Michael Mayer Headlines Week 1 NFL DFS Fantasy Football Best Cash Game Plays

Cash games aren’t about landing a lucky three-touchdown miracle, but about playing it smart. In double-ups and head-to-heads, you win by locking in guaranteed touches, heavy target volume, and dual-threat quarterbacks with rock-solid floors. Before the pricing shapes up, here is how we leverage Week 1 workload certainty to coast straight into the cash zone.

Read more Steelers Announce Joey Porter Jr.’s Game Status vs. Falcons

Quarterback: Locking in Dual-Threat Equity

By securing rushing production at the most important position provides a stable fantasy baseline that reduces the reliance on a quarterback’s passing efficiency alone.

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

DraftKings Salary: $7,000

Matchup: @ Houston Texans

Cash-Game Grade: A

If you took Josh Allen in DFS this week, bravo. pic.twitter.com/du8YRhMycW

– Rotoworld Football (@rotoworld_fb) December 30, 2018

Allen enters Week 1 as the highest-priced quarterback on the DraftKings main slate. Buffalo’s trip to Houston carries one of the most attractive game environments on the slate. Allen’s extensive goal-line usage and rushing floor gives him plenty of opportunities to reach his potential and return value. In cash games, paying for an elite quarterback with proven rushing volume creates a strong foundation.

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

DraftKings Salary: $6,800

Matchup: @ Indianapolis Colts

Cash-Game Grade: A-

Jackson offers a similar high-floor dynamic at a $200 discount relative to Allen. Opening on the road against Indianapolis, Jackson commands a significant portion of Baltimore’s designed run scheme. That built-in rushing output makes him a reliable target for roster builds that require additional salary cap relief at skill positions.

Running Back: Securing Touch Quality and Target Share

High-volume running backs who contribute in the passing game provide maximum floor stability.

Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions

DraftKings Salary: $8,000

Matchup: vs. New Orleans Saints

Cash-Game Grade: A

NFL DFS: Week 1 MAIN Slate CORE PLAYS

RB:

– Jahmyr Gibbs

– Bijan Robinson

WR:

– Ja’Marr Chase

– Garrett Wilson

– Devaughn Vele

Full Video:https://t.co/1ZNpLUnP8fpic.twitter.com/OOapSkpdzD

– Eric Polzin (NinetoFiveSports) (@925_Sports) September 8, 2026

Gibbs commands the top salary among running backs on DraftKings for Week 1. While total rushing attempts can fluctuate, Gibbs’ elite target share and receiving efficiency insulate his floor. Facing a Saints’ defense at home, his involvement with scoring opportunities makes him a prime anchor for cash lineups.

Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals

DraftKings Salary: $7,100

Cash-Game Grade: A-

Week 1 DFS Spotlight: Chase Brown

Brown leaps off the page with the highest Ledger Score of any RB on the slate.

Yes, that includes Gibbs and Bijan.

1,019 rush yards. 69 catches. 11 TDs in 2025. Three down workhorse in a contract year.

Faces Tampa Bay in the highest total… pic.twitter.com/XlZraN4W4x

– DFS Ledger (@DFSLedger) September 1, 2026

Wide Receiver: Targeting High-Volume Alpha Options

When target distributions are uncertain, the focus shoud be on receivers with high expected target shares and volume security.

Read more New York Jets Friday Injury Report Has Good News Leading into Week 1

Garrett Wilson, New York Jets

Matchup: @ Tennessee Titans

Cash-Game Grade: A-

Wilson serves as the primary engine in the Jets’ passing attack. Opening against the Titans, his route participation and projected target share rate give him a higher floor than other options in a similar price range.

DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles

Matchup: vs. Washington Commanders

Cash-Game Grade: A-

The Eagles’ offense enters Week 1 with a significant change in their receiving corps, positioning Smith as the primary option. Facing a Washington defense at Lincoln Financial Field, Smith’s expanded role presents strong target volume potential relative to his salary.

DeVonta Smith ranks 3rd among all WRs who’ve run at least 1,200 routes since 2022 in EPA per target. Ahead of guys like:

A.J. Brown

Ja’Marr Chase

Amon-Ra St. Brown

George Pickens

CeeDee Lamb

JSN

Tyreek Hill

We’re in for a nuclear Smitty season. pic.twitter.com/6x4loG7Hjc

– Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_) September 9, 2026

Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders

Matchup: vs. Miami Dolphins

Cash-Game Grade: B+

With Brock Bowers expected to miss time following a knee procedure, Mayer steps directly into the lead tight end role in Klint Kubiak’s scheme. The Raiders lack established alpha wide receivers, leaving quarterback Kirk Cousins to lean heavily on finding Mayer over the middle. The fourth-year tight end provides a rock-solid floor at a fraction of the cost of top-tier tight ends, freeing salary cap for star RBs and WRs.

Michael Mayer in 4 games without Brock Bowers last year:

– 93% snap share / 25.5% target share@MikeClayNFLhttps://t.co/vTgeNNaczhpic.twitter.com/nydW8DQgvg

– Fantasy Focus Live (@fantasyfocus) September 10, 2026

Core Cash-Game Roster

All odds and projections provided by DraftKings Sportsbook.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help call 1-00-GAMBLER.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/onsi/fantasy as Michael Mayer Headlines Week 1 NFL DFS Fantasy Football Best Cash Game Plays.

Copyright ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Read more Matt LaFleur Taking Heat For ‘Cowardly’ Stance On Josh Jacobs Arrest

This story was originally published September 11, 2026 at 12:33 PM.