WEEK 1 Defensive Picks for Fan Duel and Draft Kings: Finding Value in the Top Tiers
The NFL season is back, and with it, comes the unrelenting pursuit of DFS glory. While offense might steal the spotlight, it’s defense that often sneaks in to make or break your Week 1 lineup. So, let’s get into it—four defensive picks, one from each tier, that’ll help give your DFS lineup the punch it needs to stay on top.
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NFL DFS Week 1 Defense Picks
Tier 1 Pick: Cincinnati Bengals (vs. New England Patriots)
Implied Points Against: 15.5
DFS Value: Moderate Cost, High Upside
There’s a lot of hype surrounding the Bengals this season, and it’s not just Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. This defense is shaping up to be a difference-maker, especially against a Patriots team with more questions than answers at quarterback.
Trey Hendrickson? He’s a man on a mission. Coming off a monster season with 17.5 sacks, Hendrickson has become a quarterback’s nightmare. Pair that with Sam Hubbard and a fortified secondary, and New England could find themselves running out of options fast. The Bengals are expected to keep the Pats to under 17 points, and with that, DFS players can expect sacks, turnovers, and even a potential defensive touchdown. For the price? It’s worth the investment.
NFL DFS Week 1 Defense Picks
Tier 2 Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Washington Commanders)
Implied Points Against: 19.5
DFS Value: Bargain Play, Strong Ceiling
Jayden Daniels might have the juice for Washington, but this is the NFL—where things move faster, hit harder, and the stakes are sky-high. Daniels’ first NFL game will be a tough one as he faces a retooled Buccaneers’ defense that’s hungry to prove doubters wrong. Vita Vea anchoring the middle? Forget about it. Washington’s O-line is ranked near the bottom of the league, and it’s going to get ugly fast.
Here’s the beauty of picking Tampa Bay—no one else will be doing it. Their ownership is below 10%, and that’s criminally low for a team that could feast on a rookie QB. DFS sleepers, this one’s for you.
NFL DFS Week 1 Defense Picks
Tier 3 Pick: Cleveland Browns (vs. Dallas Cowboys)
Implied Points Against: 20.0
DFS Value: High Cost, High Ceiling
Let’s not mince words: the Browns defense is elite. Myles Garrett alone can change the course of a game, and this Browns secondary is no joke either. Now, put that up against a Dallas Cowboys team that’s dealing with injuries and inconsistency on the O-line.
Deshaun Watson may not be the X-factor he once was, but this Cleveland defense will do more than enough to pressure Dak Prescott into making mistakes. Garrett and company could have a field day with sacks and turnovers, especially if Dallas finds themselves playing catch-up. If you’re looking to splurge a bit on defense, Cleveland’s the safe, high-floor play.
Tier 4 Pick: Buffalo Bills (vs. Arizona Cardinals)
Implied Points Against: 21.5
DFS Value: Mid-range Cost, High Ceiling
When you think Bills defense, you think relentless pressure and game-changing turnovers. Even with Matt Milano out, Buffalo still boasts a pass rush that can force mistakes from the best quarterbacks. Now, factor in an Arizona offense that’s relying on Kyler Murray coming off a major injury, and the potential for a defensive blow-up is all there.
Buffalo is facing a team in transition. While Murray may try to flash his pre-injury brilliance, the odds are that Buffalo’s defense will control the game. At 83% ownership, they may not be a secret pick, but in DFS, they could still offer the kind of upside that wins you tournaments.
Conclusion:
Don’t sleep on defense when building your DFS lineups. We all want the Mahomes and Jeffersons of the world, but it’s these defenses that can tilt your score from good to great. Whether you’re going big with Cleveland, sneaking in Tampa Bay for value, or locking in a reliable pick like Buffalo or Cincinnati, defense can be your ace in the hole this Week 1.
Because in fantasy football, much like the real thing, defense does win championships.
NFL DFS LINEUP
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REMEMBER: These are lineups we use but feel free to pick and choose plays and make your own lineups. Don’t ALWAYS follow these as they don’t hit 100% of the time. We do use these but sometimes late scratches happen and it’s too late to update the lineup. Good luck and bring home the bacon.