The first main slate of the year is this Sunday and building a player pool is almost as important as making your lineups. We will all miss out on playing a guy who scores three TD’s in a game, but did we even consider that player? Why did or didn’t they make the cut? Part of improving is working on your process.
Looking at the entire player pool can be overwhelming, but narrowing your field can make your Sunday mornings a little easier. Plus, doing some prep work ahead of time allows for more family time and a happy wife. (This is super important to DFS and gambling longevity) Since prices have been out for over a month, there is some clear and obvious value we can all look to. Keelan Cole is the minimum on Fan Duel and barely above the minimum on Draft Kings, he should be a cash game lock. (Just a reminder that cash games are all head-to-heads, 50/50’s and double ups. Tourney’s or GPP’s are events with larger prize pools and different payouts the higher you score. I normally make one cash lineup and several GPP lineups every week)
Despite doing all this preparation and work to get ready for Sunday you must remain flexible. The Sunday last year in Buffalo where they had blizzard like conditions made Shady McCoy a must play. I didn’t even consider playing him until about an hour before lock. This list below will change.
Current Player Pool
QB
Case Keenum – My favorite off the wall stacking cheap QB.
Phillip Rivers – Has been awful against KC recently, but KC defense is bad.
Andy Dalton – Quietly, everyone is healthy and was once a top five fantasy QB.
Tom Brady – Super obvious play.
Deshaun Watson – Ehh, I’m not so sure he ends up on any lineup.
Drew Brees – Kind of want to stack him with Kamara.
RB
Rex Burkhead – Super cheap and role is not exactly known.
Melvin Gordon – He is going to get close to 30 touches in some way.
Royce Freeman – Named the starter and is affordable.
Alex Collins – I don’t know if I believe in him yet, but great GPP play.
Christian McCaffrey – I believe the hype.
James White – Super safe especially on DK.
David Johnson – No one is talking about him, but healthy in a good spot.
Alvin Kamara – The Saints have two active RB’s, great matchup, opportunity is there.
James Connor – Will be locked into all of my lineups when Bell is officially ruled out week one.
WR
Stefon Diggs – I think Minny is better than last year.
Chris Hogan – Who else is Brady gonna throw to?
Keelan Cole – Min priced on FD, 3800 on DK.
Emmanuel Sanders – I love Denver’s upside this year.
Antonio Brown – No Bell = More AB targets.
Keenan Allen – Stack with Rivers.
Tyrell the Gazelle Williams – If you need a GPP guy.
John Ross – See my Dalton love.
Tyler Lockett – Doug Baldwin has a tough matchup and someone has to catch passes.
Doug Baldwin – He will be in one lineup I think.
AJ Green – Yes, I will have a Dalton/Green stack this weekend.
TY Hilton – See my last post about my Hilton love.
Michael Thomas – Saints onslaught makes sense, but who to run it back with?
Tight End
ASJ – Is he healthy?
Greg Kittle – So cheap.
Jack Doyle – Also so cheap and I love him.
Vance McDonald –If healthy and no Bell, I’m in.
Jordan Reed – Remember when Reed was like 6k last year?
Delanie Walker – I think I’m going to have a lot of Doyle.
This is where I am currently. I’ll post my stacks on Sunday to give a clear picture of who I am really backing. Did I miss anyone?
Win The Weekends 