Bottom of the Barrel Week 1 NFL DFS Breakdown

Bottom of the Barrel Week 1 NFL DFS Breakdown
9/6/2021
Chris Robin

The National Football League is back! More importantly, Bottom of the Barrel Week 1 is back in action. The most common question I get throughout the off-season is about Bottom of the Barrel. Where does it go? What do you do with it? So, I decided to spend the spring and summer keeping up with B&B. Checking in from time to time. Making sure it was resting and enjoying the downtime.

As we turn our attention to yet another football season, I want to make a few things clear. It’s an honor and a privilege to connect with you. I take my daily fantasy sports content extremely seriously. Anything worth doing is worth doing right, right? I am looking forward to another season providing you with Bottom of the Barrel. As the success of it all grows so does my humility and hunger to bring you the best possible content possible. Buckle up, friends! We are in for one heck of 2021 football season!

Let me refresh your memories! Each week in Bottom of the Barrel I like to mention the most expensive player at each position. Helps put the player pricing into perspective!

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QUARTERBACK

Patrick Mahomes KC v CLE(27th)(FD-$8,800)(DK-$8,100)(Y!-$40)

Best in the game at the quarterback position. Get used to seeing Patrick Mahomes atop this article all season!

Here are some cheaper options at QB in week 1!

Justin Herbert LAC @ WSH(5th)(FD-$7,600)(DK-$6,700)(Y!-$30)

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Daniel Jones NYG v DEN(26th)(FD-$6,700)(DK-$5,300)(Y!-20)

Look, I said months ago this is a make-or-break season for Daniel Jones. Danny proceeded to look awful in the preseason. His bad decision-making and ill-advised throws have only made me more nervous. That’s the beauty of DFS, not married to a player longer than one week. Here’s hoping Danny Dimes flips the switch for us in week one.

Trevor Lawrence JAX @ HOU(22nd)(FD-$6,800)(DK-$6,200)(Y!-$23)

The rookie golden boy vs. arguably the worst team in the NFL. This might be the closest best college team vs the worst professional team match-up we ever get! Trevor will shred the Texans.

Sam Darnold CAR v NYJ(29th)(FD-$6,500)(DK-$5,000)(Y!-25)

Cue the John Cena theme music, “Your time is up my time is now…” I want to see Sam breakout and succeed so bad. Week one is the start of a new chapter for Darnold! Time to put my money where my mouth is with old Sammy boy!

Zach Wilson NYJ @ CAR(20th)(FD-$6,500)(DK-$5,000)(Y!-$20)

The New York Jets have seemingly climbed out of the basement. On the strength of a great 2021 draft class! Look for Wilson to come out slinging the football!

RUNNING BACK

Christian McCaffery CAR v NYJ(17th)(FD-$10,400)(DK-$9,500)(Y!-$39)

CMC is 100% healthy and looking for action! I’ve long said whatever you’re looking for you will find. Pedal to the metal for CMC right out of the gate!

Here are some cheaper options at RB in week 1!

Kareem Hunt CLE @ KC(24th)(FD-$6,000)(DK-$5,500)(Y!-$17)

The secret is out on Hunt being a productive backup. Therein lies the issue. On paper, Hunt is a backup but Kareem has legit standalone value. DFS is always about zigging when others zag. Week 1 is all about chalk and popular plays. Get over on the masses in week one. Roster Kareem Hunt!

James Robinson JAX @ HOU(32nd)(FD-$5,900)(DK-$6,400)(Y!-$27)

J-Rob was a stud, got buried in the draft now he’s back to being the man again in Jacksonville. I have a feeling James Robinson will be a staple in B&B this season. Get used to it now! Price point plus workload? It’s a no-brainer!

Chase Edmonds ARZ @ TEN(27th)(FD-$5,900)(DK-$4,600)(Y!-$17)

Life is always about trial and error. Working the kinks out and finding what works. The same rationale applies here with Chase. How with the Cardinals use him after the departure of Kenyan Drake? You must pay to play people! Let’s roster Edmonds and let it play out in real-time!

Damien Harris NE v MIA(6th)(FD-$5,800)(DK-$5,200)(Y!-$17)

Cam Newton is gone. Sony Michel is gone. Mac Jones is in. Harris is up. Look for a steady dose of Damien here in week one.

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Javonte Williams DEN @ NYG(20th)(FD-$5,600)(DK-$4,000)(Y!-$13)

Take notice, Javonte is in for the ride of his life here in Denver! I know the idea of Melvin Gordon III also being in Denver is an issue for certain folks. Use that mentality to really charge up your DFS lines in week one. I have this odd feeling that Javonte’s ownership percentages are going to be very low the first few weeks of the season. Act fast and get in now! Maybe I’ll sell t-shirts that read “I used Javonte in week 1 when he was in Bottom of the Barrel!”

