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Now that the yearly fantasy drafts are wrapped up it’s time for the degenerate gamblers in us all to turn our attention to our daily fantasy picks for week 1. I believe the early weeks in the season provide a perfect opportunity to pad your account with some easy money. Whether it’s Fanduel, or any other daily fantasy site, they are limited in the way they increase salaries for certain players without current year statistics backing it up. Good for you and me because we can grab some obvious value players in the early weeks before their salaries start to level off with their production. In my week 1 lineup I have a handful of such players.

Sam Bradford, PHI - $7,500 at ATL

I almost always try to find the best value pick at quarterback on Fanduel.  Passing touchdowns are only worth 4 points as opposed to 6 points for rushing and receiving so I like to save cap space at quarterback when I can. There is plenty to like about Sam Bradford in week 1. He has had a productive preseason and his talents fit very well in Chip Kelly’s offense. The Atlanta defense gave up the most passing yards last season. Philadelphia was second worst in passing defense last season so this game is shaping up to be a shootout. Lastly Sam Bradford’s injury concerns have very little merit in daily fantasy, unless he goes down early on Sunday (knock on wood).

Jeremy Hill, CIN - $8,600 at OAK

Jeremy Hill made his debut last season in week 9 and Giovani Bernard never stood a chance. Hill is the Bengals feature running back and received all the goal line work in the dress rehearsal game. This is a plus for week 1 as Oakland gave up 17 rushing touchdowns last season. He is toward the top of the cap for RB’s this week but this is prime example of why saving money on QB pays off.

Christopher Ivory, NYJ - $6,400 vs. CLE

Chris Ivory has risen to the top of the depth chart for the Jets to start the season. He is a beast with the rock and will likely see plenty of opportunity as Ryan Fitzpatrick was forced into the starting role. The Jets have a fantastic matchup this week against the Browns who ranked dead last in run defense last season. His hit against the cap is minimal for the amount of work we can expect to see and the favorable matchup.

Julio Jones, ATL - $9,000 vs. PHI

Very rarely will I recommend spending top dollar on any player. This week I am making that rare exception when it comes to Julio Jones. The Falcons/Eagles game has the highest projected point’s total (55) of any other game in Week 1. Atlanta prefers to get work done through the air and the matchup is perfect against the Eagles pass defense that finished 2^nd to last in 2014. Spend the cap space and gain yourself a clear cut elite WR1.

Jarvis Landry, MIA - $6,900 at WAS

Landry happens to be one of my favorite WR2’s heading into the season. He is entering into his second season as the clear #1 in Miami. Tannehill looks Landry’s way early and often making him a PPR favorite week in and week out. Week 1 in particular is a favorable matchup as the Redskins gave up the most passing touchdowns (35) last season.

Davante Adams, GB - $5,500 at CHI

We haven’t been able to see much Adams this preseason. The packers were devastated by the loss of Nelson and Cobb had an injury scare too so Green Bay saw fit to protect their receivers. That being said I like his value this week. He is the #2 wide receiver on a high powered passing offense with one of the best quarterbacks throwing to him. His value is increased this week more than some based on the favorable matchup against the Bears. The Bears defense was bad last season and with coaching changes and scheme changes I don’t see the improvement necessary to prevent the Packers from embarrassing them once again.

Martellus Bennett, CHI - $6,200 vs. GB

Bennett is the small shining light at the end of the long dark tunnel that is the Chicago Bears fantasy value this season. Bennett’s athleticism makes him a good option at TE but week 1 in particular has advantages. The Bears have injury concerns at wide receiver and Bennett’s role was increased in game 3 of the preseason. He is a favorable target in the end zone for Jay Cutler. Finally, he historically plays his best ball in September. Last season his September stat line was 29 rec. 295 yards and 4 TD’s; in 2013 he was 20/225/3. If there was any time to bet on Bennett it is week 1.

Cody Parkey, PHI - $5,000 at ATL

I follow two basic rules when finding value for a kicker in daily fantasy leagues. I look at the odds boards to see what games have high point’s projections and I particularly look for favorable games that are in domes. Cody Parkey is a fantastic find for week 1 that exceeds expectations for both of my criteria. No matter what other advice you may listen to or ignore this is the piece of advice you will want to take.

Miami Dolphins DST - $4,700 at WAS

People might forget that for about half the season last year Miami was a pretty stout defense. Injuries and overall lack of depth failed them at the end of the season, but they have bolstered that defense this off season. I can tell you in two words why I like this match up. Kirk. Cousins. If that isn’t enough then I will also site the fact that Washington has had a world of distractions and “miscommunication” involving RGIII leading up the start of this season. The Redskins are a mess. Miami defense is strong. 

Last week broke a 3 week cashless streak in the Sunday Million so let's keep that momentum going into week 9! This week we are going with a couple of mid-priced RBs that will see plenty of touches, two high end WRs facing off against each other in what should be a high scoring affair and a QB/WR stack in another game with potential for a lot of points. Good luck this week!

QB - Philip Rivers, SD - $8,600 vs. CHI:  Rivers may be down his top receiver after losing Keenan Allen for the year but he will still come through in what could be a high scoring affair on Monday Night against the Bears.

RB - DeAngelo Williams, PIT - $6,500 vs. OAK:  With Le'Veon Bell out for the season, Williams will be in for a high volume of touches the remainder of the season. Great price for the production in a decent matchup against the Raiders.

RB - Jeremy Langford, CHI - $6,400 at SD:  Another running back due for a high volume week and Langford gets a dream matchup against a Chargers run defense allowing a league worst 5.0 yards per carry.

