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The NFL opened the season Wednesday evening with a Super Bowl LX rematch between the Seahawks and Patriots. The attention now shifts overseas for the first Thursday Night Football game of the season, featuring two of the NFC’s best: the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams.
The West Coast rivals meet at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia, with an 8:35 p.m. ET kickoff on Netflix.
Here are the best DFS picks for Thursday’s NFC West showdown. Be sure to check out the best player props for TNF as well.
49ers-Seahawks DFS Picks
| Player | Matchup | Salary | FPPG | Played | OPRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 👑Mike Evans
|
SF @ LAR | $12,300 (MVP) | 11.0 | – | – |
Puka Nacua
|
SF @ LAR | $11,200 | 25.1 | – | – |
Matthew Stafford
|
SF @ LAR | $9,800 | 22.1 | – | – |
De’Zhaun Stribling
|
SF @ LAR | $6,600 | – | – | – |
Harrison Mevis
|
SF @ LAR | $5,000 | 9.6 | – | – |
Blake Corum
|
SF @ LAR | $4,600 | 7.3 | – | – |
👑 Mike Evans, SF/WR (MVP)/$12,300
After 12 seasons in Tampa Bay, veteran wide receiver Mike Evans has found a new home on the West Coast. An injury-riddled campaign last year ended his record-breaking run of 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, and the 33-year-old will be eager to make amends with his new squad. The 6’5″ wideout has been one of the NFL’s premier red-zone threats throughout his career and could quickly emerge as Brock Purdy’s go-to target near the goal line.
Evans will command defensive attention as San Francisco’s WR1, but a capable supporting cast should create one-on-one opportunities throughout the game. Despite his age, he can still function as a high-volume possession receiver, and reports from training camp suggest he and Purdy have already developed chemistry. Evans’ size and skill set create mismatches against most defensive backs, and it should not take long for Purdy to lean on the veteran when it matters most.
Puka Nacua, LAR/WR $11,200
After a headline-filled offseason, Rams superstar wide receiver Puka Nacua has been cleared to play in Week 1 on Thursday Night Football. Nacua cemented himself as one of the league’s top receivers in his sophomore season, earning First-Team All-Pro honors after leading the NFL with 129 receptions. He and reigning MVP Matthew Stafford have developed exceptional chemistry and look poised for a potential Super Bowl run given the talent assembled around them.
The 49ers were one of the few teams that could limit Nacua in the two matchups between these NFC West rivals last season. The 25-year-old totaled a combined 10 receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns across those two games — a line he is capable of producing in a single game against most opponents. Even so, Sean McVay’s pass-heavy scheme makes a high-volume receiver like Nacua difficult to fade. Expect the Rams to use Nacua’s versatility and pre-snap motion to create matchup problems against the 49ers secondary.
Matthew Stafford, LAR/QB $9,800
The 49ers made a point of limiting Puka Nacua when these teams met twice last season — it did not matter. League MVP Matthew Stafford dominated San Francisco in both matchups, finishing the two games a combined 54-of-83 for 669 yards, seven touchdowns, and no turnovers. While the teams split the season series, Stafford consistently had his way with Raheem Morris’ defense.
All signs point to Stafford showing no signs of slowing down after a historic season. The 49ers secondary allowed 241.8 passing yards per game last season, ranking 23rd in overall pass defense. To make matters worse, San Francisco will be without Mykel Williams to help generate pressure on the veteran quarterback and may also keep Nick Bosa on a snap limit in his first game since tearing his ACL in Week 3 of last season. Giving Stafford time in the pocket with the weapons at his disposal should lead to another tough afternoon for the 49ers secondary.
De’Zhaun Stribling, SF/WR $6,600
Exciting 49ers rookie De’Zhaun Stribling rounds out our lineup, with the Ole Miss product set to make his NFL debut in Australia. The second-round pick has already carved out a role in Kyle Shanahan’s offense and could complement veterans Deebo Samuel and Mike Evans effectively. Standing at 6’2″ with 4.36 speed, Stribling looks like the dynamic playmaker this offense has been missing.
While it is difficult to predict his exact role in the season opener, his big-play ability alone makes him worth the price point. Stribling finished the preseason with 11 catches for 109 yards on 12 targets in limited snaps. Look for the 23-year-old to make an impression in his NFL debut on Thursday.
Harrison Mevis, LAR/K $5,000
The Rams appear to have found their long-term kicker after an impressive debut season from Harrison Mevis. The former UFL kicker finished the year 12-of-13 on field goals and a perfect 39-of-39 on extra points. That reliability, paired with the Rams’ ability to move the ball consistently, makes him one of the premier kicking options heading into this season.
Mevis should also benefit from a Rams defense that can win possession with good field position. He saw limited volume from 50-plus yards but converted both attempts, including a season-high 52-yarder. He carried that form into the postseason as well, going a perfect 15-of-15 on field goals and extra points combined.
Blake Corum, LAR/RB $4,600
Blake Corum enters his third NFL season behind Kyren Williams on the depth chart but could begin to demand a larger role as the veteran back gets older. The former third-round pick has made the most of his limited opportunities during his time with the Rams and showed what he is capable of in last season’s matchup with the 49ers, rushing for 56 yards on 13 carries.
Corum finished his sophomore season with 746 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 145 carries. McVay leaned on the 25-year-old near the goal line last season, with Corum receiving a 17% share of the Rams’ red-zone touches. Per PFR, he converted 16 attempts within 10 yards into four touchdowns. Should the Rams find themselves in scoring range on Thursday, the third-year back could easily justify his budget price in our lineup.
Photo Credit: REUTERS
