FanDuel NFL DFS Lineup Picks for Week 1 - Daily Fantasy Football

September 12, 2021

Dennis Clausen highlights the top FanDuel NFL DFS lineup picks for Week 1 of the 2021 season, and some value sleepers for your daily fantasy football rosters.

While it is bittersweet to see the warm weather drift away little by little, the return of football certainly helps lessen the blow that the Fall and Winter months ahead will ultimately bring. With the defending champs taking down America's team on Thursday night, thanks to a last-second field goal, Week 1 is already off to a fantastic start. Nonetheless, things will get interesting from here on out, especially since there is so much uncertainty regarding who the top performers and fallers will be throughout the year.

In this article, I will be providing you with my Week 1 daily fantasy football lineup picks on FanDuel. These lineups can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel. Be sure to also check out our weekly DraftKings DFS lineup picks and lots of other great NFL DFS articles and NFL DFS tools to help you win big!

Feel free to give me a follow on Twitter @DennisMClausen. Also, be sure to check back on Saturday night and Sunday morning for updates heading into Week 1

FanDuel Quarterbacks - Week 1 Picks

Patrick Mahomes, QB - vs. CLE ($8,800)

The Browns will head to Kansas City on Sunday for a meeting with the defending AFC Champions. This battle features two offenses with the potential to put an abundance of points on the board, which of course, is always a good thing as it relates to DFS contests.

It’s no secret that Week 1 is loaded with a handful of high-upside quarterbacks at a discounted price. As a result, Mahomes may actually fly under the ownership radar, making him a prospective contrarian choice in GPP formats. Still, DFS enthusiasts will need to cut corners to acquire the former MVP's services, especially with an asking price of nearly $9,000. However, Mahomes' numbers over the years speak for themselves, and unless you've been living under a rock or stuck on a deserted island, no further explanation is necessary.

Ryan Tannehill, QB - vs. ARI ($7,700)

Tannehill has elevated his game throughout his tenure in Tennessee. Though the veteran had some potent years as a member of the Miami Dolphins, he has quietly become one of the league's most efficient fantasy options.

Another one that should be a shootout, the Cardinals will travel across the country for a showdown against the powerhouse Titans. Tannehill now has Julio Jones in the equation, although it may take some time to develop a rapport with the former Falcon. Still, Jones’ presence can only help the signal-caller, making him a favorite to finish as one of the week’s top options at the position.

Kirk Cousins, QB - @ CIN ($7,200)

For those looking to dig deep to differentiate their lineups in cash formats, Cousins could make some noise against a Cincinnati team looking to rebound from a horrendous 2020-21 campaign. Believe it or not, he has a higher ceiling than most in Week 1 and could easily sneak his way into DFS prominence.

He also has some capable pass-catching options at his disposal, specifically in Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen, and Justin Jefferson. Cousins' leadership has come under fire recently, and his long-term future in Minnesota may be coming to an end sooner than expected. Yet, the 33-year-old should remain classified as an inexpensive, high-upside option, especially for the fantasy managers looking to spend elsewhere. However, to be clear, there is still some risk here.

Also Consider:

Aaron Rodgers, QB - @ NOP ($8,100)

The Saints will be entering a new era without Drew Brees under center and square off against the Packers. Rodgers has played well against New Orleans throughout his career, maintaining a 69.3 completion percentage and a 104.4 passer rating throughout six meetings. This one should also run closer than expected, so the risk of any team running out the clock may be minimal.

Trevor Lawrence, QB @ HOU ($6,800)

Lawrence is coming off an excellent collegiate career and has a strong shot at producing right out of the gate. He has the potential to smash his value, especially against a Texans team that isn't foreseen to do much of anything this season.

Sam Darnold, QB - vs. NYJ ($6,500)

Darnold's tenure with the Jets didn't go so well, and he was traded to Carolina during the offseason. Coincidentally, he will be making his first appearance with the Panthers against his former employer. Things could get very interesting as Darnold is almost certainly out for revenge. Still, he's a GPP option only.

