The Raiders are well placed in Week 1. They are road favorites at Carolina, and many of their Fantasy options are designed to succeed. There are several sleepers for the Raiders you can trust this week if needed, and you can stack this team on DraftKings and FanDuel as well.
While Josh Jacobs and Darren Waller are go-to options in the draft leagues, there are other players to target for Las Vegas in Week 1. We’re talking about Derek Carr, Henry Ruggs III, Bryan Edwards and Hunter Renfrow. . Not all receivers will be good, but all are blessed with a productive output.
Let’s start with Carr, who certainly wasn’t drafted as a fantasy starter option, but he’s a good streamer this week. The Panthers have a rebuilt defense, particularly in high school, and we got to see Carr pick up from where last season ended when he scored at least 21 Fantasy points in three of his last four outings.
Its top recipients, in order of Fantasy value, are Ruggs, Edwards, and Renfrow. For Ruggs, he could put on a show in his NFL debut. I hope he leads the Las Vegas receivers in the targets, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there are a few splash games.
Edwards has been a training camp star, according to reports, and it is kind of a homecoming for the former South Carolina star. He’s enjoying it the most with Tyrell Williams (shoulder) being out, and Carr should like to throw at Edwards, who is a big target at 6-3.
And then there’s Renfrow, who finished last season on a high note with 13 catches for 209 yards and two TDs on 18 targets in his last two games. None of this is consistently repeatable, but he clearly has the best rapport with Carr. And like Edwards, it’s close to a comeback game for the old Clemson product.
It could be one of the best offensive games for the Raiders. And while Jacobs and Waller are must-have fantasy options, don’t overlook the other skill players in this game with the Panthers.
Now, let’s check out the rest of the sleepers for week 1, along with some DFS line recommendations for FanDuel and DraftKings.
The FFT team breaks down key decisions from the week 1 lineup on the Fantasy Football Today podcast. Follow all our podcasts and subscribe here.
Sleepers week 1
Week 1 preview
DFS LINES
DraftKings
QB – Derek Carr ($ 5,900) at CAR
RB – Austin Ekeler ($ 7,000) at CIN
RB – Marlon Mack ($ 5,300) at JAC
WR – DJ Chark ($ 6,300) vs. IND
WR – Calvin Ridley ($ 6,100) vs. SEA
WR – DeSean Jackson ($ 4,900) at WAS
TE – Darren Waller ($ 5,900) at CAR
FLEX – TY Hilton ($ 5800) at JAC
DST – Chargeurs ($ 2800) at CIN
I’m stacking Carr and Waller as shown above, and the Panthers should struggle to stay with Waller this week. Going cheap at quarterback gives me the chance to play a high-end running back, and I expect Ekeler to dominate the Bengals in his first game as the Chargers’ star runner.
Mack is my second running back and I love his matchup against the Jaguars. We’ll see how far he goes off the field for Jonathan Taylor, but Mack is worth the price in this place.
My receivers all have great playability in Chark, Ridley, and Jackson, as well as Hilton in the flex. You want that kind of perk if you’re trying to win, and these four guys could all have some huge exits.
FanDuel
QB – Josh Allen ($ 7,900) vs. NYJ
RB – Christian McCaffrey ($ 10,000) vs. LV
RB – Dalvin Cook ($ 8,700) vs. GB
WR – Tyler Lockett ($ 6,800) at ATL
WR – Stefon Diggs ($ 6,800) vs. NYJ
WR – DeSean Jackson ($ 5,700) at WAS
TE – Jack Doyle ($ 5,300) at JAC
FLEX – Tarik Cohen ($ 5,200) at DET
DST – Colts ($ 3,700) at JAC
I’m going with a stack of tickets with Allen and Diggs, and Allen is our start to the week for week 1. I expect him and Diggs to have a big game against the Jets.
I’ve spent a lot on the top two carriers this week at McCaffrey and Cook, and both should have some amazing games. While expensive, they’re worth it, and I didn’t destroy my team by connecting them to my lineup.
My receivers behind Diggs are great with Lockett and Jackson, and both could have huge outings. Doyle, as noted above, is expected to benefit from his clash with the Jaguars. And Cohen should take advantage with injured David Montgomery (groin), making him a great flex at his price.
