This article is part of our FantasyDraft NFL series.
Each week, RotoWire will provide picks and values for your FantasyDraft lineups. Users have a salary cap of $100,000 to select a lineup comprised of one quarterback, two running backs, two receivers, one tight end, two FLEX spots and a defense. The scoring is standard point-per-reception.
FantasyDraft is running four headline contests this weekend, with each contest currently full with overlay:
- NFL $250K Run & Gun, $25 entry fee
- NFL $100K Shotgun, $12 entry fee
- NFL $50K Wishbone, $5 entry fee
- NFL $10K Wildcat, $2 entry fee
FantasyDraft is also hosting over $50,000 in guaranteed cash game contests, so be sure to check the lobby. In order to roster some top tier players in these tournaments, you will need some lower priced, sleeper options. That is what RotoWire can bring you.
Without further ado, here are our fantasy football value picks for Week 1 on FantasyDraft:
Quarterback
Carson Palmer ($12,900)
Palmer is a quarterback that will fly under the radar each week (when healthy) simply because of the other options available. But when he does play, he is a very good pick. Last season, only nine quarterbacks averaged more fantasy points per game than Palmer, and this week he gets New Orleans. The Saints struggle defensively, and the secondary has Kenny Vaccaro and Brandon Browner starting, both of whom struggle to cover quick receivers. Look for head coach Bruce Arians to continue his philosophy of max protecting and throwing the ball down the field, which bodes well for Palmer's fantasy value.
Kirk Cousins ($10,000)
Cousins?! Yes, the Redskins' quarterback is a value play on FantasyDraft for Week 1 because he is the minimum price. Selecting him allows you to fit nearly anyone you want into your roster, and you are not sacrificing much in a tournament.
He has a tough matchup against the Dolphins, but last season Cousins showed that he has fantasy value with at least two touchdowns in four of his six starts. I would not trust him for H2H or 50/50 matchups, but he is worth a flier as a low owned option in tournaments.
Running Back
Benny Cunningham ($6,000)
The eventual starting running back for the Rams will be Todd Gurley, but he is out while he continues to recover form a torn ACL. Tre Mason is the backup, but he is also hurt and could miss Sunday's game, which means Cunningham could see a major role in the offensive game plan.
Of course, a matchup with the Seahawks is not exactly ideal, but Kam Chancellor is one of the best run stoppers in the NFL from the safety position, and he will not play. Rams head coach Jeff Fisher has always been one to establish the running game, so if Cunningham starts he is a value play at the minimum price. He is likely to play on third downs as well, giving him PPR value. Be sure to keep an eye on the inactive list before submitting your lineups.
Isaiah Crowell ($8,400)
Crowell had to battle with Terrence West for carries last season, but West was traded to the Titans last week. The Browns also have rookie Duke Johnson vying for touhes, but he has not played or practiced much due to injury. All the stars are aligning for Crowell to see a full workload in Week 1 against the Jets.
The Jets boast one of the league's best defenses, but will be without Sheldon Richardson and the Browns have one of the best offensive lines, so Crowell will see his share of opportunities to accrue fantasy points.
Given his likelihood to be the main back, he is worth taking in a tournament at his price, even in a tough matchup.
Wide Receiver
Marvin Jones ($8,400)
When thinking of the Bengals' passing attack, one name comes to mind: A.J. Green. But the guy on the other side could be a low owned value play in Week 1.
Jones has had injury problems so far in his young career, but when he gets on the field he has proven his worth as a second wide receiver. He caught 51 passes for over 700 yards in his last full season, so keep an eye on him this year.
In Week 1, he will likely line up against Oakland's Travis Carrie if given the start. Carrie is a very athletic cornerback, but he has struggled in coverage so far in his young career. He is listed at under six feet, and Jones is just a pinch under 6-foot-2, which gives him the advantage in the red zone.
If Jones is the third receiver behind Mohamed Sanu, he will line up against Neiko Thorpe or Keith McGill.
Cecil Shorts III ($7,200)
Lost in the offseason scramble, the Texans now have Shorts as their second wide receiver. He has always been undervalued in his career with a lack of quarterback talent throwing to him (and that hasn't changed), but he will still see a fair share of targets opposite DeAndre Hopkins.
Shorts could see Marcus Cooper on Sunday, who is one of the more attractive cornerbacks to target in the NFL. Last season, Cooper was a disaster on the outside, and the Chiefs addressed that need by taking Marcus Peters in the draft. With Sean Smith out, Cooper finds his way back onto the field, so look for Shorts to excel in a good matchup.
Tight End
Jordan Reed ($6,800)
Reed is one of the more talented tight ends in the NFL, but he can never stay on the field. In his last game, he caught nine passes for 70 yards against the Cowboys. He caught 50 passes in a timeshare with Niles Paul in just 11 games last year as well, so the ability is there.
Paul is out, so Reed is the guy at tight end for the Redskins now. Expect him to see a high volume of targets against the Dolphins. Reed's best game of his career came with Cousins under center, catching nine passes on nine targets for 134 yards and a touchdown back in Week 5 of the 2013 season.
Defense
Minnesota Vikings ($5,400)
The defenses for Week 1 in most lineups are going to be Seattle, Miami, Philadelphia and maybe the Jets. But a low owned option that could be a big value is the Vikings against the 49ers.
The Vikings have a lot of pass-rushing talent along the defensive line with Sharrif Floyd, Brian Robison and Everson Griffen. In addition, second-year linebacker Anthony Barr is an explosive option to rush on blitzes or stunts. The Niners' offensive line lost two of their top players in the offseason, and with two top-tier defensive backs in Xavier Rhodes and Harrison Smith, the Vikings could accrue a few coverage sacks against Colin Kaepernick.
The Vikings also get a boost because of special teams, as Cordarrelle Patterson is still one of the top returners in the NFL.
