Football friends, family, and fantasy aficionados, rejoice — the 2024 NFL season has arrived, and thus it's time to start assembling some DFS lineups for Sunday afternoon's main slate. But to earn a big win — or in most cases, even a minor double-up — we'll need some sleepers and value plays.
Studs serve as anchors to good DFS teams, sure — but it's the under-the-radar guys who help daily fantasy ships sail into the money. Sleepers are the differentiators, the ones who separate squads from the pack and push them over the top while not breaking the roster-building bank.
This column — as it has for years — identifies the best DFS value plays every week of the NFL season. The Sporting News betting and fantasy team scours the DFS contest pools on DraftKings, FanDuel, and SuperDraft, then uncovers and unveils the top under-the-radar players from the main slate of games.
MORE: Week 1 best bets and top props | Odds, lines for every game this weekend
Next week — and every week until the Super Bowl — we will review our big hits from the previous week's column. We hold ourselves accountable, because we're dedicated to helping our readers construct optimal lineups by getting the most bang for their buck.
Let's get right to our DFS sleepers and value picks on DraftKings, FanDuel, and SuperDraft, listing the most affordable high-value options at each position as well as their listed cost or boost on each DFS site. Good luck, have fun, and enjoy opening week!
WEEK 1 FANTASY PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 1: Quarterback
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers vs. Commanders (DK: $5,600 | FD: $7,200 | SD: 1.35x)
We get it — QB guru and former Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales has departed Tampa Bay for Carolina, and Washington's defunct defense has been taken over by the head coach/defensive coordinator tandem of former Cowboys coaches Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. But Rome wasn't built in a day, nor did Constantinople fall in one night.
Translation: the Commanders' secondary still has a lot of question marks, so don't expect the second-most generous fantasy defense last season to suddenly stifle a strong passing team. And also don't bank on Baker suddenly forgetting how to cook just because Master Chef Canales left Raymond James — Mayfield still knows the recipe for success, which includes Bucs mainstays Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
Mayfield at these prices — in a home game against a Washington team still very much in rebuilding mode — seems too good to pass up. Consider starting your team with last year's Comeback Player of the Year candidate.
Other QBs whose Week 1 values exceed their price tags: Jayden Daniels, Commanders at Buccaneers (DK: $5,700 | FD: $7,000 | SD: 1.3x); Geno Smith, Seahawks vs. Broncos (DK: $5,500 | FD: $7,000 | SD: 1.35x); Bo Nix, Broncos at Seahawks (DK: $5,000 | FD: $6,600 | SD: 1.4x)
MORE: How to play DFS, and which sites/apps to use
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 1: Running back
Javonte Williams, Broncos at Seahawks (DK: $5,500 | FD: $6,100 | SD: 1.3x)
This pricing just seems silly. Yeah, the Broncos kind of stunk last year. Yes, Javonte didn't even average four yards per carry. But Denver parted ways with two-year bust Russell Wilson, brought in an exciting young signal-caller in Bo Nix, and put many solid pieces around Williams so he can do more with his opportunities.
Even if you don't believe in Williams' situation, you have to believe in his chances against Seattle's front-seven. The Seahawks allowed the third-most PPR points to RBs last season, then they lost defensive difference-makers Bobby Wagner, Jordyn Brooks, and Damien Lewis. It won't always be pretty, but Javonte should absolutely outproduce his $5,000 cost this Sunday.
WEEK 1 NFL: Power rankings | ATS picks | SU picks
Jerome Ford, Browns vs. Cowboys (DK: $5,500 | FD: $6,200 | SD: 1.3x)
Many people seem to be forgetting that Nick Chubb suffered a devastating knee injury last season and that he'll open this campaign on the PUP list for Cleveland. Many also seem to forget that Dallas wasn't all that great against the run last year, ranking 16th in rushing yards allowed and surrendering an average of one ground TD per away game.
Ford isn't just a backup who lucked into a starting role due to a teammate's injury. He's a heck of an athlete just days away from his 25th birthday, and he's coming off a season in which he racked up nine TDs (5 air, 4 ground) and averaged 4.0 yards per carry. As long as Deshaun Watson doesn't stink up the Dawg Pound with his play, Ford should have a solid game at home.
