Week 0 DraftKings CFF Main Slate Plays

College football is back! The Week 0 DFS slate feels like Christmas Day every year!

We are digging deep this week as we discuss the slate-breaking potential of Montana State RB Scottre Humphrey. We will also look to crack the code on the top SMU skill players. Devon Dampier is an intriguing dual-threat QB, but does he have enough talent around him to produce points versus a tough Montana State defense? These are topics and questions we will tackle below.

As a reminder, we are going to have plenty of content in-season for you every week in our CFB Package, including:

· DFS (Articles & Livestream)

· Player Props Articles

· Matchup Reports

· Projections

· Rankings

· and MORE!

Let’s dig in…

Against the Spread Picks

Georgia Tech (+11.5) vs FSU

SMU (-27.5) vs Nevada

Total Wagers

Florida State vs Georgia Tech (Over 55.5)

SMU vs Nevada (Under 57.5)

Quarterbacks

Haynes King, Georgia Tech vs FSU (DK: $7.1K | FD: $10.5K | O/U: 55.5 | Implied: 22.5)

Haynes King returns to Georgia Tech to lead the Yellow Jacket offense after averaging 27.3 FPG last year. King is a dual-threat QB who accumulated 3,500 total yards of offense in 2023, including over 700 yards on the ground. This offense, under King’s leadership, has the potential to be fantasy gold paired with a defense allowing 29.5 PPG. While the Yellow Jackets prefer to run the ball, they will be forced to air it out more than usual as 11-point underdogs in this game. King is one of three QBs on this slate projected to hit 3x value as we have him projected at 23.2 FPG. King’s combination of high floor and ceiling makes him a preferred option in both Cash and GPP formats on both DraftKings and FanDuel.

Tommy Mellott, Montana State vs New Mexico (DK: $7.1K | FD: $8.6K | O/U: 54.5 | Implied: 32.5)

Tommy Mellott is my favorite player, regardless of position, on this slate. As you can see, Mellott is a dynamic athlete playing QB. Last year, he carried the ball 85 times for 690 yards and 8 TDs in nine games. In fact, Mellott is an athletic freak. At 6’0” and 210 pounds, he runs a 4.3 40 with a 39-inch vertical. The Montana State offense is designed around his ability to run the ball. On the other side, the New Mexico defense returns six starters from a defense that allowed 408 YPG, including 172 YPG on the ground. Mellott and this rushing attack will feast against the Lobos at 10-point favorites.

Devon Dampier, New Mexico vs Montana State (DK: $6.1K | FD: $7.4K | O/U: 54.5 | Implied: 21.5)

Devon Dampier is another dynamic athlete playing QB on this slate. Last year, Dampier threw for 525 yards and 6 TDs while accumulating an additional 325 yards and 4 TDs on the ground. He started versus Boise State, when he threw for 200 yards and ran for another 46. He has lots of potential under new OC Jason Beck, who knows how to utilize dual-threat QBs. Over the last six years, Beck’s QB1 has averaged 571 yards and 9 TDs on the ground. We have Dampier projected at 18.9 FP versus Montana State, which would put him above 3x value on DraftKings. If you want to get different at the QB position on the slate, Dampier is one of the better options.

Alternatives:

Preston Stone, SMU vs Nevada (DK: $8.9K | FD: $11.2K | O/U: 56.0 | Implied: 40.25)

Running Backs

Roydell Williams, FSU vs Georgia Tech (DK: $7.1K | FD: $9.1K | O/U: 55.5 | Implied: 33.0)

Roydell Williams transfers over from Alabama to replace current Arizona Cardinals RB Trey Benson. Last year, he backed up Jase McClellan, but still ran for over 560 yards on 111 attempts. Williams is not a dynamic RB, but he is a very efficient one who will get the yards available to him. This FSU offensive line unit is projected to be the best one in a very long time. All reports out of fall camp are saying the FSU passing offense has been terrible. The Georgia Tech defense ranked 125th in RB FPG (30.3) last year, and we should expect more of the same this year. The Seminoles will look to lean on the running game to produce points this year, and Williams is the favorite to lead the team in carries. He will more than likely be the highest-owned RB, so he is a great cash/single-entry option.

Jamal Haynes, Georgia Tech vs FSU (DK: $6.3K | FD: $8.7K | O/U: 55.5 | Implied: 22.5)

Jamal Haynes came out of nowhere last year to rush for 1,000 yards. He was fourth among ACC RBs last year in missed tackles forced (46). He also accumulated 20 receptions on 31 targets last year, making him an intriguing player to target. The FSU pass rush is expected to be one of their strengths in 2024. I expect them to be able to get after King early and often, forcing him to utilize the quick-passing game and target Haynes out of the backfield. The FSU defense ranked 71st in RB FPG (23.7) last year allowing 4.1 YPC to opposing RBs. Haynes will be a popular play on this slate, making him a better Cash than GPP play.

