It’s finally here- Week 1 of the 2024 season, and another DraftKings main slate. We are back offering you DFS advice to try and help you navigate your way to victories throughout the season. The players selected here are based on their price, their ability to hit value and likely ownership. The selections are leaning more towards GPP slates, rather than cash (50/50) slates. But let’s get into it
Tua Tagovailoa v JAX ($7,000)
Through the first eight weeks of the 2023 season Tua Tagovailoa led the league in passing yards and passing touchdowns. Sure, the latter half of the season didn’t go quite as well for Miami’s franchise quarterback (He was the overall QB20 in weeks 9-18) but nevertheless, Tua got PAID this off-season to the tune of $212 million over a four-year period…he definitely owes Tyreek Hill a steak dinner or two. Forget how it ended last time out for Tagovailoa, the Dolphins started en fuego in 2023, and with their full complement of explosive weapons fit and ready to go, there’s no reason to think they can’t kick off 2024 in the same fashion. Tyreek Hill posted a line of 11/215/2 in week 1 last season, and against a Jacksonville DST that ranked 29th against the pass, there’s little to suggest Tua and Tyreek couldn’t combine for a similar result at Hard Rock Stadium this Sunday. He’s a full $1,000 cheaper than Josh Allen and arguably has one of the highest ceilings on the slate – plug him in your roster and enjoy watching the Fins hit at least 300 passing yards in this Florida derby.
Jayden Daniels @ TB ($5,700)
Roster him now at this price while you can…it’s only going up from here. This will be the one and only time the Washington Commanders rookie quarterback will be available to roster for under $6,000…bookmark that. I wrote in my draft preview article that Daniels is the only quarterback in college football history to throw for over 12,000 yards, as well as going for over 3,000 yards on the ground – this kid can do it all. Washington selected him at the no.2 spot in April for a reason, and on Sunday in Tampa, we’re all going to see why. Daniels’ 40 passing touchdowns in his final year at LSU was a huge part of why he won the Heisman, but don’t let those monster numbers overshadow his rushing talent. All eyes will be on Caleb Williams this weekend, but don’t be surprised if Jayden Daniels is the rookie QB we’re all gushing over as we enter week 2. There’s an element of risk as we’re yet to see him on an NFL field, but against a Bucs DST who ranked in the bottom eight against QBs in 2023, the potential reward is worth the minimal investment. Sit back and enjoy.
Also consider Anthony Richardson v HOU ($6,300) & Kirk Cousins v PIT ($6,100)
James Cook v AZ ($6,900)
Prior to the firing of OC Ken Dorsey after a 24-22 home loss to Denver in week 10, James Cook was averaging 12 rushing opportunities and 61.5 yards per game on the ground. From week 11 through to the end of the season, under the tutelage of new Offensive Coordinator Joe Brady, Cook saw almost 17 attempts per game for nearly 75 yards. Buffalo are now a rushing team, and James Cook will be at the heart of their attack. Yes, Josh Allen is arguably one of, if not the best rushing quarterback in the league, and will undoubtedly vulture touchdowns from Cook as the Bills get near the goal-line – but I would be willing to wager a large sum of moolah that Allen won’t be accounting for 88% of this pair’s combined scores on the ground in 2024 as he did last year. Arizona were the worst team in the league against the run in 2023 – start Cook with confidence.
Rachaad White v WAS ($6,300)
We all saw what Rachaad White did last season, and although it wasn’t pretty at times – it sure as hell was effective. White’s 3.6 yards per attempt on the ground was…what’s the opposite of good…oh yeh, bad! Tampa Bay’s main man finished as the overall RB4 in PPR formats, but ended the year at RB86 in rushing efficiency, woof. The Bucs drafted “pass catching specialist” Bucky Irving in the fourth-round of this year’s draft, but don’t be fooled – after all, we are only one year removed from the narrative that Sean Tucker would be the 3rd down guy and syphon work from White…and look how that turned out. White may not be the best runner in the league, but he’s one of the few workhorse backs left in the NFL and catches everything that Baker fires his way (91% catch rate on 70 targets in 2023). White and the Bucs are 3.5 point home favourites in the season opener against Washington, and with very few personnel changes on this offense, expect them to run it back to last year’s gameplan that saw them reach the Divisional Round of the playoffs – and that means plenty of Rachaad White.
Kenneth Walker III v DEN ($6,100)
Do you remember when Seattle drafted Zach Charbonnet in the second-round of last year’s NFL Draft and we all prophesied the end of Kenneth Walker? Do you also remember when Ken Walker posted back-to-back two-touchdown games in weeks 2 and 3 and made us all look very silly? Entering last season there was an air of uncertainty surrounding the Seahawks backfield, entering this season however there is absolutely no doubt that this is the KW3 show and sophomore back Charbonnet is nothing more than an understudy to the leading man. Walker averaged 17 touches per game in 2023, and against a Denver DST ranked 31st against the run, that should be more than enough for him to return excellent value on his $6.100 price tag. At home, the Seahawks are favoured by 6, and should have more than enough to hand freshly drafted Bo Nix his first loss as an NFL pro (something he’s going to get used to pretty quick in my opinion), and Walker should be the main proponent to Seattle’s victory. Expect to see plenty of opportunities on the ground for KW3 in this one, and possibly a handful of targets from Geno Smith as well. He’s a locked-in RB1 on this slate.
