NFL Week 1 brings a deep quarterback pool to the DFS main slate, but not all of the top names are equally attractive when salary, matchup, rushing upside and expected game environment are considered. For DFS players building lineups on DraftKings or FanDuel, quarterback is often the easiest position to lock in early because one elite performance can provide the foundation for an entire tournament lineup.
Current Week 1 projections have several quarterbacks clustered near the top. FanDuel Research currently ranks Justin Herbert first, followed by Dak Prescott, Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts and Kyler Murray, while other DFS analysis has identified Burrow as the top quarterback play of the week.
Here are my top five quarterbacks for the Week 1 main slate, combining projection, matchup, ceiling and DFS salary.
1. Joe Burrow — Bengals
DraftKings: $6,900 | FanDuel: $8,200
If you’re looking for a quarterback with the combination of matchup, passing volume and touchdown upside necessary to win a tournament, Joe Burrow is arguably the best option on the slate.
Cincinnati opens against Tampa Bay in a game carrying a massive 51.5-point total, according to the current FanDuel cheat sheet. Burrow is projected for approximately 20 FanDuel points and ranks near the top of the position in multiple projection systems.
The matchup also creates a strong stacking opportunity with Ja’Marr Chase. DraftKings lists the Burrow-Chase combination at $14,700, making it the most expensive QB/WR1 stack on the slate, but the price reflects the ceiling.
DFS strategy: Burrow is my favorite high-end tournament quarterback. Pair him with Chase in GPPs, and consider adding a Tampa Bay pass catcher as a bring-back in game stacks.
2. Justin Herbert — Chargers
DraftKings: $6,100 | FanDuel: $7,600
Justin Herbert is one of the most attractive salary-adjusted quarterback plays of Week 1.
FanDuel Research currently ranks Herbert No. 1 among quarterbacks, while 4for4 projects him for 20.9 fantasy points.
The matchup against Arizona is appealing, and Herbert’s price creates flexibility elsewhere. At only $6,100 on DraftKings, he is considerably cheaper than the elite quarterbacks while retaining legitimate 25-plus-point upside.
Herbert also brings underrated rushing production. He doesn’t have the rushing ceiling of Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts, but his ability to add yards on the ground raises his floor.
DFS strategy: Herbert is particularly appealing on DraftKings, where the $6,100 salary allows you to spend up at running back and wide receiver. Ladd McConkey is the obvious stacking partner.
3. Jalen Hurts — Eagles
DraftKings: $6,600 | FanDuel: $8,300
Jalen Hurts remains one of the safest DFS quarterback options because of his rushing and touchdown upside.
Current projections place Hurts among the top quarterbacks for Week 1, with FanDuel ranking him fourth and 4for4 projecting approximately 19.3 points.
The matchup with Washington is also attractive. Philadelphia is favored, and Hurts has multiple ways to score fantasy points. A quarterback who can throw for two or three touchdowns while also contributing 30-50 rushing yards is exactly the type of player DFS players want.
DFS strategy: Hurts works particularly well in cash games because of his rushing floor. In tournaments, stacking him with A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith can create significant upside.
4. Lamar Jackson — Ravens
DraftKings: $6,800 | FanDuel: $8,400
Lamar Jackson is always a candidate to finish as the highest-scoring quarterback on any slate.
Baltimore travels to Indianapolis, and current projections have Jackson around 20 FanDuel points. 4for4 projects 20.0 points, including more than 36 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown component.
That’s the major DFS advantage with Jackson. His rushing ability provides a scoring path that traditional pocket passers simply don’t have.
The Ravens-Colts matchup also carries a 47.5-point total, creating an attractive environment for offensive production.
DFS strategy: Jackson is an excellent standalone play because his rushing ability reduces the need to stack him. However, pairing him with Zay Flowers can create a high-ceiling tournament combination.
5. Josh Allen — Bills
DraftKings: $7,000 | FanDuel: $8,900
Josh Allen is the most expensive quarterback on DraftKings and FanDuel, but there’s a reason for it.
DraftKings has Allen at $7,000, making him the highest-priced quarterback on its Week 1 main slate. FanDuel lists him at $8,900, and FantasyPros projects him for approximately 20.2 FanDuel points.
Allen’s rushing ability is the difference-maker. Even if Buffalo doesn’t produce a massive passing performance against Houston, Allen can accumulate fantasy points through rushing yards and touchdowns.
DFS strategy: Allen is better suited to tournament builds where you’re willing to pay for ceiling. Consider pairing him with a Buffalo receiver or using a Houston pass catcher as a bring-back to create a game stack.
Final DFS Strategy
The quarterback position gives DFS players several viable approaches this week. Burrow is my favorite tournament play, particularly because of the Cincinnati-Tampa Bay game environment. Herbert is the strongest salary-saving option among the top quarterbacks, while Hurts and Lamar provide elite rushing floors.
Allen is the expensive ceiling play. Paying $7,000 on DraftKings or $8,900 on FanDuel means you need to find value elsewhere, but his ability to produce through both passing and rushing makes him capable of paying off the investment.
For DraftKings, I would prioritize Burrow at $6,900 or Herbert at $6,100 when trying to create a balanced lineup. For FanDuel, Burrow’s $8,200 salary stands out because of the Bengals’ enormous game environment, while Herbert’s $7,600 price provides a compelling alternative.
Ultimately, the best Week 1 quarterback strategy is to identify the game environments with the greatest touchdown potential, stack when appropriate, and avoid paying a premium simply because a quarterback has a recognizable name. With five quarterbacks offering legitimate ceiling performances, salary and correlation should determine which one becomes the centerpiece of your DFS lineup