Here it is. Week 1 of the NFL season. Confidence is high post draft and YOU are already counting your league winnings. Suddenly your post draft euphoria has leveled. You now realize you have some team management to do. In the world of fantasy football that, of course, means googling lists and rankings. Debating on sitting that 4th round RB because you had read somewhere he performs poorly when playing in the early slot of games when on the road? For your sanity’s sake don’t overthink it. It’s week 1 and this is fun!
For those serial analyzers, I present to you my brief overview of some players that can make or break your fantasy lineups this week.
Week 1 Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em: Running Backs
RB Start ‘Em
- Jacksonville Jaguars RB James Robinson @ HOU
- Philadelphia Eagles RB Miles Sanders @ ATL
- Washington Football Team RB Antonio Gibson vs. LAC
Sleeper
New England RB Damien Harris vs. MIA
As usual, the Patriots have found a way to be in the media spotlight. Fortunately, this time, it is with some actual on the field action. The QB “battle” was never really something to analyze. That was soon put to rest with the very Billy B. way of just casually releasing Cam Newton.
Damien Harris put in a strong bid towards the end of the year to be the Pats RB1. With Mac Jones freshly under center, Damien Harris should see a bulky work load. Trusting a New England RB is always an eyebrow plucking stress inducer. Fortunately for myself, I only have to live with placing my tag on him for one week. Who knows? Maybe since the Dolphins are more susceptible on the ground Damien will be tweezing his way into the end zone.
RB Sit ‘Em
- Las Vegas Raiders RB Josh Jacobs vs. BAL
- Chicago Bears RB David Montgomery @ LAR
- Detroit Lions RB D’Andre Swift vs. SF
Week 1 Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em: Wide Receivers
WR Start ‘Em
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Antonio Brown vs. DAL
- Tennessee Titans WR Julio Jones vs. ARI
- Jacksonville Jaguars WR Marvin Jones @ HOU
Sleeper
Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman vs. SEA
Michael Pittman Jr. is a freakin’ beast. If you are in a dynasty fantasy league, snag him now. That being said, Carson Wentz is still situating himself in Indy. As much as we laymen spectators speak of chemistry between players, we really have no true grasp of it. Yet, I am going to place myself in the seat of the armchair QB clergy. If Wentz sets aside the beakers and Bunsen burners, and simply throws the ball Michael PJ’s way, he will be able to sleep comfortably the rest of the season.
I am placing Michael Pittman Jr. on my sleeper list this week for a couple reasons. One, the Seattle defense is a skeleton of what it used to be. Two, there are not going to be many more weeks I could claim him as a sleeper pick. With how many points I am expecting to have in this game, Michael Pittman Jr. should feast.
WR Sit ‘Em
- Pittsburgh Steelers WR Juju Smith- Schuster @ BUF
- Las Vegas Raiders WR Henry Ruggs lll vs. BAL
- Seattle Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett @ IND
Week 1 Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks
QB Start ‘Em
- Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts @ ATL
- Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins @ CIN
- Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan vs. PHI
Sleeper
Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence @ HOU
Like a Radiohead album being anointed the greatest of the decade before it is even recorded, Trevor Lawrence has entered as the NFL’s “Kid A”. Even with his college running mate, Travis Etienne, showing how to disappear completely, Trevor has been quite lucky with his surrounding cast.
As I foresee many other teams having a blow out game against the Texans, Jacksonville could be in for more of a duel. Week 1 always has one team just daydreaming or the underdog simply getting lucky. With all of the Radiohead puns aside, if you are ping ponging between two QBs you got late, or maybe one you got early (see the sit em’), Trevor Lawrence is a great fit with his week 1 matchup.
QB Sit ‘Em
- Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow vs. MIN
- Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers @ NO
- Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Reothlisberger @ BUF
Week 1 Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em: Tight Ends
TE Start ‘Em
- Green Bay Packers TE Robert Tonyan @ NO
- New England Patriots TE Jonnu Smith vs. MIA
- Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts vs. PHI
Sleeper
New York Jets TE Tyler Kroft @ CAR
This is a true sleeper pick. Since it is fantasy and NFL week 1 and I may be giving myself some grace on the others. But, Kroft is a waiver wire snag. Being that it is week 1 your most likely set on TE. But if you find yourself in a bind for some reason, here is your man. Like most tight ends outside of the 1st tier, Kroft will be touchdown dependent. I am not expecting more than 4 catches. But, there is a strong chance most of his targets will come in the red zone. Wilson literally has no other TE options since trading Chris Herndon. With Kroft being a blocking specialist I believe he will be able to slip out for the much needed TD all fantasy owners hope their TE can snag.
TE Sit ‘Em
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Rob Gronkowski vs. DAL
- Miami Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki @ NE
- New England Patriots TE Hunter Henry vs. MIA
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