NFL Fantasy Picks: Best Starts, Sits & Value Plays — 2026-05-21

Welcome back to The Pulse, your weekly dose of DFS gold for DraftKings and FanDuel. After a wild Week 1, we’re honing in on the players who will propel your lineups to the top of the leaderboards. Let’s dive into the actionable picks that matter.

Top 3 Players to START This Week

1. DK Metcalf (WR, Seattle Seahawks): Coming off a dominant 29-13 victory over the Patriots, Metcalf was a clear focal point of the Seahawks' aerial attack. He saw double-digit targets and converted them into impressive yardage and a score, demonstrating his elite connection with Geno Smith. With a favorable matchup against a secondary that struggled last week, Metcalf is primed for another massive outing. His red-zone usage makes him a touchdown lock candidate with a high floor and even higher ceiling.

2. James Conner (RB, Arizona Cardinals): Conner remains the undisputed lead back for the Cardinals, boasting an impressive workload in Week 1 with 20+ touches. Despite the team's struggles, Conner’s volume, particularly near the goal line, makes him an incredibly safe bet for fantasy production. He faces a defense this week that ranked in the bottom third against the run last season and showed vulnerability early this year. Lock in Conner for consistent yardage and high touchdown equity.

3. Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR, Detroit Lions): The Sun God continues to shine, regardless of the opponent. St. Brown registered 11 targets in Week 1, reaffirming his status as Jared Goff's go-to receiver. His ability to consistently gain separation and rack up short-to-intermediate yardage gives him an incredibly high floor, especially in full-PPR formats like DraftKings. This week, he faces a soft slot coverage matchup that he should easily exploit, guaranteeing a high volume of catches and yards.

1. Rhamondre Stevenson (RB, New England Patriots): The Patriots offense looked anemic in their 13-29 loss to Seattle. Stevenson’s efficiency was severely hampered by a struggling offensive line and a lack of overall offensive rhythm. While he still saw volume, the team’s inability to move the ball consistently, especially near the red zone, limits his touchdown upside. Until the Patriots show signs of life, Stevenson is a risky play against a surprisingly stout defense this week.

2. Geno Smith (QB, Seattle Seahawks): Despite the 29 points put up against the Patriots, Smith’s individual fantasy output wasn’t stellar, boosted by defensive and special teams plays. He threw for just 112 yards and a single touchdown. This week, he faces a significantly tougher pass defense that excels at generating pressure. Don't chase the team's score; Smith's individual metrics suggest a low floor for fantasy points this week.

1. Sam LaPorta (TE, Detroit Lions): The rookie tight end was immediately integrated into the Lions' offense, commanding five targets in his debut. At a bargain price across both sites, LaPorta offers significant salary-cap relief with genuine upside. He’s running a high percentage of routes and could easily find the end zone against a defense that historically struggles against tight ends.

2. Justice Hill (RB, Baltimore Ravens): With J.K. Dobbins unfortunately sidelined, Hill stepped into a significant role last week, showing explosiveness and red-zone capability. His salary has barely budged, making him an absolute steal. If he continues to lead the Ravens' backfield in touches, he’s a must-start value play, offering high-end RB2 production at a RB4 price tag.

Trevor Lawrence (QB, Jacksonville Jaguars): Many fantasy managers might be wary after a somewhat uninspiring Week 1 performance. However, Lawrence has a fantastic bounce-back opportunity this week against a defense that got shredded through the air. His salary has dipped, and his ownership will be low, making him a perfect GPP contrarian play. Look for Lawrence to connect on deep shots and multiple touchdowns, far

Read all Fantasy Picks coverage on SportsPulse →