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Week 1 DraftKings Tournament Picks

By Jared Smola | Updated on Sat, 20 Apr 2024 . 1:27 PM EDT

QB

Jimmy Garoppolo ($5,800)

Garoppolo had 2 monster games against the Cardinals last season. He threw for 424 yards and 4 TDs in the 49ers’ 36-26 Week 11 win and 317 yards with 4 TDs in a 28-25 Week 9 win.

With only 3 games over 30 fantasy points last season and 2 coming against this defense, Jimmy G might fly under the radar at $5,800 with several people looking to pay up at QB with Lamar Jackson ($8,100), Russell Wilson ($7,000) or Matt Ryan ($6,500).

RB

Mark Ingram ($5,500)

With a team total of 28.5 points, favored by over a TD and concentrated ownership on teammates Lamar Jackson, Mark Andrews and Marquise Brown, Ingram is a great GPP play in Week 1.

Cleveland finished as the 30^th ranked rush defense last year and Ingram has shown great propensity for the end zone as he scored 15 TDs in just 15 games in 2019.

At just $5,500, Ingram could easily score 20+ and should be low owned.

Josh Jacobs ($6,800)

Jacobs is always hard to trust in cash games with the Raiders unwilling to use him in the passing game. However, as 3-point favorites against a historically bad Panthers rush defense, Jacobs is an excellent bet to eclipse 100 yards on the ground and hopefully hit pay dirt.

Carolina ranked dead last against the run in 2019 and then lost All-Pro LB Luke Kuechly this offseason. Jacobs averaged 32 more yards per game in Raiders victories — and there is certainly a chance Jacobs leads the league in rushing this week.

WR

Chris Godwin ($7,100)

The Saints gave up the 7^th most fantasy points to opposing WRs last season and are particularly vulnerable in the slot, where Chris Godwin figures to run some of his routes against subpar CBs P.J. Williams or Patrick Robinson.

I expect the Bucs to employ a pass-heavy attack and for Godwin to lead the Bucs in targets in Week 1.

DeSean Jackson ($4,900)

Jackson looks impossible to avoid in Week 1 — even with high projected ownership. He’s cheap; he’s reportedly looked tremendous in Eagles practices; he should lead the Eagles in air yards with Alshon Jeffery and Jalen Reagor out; and he lit up this same Washington defense last season for 8-154-2 in Week 1.

TE

George Kittle ($7,200)

Arizona ranked dead last against opposing TEs in 2019. Kittle destroyed them for 6-79-1 while playing the majority of the game injured. Now, with Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk likely out, Kittle has a shot at 10+ targets in Sunday’s opener.

This is a smash spot for Kittle. If Arizona can keep up with the Niners, it could be a huge day for Kittle. With easily the highest floor/ceiling combo on the Week 1 slate, Kittle could be a key to tournament takedowns.

Darren Waller ($5,900)

With Tyrell Williams going down with a shoulder injury, I expect Carr to go to the man he trusts the most — and that’s Waller.

The Raiders are starting 2 rookie WRs in Bryan Edwards and Henry Ruggs, so I expect Waller to lead the Raiders in targets against a Panthers defense that hemorrhages points all over and lacks LB and S talent to match up with the electric Waller.

Waller will offer plenty of leverage sandwiched between Mark Andrews ($6,000) and Zach Ertz ($5,800).

DST

Ravens ($3,100)

There’s a new OC in Cleveland, and the team had limited preparation due to COVID. Ravens HC John Harbaugh has an impeccable preseason record. So I’m going to roll out a bunch of Ravens defense in anticipation of a blowout.

The Ravens ranked 4^th in pass defense DVOA last year and now added all-world DE Calais Campbell as well as DE Derek Wolfe.

If the Ravens can stop Nick Chubb early and build a lead, it could be a dominating performance with Baker Mayfield taking sacks and turning it over.