WR - Odell Beckham Jr., NYG - $9,000 at TB:  Look for ODB to stay hot from his 130 yard, three touchdown performance last week. I don't expect much defense in this game so there should be plenty of fantasy points to go to the best players on the field.

WR - Mike Evans, TB - $7,500 vs. NYG:  The New York Giants defense gives up a league worst 323 yards per game to opposing receivers which means there will be plenty of opportunity for Evans to have a big game.

WR - Malcom Floyd, SD - $6,100 vs. CHI:  The receiving options are thin in San Diego this week with Keenan Allen out, Ladarius Green doubtful and Antonio Gates questionable. Looking for Rivers to lean heavy towards Floyd.

TE - Jordan Reed, WAS - $5,700 at NE:  Great value play at TE this week as Washington will need to try to keep up in points facing off against New England.

K - Stephen Gostkowski, NE - $5,200 vs. WAS:  Gostkowski has scored double digit fantasy points the past 6 weeks in a row and nothing should derail that this week.

DEF - Falcons, ATL - $4,900 at SF:  Playing defenses against San Fran has been a great strategy all year and it gets even better this week with Blaine Gabbert under center.

Well we couldn't get a Sunday Millions cash streak going last week so it's time to start a new streak starting with week 10! Spending high on a QB/WR stack in a matchup which should be hemorrhaging fantasy points, grabbing a couple highly productive RBs with amazing matchups and playing two WRs whose teams face head to head. Good luck gamblers!

QB  - Tom Brady, NE - $9,100 at NYG:  Spending high at the QB position this week mostly because I think there will be a ton of fantasy points coming out of the Patriots and Giants matchup. The Giants are also allowing opposing QBs to pass for 308 yards per game which is second worst in the league.

RB - DeAngelo Williams, PIT - $7,600 vs. CLE:  No brainer pick this week with Williams toting a cheapish price tag and playing against the league worst run defense in the Cleveland Browns.

RB - Mark Ingram, NO - $7,500 at WAS:  Ingram has been putting up consistent points this season and should continue to dominate touches after the loss of Khiry Robinson. He gets a plus matchup against the 4th worst run defense in the league.

WR - Julian Edelman, NE - $8,000 at NYG:  Playing Edelman as a combo to Brady this week, he should torch a paper thin Giants secondary.

WR - Golden Tate, DET - $6,300 at GB:  Calvin Johnson is shaping up to be a game time decision as he hasn't practiced all week with an ankle injury which means Tate should benefit with more looks in a game that Detroit will need to score a lot of points to win.

WR -Devante Adams, GB - $5,800 vs. DET:  Adams is back at the number two WR position after coming back from injury. Somewhat of a pairing play with Tate here as I'm betting on a lot of points being scored in the Green Bay/Detroit game.

TE - Tyler Eifert, CIN - $6,200 vs. HOU:  Eifert is coming off a three touchdown performance against the Browns last week. While I don't see him repeating, he's a great play with the red zone targets he gets and has also been lining up wide on plays this year.

K - Brandon McManus, DEN - $4,800 vs. KC:  Usually would default to Gostkowski but didn't want to pair a QB and kicker. Kicking in Denver always gives more opportunity for 50+ yard field goals too.

DEF - Panthers, CAR - $4,700 at TEN:  The ever consistent Panther defense gets a great matchup against a Titans team giving up the most fantasy points to opposing teams this year.

Hope everyone had a great Turkey Day full of family, friends and delicious food. Due to the Thanksgiving games the pool of players to choose from for the Sunday Million is thin. This week we are going with a QB/WR stack going up against a team with an abysmal defense but an offense that can put up points, taking value picks at RB and grabbing a TE on a team that is depleted on receivers. Good luck this week!

QB  - Brian Hoyer, HOU - $7,100 vs. NO:  Hoyer returns from a concussion and gets a cake match up against the worst defense in the NFL. This should be a high scoring game so look for fantasy points to be flying around in this one.

RB - Doug Martin, TB - $7,500 at IND:  Indianapolis has been torched by opposing running backs many times this season which makes Martin an extremely high upside play. It also helps that Martin has only had less than 20 touches in a game once in the past 7 weeks.

RB - T.J. Yeldon, JAC - $6,500 vs. SD:  The Chargers run defense is awful and they have also given up the most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season which makes Yeldon a great value play.

WR - DeAndre Hopkins, HOU - $9,400 vs. NO:  Stacking up the red hot Hopkins with Hoyer this week in a game that should see plenty of touchdowns coming through the air.

WR - Brandin Cooks, NO - $7,300 at HOU:  Cooks started the season off slow but he has been putting up double digit fantasy points 4 weeks in a row. Pairing him with the Hoyer/Hopkins stack to increase point upside.

WR - DeSean Jackson, WAS - $6,300 vs. NYG:  Amazing match up for the Redskins burner this week going up against a Giants team giving of the most receiving yards in the league.

TE - Antonio Gates, SD - $5,700 at JAC:  Gates looks to be fully healthy and the Chargers are running thin on receivers which should mean a heavy workload for him against a sub par Jaguars defense.

K - Cairo Santos, KC - $4,900 vs. BUF:  Santos is the only kicker to have at least 6 field goal attempts in a game this year and he's been in that range twice notching games with 6 and 7 attempts.

DEF - Cardinals, ARI - $5,300 at SF:  Easily the best match up for any defense this week, well worth spending top dollar on.