LJ Johnson, SMU vs Nevada (DK: $5.5K | FD: $7.8K | O/U: 56.0 | Implied: 40.25)

LJ Johnson is part of a three-headed monster at RB for the SMU Mustangs. Whoever chooses the right person in this backfield will make lots of money on Saturday. When the SMU depth chart was released on Tuesday, the top three players on the depth chart had an “Or” by their name. The first name listed was Brashard Smith. However, I have good intel that Smith has been the third RB in the rotation throughout fall camp. In fact, SMU beat writer Billy Embody is framing it as a 1A/1B situation, with Johnson and Jaylan Knighton leading the way.

Considering I’ve listed Johnson here, I believe he is the RB to own. At 219 pounds, Johnson is much bigger than the other two. Therefore, he is much better suited for goalline carries in this offense. The Nevada defense ranked 108th in RB FPG (27.9) while allowing 5.4 YPC.

Scottre Humphrey, Montana State vs New Mexico (DK: $4.6K | FD: $6.1K | O/U: 54.5 | Implied: 32.5)

Scottre Humphrey is the top Montana State RB heading into this game after it was announced that Julius Davis suffered an injury during fall camp. Last year, Humphrey rushed for 433 yards and 8 TDs on only 54 carries as a freshman. At 210 pounds, he is big enough to carry the workload by himself. We are projecting him for 70 yards and a TD for 14.3 FP, making him our third-highest projected RB at only $4.6K. This feels like a floor projection for Humphrey, considering the New Mexico defense ranked 85th in RB FPG (24.6) last year. Humphrey is my favorite RB play on this slate.

Alternatives:

Lawrance Toafili, FSU vs Georgia Tech (DK: $7.7K | FD: $7.2K | O/U: 55.5 | Implied: 33.0)

Eli Sanders, New Mexico vs Montana State (DK: $4.7K | FD: $7.7K | O/U: 54.5 | Implied: 21.5)

$4.5K-or-less options:

Brashard Smith, SMU vs Nevada (DK: $3.6K | FD: $5.7K | O/U: 56.0 | Implied: 40.25)

Receivers

Malik Benson, FSU vs Georgia Tech (DK: $7.0K | FD: $7.8K | O/U: 55.5 | Implied: 33.0)

Malik Benson is replacing Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson as the top outside WR for FSU. Benson transfers in from Alabama where he caught 13 passes for 162 yards and a TD. It was a disappointing season for Benson, but all reports have him as the clear FSU WR1 heading into the 2024 season. The Georgia Tech defense was ranked 73rd in WR FPG (36.1) in 2023 so Benson will have opportunities to make his mark on this game. We have him projected at 14.8 FP, the second-highest projected WR on the slate.

Jordan Hudson, SMU vs Nevada (DK: $6.0K | FD: $8.8K | O/U: 56.0 | Implied: 40.25)

RJ Maryland, SMU vs Nevada (DK: $5.4K | FD: $6.7K | O/U: 56.0 | Implied: 40.25)

Jordan Hudson and RJ Maryland should be the top two receiving options for the SMU passing attack this fall. I’m writing about both here because I think Hudson is a better GPP option, while Maryland is better for Cash lineups.

Hudson was a highly-touted recruit coming out of high school who hasn’t quite lived up to expectations to this point in his career. After working tirelessly this offseason, it appears Hudson is ready to step up as the SMU WR1. The problem is the Mustangs are pretty loaded at the receiver position so there is certainly some uncertainty here. I believe that will be reflected in his ownership on DraftKings this week. The Nevada defense was ranked 129th in WR FPG (44.6) in 2023. If I’m taking a shot on a WR that could break the slate open, Hudson would be my pick. TE RJ Maryland is a much safer pick than Hudson, as his production was much more consistent in 2023, averaging 11.6 FPG while producing double-digit FP in eight games. Considering Maryland’s ownership on this slate will reflect his consistency, he is a great option for cash/single-entry contests.

Eric Singleton, Georgia Tech vs FSU (DK: $5.3K | FD: $8.3K | O/U: 55.5 | Implied: 22.5)

Eric Singleton is one of my favorite options on this slate due to his price point and potential. Singleton is coming off a freshman year where he caught 48 passes for 714 yards and 6 TDs for 13.1 FPG. He is the top receiving option for Georgia Tech in a game where they will have to throw the ball a ton as 10.5-point underdogs. He is an easy stacking option with King too. FSU is replacing three defensive backs in their secondary in 2024. While those options appear to be good, it may take some time for them to gel as a unit. Due to his affordable price of $5.3K on DraftKings, I like Singleton in all formats.

Alternatives:

Ty McCullouch, Montana State vs New Mexico (DK: $4.9K | FD: $6.8K | O/U: 54.5 | Implied: 32.5)

Jalen Brown, FSU vs Georgia Tech (DK: $4.8K | FD: $6.5K | O/U: 55.5 | Implied: 33.0)

$4.5K-or-less options:

Romello Brinson, SMU vs Nevada (DK: $4.1K | FD: $7.6K | O/U: 56.0 | Implied: 40.25)