As Week 1 of preseason continues, we land on the Saturday slate of games. With eight games on the horizon, we have plenty of options for our DFS lineups. Keep an eye on your platform, as we have some games not being used on all platforms. Checking with Vegas lines, we do not have an Over/Under (OU) above 37.5, meaning the focus should land outside wide receivers to build your cash lineups. Your builds will benefit from quarterbacks with high snap counts, strong running back options, a touchdown play at tight end, and a strong defense. Your swings this day should come from wide receivers, and your GPP builds may benefit from trying to find the wide receivers that can 3x their score for Saturday. We will break down some players below to use within your lineups to help you reach your maximal projections.
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Although the Kansas City Chiefs focused on fixing their defense in the draft, they still allowed the second-most DraftKings points to quarterbacks. Since it is Week 1, Justin Fields should see no more than one series, allowing Siemian to get a high snap share of the game.
Equanimeous St. Brown (WR – CHI)
The Chiefs allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to the wide receiver position. They also allowed the ninth-most touchdowns. With the Bears’ wide receiver room decimated with injuries, St Brown could see a substantial target share in this game.
The Bears’ defense struggled with touchdowns to wide receivers last season, allowing the second most in 2021. Justin Watson has the veteran experience to tie in with his need to fight to make this roster for the Chiefs.
Isaiah McKenzie is looking to take over the open slot receiver role after Cole Beasley‘s departure. With his shiftiness facing preseason talent, he could have the ability to break away for a few big plays.
Another veteran is looking to prove himself and is facing a defense that allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to the position last year. Take the touchdown shot with Howard. The Bills called a plethora of plays for the TE during 2021 in the red zone; hopefully, it continues in 2022.
Anthony McFarland Jr. (RB – PIT)
The Seattle Seahawks’ defense allowed the most receiving yards and receptions to running backs last season. With Najee Harris resting in Week 1, McFarland could play this part in the game for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers allowed the second-most rushing yards in the NFL last season. Pete Carroll loves establishing the run and would marry the concept if he could. You should have multiple Seahawks running backs in your lineup if you do a single-game slate. However, for the main slate, you should grab the high draft capital player looking to take over the starting role.
Miami DEF, Buccaneers DEF, Rams DEF, and Chargers DEF
Four teams in two of the lowest O/U games today are all options to use in your DEF spot. All can create pressure and turnovers. Personally, the next step is looking at the quarterback you are facing and the path of least resistance seems to flow through John Wolford, which leads me to the Chargers’ defense (in the lowest-scoring O/U of the week.)
Punt Plays
The last time we saw Ian Book, we watched him play an awful game against the Miami Dolphins. So use that previous image that will be in most players’ heads and grab a quarterback who should have most of the snaps while facing a defense trying to find their identity in the Houston Texans.
The Houston Texans’ run defense should always be picked on in DFS lineups. With the Alvin Kamara news stating his suspension will likely be in 2023 and not this season, Tony Jones Jr.‘s name could fall off radars since he is the third running back on the depth chart. However, in Week 1 of the preseason, with aging running back Mark Ingram in front of him, Jones Jr. could see the potential “workhorse” shares in this game.
Seattle struggled against the tight end, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points last season. This play is as good of a dart throw as you can take, hoping for an end-of-the-game connection with rookie Kenny Pickett.
Jacob Harris may be my favorite play for a dart throw on this slate. You get a chance to play Harris in the tight end spot while he lines up as a wide receiver. This situation reminds me of the week we could play Taysom Hill as a tight end, even when he started as a quarterback. Of course, this situation is a much lesser version, but I’ll take the chance at the cheat code.
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