James Connor ARZ @ TEN(27th)(FD-$5,500)(DK-$4,500)(Y!-$17)

“Mr. James Connor, I enjoyed your time in Pittsburgh, kind of, and I wish you the best in Arizona.” Signed no Pittsburgh Steelers fan ever. Here is a case of using it before you lose it.

Trey Sermon SF @ DET(31st)(FD-$5,200)(DK-$4,500)(Y!-$17)

Now we’re talking. Another rookie running back going up against an awful defense. The 49er’s offense will explode at some point this season. Why not week one? Mostert is ahead of Trey, for now, on the depth chart but I have a sneaking suspicion the kid proves his point right here in Detroit on Sunday.

Chuba Hubbard CAR v NYJ(17th)(FD-$4,700)(DK-$4,000)(Y!-$10)

Last I looked Chuba is the direct backup to CMC in Carolina. Upon further inspection, it’s just Chuba and the newly signed Royce Freeman on the RB depth chart. Realistically speaking CMC can’t see 100% of the snaps in week one at running back, can he?

Rhamondre Stevenson NE v MIA(6th)(FD-$4,600)(DK-$4,000)(Y!-$10)

Rhamondre was one of, if not, the most exciting rookie backs in the 2021 pre-season. I know regular season football is not the same as preseason, but it counts for something! Stevenson has absolutely carved out a role for himself on the New Patriots team.

WIDE RECEIVER

Davante Adams GB @ NO(19th)(FD-$8,600)(DK-$8,300)(Y!-$35)

There is a reason Davante is the most expensive wide receiver to start the season. Don’t think twice about adding him. Or on second thought keep reading here are a few WR’s that would compliment him well.

Here are some cheaper options at WR in week 1!

Tyler Boyd CIN v MIN(27th)(FD-$5,900)(DK-$5,200)(Y!-$17)

Tyler is the perfect example of being patient. All spring and all summer it was Ja’ Marr Chase this Tee Higgins that. Meanwhile, Boyd has kept his head down putting in the work. Boyd has always been a PPR fantasy football player’s dream.

Marvin Jones Jr. JAX @ HOU(26th)(FD-$5,800)(DK-$3,600)(Y!-$17)

Don’t look now but I firmly believe Marvin Jones Jr. has a real shot at yet another high-end season at WR for the Jaguars. It all starts here in week one as he becomes rookie QB Trevor Lawrence’s safety blanket!

Courtland Sutton DEN @ NYG(11th)(FD-$5,800)(DK-$5,200)(Y!-$16)

Courtland Sutton has seemingly been forgotten about. During the summer he just disappeared. I did not forget! He’s been right in front of me the whole time! His price tag for week one is understandable given the injury and not seeing a football field in quite some time. Please roster Sutton now while you can. His price tag is going to shoot to the moon!

Corey Davis NYJ @ CAR(13th)(FD-$5,800)(DK-$4,900)(Y!-$15)

Corey Davis switched teams and his usage this preseason has been unbelievably fantastic! Corey is clearly rookie QB Zack Wilson’s favorite target and could pay dividends in week one. Perfect chance to catch others sleeping.

Russell Gage ATL v PHI(25th)(FD-$5,700)(DK-$5,300)(Y!-$14)

You know what’s coming here. Julio Jones is gone, vacated targets and someone will have to step up. I had to say it. Fun and games aside Russell Gage had a nice 2020 but now gets a massive bump across the board in all categories. Look for hefty stat cheat filling from the get!

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Nelson Agholor NE v MIA(23rd)(FD-$5,600)(DK-$4,500)(Y!-$16)

Agholor was a pleasant surprise last season! Now with New England I fully expect Nelson to work in tandem with Jonnu and Hunter Henry. Agholor will be used to stretch the field roaming free on the outside while the tight-end boys work underneath.

Laviska Shenault Jr. JAX @ HOU(26th)(FD-$5,600)(DK-$5,000)(Y!-$15)

Ah, there he is! I know a lot of folks are high on this kid headed into 2021. Viska will be on fire right out of the gate just soaking up targets. Shenault Jr. has big-play ability on any given snap as well. Given the match-up here in week one he’s a fantastic selection.

Jerry Jeudy DEN @ NYG(11th)(FD-$5,500)(DK-$4,800)(Y!-$15)

The excitement around this Denver Broncos offense has been well warranted. The return of Courtland Sutton should free up some space for Jerry. Sutton or Jeudy? Jeudy or Sutton? Why not both in week one?!

Jakobi Meyers NE v MIA(23rd)(FD-$5,400)(DK-$5,100)(Y!-$14)

The target shares this kid was receiving last season were unbelievable! Fast forward to 2021 and I see no reason why Meyers cannot immediately deliver for us! With the change at quarterback and the addition of two stout tight-ends, Myers will have room to roam!