Other strong Week 1 RB values: Tony Pollard, Titans at Bears (DK: $5,900 | FD: $6,300 | SD: 1.25x); Zamir White, Raiders at Chargers (DK: $5,700 | FD: $6,400 | SD: 1.3x); Ray Davis, Bills vs. Cardinals (DK: $4,500 | FD: $4,900 | SD: 1.55x)
MORE: Learn about the SuperDraft Jackpot
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 1: Wide Receiver
Malik Nabers, Giants vs. Vikings (DK: $5,900 | FD: $6,300 | SD: 1.35x)
Nabers might not get the hype that No. 3 overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr. enjoys in Arizona, but he's 100 percent the real-deal Holyfield. New York desperately needed a playmaker after the departures of Saquon Barkley (Eagles) and Darren Waller (retirement), and the No. 6 pick should be that guy for coach Brian Daboll and QB Daniel Jones.
The kid has it all: size, speed, strength, intelligence. He can blast by defensive backs, win 50/50 balls when Danny underthrows him, and get tough off the line of scrimmage around the goal line. The Vikings push the rookie over the top — Minnesota ceded the fourth-most PPR points to the wide receiver position last season.
Terry McLaurin, Commanders at Buccaneers (DK: $5,600 | FD: $6,200 | SD: 1.4x)
Scary Terry still serves as the No. 1 receiver in the nation's capital, and the Commanders recently trading away Jahan Dotson verifies that McLaurin has no worries in the target department anytime soon. Jayden Daniels has already developed a rapport with his stud wideout, and the Buccaneers ranked in the bottom-10 in the NFL in fantasy points allowed to receivers in 2023.
2024 NFL RANKINGS: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | Defense
Tank Dell, Texans at Colts (DK: $5,500 | FD: $6,400 | SD: 1.4x)
Mom, we got a Dell! And he's a top sleeper for Week 1! Tank was an absolute beast before his late-season injury last season, and the arrival of Pro Bowl wideout Stefon Diggs may only help him take another step forward in 2024.
Don't sleep on a Texas Tank — this dude racked up seven TDs over his last nine games last season, a stretch that included 44 catches and 761 total yards. Now he gets to return against a divisional rival that ranked 28th and 24th in points surrendered and yards allowed? Yeah, sign us up.
Other strong Week 1 DFS values: Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars at Dolphins (DK: $4,700 | FD: $5,100 | SD: $1.5x); Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks vs. Broncos (DK: $4,900 | FD: $5,200 | SD: 1.45x); Ja'Lynn Polk, Patriots at Bengals (DK: $3,900 | FD: $4,800 | SD: 1.55x)
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 1: Tight end
Noah Fant, Seahawks vs. Broncos (DK: $4,000 | FD: $5,000 | SD: 1.35x)
Revenge game! Bounce-back campaign! Broncos D! This game — and Fant's Week 1 opportunity, if he suits up — have many DFS managers salivating. Denver gave up the most fantasy points in the NFL to the tight end position in 2023, and Geno Smith should be looking Fant's way plenty in Seattle.
More Week 1 TEs worth a look: Kyle Pitts, Falcons vs. Steelers (DK: $4,600 | FD: $6,300 | SD: 1.2x); Austin Hooper, Patriots at Bengals (DK: $3,100 | FD: $4,500 | SD: 1.65x)
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 1: D/ST
Miami Dolphins vs. Jaguars (DK: $3,200 | FD: $4,200)
Full disclosure: the Dolphins D/ST appears on 90 percent of my season-long fantasy teams this season. They're also one of my favorite DFS plays in Week 1, as the Jaguars are only a half-year removed from an epic second-half collapse in 2023. Trevor Lawrence and his multiple weapons may give you pause, but trust Miami and its strong cast of defensive characters. Miami could very well wipe the floor with Jacksonville.
Other solid D/ST plays for Week 1: Browns vs. Cowboys (DK: $3,100 | FD: $4,100); Chargers vs. Raiders (DK: $2,900 | FD: $4,000)
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