FanDuel DFS Week 1 Lineup: Compete for Your Share of $3 Million in NFL’s First Week

It’s that time of the year again. The 2022 NFL season kicks off Thursday, marking the perfect opportunity to submit your FanDuel DFS Week 1 lineup for your chance to win $1 million.

In California, DFS carries a little extra meaning than in other states, as traditional sports betting is still not legal in California.

New CA users can boost their beginning bankroll using the FanDuel DFS Week 1 promo code. Just deposit $10 and get $10 free. Our lineup will be tailored to FanDuel’s “$3 Million NFL Sunday Million” contest that pays $1 million to first place. The entry fee is $4, so that’s five shots you can take at turning yourself into a millionaire by taking advantage of FanDuel DFS’s welcome bonus.

Users have a variety of games to choose from at FanDuel, and they’re not all large-field tournaments with strangers. You can play in head-to-head matchups or even create private leagues with friends and family. And don’t sweat it if you’re new to DFS. We discussed everything Californians need to know ahead of Sunday’s slate.

Without further ado, here’s our FanDuel Week 1 DFS lineup.

Get Started With Your FanDuel DFS Promo!

FanDuel DFS Week 1 Lineup

QB: Trevor Lawrence ($7,000) at Washington Commanders

Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars are guided by a competent head coach in Doug Pederson, who is tasked with reversing the damage inflicted by former head coach Urban Meyer. Lawrence has the talent and complementary offensive weapons to remind the world why he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

RB: D’Andre Swift ($7,600) vs. Philadelphia Eagles

D’Andre Swift is a centerpiece of what is expected to be an improved Lions offense — and team — this season. He scored over 20 FanDuel points four times last season, demonstrating the type of damage he can do as a runner and receiver out of the backfield.

RB: Saquon Barkley ($6,800) at Tennessee Titans

Injuries and poor team play have hounded Saquon Barkley for a few seasons, but Week 1 is a clean slate, and Barkley is healthy and motivated. He offers immense upside at a discounted price. The Giants should be improved offensively with a better coaching staff and upgraded offensive line.

WR: Ja’Marr Chase ($8,200) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

If there’s a player who can force himself into a massive target share game in, game out, it’s Ja’Marr Chase. He led the team in total targets in 2021, has established dynamic chemistry with quarterback Joe Burrow, and is simply good enough to command 25% — or more — of the passing game.

CA SPORTS BETTING: FanDuel Has Now Donated $31 Million to the Prop 27 Campaign

WR: Justin Jefferson ($8,100) vs. Green Bay Packers

The third-year wide receiver is entering Year 1 of new head coach Kevin O’Connell’s offensive scheme — the same scheme that drove Cooper Kupp to the Offensive Player of the Year Award in 2021. Jefferson emerged as quarterback Kirk Cousins’ top target last year, and that chemistry will continue to brew this season.

WR: A.J. Brown ($7,100) at Detroit Lions

The Philadelphia Eagles didn’t trade their first-round pick and pay $100 million over four years to not feed A.J. Brown with the rock. By all accounts, Brown and quarterback Jalen Hurts have enjoyed instant rapport. Don’t be surprised if Brown is fed early, often, and in a variety of ways as the central figure in a dynamic Eagles offense.

TE: Kyle Pitts ($6,000) vs. New Orleans Saints

Kyle Pitts is a monster. Do not worry about last year’s single touchdown (we’ll blame that on Matt Ryan, who has been oddly resistant to utilize his best receivers in the end zone). And do not fret about Marcus Mariota starting the season as QB1. Just watch Pitts hog targets, punish defenses, and rack up FanDuel points.

REPORT: FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM Would Own 70% of Early CA Sports Betting Market if Prop 27 Passes

FLEX: Dameon Pierce ($5,400) vs. Indianapolis Colts

Full disclosure: Fantasy players will not find much lineup differentiation with Dameon Pierce in this spot. The fantasy football darling rocketed up preseason rankings as he climbed the Texans’ depth chart. Still, a $5,400 running back ticketed for a starter’s workload is a value too good to pass up. We’ll accept what will likely be high ownership, and hope we created enough differentiation elsewhere.

DEF: Miami Dolphins ($3,800) vs. New England Patriots

The Dolphins are a massive thorn in the side of the Patriots — especially in Miami Gardens. It will be hot and humid. On-field temperatures could creep into the low-to-mid-90s. And don’t think for a second that the Patriots won’t be out there in their navy blue jerseys. The Dolphins were a top-three fantasy defense in 2021, and they retained their defensive coordinator, Josh Boyer, who’s been there since 2020, so they should be ready to hit the ground running. Meanwhile, coordinator continuity is something the Patriots will not bring to the offensive side of the ball in Week 1.

Finally — cue the “Brian Windhorst fingers” — while several DFS platforms price the Dolphins’ defense in the middle of the pack, one prominent DFS platform offers them as the second most expensive unit. Does this mean something? Nothing? Everything?? That’s up to each individual to decide, but it’s curious nonetheless.