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Daily Fantasy Football QB Pick: Trevor Lawrence vs. Indianapolis Colts – $6,500
Last season is what we expected to see from Trevor Lawrence when he entered the NFL as the #1 overall pick from the 2021 NFL Draft. Once again, you kind of have to throw out that season under Urban Meyer and look to 2022 as his true rookie season. Lawrence was able to showcase his passing abilities and his awareness to make plays on the ground when needed.
He totaled 4,113 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, and only eight interceptions. He also rushed it in for five touchdowns as well. You can expect Lawrence to blossom further in his now third season in the NFL. Doug Pederson really was able to get the best from Lawrence and that relationship is going to make Lawrence a bonafide fantasy dynamo in 2023.
The Jaguars open the season against the Colts and you can expect Lawrence to be able to carve up this Colts defense with ease. In two games against Indianapolis last season, Lawrence threw for 400 passing yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also scored two of his five total rushing touchdowns against the Colts as well. This price of $6,500 is quite a good deal for a quarterback going against a team in the Colts that doesn’t expect to be competitive at all this season.
Other QB Options: Jalen Hurts vs. New England Patriots ($7,800), Kirk Cousins vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($6,300)
Daily Fantasy Football RB Pick: J.K. Dobbins vs. Houston Texans – $6,600
While the Texans should be in good shape with DeMeco Ryans as their head coach, the defense is not going to be elite here in Week 1. J.K. Dobbins also is a player who could be an interesting prospect as the season goes along because of his health questions. As of right now though, Dobbins is healthy and he has a good matchup against Houston to be a force in fantasy football this week. If you remember when Dobbins was healthy, he was a real difference-maker in this Ravens offense.
In his rookie season (his last fully healthy season), he totaled 152 touches, 925 scrimmage yards, and nine total touchdowns. While his long-term aspirations should be taken with a grain of salt, he is a must-start here in Week 1 in all fantasy leagues.
Other RB Options: Javonte Williams vs. Las Vegas Raiders ($5,700), Brian Robinson Jr. vs. Arizona Cardinals ($5,100)
Daily Fantasy Football WR Pick: Deebo Samuel vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – $5,500
Deebo Samuel has challenged himself to re-invent his role in the offseason and to get leaner and meaner. He has gone on record saying that he felt last season was disappointing for him, aside from their NFC Championship loss to the Eagles.
Even in that disappointing season, Samuel totaled 864 scrimmage yards and five total touchdowns in 13 games played. It’s safe to say his missing time led to him not performing at the highest level last season, but he was still a playmaker for this offense when he was on the field.
Heading into 2023, the quarterback drama should be over (hopefully) and Samuel should become the force he was in the 2021 season when he finished as the third-best wide receiver in fantasy football leagues. While the Steelers present a tough defense, expect the volume alone to make Samuel a solid start here in Week 1.
Other WR Options: Jordan Addison vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($5,100), Chris Olave vs. Tennessee Titans ($6,500)
Daily Fantasy Football TE Pick: Greg Dulcich vs. Las Vegas Raiders – $4,000
The trade of Albert Okwuegbunam to the Philadelphia Eagles cemented the fact that the Broncos are ready to move forward with Greg Dulcich. Now the team did trade for former top prospect Adam Trautman from the New Orleans Saints, but Dulcich is proven in this system and should be a factor in this offense in 2023.
He started 2022 on the injured reserve list with a hamstring injury, but after coming off the IR he looked good. He posted 33 receptions, for 411 receiving yards, and two touchdowns in 10 total games.
This combination of Sean Payton and Russell Wilson should do wonders for Dulcich, as both love using the tight end in the offense. The Raiders last season surrendered the 8th most targets and 6th most receptions to opposing tight ends. Expect the Broncos to take advantage of that and for Dulcich to make an early impression for this Denver offense in 2023.
Other TE Options: Tyler Higbee vs. Seattle Seahawks ($4,800), Evan Engram vs. Indianapolis Colts ($4,700)
Daily Fantasy Football FLEX Pick: Khalil Herbert vs. Green Bay Packers – $5,300
The news of David Montgomery signing with the division rival Detroit Lions just opened the door for Khalil Herbert. There was a lot of talk that Herbert looked better than Montgomery in the offense last season. Herbert averaged 5.7 yards per touch last season and Montgomery averaged 4.8 yards per touch. Now some may look at the Bears backfield and think that things are looking a little murky with the additions of D’Onta Foreman and rookie Roschon Johnson.
While the future may be a little hard to read, this season should belong to Herbert and he should clear up any doubt people have about starting him in Week 1. That blend of speed and athleticism should be a welcome addition to a hopefully much-improved passing attack, led by Justin Fields. Green Bay surrendered the 7th most rushing yards in the NFL last season, so look for the running game to be featured prevalently in Week 1 and Herbert will lead that charge.
Other FLEX options: Raheem Mostert vs. Los Angeles Chargers ($5,400), Courtland Sutton vs. Las Vegas Raiders ($5,200)
Daily Fantasy Football D/ST Pick: Commanders vs. Arizona Cardinals – $2,800
Expect to see the Cardinals opponent quite a lot in these articles going forward. This is a fantastic price for a defense that could be a sneaky good option in regular fantasy football leagues as well. Even without Chase Young in the lineup the Washington defense will perform just fine against this Cardinals offense. They have plenty of other studs on that defensive line including Jonathan Allen, Montez Sweat, and Daron Payne.
They also added a great rookie corner, Emmanuel Forbes Jr., to a good secondary. Overall, the fact that Arizona is tanking is the best reason to start the Commanders defense this week, but look out for Washington all season long as they could be a sleeper defense for fantasy leagues, as long as the offense keeps up.
Other D/ST options: Ravens vs. Houston Texans ($4,000), Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams ($3,300)