Guess who’s back, back again, Reedy’s back, tell a friend. Seriously tell a friend about my articles, spread the word, that Money Makers & Heart Breakers is back for fantasy football 2021!
So how does this work? Typically, I am not going to tell you to play anyone that is blatantly obvious here (you know, the “chalk”). I may have to add a place where there are guys you should be playing whether I have them in here or not. For example, if you have Patrick Mahomes, play him (unless I have him as a Heart Breaker). Christian McCaffrey, yes you probably want him in your lineup as well, without me having to tell you to plug him in. There will be many times I will have a big name as a Heart Breaker for DFS. It doesn’t mean they suck, it means that week there is better value elsewhere.
Here is a brief definition of each of my terms for anyone that might be new:
💰 Money Maker – This player will perform better than expectations
💔 Heart Breaker – This player will perform lower than expectations
💰 Money Makers
Quarterbacks
Ryan Tannehill
Tannehill is vaccinated now and off the Covid list, which makes him ready to go. as a full set of weapons in A.J. Brown, Julio Jones, Anthony Firkser, and Derrick Henry. The Cardinals have an inexperienced secondary and look ripe for the picking. We know the Titans like to run the ball but Tannehill has also been a top ten fantasy option at QB since joining the team. Finishing with the 7th most fantasy points last season, Tannehill is in a good spot to plug into DFS lineups this week as well.
$6,500 on DraftKings
$7,700 on Fanduel
Since Ryan Tannehill took over in Week 7 of 2019 ⬇️
➡️ QB1 in total FPOE
➡️ QB2 in paFPOE (passing fantasy points over expectation)
➡️ QB3 in ruFPOE (rushing fantasy points over expectation)
➡️ QB4 in total fantasy points— Sam Wallace (@SWallace_FF) September 5, 2021
Jalen Hurts
Atlanta was the worst defense against quarterbacks in fantasy in 2020. Hurts will get you points on both the ground and via the air and has the potential to be a top ten fantasy play all season. Hurts has built a good relationship with Zach Ertz over this past offseason. He has sure-handed receivers in all three running backs. As well as Quez Watkins, DeVonta Smith, and Jalen Reagor to throw to. Hurts will spread around.
$6,400 on DraftKings
$7,600 on Fanduel
Mac Jones
OK, so I went all homer on this one. Mac Jones has been named the starter for the Patriots. They have upgraded at all of their skill positions from last season. Jones has proven to have the ability to lead the two minute offense and slice up a defense with accurate passing. He gets Miami in week 1 which is no slouch but the price is right in DFS for him this week.
4,400 on DraftKings
$6,200 on Fanduel
Other Quarterbacks for Week 1
Kyler Murray, Tom Brady, and Dak Prescott
Running Backs
James Robinson
Houston’s defense looks like it will be horrible. Robinson has this backfield almost all to himself. This looks like a smash spot for Robinson to start the season to me. Robinson will pick up where he left off last season and produce some good numbers with lots of opportunity.
$6,400 on DraftKings
$5,900 on Fanduel
James Robinson’s value in drafts right now is fantastic.
He and Gus Edwards will be a staple on many league winning rosters this season!
— Luke Sawhook 🪚🪝 (@lukesawhook) September 3, 2021
Raheem Mostert
You know who else looks like they are in a complete rebuild on both sides of the ball? The Detroit Lions. The Lions finished 31st against the run last season, they have not improved dramatically. Mostert will get to play the Lions in Week 1.
$5,800 on DraftKings
$6,100 on Fanduel
Chase Edmonds (& James Conner)
Arizona will play the Titans in Week 1. The Titans were not spectacular on defense last season finishing 28th against the run. Edmonds and Conner will get touches both running and receiving. The price in both DraftKings and Fanduel is also right for these guys.
Edmonds – $4,600 on DraftKings and $5,900 on Fanduel
Conner – $4,500 on DraftKings and $5,500 on Fanduel
Other Running Backs for Week 1
Najee Harris, David Johnson, and Ty Johnson
Wide Receivers
Nelson Agholor
What are you kidding me, Mike? Agholor Week 1 with a rookie QB against a good Miami defense? Yes, Agholor. I mean it could be Jakobi Meyers producing here but I like Agholor against the Miami secondary. Jones and Agholor have been working together an awful lot during the offseason and again the price is right in DFS.
$4,500 on DraftKings
$5,600 on Fanduel
Laviska Shenault
Looks like he may be the top dog for the Jaguars in the receiving game. So I will bet on him in Week 1 against the lackluster Houston Texans defense.
