The NFL season is ready to fill up our Sunday’s with nachos, wings, touchdowns and fantasy anguish. Not only is it time for season long fantasy leagues, but it is also time to play some daily fantasy sports (DFS). DraftKings is back for another year of exciting daily fantasy action and once again you have a chance to win $1 million each week. In this version of the Fantasy Spotlight we focus on players to target when making your week one DraftKings lineups. When doing so, always remember you need to build a roster of nine players (QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, WR, TE, Flex, D) and must stay at or below the $60,000 mythical salary cap.

Fantasy Spotlight: Week One DraftKings Targets

Quarterback

Eli Manning: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys

Salary: $5,600

In what is becoming a week one tradition, the New York Giants travel to Arlington to face the Dallas Cowboys Sunday night. The Cowboys were 28th against opposing DFS quarterbacks last season. In his last four games on the road in this series, Eli Manning is averaging over 270 yards passing with a touchdown to interception ratio of 2.5 to 1. Look for that trend to continue Sunday night in the big D.

Brian Hoyer: San Francisco 49ers vs Carolina Panthers

Salary: $5,100

Many people will probably shake their head at this one, but you shouldn’t. When playing these giant tournaments on DraftKings you need to find a difference maker to help you cash big. Brian Hoyer can be that guy week one. Last year in six starts Hoyer had three games with 22.8 DFS points or more and he threw for over 300 yards four times. Carolina was 25th last year against opposing DFS quarterbacks. Don’t sleep on Hoyer this week. His ownership percentage will be virtually non-existent.

Other Notables: Marcus Mariota $6,800, Derek Carr $6,700 and Kirk Cousins $6,400

Running Back

Todd Gurley: Los Angeles Rams vs Indianapolis Colts

Salary: $6,000

This is a big year for Todd Gurley. After a very disappointing sophomore year, Gurley will look to get his season started right. He gets a banged-up Colts defense without Vontae Davis that was 24th in DFS against opposing running backs last year. This is an ideal match-up for the Rams. Look for them to control this game on the ground with Gurley II.

Danny Woodhead: Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals

Salary: $5,200

When healthy Danny Woodhead is a PPR machine, and that translates well to DFS. While his success will be tied to game flow, look for Woodhead to get about 15-20 touches on Sunday. His ability to get loose in the open field will make him an intriguing DFS play against a Bengals defense ranked 22nd

Other Notables: David Johnson $9,400, Jordan Howard $6,300 and Isaiah Crowell $5,300

Wide Receiver

Julio Jones: Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears

Salary: $8,500

While you absolutely need to find value plays when constructing your DFS lineups, you must also find a star to build around. In week one, Julio Jones is that star. The defending NFC champs will be out to make a statement against the Bears 25th ranked defense against wide receivers. Jones is looking at a potential eight catch, 150 yard and two touchdown week. Use him!

Paul Richardson: Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers

Salary: $3,700

Another great value play for this week. Once the Seahawks traded Jermaine Kearse to the Jets, it opened the door for Paul Richardson to start alongside Doug Baldwin. Richardson offers the threat of the big play and at his low salary is worth the risk. Ownership projection here is at 5 percent or less in the DraftKings million-dollar tournament. Green Bay was dead last against DFS wide receivers last season allowing 278.2 yards per game in the air.

Other Notables: Antonio Brown $8,800, Amari Cooper $7,200 and Sterling Shepard $4,100

Tight End

Delanie Walker: Tennessee Titans vs Oakland Raiders

Salary: $4,300

One of the most overlooked tight ends in the NFL, Delanie Walker just produces when given the opportunity. Walker scored eight touchdowns last year and averaged 12.7 DFS fantasy points per game. The Raiders are traveling across country for the opener and were 22nd against opposing tight ends last season. This game has high scoring written all over it, expect Walker to be a big part of it.

Zach Ertz: Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins

Salary: $3,500

Over his last three seasons, Zach Ertz has had games of ten, 13 and 15 catches against the Redskins. The Eagles are favored on the road in a game projected to be high scoring (48 points is the over/under). Washington was terrible against tight ends last season, ranking 29th, and given his past success and solid rapport with Carson Wentz, Ertz makes for a sneaky good play on Sunday.

Other Notables: Jordan Reed $5,900, Jason Witten $3,900 and Charles Clay $3,200

Defense/Special Teams

Houston Texans

Salary: $3,800

The Texans host the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday afternoon and emotions are sure to be high as the city recovers from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. With that said, the Jaguars are a big question mark on offense and the Texas defense is projected to be at the top of the league all year. Expect high ownership for the Texans, however this is one of those situations where you take the chalk and take the points.

Los Angeles Rams

Salary: $3,200

The Rams host the Andrew Luck-less Indianapolis Colts week one. Scott Tolzien is the quarterback, Frank Gore is another year older and Donte Moncrief is banged up. Aaron Donald will not play due to his hold-out. Despite that the Rams have enough on defense to hold the depleted Colts offense in check. Expect a few turnovers here, including at least one converted into a defensive touchdown.

Other Notables: Pittsburgh Steelers $3,600, New York Jets $2,400 and San Francisco 49ers $2,100

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