Michael Pittman Jr. IND v SEA(22nd)(FD-$5,300)(DK-$4,100)(Y!-$17)

Classic case of practicing patience! Michael is a sleeper, then he was bad and now we’re right back where we started. Long gone are the days of Seattle’s secondary being called, “The Legion of Boom’. The exploitable match-up mixed with a cheap price tag makes Pittman Jr. an interesting option in wee one.

DeVonta Smith PHI @ ATL(32nd)(FD-$5,300)(DK-$4,500)(Y!-$17)

Say what you want about the kid’s skinny frame, DeVonta can ball! The connection with a second-year quarterback, Jalen Hurts, will be on full display early and often here. Oh, did I forget to mention the Atlanta Falcons are dead last (32nd) defending wide receivers? It’s a match made in heaven in week one!

TIGHT END

Travis Kelce KC v CLE(23rd)(FD-$8,500)(DK-$8,300)(Y!-$33)

Travis Kelce is, without doubt, the best tight end on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.

Here are some cheaper plays at TE for week 17.

Dawson Knox BUF v PIT(5th)(FD-$5,000)(DK-$3,400)(Y!-$10)

Hopefully, most of you are aware of my DFS tight end methods. Punt the position but make a good, informed decision. Dawson Knox fits the bill here. Buffalo Bills TE Dawson Knox has been rumored to have been working with a vision specialist to improve his pass-catching ability through hand-eye coordination and depth perception training. Plus, this Buffalo Bills offense is insanely tilted towards passing the football. Snap percentages mixed with his stud QB make Knox the absolute perfect punt play in week one!

O.J. Howard TB v DAL(12th)(FD-$4,900)(DK-$3,300)(Y!-$13)

What’s up with recommending OJ Howard here Chris? Tampa Bay has Godwin, Evans, Rojo, Fournette, and Gronk! There is no room for OJ! Throughout my life, I’ve been able to spin negativity to my advantage. Before his season-ending injury in 2020 OJ Howard was being force-fed the football. Tom Brady is so dang good at distributing the football! Looking ahead I can see a case where OJ finishes week one with three receptions, twenty yards, and two touchdowns. Very odd stat line but it’s the touchdowns were after!

Jonnu Smith NE v MIA(11)(FD-$4,900)(DK-$4,100)(Y!-$15)

Jonnu is an absolute monster after the catch. His YAC, yards after completion, mixed with the Patriot’s creative offense play calling have me licking my chops! It’s a new day in England folks!

Gerald Everett SEA @ IND(13th)(FD-$4,800)(DK-$3,400)(Y!-$10)

I understand the lack of excitement here, but we all know the motto of the Seahawks. They are a run-first team while Russ Wilson is able to buy time in the pocket. Seattle also likes to implement heavy run personal inside the red zone. Granted Gerald isn’t Wilson’s first read but Everett has a little upside here.

Mo Alie-Cox IND v SEA(15th)(FD-$4,700(DK-$2,900)(Y!-$10)

Mo Alie-Cox is your typical converted basketball player turned professional football tight end. Cox is amazingly athletic and should grab Carson Wentz’s attention right here in week one!

Blake Jarwin DAL @ TB(25th)(FD-$4,500)(DK-$3,400)(Y!-$10)

A cheap tight end in a high-volume pass offense. Need I say more?

Pat Freiermuth PIT @ BUF(31st)(FD-$4,400)(DK-$2,500)(Y!-$10)

Pat sits behind probably my least favorite football player of all time, Eric Ebron. This Pittsburgh offense has all the makings of being a high-flying air show. Ebron has always been a loudmouth-stoned-handed dolt. In week one the Steelers travel to Buffalo to test their summer work against the Buffalo Bill’s thirty first-ranked defense vs tight ends. Freiermuth will find the endzone in his regular-season professional game!

Chris Herndon MIN @ CIN(28th)(FD-$4,400)(DK-$3,300)(Y!-$10)

Last season the Vikings scored fifty-five total touchdowns. Kirk Cousins tossed thirty-five of them! Looking ahead to week one how much do we expect Minnesota to use Herndon? Not much but at such low prices, I’ll take the chance. Can you imagine the headline Monday? “Newly acquired TE Chris Herndon pays immediate dividends!”

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That’s it! Week one is upon us! Not to be the bearer of bad news but this season is going to fly by. Enjoy every moment! Enjoy building every line. Let’s be happy and thankful football is back!

Here are two of the sample lines I am going to use for week 1! Keep in mind these lines are for entertainment purposes! Please play responsibly!

Also, look for updated lines closer to lock on Sunday morning 9/12/21!

That is, it! Did I miss someone? Any questions or comments?

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