Here at FanDrill, we created the game with this concept in mind: Real life stars should be fantasy stars, so we’ve corrected fantasy scoring and added a SuperFlex roster spot to standard DFS so that players like Patrick Mahomes and Matthew Stafford are top 10 players instead of outside the top 80. Passing touchdowns count for 6 fantasy points instead of 4, interceptions are -4 instead of -2, and passing yards are 25% more valuable than before. With 14 drafting teams and only 24 starting quarterbacks in the main slate, the positional scarcity creates extra value. Because of these changes, our ADP may be a bit different than you are accustomed to seeing. Today, I’ll point you to the players I’d be targeting at cost for Week 1 in a quick-hitting format for easy digestion and practical action. We’ll skip the first two rounds, as draft position will ultimately determine the best options when you are on the clock.
1. Bryce Young (QB – CAR)
- HOME vs CHI (top-quartile matchup)
- +2.5 underdogs (+ game script)
- 47.5 over/under (3rd highest on slate)
- ADP: #52 overall, QB #27
2. Tetairoa McMillan (WR – CAR)
- Ideal matchup vs CB, Jaylon Johnson (CHI)
- +2.5 underdogs (+ game script)
- 47.5 over/under (3rd highest on slate)
- ADP: #63 overall, WR #15
3. Kimani Vidal (RB – LAC) **SLEEPER**
- Will go undrafted in most instances
- -10.5 favorites vs putrid ARI defense
- Keaton Mitchell still injured makes Vidal #2
- He’ll presumably split the workload with Hampton is the game is out of hand
- ADP #201 overall, RB #57
4. Chris Godwin (WR – TB)
- The only reason Godwin’s ADP is so low is injury risk; he’s healthy now
- 51.5 over/under (highest on the week)
- +3.5 dogs this week = plus game script
- Versus miserable CIN pass defense; fireworks expected
- Baker Mayfield has been praising Godwin as “the best version of himself”
- ADP #97, WR #38
5. Tony Pollard (RB – TEN)
- It’s boring, but you won’t have many games with the Titans as favorites
- Game script is projected to be a + with an top-quartile matchup vs NYJ
- Good luck finding a RB drafted later with 2-TD upside in Week 1
- ADP #87, RB #25
6. Sam LaPorta (TE – DET)
- +49.5 over/under (2nd highest on the slate)
- Versus the Saints, who were among the most generous vs opposing TE’s last season
- Laporta’s injury from 2025 dropped his ADP, but he’s healthy entering the season
- He has an injury tag so roster-rates will be very low for a player with 2-TD upside.
- ADP #119, TE #10
7. Devaughn Vele (WR – NO) **CONTRARIAN**
- Opposite end of the +49.5 over/under of Laporta and the Lions
- With Jordan Tyson out, Vele gets the start against a terrible pass coverage
- If you are looking for low-ownership with big upside, look no further
- ADP #238, WR #95
8. Kirk Cousins (QB – LV)
- You may not like the Raiders offense, but they are favorites in Week 1
- With Ashton Jeanty expected to miss, Vegas should pass more often
- Opponent, Miami may be historically bad, especially on defense this season
- Cousins wasn’t great last year, but is now two years removed from the Achillies
- ADP #58, QB #27
9. Chris Rodriguez Jr. (RB – JAX) **CONTRARIAN**
- -7.5 favorites vs CLE (Myles Garrett is gone)
- Liam Coen offense & coach says split backfield
- As the power-runner in the scheme, he’ll presumably get bulk of work in blowout
- Will be the goal-line back; can we squeeze a TD out of our 11th round pick?
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