FanDuel & DraftKings NFL Week 1: Tournament Stacks

Correlations are very relevant in NFL DFS, as we like to pair up quarterbacks with their top receiving options. While the running back and defense stack is not as high of an upside stack as using a passing game, it is still viable with the right plays around it, and still brings a small correlation of upside. Game stacks can often be overlooked, but why wouldn't you want exposure to the team trying to keep up or chasing your favorite passing offense? There are ways to be contrarian by still targeting a top offense projected with higher ownership. Shifting from the popular WR1 to a WR2, TE, or even RB is going to help you get exposure at slightly less ownership. WR1, RB1, WR2, and TE1 in that order stand the highest chances of generating the most fantasy points in a stack. This is at least for two man stacks. We will dive into more multiplayer stacks below. Volume, Vegas, opposing defensive stats, pace, and pricing are all calculated into my stacks below. You will find my top, value, contrarian, and game stacks within the article. You can find me on Twitter at @JGuilbault11 to help with the week's slate, or questions/comments about the article.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Getting the obvious out of the way, Tampa Bay is in a great spot this week and are going to be threats all season long for stacking purposes. For one, they have a below average ground game, and a horrendous defense. Bruce Arians also in town is going to put the offense in better spots to score points. We also get to finally see Chris Godwin and OJ Howard in more full time roles. No more Adam Humphries stealing targets or Cameron Brate robbing Howard of his upside. San Francisco ranked 19th against WR1s last season, 26th against WR2s, and 21st against TEs. All three are in prime positions to do some damage, although I like coming back around the San Francisco side with George Kittle if you are stacking Evans and Godwin over a mixture of Howard. The 49ers allowed 22.1 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks last season. Winston is a better bargain on FD, where DK has him priced up quite a bit.

Los Angeles Chargers

This is a stack I am more on for DraftKings, solely because of the PPR scoring. These are names that need receptions to put up big points, and that should be the case in Week 1. Indy's defense is solid, and the offensive line of Los Angeles took a major hit. They also are going to be without Melvin Gordon. Indy ranked 29th against tight ends, allowing 76 receiving yards per game. Henry is a gift on DK at $3,900. They also ranked 25th against pass-catching backs, and allowed 54 receiving yards per game on 8.4 attempts. Because of the offensive line play, there should be a lot of quick throws to these names above. The Colts ranked 24th against passes thrown within 15 yards. Philip Rivers is not airing it out anymore, and this should be a spot where a full on PPR stack can rack up points.

Carolina Panthers

Having an RB in a stack can be hit or miss, except when it is Christian McCaffrey and the Panthers offense. Outside of him, this is a group reasonably priced, especially the wide receivers. I am excited to see what these wideouts can do and both are extremely cheap for Week 1. The Rams offense is solid, but Rams games tend to generate points given the speed they play at and the force of opposing offenses to keep up in scoring. The Rams ranked 22nd against deep balls, which both Moore and Samuel can thrive in. I am leaning more with the passing game first, and then the secondary option of adding in McCaffrey. His volume and versatility is what excites me, but the pass-catching defense of the Rams was solid against RBs. However, they ranked 27th against the run. This is a great overall game stack as well with so many Rams pieces in play too.