$5,000 on DraftKings
$5,600 on Fanduel
Jerry Jeudy
One thing we learned in the preseason was that Teddy Bridgewater is accurate and that his accuracy will really help guys like Jeudy and Courtland Sutton in this passing game. I am more than willing to play both of these Broncos wide receivers against a Giants team that is just mediocre against the pass.
$4,800 on DraftKings
$5,500 on Fanduel
Other Wide Receivers for Week 1
Tyreek Hill, Deandre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, and both of the Titans wide receivers Julio Jones, and A.J. Brown
Tight Ends
Travis Kelce
I know I told you that I wouldn’t tell you to play anyone obvious. But I am telling you this because Kelce looks to have an amazing Week 1 against the Browns defense that wasn’t so good against the pass. Where I have essentially had you pay down in other position, pay up here on Kelce.
$8,300 on DraftKings
$8,500 on Fanduel
Robert Tonyan
If you follow me on Twitter you may know I am pretty big on Tonyan. Rodgers likes him in the redzone. Tonyan is trusted by Rodgers and will be utilized in the middle and the RedZone in this one. Last season’s third-highest scoring tight end on the season opens the season strong.
$4,200 on DraftKings
$5,400 on Fanduel
Listen, “regression to the mean” be damned why can’t Robert Tonyan score 10+ TD’s again in 2021? Nothing has changed! #Packers 🧀
Top-10 tight-end season coming, yet again, for Rob Tonyan!
S/o @TeamRiseorFall pic.twitter.com/85G4x610cu
— Chris Robin (@DetroitBeastie) September 1, 2021
Austin Hooper
Week 1 Hooper is up against the Chiefs while the Browns are talking about expanding his role in the offense. Hooper with some middle of the field and short passes here is where the Browns will attack the Chiefs defense.
$4,000 on DraftKings
$5,100 on Fanduel
Other Tight Ends for Week 1
George Kittle, Darren Waller, and Anthony Firkser
💔 Heart Breakers
Quarterbacks
Jared Goff
Goff is with a new team this season, the Lions, and doesn’t have a lot of amazing weapons on offense. In addition, Goff faces a Niners defense that finished last season as second best against the pass and will try to keep him off the field by running the ball on offense. It’s bleak for Goff with a lack of sure fire weapons and going up against a strong defense in Week 1.
Josh Allen
If you have him you are playing him in redraft but just don’t expect a killer game from him in Week 1. The Steelers are the opponent and they were the best defense against the pass last season and project to be very good again this season. For DFS purposes I would avoid Allen at his cost this week.
Jameis Winston
I am actually pretty high on Winston if he can maintain being the starter for the Saints. But in Week 1, he goes up against the Packers in Jacksonville. The Packers had the third best defense against the pass last season and the unit looks good going into this season. I would like to see how this offense will work before I start plugging in one of my personal favorite fantasy plays against the Pack.
Running Backs
David Montgomery
Monty is one of my favorite fantasy running backs so it’s difficult for me to tell you that week 1 will not be kind to him. His team is playing against the Rams in the late game Sunday night. Aaron Darnold is anchoring the Rams defense. Play him in season long. Don’t expect much if you are playing the single game DFS slate on this one
Aaron Jones
If you have him you are playing him in season long. You should be too. But in DFS avoid Aaron Jones this week. The Saints are pretty good against the run, the Packers like to throw in the redzone, and that combination makes me think Rodgers will be big and Jones will be just OK in Week 1.
D’Andre Swift
Yes, I know Swift has been an offseason darling. Yes, I know he is very talented and will be used both as a receiver and runner. But I also know Jamaal Williams will also play a role in catching the ball and the Lions play the Niners in Week 1. Swift is also coming off a recent injury and although he’s playing, we should temper expectations this week.
Wide Receivers
Odell Beckham Jr.
Kansas City isn’t bad against the pass and the Chiefs allowed the second-fewest receiving yards in 2020. As such, you may want to sit him and to a lesser extent Landry in season long and in DFS. I am a complete stay away in DFS lineups in Week 1.
Mike Williams
Lot’s hope coming into this season that Williams will be super productive as the second guy for the Chargers. Overall, I LOVE (yes all caps) the Chargers offense this season. In Week 1, the Bolts are going against one of the best defenses in the NFL, the Washington Football Team. I have Williams rostered and I plan on playing him in DFS, but not in Week 1.
Tight Ends
Eric Ebron
The Steelers are playing the Bills. The Bills were good against the tight end position in 2020 and look to be against this season. Let’s face it, it’s going to be easy to tell you which tight ends not to play this season.
Gerald Everett
Everett is on a new team where he is the clear cut number 1 receiving tight end. Last season the Colts allowed the third-fewest points in fantasy to the TE position. I am beginning to wonder how easy it will be to write about the lack of options at tight end.
