Fantasy Football Week 1: Friday's Daily Fantasy Market Report

The first game of the NFL season is in the books.

Congratulations to the Denver Broncos, who beat the Carolina Panthers at home 21-20 after Panthers kicker Graham Gano missed a last-second field goal.

However, the majority of the action starts in a few days.

Some of my favorite games this weekend include the two with the highest Vegas totals, per Odds Shark—the Oakland Raiders at the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts hosting the Detroit Lions.

Quick side note: I'm all in on a stack of Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Marvin Jones—expect that tandem to put up some serious points.

Let's win some money this weekend.

Lions WR Anquan Boldin to Be Big Part of Offense

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

According to Tim Twentyman of the Detroit Lions' official site, Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said that veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin ($4,500 DraftKings; $5,800 FanDuel) will be a big part of the offense in 2016.

Going up against a Vontae Davis-less Indianapolis Colts defense in Week 1 with the majority of his snaps coming out of the slot, Boldin provides excellent value on DFS venues that offer points for receptions.

Even with fellow wide receivers Marvin Jones and Golden Tate out there, Boldin still has value in what is expected to be a shootout.

Jaguars TE Julius Thomas to Be Used More in 2016?

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Mike DiRocco of ESPN.com believes that Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Julius Thomas ($3,800 DK; $5,800 FD) is still a "significant part" of the offense as we enter this season.

After signing his megadeal with the team a few seasons ago, Thomas has yet to replicate his success coming over from the Denver Broncos.

Fortunately for Thomas, he has a chance to start the season off on the right foot when the Jaguars host the Green Bay Packers.

As Odds Shark shows, this game should be a shootout. 

At his current price tag, Thomas makes for a decent tournament play given his potential (though likely low) touchdown upside in a what should be a high-scoring affair.

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski Expected to Play

Winslow Townson/Associated Press

As we head into the first weekend of the 2016 NFL season, there was a chance we wouldn't see one of the league's biggest stars—New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski ($7,400 DK; $8,700 FD)—due to a hamstring injury.

However, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, expect Gronkowski to be out there playing "barring an unexpected setback."

Even though he has injury questions and is the highest-priced tight end out there on multiple DFS outlets, he's Gronk, fellas—play him without worry.

Jaguars RBs Yeldon and Ivory to Get Plenty of Work in Week 1

Associated Press

Jaguars RB Chris Ivory

Our preseason expectations have been answered.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley has confirmed that both of his running backs—Chris Ivory ($4,300 DK; $6,100 FD) and T.J. Yeldon ($4,100 DK; $6,100 FD)—will get plenty of playing time in Week 1.

At first glance, we can hypothesize that Ivory will be the goal-line back, while Yeldon should assume the role of being the primary pass-catching back.

Anytime there is a possible timeshare, it adds stress to our fantasy plans for that weekend.

However, if you invest in one of these backs and they perform well, that could help you in your quest to separate from the field, especially in huge tournaments.

For me, I'd go with Ivory here. While there is an expected carry split, Ivory should get the majority of the carries—not to mention he'll get the goal-line work.

Ivory makes for a moderately high-risk, high-reward player this week.

Don't Expect Lions RB Ameer Abdullah to Be a Workhorse

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

I'm not surprised by this news—are you?

According to Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com, Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell does not "envision" running back Ameer Abdullah ($4,900 DK; $6,300 FD) as a workhorse back.

There are a few guys of note in the Lions backfield: Abdullah, Theo Riddick, Zach Zenner and rookie Dwayne Washington.

With this news, it's clear that both Zenner and Washington should steal some touches from Abdullah this season.

Going into Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts, the Lions back to own in DFS is Riddick ($4,000 DK; $5,100 FD), but only if you play on sites that give points for receptions.

Other than that, this is a backfield to avoid this week in DFS.

Seahawks TE Jimmy Graham Back at Practice

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

Is Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham ($3,800 DK; $6,100 FD) still a premier tight end in the NFL?

Who the heck knows.

What we do know, though, is that Graham is back at practice and fully participating, according to Sheil Kapadia of ESPN.com. 

Regardless of the matchup, I'd stay away for now if Graham were to suit up.

Graham is one of the most unpredictable assets in fantasy football right now.

Saints WR Michael Thomas Injured?

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

According to Josh Katzenstein of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, New Orleans Saints rookie wide receiver Michael Thomas ($4,000 DK; $4,900 FD) has popped up on the injury report after tweaking his ankle.

However, the ankle injury is not expected to be serious and Thomas should suit up Week 1 when the Saints host the Oakland Raiders.

Thomas is an interesting DFS play in Week 1. While I'm not going out of my way to slot Thomas into my lineups, this game—like the Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts game—Vegas also sees this game as a shootout.

With the departure of veteran wide receiver Marques Colston, Thomas figures to take over his role.

With coverage set to be focused on fellow wide receiver Brandin Cooks and running back Mark Ingram, don't be surprised if Thomas racks up the points this week.

A touchdown is also possible, as Saints quarterback Drew Brees could toss a few scores this week.

Bengals TE Tyler Kroft Practicing

Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

With Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert out for the foreseeable future, the team desperately needed backup tight end Tyler Kroft ($2,700 DK; $4,900 FD) to be healthy by the start of the season.

According to Paul Dehner of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Kroft is healthy and has returned to practice.

Earlier this preseason, Kroft suffered a knee injury that casted some doubt in regard to his beginning-of-the-season availability.

While Kroft is another weapon for quarterback Andy Dalton, the Bengals were dealt a tough road task, as the team will travel to New Jersey to take on the New York Jets and their daunting defense.

In 2015, the Jets surrendered just two receiving touchdowns to the tight end position all year.

Regardless of his price tag, avoid Kroft in Week 1.

All statistics courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.

Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.