Wide receiver is often where NFL DFS tournaments are won, and Week 2 of the 2026 season offered several attractive combinations of volume, matchup and salary. With DraftKings and FanDuel using different scoring systems and pricing structures, the best approach is not simply to copy the same receiver pool onto both sites.
For the Week 1 Sunday main slate, several elite receivers stood out, while a few mid-range options offered the salary flexibility needed to build around expensive running backs and quarterbacks. Here are seven wide receivers to target.
- Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals
DraftKings: $7,800 | FanDuel: $8,900
Chase was the premier high-end receiver option for Week 1. Cincinnati opened against Tampa Bay in a matchup carrying a slate-high 50.5-point total, creating an appealing environment for the Bengals passing game. Chase also entered the season coming off another massive workload, having led the NFL with 185 targets in 2025 despite missing a game.
The matchup was particularly interesting because Tampa Bay’s defense frequently used zone coverage. Chase had produced strong efficiency against zone concepts, making him an attractive option for both cash games and tournaments.
The Bengals-Buccaneers game also provided an obvious Joe Burrow-Chase stack, with the potential to capture multiple touchdowns from one of the highest-total games on the slate.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions
DraftKings: $7,500 | FanDuel: $8,600
St. Brown offered one of the safest combinations of volume and matchup on the board. DraftKings priced him just $300 below Chase, while FanDuel put him at $8,600.
Detroit faced New Orleans in a game projected for 49.5 points. The Saints were also expected to use plenty of zone coverage, a scheme that has historically provided St. Brown opportunities to rack up receptions.
That makes him especially interesting on DraftKings, where the full-PPR scoring system rewards high-volume receivers. Pairing St. Brown with Jared Goff was a logical way to attack the game environment.
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles
DraftKings: $6,600 | FanDuel: $7,500
Smith entered 2026 with an opportunity for a significant increase in target volume following A.J. Brown’s departure from Philadelphia.
FantasyLabs noted that Smith already commanded a 25% target share in 2025 while competing with Brown for targets. With Brown no longer in Philadelphia, Smith had a path toward becoming a 30%-plus target-share player.
The matchup against Washington added to the appeal. The Commanders had allowed the third-worst EPA per pass in 2025, according to FantasyAlarm’s Week 1 analysis.
At $6,600 on DraftKings, Smith also provided a way to gain exposure to an elite offense without paying the Chase or St. Brown price.
- Chris Olave, Saints
DraftKings: $6,700 | FanDuel: $7,400
Olave was one of the most attractive mid-tier receivers on the Week 1 slate.
New Orleans faced Detroit in a game with a 49.5-point total, and the Lions entered the season with significant concerns in the secondary. FantasyLabs specifically highlighted the absence of Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph as reasons to like the matchup.
Olave also had an established role as the Saints’ primary receiving option. With Jordyn Tyson unavailable, additional targets were expected to flow toward Olave and the other New Orleans pass catchers.
For DFS players looking to avoid spending $8,000-plus at receiver, Olave offered an attractive combination of target volume and game environment.
- Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers
DraftKings: $6,200 | FanDuel: $6,400
Egbuka was one of the more interesting mid-priced tournament options.
Tampa Bay’s matchup with Cincinnati carried the highest projected total on the slate, and Egbuka was expected to play a major role in the Buccaneers passing attack. He was priced at just $6,200 on DraftKings and $6,400 on FanDuel.
That pricing made him particularly useful in lineups trying to fit Chase, an expensive running back and a premium quarterback.
The other advantage is correlation. Using Egbuka with Chase creates a mini game stack where both receivers can potentially benefit from a shootout.
- Nico Collins, Texans
DraftKings: $7,000 | FanDuel: $7,700
Collins entered Week 1 as the clear focal point of Houston’s passing attack. DraftKings priced him at $7,000, while FanDuel set him at $7,700.
Houston faced Buffalo, which created a potentially difficult matchup but also the possibility of increased passing volume. If the Texans were forced to throw to keep pace, Collins’ target ceiling made him attractive.
He’s particularly useful for tournaments because his price sits below Chase, St. Brown and some of the other elite receivers.
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings
DraftKings: $7,300 | FanDuel: $8,100
Jefferson remained one of the highest-ceiling receivers available, with DraftKings pricing him at $7,300 and FanDuel at $8,100 in Week 1 projections.
The matchup with Green Bay was not necessarily the easiest spot on the slate, but Jefferson’s individual talent and target potential made him difficult to ignore.
He’s also a useful tournament option because DFS players could build around Minnesota’s passing game without needing to pay the absolute top price at receiver.
DraftKings vs. FanDuel Strategy
The pricing differences create some interesting lineup construction opportunities:
Player DraftKings FanDuel
Ja’Marr Chase $7,800 $8,900
Amon-Ra St. Brown $7,500 $8,600
DeVonta Smith $6,600 $7,500
Chris Olave $6,700 $7,400
Emeka Egbuka $6,200 $6,400
Nico Collins $7,000 $7,700
Justin Jefferson $7,300 $8,100
DraftKings’ full-PPR scoring makes high-volume receivers particularly attractive, while FanDuel’s scoring structure places greater emphasis on receptions plus yardage and touchdowns without the same full-PPR reception bonus.
For tournaments, consider game stacks such as Burrow-Chase-Egbuka or Goff-St. Brown. For balanced builds, Olave, Smith and Egbuka provided ways to spend less at receiver while maintaining significant upside.
The biggest Week 1 DFS lesson is to avoid building around salary alone. Target share, expected game environment and correlation should all factor into the decision. And with Week 1 injury news often changing quickly, always confirm final inactive reports before locking a lineup.