Also consider De’Von Achane v JAX ($6,800) & Alvin Kamara v CAR ($6,700)
D.J. Moore v TEN ($6,500)
Sound the alarm, we have the first absolutely bonkers pricing of the season! Why is D.J. Moore – the clear number one receiver for the Chicago Bears – being priced $400 below 32 year-old Keenan Allen? Yes Allen had an outrageous 2023 season, finishing as the WR8 in PPR formats, but that was in L.A. with absolutely zero competition in the wide receiver room. I could understand if Keenan had vastly outperformed Moore last year, but D.J. ended 2023 as the overall WR6…with Justin Fields and Tyson Bagent throwing him the ball! Moore now has himself a legit QB looking his way with the acquisition of the first overall pick, Caleb Williams. Expect normal pricing to resume next week with Moore back on top – but take advantage of this while you can and grab the WR1 on this Bears offense against a bottom-six Titans secondary.
Malik Nabers v MIN ($5,900)
Speaking of rookies and of prices only going up. Nabers had the talent to be the 1st WR selected in April’s draft ahead of Marvin Harrison, and he’s already shown us that this pre-season with some highlight reel plays in his appearance versus the Texans. Ok, he has Danny Dimes as his quarterback, and the rest of this Giants offense is a dumpster fire…but despite all of that, Nabers is the rookie wideout I would put my money on having the best shot to break Puka Nacua’s records from last year, not the no.4 pick over in Arizona.. Get in on the ground floor while you can, Nabers is special, and will have every opportunity to show more of his big play ability against a Vikings unit that was 29th against wide receivers in 2023.
Calvin Ridley @CHI ($5,800)
Calvin Ridley got PAID to be the lead guy in Tennessee and I fully expect him to be treated as such by the coaching staff and sophomore quarterback Will Levis. Ridley tore the Titans apart last season, recording 13 receptions for 209 yards and 3 touchdowns on the two occasions he faced them as a Jaguar…so it possibly couldn’t be considered a surprise that they gave him a bucket load of cash to come play for them in 2024. All the focus will be on Caleb Williams making his debut on the other side of the field – but don’t forget what Titans QB Will Levis did on his first appearance in the NFL – passing for 238 yards and 4 touchdowns against the Falcons. I expect a big year 2 leap from Levis, and Ridley to be the main beneficiary…starting at Soldier Field this Sunday. At only $5,800, he’s a steal.
Also consider Mike Evans v WAS ($7,300) & Tank Dell @IND ($5,500)
Dalton Kincaid v AZ ($5,800)
Remember how I said Buffalo were a running team now? Well, I stand by that, but they are still going to pass the ball plenty and with the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis (who accounted for 241 of the 545 targets on the team) someone will have to catch the ball. Enter sophomore tight end, Dalton Kincaid. Kincaid’s rookie season was entirely overshadowed by Sam LaPorta, and despite the Lion’s debutant putting up record breaking numbers, Kincaid posted a very respectable line of 73/673/2 in his first year in the league. Kincaid is one of the most exciting breakout candidates for 2024, and could very well lead the team in targets come the end of the season. Expect Allen and Kincaid to re-establish their excellent chemistry from the off against the Cardinals. Yes, he is the TE3 in pricing, but the upside of being Josh Allen’s no.1 target is worth the investment, especially against the Cardinals.
Kyle Pitts v PIT ($4,600)
Arthur Smith is back in Atlanta a mere eight months after being fired as their Head Coach…this time as the OC for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s a safe bet that there will be a few familiar faces on the Falcons offense ready to greet him, and show just what they can do when they are actually given a fair crack at the whip – and none more so than fourth-year tight end, Kyle Pitts. It seems a lifetime ago that Pitts posted 1,026 receiving yards in his rookie season back in 2021, and all of the hope that came along with it. In the two years that have followed combined, Pitts has failed to eclipse that mark, recording only 1,023 yards in his 27 starts. This feels like a make-or-break season for Pitts, who despite still only being 23 years-old, is in the last year of his rookie deal. The Falcons finally have a competent quarterback under centre with the arrival of Captain Kirk Cousins. Expect Pitts to the the first of second read for Kirk, and to get peppered with targets early and often against the Steelers in their home opener. It is worth monitoring Pitts heading in to the weekend after popping up on the injury report, but he should be fine to suit up come Sunday.
Also consider Evan Engram @MIA ($5,500) & Taysom Hill v CAR ($4,300)
Cincinnati Bengals v NE ($3,800)
As it was then, again it will be. A lot has changed over the off-season, but one thing that has remained constant is my scepticism in the New England offense. Steps have been taken to improve this dumpster fire, such as the addition of rookie quarterback Drake Maye from North Carolina with the third overall pick…but given the Pats woeful offensive line and Head Coach Jerod Mayo’s desire to not have Maye killed before October, it will be veteran Jacoby Brissett under center for the Boston boys for the foreseeable future. Expect plenty of sacks in Ohio on Sunday, and wherever else New England happens to be playing in the coming weeks. Yes they are pricey, but they should return excellent value in week 1.
New York Giants v MIN ($3,300)
Don’t hear what I’m not saying, this isn’t an anti-Sam Darnold take…I just don’t see the Vikings being anywhere near as good as we hoped for with the exciting rookie J.J. McCarthy leading the charge. Unfortunately Minnesota’s franchise QB has already been ruled out for the season after undergoing surgery to repair a meniscus tear (heal up soon J.J.). The Giants were a fairly middle-of-the-pack unit against the pass in 2023, but struggled against the run. Minnesota have upgraded their rushing attack with the acquisition of Aaron Jones from Green Bay…but if the G-Men can slow him down, they could be in for an effective fantasy day at The Meadowlands. At $3,300 they can give you some flexibility to add some superstars at the skill positions.
Also consider New Orleans Saints v CAR ($3,700) & Miami Dolphins v JAX ($3,200)
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