Folks! I was hibernating away, getting ready for the upcoming 2021 season when the lovely CJay barged in to inform me that the Week 1 salaries were already posted on DraftKings. So naturally, I ran to my computer and fired up the salaries to find the best plays that I’ll be looking to use in about a month. Of course, tons of shit will happen between now and then, so plenty of players could see their fantasy values change drastically. Darrell Henderson would be the chalkiest of all chalk plays if these salaries came out a week or two earlier.
QUARTERBACKS
- Jalen Hurts ($6,400)
- There’s a big wave coming to the QB position that really emphasizes the rushing QB, aka the Konami Code. The yardage these QBs get from their legs really elevates the position’s ceiling. Once taking over the starting job, Hurts unleashed hell with multiple 20+ point games. Not to mention, a friend of the program, Scott Barrett, thinks Jalen Hurts has overall QB1 upside. A Week 1 date with the Falcons defense on that speedy turf has me salivating.
- Cam Newton ($5,400)
- I’m currently throwing up writing out this pick, but there’s plenty of value to be had here with Cam Newton; another mobile QB who is arguably the team’s best goal-line running option. Newton should start to begin the year, and New England upgraded their offensive weapons drastically this offseason. His passing numbers should improve, and you know the team will utilize his legs.
Other intriguing QB salaries: Ryan Tannehill vs Cardinals ($6,500), Jameis Winston/ Taysom Hill vs Packers ($5,200), Sam Darnold vs Jets ($5,000)
RUNNING BACKS
- Christian McCaffrey ($9,500)
- After being unable to play CMC for nearly all of 2020, I’m long overdue on exposure to him and I need it. He’s under 10k which is what he started at for Weeks 1 and 2 last season. 20+ touches with lots of receiving work. I’m all in.
- Antonio Gibson ($5,900)
- The hype surrounding Antonio Gibson’s sophomore season is approaching unprecedented territory. He’s being compared to CMC for god sake. Nevertheless, a workhorse back that is involved in the passing game for an offense that upgraded at QB. This guy is going early second round in most fantasy drafts and is being priced like a low-end RB2. The talent outweighs the price tag heavily here.
- Mike Davis ($5,400)
- Mike Davis was a big winner in the offseason when Atlanta added nothing to their backfield. SEven without Julio Jones, the Falcons offense should still be elite, so the unquestioned RB1 will likely get plenty of touches and goal-line work. Plus, who doesn’t love those quads?!
- Michael Carter ($4,000)
- Stone minimum here for the rookie out of UNC, but should Carter earn the starting job, he would have some value in Week 1. He’s getting good reviews out of camp, and Tevin Coleman offers little to no upside for the Jets offense.
Other intriguing RB salaries: Alvin Kamara vs Packers ($8,600), Joe Mixon vs Vikings ($6,200), Raheem Mostert at Lions ($5,800), Travis Etienne at Texans ($4,900), Chase Edmonds at Titans ($4,600), Javonte Williams at Giants ($4,000)
WIDE RECEIVERS
- Brandon Aiyuk ($5,700)
- The Brandon Aiyuk train is getting ready to leave the station so you better get on board now. He exploded late last year when he was the lone healthy receiver left, but Aiyuk has an elite skill-set that will separate him from many this season. His price won’t be this low for the rest of 2021.
- Odell Beckham Jr ($5,400)
- It’s no secret that I love Odell, and I’ll always believe the hype when he’s healthy. One of the most explosive players, Odell will make up for lost time last season for an up-and-coming Browns team. A lot of people will steer clear of him due to his inconsistent play.
- Tee Higgins ($4,700)
- Somehow, the Bengals’ best receiver last season is being priced as their WR3 opening week. I don’t get it, but I’ll gladly play Tee Higgins in Week 1. The guy was a touchdown machine as a rookie and he really connected well with Joe Burrow right from the start.
- Jaylen Waddle ($3,600)
- Jaylen Waddle is apparently tearing up camp and will be playing an elevated role with Will Fuller’s suspension. Waddle has prior chemistry Tua, which obviously helps his stock.
- Elijah Moore ($3,000)
- Stone minimum WR on the slate, and Elijah Moore has serious big-play ability for the Jets and Zach Wilson. He could easily put up a zero, but he just ripped off an 80-yard touchdown in training camp and has great upside as the potential WR1 in the Jets’ offense.
Other intriguing WR salaries: AJ Brown vs Cardinals ($7,100), Adam Thielen at Bengals ($7,000), Tyler Lockett at Colts ($6,700), DJ Moore at Jets ($6,100), Russell Gage vs Eagles ($5,300), Mecole Hardman vs Browns ($4,800), DeVonta Smith at Falcons ($4,500)
TIGHT ENDS
- Kyle Pitts ($4,400)
- I don’t know what to expect from the rookie tight end here, but he’s basically Matt Ryan’s WR2 with the Julio Jones departure. Julio was always a high 6k, low 7k kind of player, so I’ll gladly roll the dice on Kyle Pitts at this price before he balloons up into Darren Waller price territory.
- Anthony Firkser ($3,200)
- Goodbye Jonnu Smith. Hello Anthony Firsker. He only had a few bright spots last season, but the potential is there in a high-scoring offense at home against the Cardinals.
- Adam Trautman ($2,900)
- With the departure of Jared Cook and the Michael Thomas injury, Trautman is one of the last pass-catchers standing. Wolf LOVES Trautman this year which is good enough for me to put him on my radar. Someone has to catch balls from whichever QB ends up winning the battle.
Other intriguing TE salaries: TJ Hockenson vs 49ers ($4,900), Irv Smith at Bengals ($4,200), Jared Cook at WFT ($3,800)
DST
- Washington Football Team ($3,200)
- I love this team defense. While I don’t care for the Chargers’ matchup, I love the WFT front seven and the pressure they bring on the QB. Sacks usually lead to fumbles or turnovers and that’s what we look for with team defenses.
- Detroit Lions ($2,200)
- The team is going to stink, we know that. But I search for cheap teams at home and San Francisco doesn’t exactly scream elite offense to me until Trey Lance takes over.
Other intriguing DST salaries: Patriots DST vs Dolphins ($3,900), Panthers DST vs Jets ($3,600), Seahawks DST at Colts ($3,400), Jaguars DST at Texans ($2,700), Bills DST vs Steelers ($2,500)
Do you have any early leans? Questions about which guy you should go with this week? Want to yell at me for missing an obvious play? Sound off below or hit me up on Twitter where you can follow for daily news or advice on players.