FanDuel Running Backs - Week 1 Picks

Dalvin Cook, RB - @ CIN ($9,400)

Despite missing nearly all of last season with various ailments, Christian McCaffrey is again the costliest option at the running back position. However, Cook is $1,000 less for some reason, although he has just as good of a chance to produce.

Cook had one hell of a season in 2020. He ranked second in rushing yards and third in rushing touchdowns. Everyone knows the talent he possesses and how much value he brings to any fantasy lineup. Even so, Cook's biggest downfall has been his health, but he may finish the year as the best fantasy back in the league if he can remain healthy. As far as his Week 1 potential, the sky is the limit, mainly since the Vikings will go toe-to-toe against the Bengals, a club that struggled against opposing fantasy rushers last season. The overall score of this bout should be higher than others, and by saving some cash at the quarterback spot, the former Florida State Seminole can easily be inserted into any lineup.

Joe Mixon, RB - vs. MIN ($7,200)

Mixon entered last season as one of the league's most promising running backs. He got his contract extension and was anticipated to play a pivotal role in the offense. However, that didn't happen, and instead, the former Sooner would appear in only six games before succumbing to a foot ailment that subsequently ended his year.

Now, entering his fifth season as a professional, Mixon has a lot of convincing to do before being classified as one of the league's most potent options out of the backfield. However, with Giovani Bernard moving on to Tampa Bay, he is now undoubtedly the clear-cut workhorse moving ahead. The 25-year-old is also a talented receiver, which only adds to his outlook, and the offensive line has improved. As a result, Mixon may finally get the much-needed breathing room required to make some significant gains on the ground moving ahead.

Also Consider:

Christian McCaffrey, RB - vs. NYJ ($10,400)

McCaffrey's services won't come cheap, but he draws an advantageous matchup against the New York Jets. He is coming off injuries, so some may be hesitant to attempt to afford his luxurious price tag. Nevertheless, with so many lower-priced choices for the opening week, it should be easy to navigate around the elevated cost.

Derrick Henry, RB - vs. ARI ($8,900)

Most of Vegas agrees that Henry is a favorite to surpass 100 rushing yards on Sunday, the most out of anyone at the position. He likely won't catch the ball a ton, but he doesn't need to. The veteran is arguably the most dangerous runner in the league and is a good option in cash and GPP formats, although he will likely get plenty of interest from other DFS managers.

Aaron Jones, RB - @ NO ($7,400)

Jones is capable of doing many things. He can catch the ball as well as make big plays on the ground. He should also get plenty of chances to rack up fantasy points in an expected high-scoring affair against the New Orleans Saints.

Najee Harris, RB - @ BUF ($6,500)

Harris faces a tough Bills defense in his inaugural contest. However, he is foreseen to inherit a substantial role this season and could get more touches than expected in Week 1. He was a sought-after commodity during fantasy drafts despite never playing in an "official" game. Still, the asking price can't be ignored when you consider his ceiling.

Jamaal Williams, RB - @ NYG ($5,600)

D'Andre Swift dealt with a groin injury during the preseason and may not see a full workload, which is where Williams comes in. Although his presence in any lineup is risky, he will probably not get much interest from the DFS community. His ceiling is higher than most realize, and he is worth a mention as a result.

FanDuel Wide Receivers - Week 1 Picks

Tee Higgins, WR - vs. MIN ($6,000)

Higgins finished last season by pulling in 67 catches for 908 yards and six touchdowns. He also had 10 games where he was targeted at least seven times and didn't slow down after Joe Burrow went down with a season-ending knee injury. Still, after the Bengals elected to take LSU wideout Ja'Marr Chase with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Higgins' fantasy stock began to drop. Tyler Boyd, who has enjoyed multiple 1,000-yard seasons over the years, is also still on the Cincinnati roster, which didn't help his cause either.

