Week 1 Flex Targets – DraftKings 2017

By Armando Marsal

The NFL season is finally here! On DraftKings, there is a flex spot which allows you to take different approaches in your lineup construction. Using this position to differentiate yourself from the field can come a long way. The goal every week is to find you some solid options that fit in the flex position and provide some nice upside. I know I am excited for the start of the season and I am sure you are too, so let’s dive right into some flex targets for Week 1.

Running Back

Theo Riddick $4,700 vs. Arizona Cardinals I wrote him up for the season opener last season and he paid off in a big way, scoring 27.8 fantasy points. While the matchup this year is not as appealing as it was last year, it is still one I am not hesitating to roster Riddick in. The Cardinals finished as a top run defense last season, but did allow 12 rushing touchdowns and 4.1 receptions per game to opposing backs. Riddick was targeted 67 times in 10 games and also accounted for 16.5 percent of the red zone targets for the Lions in 2016. Averaging a tad over six targets per game, Riddick becomes very valuable in PPR formats. Even if he does not get the bulk of the carries, he offers a nice floor and some upside, at what I expect to be a low ownership.

Carlos Hyde $4,600 vs. Carolina Panthers Sometimes you have to eat some chalk and this appears to be one of those times. I am almost certain that Hyde will be popular this weekend, and rightfully so. You have a starting back at home, underpriced and facing off against a run defense that was mediocre last year. The only thing missing is his team being a favorite in this matchup. The Panthers allowed 125.3 total yards and 6.3 receptions per game to opposing backs, while giving up nine total touchdowns. In addition, they surrendered over 20 fantasy points per game to the position. Hyde should receive plenty of touches in this matchup and should not have much trouble paying off his salary.

Wide Receiver

Larry Fitzgerald $5,900 at Detroit Lions The seemingly ageless Fitzgerald is coming off of a nice season. He was peppered with 150 targets, catching 107 of them for 1,023 yards and six touchdowns. He had an impressive 71.3 percent catch rate. He kicks off the season facing off against a Lions defense that gave up over 35 fantasy points per game to receivers, allowing 14.1 receptions and 162 receiving yards per game to the position. Vegas has this game with a 48 point implied total and just a 2.5 point spread, so we could see a close game with some fireworks. This is a far price for Fitz who offers a nice floor to go along with a nice ceiling in this matchup.

Kelvin Benjamin $5,900 at San Francisco 49ers Despite dealing with some weight issues earlier this year, Benjamin had a nice preseason catching all eight of his targets for 102 yards and two touchdowns. He gets a favorable matchup against the 49ers who allowed 21 receiving touchdowns to opposing wideouts. In addition they surrendered over 35 fantasy points per game, as well as 164.7 receiving yards and 11.6 receptions per game. In his only game against the Niners, Benjamin dominated them, catching seven passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Considering how he went overlooked in fantasy drafts, I anticipate him being overlooked this weekend, yet the upside is still there and it is a good spot against a subpar defense.

Tight End

Delanie Walker $4,300 vs. Oakland Raiders If you are not playing the Thursday night slate, the tight end position is not an appealing one. That being said, Walker finds himself in a good situation as he faced a Raiders defense who yielded five receptions and 64.2 receiving yards per game to opposing tight ends. Moreover, they allowed seven touchdowns and over 12 fantasy points per game to the position. Walker accounted for 23 percent of the Titans targets and 23 percent of their red zone targets last season. He remains Mariota’s security blanket until we see otherwise and will likely go overlooked. Walker provides a solid combination of consistency and upside, making him an intriguing option in this matchup.

Good luck to all this week. For any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to me on the Twitter machine: @Armando_Marsal