With the football season back in full swing, we finally rejoice and enjoy daily fantasy sports (DFS). We enter Week 1 wondering what will come from this season with only training camp news and last season’s stats to arm us against the plethora of opponents on the apps. Today, we will guide you down a list of stacks you must implement within your lineup to trounce your opponents and leave the day with extra money.
For the newcomers, before we get into the stacks, we need to discuss what stacks are in DFS. Stacks are simple; it’s when you build combinations from certain games and teams you believe will shoot out on Sunday to help elevate your lineup to slate-breaking levels. It could be a quarterback with a wide receiver. It could be two wide receivers to that quarterback and any combination, like a running back and a defense. The potential stacks are limitless, but the correct stack can help you become a winner.
Let’s break down the best stacks for NFL Week 1.
DFS Stacking Advice & Picks: Week 1
Trevor Lawrence + Brian Thomas Jr. + Tyreek Hill (JAX QB & JAX WR + MIA WR)
Trevor Lawrence was meant to be the future, but there were questions surrounding this game after last season. Even with the bumps, Lawrence was able to finish QB13 in fantasy points last season. It was a rough road for Lawrence, but he loved to toss the deep ball last year, and the Jaguars listened. They added Gabriel Davis in free agency and Brian Thomas Jr. in the draft. When you mix those two players with Christian Kirk, Evan Engram and Travis Etienne, your quarterback has a recipe to cook all Sunday.
His opponents struggled against the pass last season as well. Last season, the Miami Dolphins allowed the ninth-highest passer rating while allowing the fifth-most passing touchdowns to play action passing. The Jaguars should take advantage of one of the better weapons out of the backfield to confuse the defense all Sunday.
The Dolphins allowed the 12th-most yards per passing attempt, which ties in nicely with Lawrence’s love of the deep ball. They allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to the quarterback position last year. In one of the higher-scoring games on the skate, we must target Lawrence to reach optimal lineup levels.
To use Lawrence means we are looking to stack one of his pass-catchers with him. Our favorite option is the rookie Brian Thomas Jr. His price is cheap, but his talent is immense for what he can bring to our lineups. His smooth, long strides allow him to reach his top speed quickly, putting defenders in a pickle mid-route on how to cover him. His size and speed create matchup issues for Jaguars opponents, and his willingness to block means he should see more snaps within the offense.
Tyreek Hill is simple: He is one of the best wide receivers in the league. With the motion used in the Dolphins’ offense, his ability to separate allows you to reach a ceiling game easily in the majority of games.
Caleb Williams + Keenan Allen/Rome Odunze + Tony Pollard (CHI QB & CHI WR + TEN RB)
Did you know the Chicago Bears have the eighth-highest implied total on the slate this weekend? Most people wouldn’t guess that just by looking around the league. However, this isn’t the Bears of the past. This team retooled at wide receiver by adding Keenan Allen, D’Andre Swift and Rome Odunze. The Bears did this to help the growth of their number one overall pick Caleb Williams
Williams has been labeled the new Patrick Mahomes, which is a great honor, but he must prove it. Thankfully, he faces off against a weak Tennessee Titans pass defense in Week 1. Now, they did add L’Jarius Sneed, which is why we will avoid DJ Moore, but that won’t be enough to stop this slew of weapons from Chicago.
The Titans allowed the seventh-most receptions last season, and Williams will take advantage of that on Sunday.
We have two stacking options with Williams. You can stack him with Allen, who, according to camp reports, was an MVP of camp but also could have gained weight, or you can stack him with Odunze for salary relief within your lineup. Odunze gives you the big-play ability, while Allen grants you PPR upside. Whether you are playing cash or GPP, you must use the right player in the right area. Allen is your cash guy, and Odunze will help your lineups break a slate.
Check our full cash game and GPP picks.
We are going to utilize the bring-back option within this game, and we are going to focus on the running backs for the Titans. Camp reports a 50/50 split, which means we should aim for the lower-rostered player. At the moment, that is Tony Pollard. Pollard left a sour taste in fantasy addict’s mouths with a terrible season last year. However, in Week 1, he faces the Bears defense, which allowed the second-most receptions to the running back position while allowing the most receiving yards. They struggle within that department, enabling us to take shots on both sides of this sneaky shootout game.
Jerome Ford + Browns Defense (CLE RB + CLE DEF)
This is a simple stack. No, Nick Chubb means Jerome Ford will lead the way. We shouldn’t be concerned with D’Onta Foreman as he was released and brought back, which shows how much the organization believes in him. Ford should see volume, which is king for the running back position.
As for the defense, the Browns’ defense can create pressure. Pressures lead to sacks, and that combination leads to turnovers. The Browns are also hard to defeat when in Cleveland. We will play into the narrative that CeeDee Lamb will need a week to ramp up after missing camp while the rest of the offense is mediocre.
Remember to read all the fantastic work here at FantasyPros. If you need more help, reach out to me on X at @Jpep20. Good luck in Week 1.
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