Still, with Chase's preseason struggles, specifically with dropping passes, the 22-year-old is now considered the top option at the position for the Bengals, at least for now. Burrow is a gunslinger and loves to throw the ball, and because of this, there should be plenty of opportunities for Higgins, Boyd, and Chase to get involved and flourish. Yet, Higgins should be the preferred option, and with such a generous asking price, fantasy managers should strongly consider him for any lineup.

Courtland Sutton, WR - @ NYG ($5,800)

Sutton entered into the elite category by racking up 1,112 yards and six touchdowns off 72 receptions during the 2019 season. However, a knee injury shut him down after only one game last year, but he is now back healthy and ready to roll.

It's fair to say that the 25-year-old would be an even better fantasy option had shoddy, inconsistent quarterback play in Denver not been a thing. However, Teddy Bridgewater is now under center, and he has proven to be more than capable of keeping an offense running. Sutton's rostering cost is a joke, and so is the Giants defense’. As a result, his rostering price will probably be on the rise heading into Week 2.

Also Consider: 

Davante Adams, WR - @ NO ($8,600)

Vegas projects Adams to lead all wideouts in catches in Week 1, so if you believe in that sort of thing, he is your guy. His cost likely won't be this low beyond Sunday, so take advantage while you can.

Tyreek Hill, WR - vs. CLE ($8,500)

Hill had five games with at least 100 receiving yards last season, including a late-November matchup against the Buccaneers, where the speedster finished with 269 yards and three touchdowns. He should get more than enough attention from Patrick Mahomes against the Browns to be a prominent provider from a statistical standpoint.

Justin Jefferson, WR - @ CIN

Jefferson has surpassed Adam Thielen as the lead man at the wideout position. He should get more targets than anyone else and could thrive against the Bengals on Sunday, a club that struggled with consistency during the 2020 season.

Russell Gage, WR - vs. PHI ($5,700)

Calvin Ridley took over the leading role in Atlanta after Julio Jones was sent to Tennessee. While most expect Kyle Pitts to emerge as the second-best pass-catcher on the team, he isn't battle-tested, so the verdict is still out. However, Gage has been an occasional producer over the years and could thrive as the No. 2 wideout for the Falcons.

Laviska Shenault Jr., WR - @ HOU ($5,600)

Shenault could be ready for a sizeable leap during his second year in Jacksonville, which could begin during the Week 1 showdown against the Texans. He has Trevor Lawrence under center and was also touted for his performance in camp over the Summer.

FanDuel Tight Ends - Week 1 Picks

Travis Kelce, TE - vs. CLE ($8,500)

Kelce tops the list as the preferred tight end for Week 1. His popularity will likely be high, but this isn't the place to get cute. With the Chiefs and Browns expected to put up more points than the other contests on the “Main Slate,” picking up players from this contest may be the way to go, especially in cash formats.

Entering his eighth year, all with Kansas City, the 31-year-old is arguably Patrick Mahomes' favorite option. Last season, Kelce scored at least one touchdown in 10 of his 16 appearances while being targeted at a minimum of 10 times in nine games. Things shouldn't change, and because there are so many lower-priced choices for Week 1, sliding him into a lineup shouldn't be difficult.

George Kittle, TE - @ DET ($7,000)

Kittle spent most of last year on the shelf due to a broken foot and an MCL sprain. Yet, before the 2020 campaign, he remained relatively healthy during his first three years in San Francisco.

With the disastrous year behind him, the 27-year-old is entering 2021 on a quest to return to relevance. His rostering cost is more than acceptable, mainly for a guy who was once in the same conversation with Travis Kelce regarding the best fantasy tight end in all of football. Jimmy Garoppolo will be tossing him the ball on Sunday. However, Kittle is talented enough to come away with catches that are in his general vicinity. Also, for those who are Vegas believes, he's projected to catch more passes than Kelce in Week 1, so there's that as well.

Also Consider:

Austin Hooper, TE @ KC ($5,100)

Hooper enjoyed a few seasons of effectiveness in Atlanta. However, his statistical output plummeted in Cleveland last season, and many managers are writing him off because of it. Yet, it was reported throughout the offseason that the team would like to get him more involved.

More Weekly DFS Analysis