20.12
• RB: Chuba Hubbard – 17.9
• RB: Jaylen Warren – 13.9
• WR: Malik Nabers – 12.1
• WR: Mike Evans – 10.1
• WR: Ricky Pearsall – 17.8
• TE: Zach Ertz – 11.6
• FLEX: Josh Jacobs – 14
• D/ST: Packers – 10

The Jaylen Warren play (3.18% rostered) was excellent, along with Ertz (3.79%), Daniels (8.27%), Nabers (8.68%), Pearsall (10.64%), Jacobs (6.26%), and the Packers D/ST (1.48%). Even though the lineup didn’t cash, I was happy with the stack construction and roster percentages.

Misses: I avoided Emeka Egbuka against Tampa Bay due to concerns with a first-time play caller. I also faded Christian McCaffrey over calf injury worries—he ended up being a sharp leverage play.

Week 2 DraftKings Slate

Games to Target:

• NYG @ DAL – 44.5 O/U (NYG 19.5; DAL 25)
• JAX @ CIN – 45.5 O/U (JAX 22.5; CIN 26)
• CAR @ ARI – 44.5 O/U (CAR 19; ARI 25.5)
• BUF @ NYJ – 46.5 O/U (BUF 26.75; NYJ 19.75)

Top Cash Plays

Quarterbacks

• Justin Fields ($5,700) – The Bills blitzed at the 3rd-highest rate in Week 1. That plays into Fields’ strengths as a reactive QB. Plus, RB Breece Hall and WR Garrett Wilson looked in sync.
• Josh Allen ($7,100) – The Bills offense runs through him. With the Jets' defense regressing since Robert Saleh’s departure, Allen is an elite play if you can fit the salary.
• Kyler Murray ($6,400) – Shaky Week 1, but he still ran 7 times for 38 yards with 2 TD passes. Strong bounce-back spot against the Panthers.
• Other option: Jalen Hurts ($6,800)

Running Backs

• Chuba Hubbard ($6,000) – 16 rushes, 5 targets, 67% snap share. Still mispriced for the role.
• Javonte Williams ($5,800) – Controlled 80% of Dallas’ RB workload. Cheap RB + strong role = DFS value.

Wide Receivers

• Courtland Sutton ($6,300) – At least 6 targets in 6 of his last 7 games with 4 TDs in that span. Reliable volume.
• Garrett Wilson ($6,500) – Massive 44% target share and 52% air yards share in Week 1.
• Kayshon Boutte ($4,500) – A surprising 40% target share in Week 1. Budget-friendly salary saver.
• Other options: Ricky Pearsall ($5,300), Marvin Harrison Jr. ($5,800), Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($6,000), Zay Flowers ($6,200), Malik Nabers ($7,100), Puka Nacua ($7,600).

Tight Ends

• Hunter Henry ($4,000) – Out-targeted Austin Hooper 8 to 1. Clear TE1.
• Sam LaPorta ($4,800) – 9 targets in Week 1, no other Lions TE earned a look.
• Other option: Jake Tonges ($3,200) – Could benefit from George Kittle’s absence.

Defenses

• Seahawks ($2,700) – 3rd-highest pressure rate in Week 1. Rodgers looked strong in Week 1, but regression looms.
• Steelers ($3,100) – Top-12 pressure rate. Bad matchup for Sam Darnold with limited weapons.

Favorite Stacks

1. Kyler Murray + Marvin Harrison Jr. + Chuba Hubbard (bring back).
2. Justin Fields + Garrett Wilson/Breece Hall + Keon Coleman/James Cook (bring back).
3. Kayshon Boutte + Hunter Henry + Jaylen Waddle/De’Von Achane (bring back).
4. Mac Jones + CMC + Ricky Pearsall for large-field GPPs.

GPP Plays

Quarterbacks

• Lamar Jackson ($7,000) – Strong leverage off Derrick Henry chalk. Torched Cleveland in 2023.

Running Backs

• Saquon Barkley ($8,000) – Leverage off Jalen Hurts stacks.
• Travis Etienne ($5,700) – Explosive Week 1 with 143 rushing yards. Not safe, but high upside.

Wide Receivers

• A.J. Brown ($6,600) – Elite usage metrics in 2023. Low Week 1 output makes him an ownership discount.
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($6,000) – Absorbed 91% of Seattle’s air yards in Week 1.

Tight Ends

• Stick with cash plays: Henry, LaPorta, Tonges.

Defenses

• Dolphins ($2,900) – Sneaky low-owned play vs. rookie Drake Maye.

Bargain Bin (≤ $5,000)

• QB: Mac Jones ($4,000)
• WR: Cedric Tillman ($4,300), Joshua Palmer ($4,400)
• TE: Sam LaPorta ($4,800), Hunter Henry ($4,000), Jake Tonges ($3,200), Harold Fannin Jr. ($3,100)

Let’s hope Week 2 brings more scoring! Best of luck, and go win big!

By Clayton Jones (aka FFPulse88.bsky.social on BlueSky). On Underdog — use code FFPULSE88 for a one-time, 100% match up to $1000 on your first deposit!

Have a great Week 2 of NFL DFS! Make sure to go to advancedsportslogic.com and check out The Machine – DFS Lineup Optimizer

By Clayton Jones aka FFPulse88.bsky.social on BlueSky. On Underdog- use code FFPULSE88 for a one-time, 100% match up to $1000 on your 1st deposit!!