The first Sunday of the 2022 NFL regular season begins with a loaded daily fantasy football main slate that has a ton of big games. Our Week 1 Yahoo DFS tournament lineup doesn't take too many big swings, but mixed in with the high-floor studs are a few value sleeper picks who could go off and provide this lineup with the differentiation we need to take home some cash.
Before we discuss our strategy and picks for Week 1, remember that you only have a $200 budget to work with for Yahoo DFS, so it's a bit of a different vibe than FanDuel or DraftKings. Also, here are the most notable scoring rules for Yahoo contests, which are similar to FanDuel: four-point passing TDs and half-point PPR. The Sunday night game is also on the main slate, which is unlike the other sites.
WEEK 1 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
Yahoo DFS Picks Week 1: NFL DFS lineup for GPP tournaments
Sunday main slate (including Sunday night), $200 budget
QB Jalen Hurts, Eagles @ Lions ($33). Hurts was one of the breakout stars last season due to his dual-threat ability. Hurts led all quarterbacks with 784 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, which is something we should look forward to this season. That high-floor, high-ceiling combo in a favorable matchup against Detroit is huge. To be fair, Hurts didn't do much against the Lions last season, only scoring 11.2 fantasy points as the Eagles' running backs dominated the show. However, the young quarterback still had nine games with 20 or more fantasy points. Hurts is a solid pivot from Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and Justin Herbert, who will cost you between $1-$3 more.
WEEK 1 DFS: Best values | Best stacks
RB Austin Ekeler, Chargers vs. Raiders ($34). Ekeler had a field day against the Raiders' defense last season, scoring 27.2 fantasy points per game in two games. Las Vegas' defense wasn't bad against the run in 2021, as they allowed 114.3 rushing yards per game. However, they gave up a litany of rushing touchdowns (18), which was the 10th-most in the NFL. Ekeler found the end zone four times between those two games against the Raiders. Even if he isn't as proficient at scoring, we know he'll get the touches.
RB Nick Chubb, Browns @ Panthers ($23). It feels as if we are getting a steal with Chubb being only priced at $23. The Panthers' defense has playmakers at all three levels, but they were in the middle of the pack in rushing yards per game allowed (113.8) last season. Carolina's defense will have to buckle up their chin straps on Sunday, as Chubb will be looking to dish out pain on every carry. The three-time Pro Bowl running back posted 14.4 fantasy points per game last season, and he should be leaned on more this year given Cleveland's QB situation.
WEEK 1 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
WR Tyreek Hill, Dolphins vs. Patriots ($27). If Hill isn't in everybody's DFS lineup for Week 1, then we are doing something wrong. The star wide receiver has a favorable matchup against a Patriots' secondary that does not have J.C. Jackson anymore. Without Jackson on one side of the field, you have to believe that the Dolphins will look to get Hill the ball early and often. The former Chiefs wide receiver averaged 14.5 FPPG last season and had 11 games with double-digit fantasy points. Hill should be able to average more than 15 FFPG this season, and the success will start in Week 1 despite a scary-looking matchup.
WR A.J. Brown, Eagles @ Lions ($24). Our Week 1 QB-WR stack will be Hurts and Brown, who the Eagles acquired on draft night from the Titans. Brown enters a situation where he's playing with his best friend, has an excellent second-year wide receiver playing opposite of him, and has a favorable matchup against a suspect Detroit defense. Detroit will have their hands full with trying to slow down the Eagles' offense, as the total for the game is O/U 48.5, according to Sports Interaction.
WEEK 1 STANDARD FANTASY RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker
WR Hunter Renfrow, Raiders @ Chargers ($18). Renfrow is a nice value play at $18. The 26-year-old wide receiver had a career-high 103 receptions (128 targets) for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns. He also averaged 12.1 FPPG in a Raiders' offense where he was the No. 1 wide receiver. Fast forward to this season, Renfrow might not be able to replicate what he did last season with the addition of Davante Adams, but he'll still be heavily involved, especially with Darren Waller (hamstring) dinged up. Last season against the Chargers, the slot receiver posted three touchdowns and recorded 14.9 and 13.9 fantasy points, respectively, and we love having players on both sides of this sure-to-be high-scoring affair.
TE Kyle Pitts, Falcons @ Saints ($16). The second-year tight end does not have a great matchup against the Saints' defense, which held tight ends to only three touchdowns last season. However, without no Calvin Ridley (one-year suspension), Pitts becomes the team's best receiver (and it doesn't hurt WR Drake London is dealing with a knee injury). Pitts did not play well against the Saints last season, only producing 7.7 and 1.8 fantasy points in two games, but the ultra-athletic TE should get plenty of targets in Week 1. Here's hoping other owners are scared off by the matchup and fade Pitts.
WEEK 1 FANTASY PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker
FLEX Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers @ Bears ($14). Aiyuk has reportedly had a good training camp, which should be exciting news for both Niners fans and DFS players alike. Aiyuk is firmly entrenched as the team's No. 2 wide receiver behind Deebo Samuel but has the skills to be a top-20 WR in DFS. Last season, Aiyuk averaged 8.0 FPPG but ended the regular season scoring 10 or more fantasy points in four out of the Niners' last five games. San Francisco will be going up against a Bears' defense, which is young at the cornerback spot with Jaylon Johnson and rookie Kyler Gordon. Do not be surprised to see 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan attack the young cornerbacks in Week 1 with Aiyuk, Samuel, and George Kittle.
DEF Ravens @ Jets ($11). Surprisingly, no one is talking about the Ravens' defense, which is healthy after being ravaged by injury last season. To kick off the season, Baltimore will go on the road to play the Jets, who will have old friend Joe Flacco starting under center. That should lead to plenty of sacks and an INT or two. The Jets' QB-sacked percentage last season was 8.08 (sixth-highest in the NFL), and with Mekhi Becton (knee), you know the the Ravens will not take it easy on their former quarterback on Sunday.
