We are finally back RotoBallers! The offseason is coming to an end and the regular season is just days away. The NFL is starting the season with an absolute banger of a matchup as the reigning Super Bowl Champs the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Baltimore Ravens! The first game of the season is always a difficult one so making multiple lineups, especially in GPP contests is almost a must! Build multiple game scripts and don't be afraid to get different with them because, the majority of the time that's how you take down the big one!
The last few years we have been pretty successful with the showdown slates and hopefully, that trend continues into this year! Most of us started our fantasy journeys with football, so it's always nice when it comes around once again. Thanks to the advanced analytics of today, I'll do my best to provide you with as much in-depth analysis as possible regarding positional matchups, etc. to help put some lunch money in your pocket. Let's make some cash this season!
I will be providing you with daily fantasy football picks on FanDuel and DraftKings for the Chiefs vs. Ravens NFL DFS showdown slate for Week 1, on September 5, 2024. These NFL DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on both DraftKings and FanDuel. If you have any questions, you can follow me on X @DFSKoby and fire away, or sign up for a premium RotoBaller NFL package and chat with me and other NFL DFS analysts any time you'd like!
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MVP/Captain - NFL DFS Lineup Picks
Travis Kelce - TE, $14,400 (DK), $14,000 (FD)
Key Stats
- 2023 Stats: 121 targets, 93 receptions, 984 receiving yards, five touchdowns.
Travis Kelce is a workhorse and should be highly considered as one of the top captain options on the slate. Last season in the playoffs he finished with 116 yards and a touchdown on 11 receptions! Baltimore lost a few guys on the defensive side and I expect the Chiefs to utilize Travis heavily in this game with them down Hollywood Brown most likely.
Lamar Jackson - QB, $17,100 (DK), $17,000 (FD)
Key Stats
- 2023 Stats: 3,678 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, seven interceptions along with 821 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.
From the other side of the game, we have one of the most dynamic QBs in the league. Lamar can get it done in the air and on his feet which makes him a very reliable captain option. The Chiefs have a great defense and yet Lamar still finished with 20 FP last time out. He is expensive however so putting him in your captain spot could hinder your lineup a little. But as far as consistency Lamar is your guy.
Other Captains/MVPs: Patrick Mahomes, Isiah Pacheco, Derrick Henry
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— Scott (@scottd923) September 25, 2023
Flex Plays - NFL DFS Lineup Picks
Xavier Worthy - WR, $5,800 (DK), $8,500 (FD)
I'm surprised to see Xavier this cheap but that also means he will likely be pretty chalky. With Hollywood Brown doubtful to play this should slot Xavier Worthy into a larger role in this offense. He played extremely well the first team offense in their preseason game against the Lions where he caught three passes for 63 yards and a touchdown. It shows the Chiefs are making him a priority and trying to get him NFL-ready as soon as possible.
The problem with Xavier Worthy is that if you're ever flat-footed on a two way go in single coverage, you will not live to tell the tale.
X will square you up & freeze your feet
This is not some Mecole MVS type, this is a real route runner pic.twitter.com/vaUeLdWexs— JetPack Galileo (@JetPackGalileo) August 20, 2024
Isiah Pacheco - RB, $8,400 (DK), $12,500 (FD)
Key Stats
- 2023 Stats: 935 rushing yards, seven touchdowns, 44 receptions, 244 yards, and two touchdowns
It was just announced that Clyde Edwards-Helaire will be placed on IR which gives Pacheco full reign over the backfield for the most part. Yes, Samaje Perine will work in on third downs, but this is Pacheco's backfield to start the year.
Isiah had a great season last year and looks to improve on that coming into this season. He played extremely well in last year's playoff win over the Ravens where he finished with 16 FP. Unless this game gets out of hand early, I can see Isiah getting quite a few carries in this game.
Other Flex Options: Zay Flowers, Derrick Henry
Value Plays - NFL DFS Lineup Picks
Justice Hill - RB, $4,400 (DK), $7,500 (FD)
Key Stats
- 2023 Stats: 387 rushing yards, three touchdowns, 28 receptions, 206 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown.
Justice Hill is heading back to being an RB2 with Derrick Henry now in the mix. That doesn't necessarily mean he won't see the field though. With Henry's injury history, they might ease him into the game giving Hill plenty of opportunity to do well in this game. He was utilized heavily in the passing game and could see his fair share of check-downs and possibly even a potential red zone target which could lead to a touchdown. Harbaugh believes he will play a lot as well and we will have to take him at his word for now, especially with how cheap this price tag is.
#Ravens HC John Harbaugh on Justice Hill:
“He is a high-caliber running back… I think he’s gonna play a lot.”
Harbaugh has an 85% reliability rating on usage/workload coachspeak pic.twitter.com/yvg904IGR1
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) August 1, 2024
Mecole Hardman - WR, $1,800 (DK), $6,500 (FD)
Mecole Hardman is always one of those sneaky plays where he can show up at any time. Just ask the 49ers as Hardman scored the winning touchdown in the Super Bowl and popped off for a 52-yard gain. He is used way more in this offense than he was during his short stint with the Jets. He isn't someone I would completely rely on but I will have him in a few lineups especially as he is dirt cheap on DK. Mecole is also a way to get different and off the Worthy chalk mentioned above.
Other Value Plays: Justin Tucker, Isaiah Likely, Samaje Perine (DK Only)
Enjoy your night and good luck everyone!
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