NFL DFS Value Plays For Week 1 On DraftKings & FanDuel: Michael Mayer Headlines Cheap DFS Picks

Week 1 NFL DFS is finally upon us. We get 12 games on Sunday to break down for the DFS main slates on DraftKings and FanDuel. I'm going to be breaking down the top NFL DFS value plays on the slates—players that not only are in great spots, but will allow you to build out the rest of your lineup with spend-ups!

Almost every week, with injuries or some mispricing, there are cheap value plays that project very well and are even cash-game staples. We’ve got some very enticing value pieces for us to start the season; let's get into it!

DraftKings and FanDuel NFL DFS Week 1 Value Plays

Michael Mayer - LV TE ($2900 DraftKings, $4600 FanDuel)

We're going to start off with the best value play on the slates here: Michael Mayer. Brock Bowers was ruled out for “1 or 2 games” unexpectedly after undergoing a knee procedure. This bumps Mayer into the starting role. He was a very highly touted prospect out of Notre Dame and has proved himself in his NFL opportunities when Bowers has been out. He would be priced well higher than he is now if news of Bowers was already out. He’s going to be extremely high owned, and for good reason. He is a lock in cash games, and still an excellent GPP choice due to his immense upside.

Tre Tucker - LV WR ($4000 DraftKings, $5600 FanDuel)

Also benefiting from the absence of Bowers will be all of the WRs on the Raiders. The one to mention specifically is Tre Tucker, the team's WR1. The entire Raiders roster is priced pretty conservatively due to the fact that they are simply not a good football team. In many games, they will struggle to move the ball, and getting fantasy points will be a challenge for these guys. They get a favorable first-week matchup, however, vs. the Dolphins, and with Bowers out, these players get a great opportunity to put together a good showing.

MarShawn Lloyd - GB RB ($4800 DraftKings, $4900 FanDuel)

Next, let's look at the interim starting running back for the Packers. MarShawn Lloyd gets the starter's nod with Josh Jacobs being out with legal issues. We are getting Lloyd around $1,000 too cheap on both sites. The way roster construction is, most builds are spending up at running back due to the soft pricing and value elsewhere, but Lloyd is still a great value play to click on if needed. He's simply priced wrong. I also think that his projection is a bit conservative, as the snaps are expected to be a little spread out between the three active RBs. I feel like there's a good chance he gets more snaps than projected.

Devaughn Vele - NO WR ($3500 DraftKings, $5000 FanDuel)

Now let's talk about the Saints, who get an up-tempo matchup vs. the Lions here. They are led at WR by Chris Olave. He is looking ot be very popular on this slate. But second option, Devaughn Vele, has been really showing out, and a lot of people are high on his potential. We’re getting him at a super cheap price, a price that most WR4 options are. He’s simply just too cheap here for the role and matchup. I expect him to get a ton of opportunities here. His price should come in the following weeks.

Wan'Dale Robinson - TEN WR ($4800 DraftKings, $5300 FanDuel)

Lastly, let's move over to the Tennessee Titans. They get a good Week 1 matchup vs. the Jets. This will be an ugly game, but it's one that the Titans can definitely take advantage of. Wan'Dale joins the Titans after a good year last season for the Giants. He was given many chances to show what he's got with the team battling injuries. He comes in as the Titans' top projected receiver here. Cam Ward’s got a lot to prove, and with Robinson being his top target, we can expect them to try and take advantage of this matchup vs. the Jets.

Getting to multiple value plays is not usually necessary in Week 1 DFS compared to later in the season. Soft pricing allows for one value to be enough to get to spend ups elsewhere. Michael Mayer is the perfect value for everyone to plug in and be able to achieve that. There are definitely ways to get different, however. He is fadable, and there are other good values to get to with just as much upside. Good luck in your contests this weekend!