DFS NFL DRAFTKINGS CASH GAME PICKS - WEEK 1 2023

QUARTERBACK

TOP PLAY

Jalen Hurts, PHI ($7800)

Sometimes it’s prudent to save money in cash games at the QB position, but with all the week one value elsewhere it’s possible to comfortably pay up for Jalen Hurts if you want to. Hurts finished the year leading all QBs in FPPG and rushing TDs (13!), and has a full arsenal of supporting players (which now also included D’Andre Swift as a potential passing target). New England’s defense was absolutely smoked by the QB position (especially in the dual-threat department), so there’s definite room for both floor and ceiling here.

Other options - None

Mid-tier options - Trevor Lawrence, Kirk Cousins

VALUE PLAY
DeShaun Watson, CLE ($6000)
If you don’t want to pay up for Hurts, there are a lot of value QBs that are enticing for cash this week (even some under the 5k line!). Even with that extra savings, I’m still inclined to call Watson the best of the bunch at 6k, and he makes a great cash pairing with (also underpriced) Amari Cooper. There’s always downside to Cleveland’s passing game when they profile as such a run-first offense, but this game sports a healthy 48 O/U against the Bengals, and if Cincy’s offense is clicking we could see a shootout here. Cincinnati allowed the tenth fewest FPPG to QBs last season, but the Watson/Cooper stack is simply too cheap, and the Browns made moves to upgrade the passing game as a whole.

Other options - Anthony Richardson, Russell Wilson, Jordan Love, Sam Howell

RUNNING BACK

TOP PLAY

Austin Ekeler, LAC ($8400)

Once again, the Chargers did nothing to threaten Ekeler’s RB1 workload, and I have him locked and loaded as the overall top RB for week one. The Chargers back has led the league in receptions and all-purpose TDs in back to back seasons, so it’s clear the Bolts are committed to him as their bellcow in all facets of the offense. There are merits to choosing other top backs over Ekeler, but the LAC/MIA game has the highest O/U on the slate at 51, which often leads me to the tiebreaker.

Other options - Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson, Derrick Henry

Mid-tier options - Joe Mixon, Alexander Mattison, Aaron Jones

VALUE PLAY

Raheem Mostert, MIA ($5400)

I’m generally hesitant to use opposing RBs in DFS just because the game script doesn’t often call for a ceiling from both, but Mostert’s price tag and increased opportunity makes it a solid +EV play. The Chargers were gashed for over six YPC in the preseason and have been a bottom five team in FPPG allowed to the position in back to back seasons. Devon Achane and Salvon Ahmed exist, but this seems to be Mostert’s backfield to start the year.

Other options - Miles Sanders, Khalil Herbert, Jamaal Williams, Antonio Gibson, Samaje Perine

WIDE RECEIVER

TOP PLAY

Ja’Marr Chase, CIN ($8100)

Justin Jefferson is still my WR1 for the week, but in DFS salary matters too. The $700 savings from Jefferson to Chase is precious on DraftKings where every dollar matters. In the 12 games that Chase played last year, he received double-digit targets in nine of them, and he averaged over 100 receiving YPG. There are few more bankable players in fantasy.

Other options - Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams

Mid-tier options - Chris Olave, Calvin Ridley, Amari Cooper, Chris Godwin, Deebo Samuel, Courtland Sutton

VALUE PLAY
Marvin Mims, DEN ($3000)
Part of the beauty of the preseason is that so many moving parts create min-priced players for us to use in week one. Marvin Mims should be popular, but there is zero risk for the rookie at minimum prices, and he allows you to fit in so many other top plays. With Jerry Jeudy set to miss time, Mims should start alongside Courtland Sutton. Last year the Raiders gave up the fourth most YPA, and Mims averaged a staggering 19.4 YPC in college. His blazing speed gives him so many outs to hit value.

Other options - Jahan Dotson, Nico Collins, Juju Smith-Schuster, Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, Puka Nacua

TIGHT END

TOP PLAY

Mark Andrews, BAL ($6200)

Even though Andrews is the most expensive TE on the slate, he’s still a price bargain at $6200, and should be strongly considered in all cash formats. I’m usually of the mindset that you either pay “all the way up” or “all the way down” at TE in cash, and Andrews is a strong option against a suspect Houston defense. Baltimore added a good deal of target competition for Andrews in the offseason, but OC Todd Monken should have this offense humming, and Andrews is the go-to both between the 20s and in the red zone.

Other options - TJ Hockenson

Mid-tier options - Dallas Goedert, Tyler Higbee, Kyle Pitts, David Njoku

VALUE PLAY

Hayden Hurst, CAR ($3000)

It’s hard to predict how the Carolina offense will shake out, as the entire array of personnel is new from the QB to the TE. It’s possible that Bryce Young completely looks at his WRs and ignores Hurst completely (my SFB13 team hopes this isn’t the case), but Hurst has at least established himself as the de facto TE1 on that team, something they’ve been missing for quite awhile. Hurst’s main appeal is the price tag (3k allows a lot of flexibility elsewhere), and the matchup (ATL allowed the seventh most FPPG to TEs last season).

Other options - Greg Dulcich, Luke Musgrave


TOP FIVE DEFENSES FOR CASH
Washington Commanders ($2800) - really should be the consensus for cash DST
Las Vegas Raiders ($2300)
Arizona Cardinals ($2500)
Green Bay Packers ($2800)
Seattle Seahawks ($3300)