It is the first week of the rest of our 2022 fantasy football season. Fantasy fortunes are not won or lost this week, but it just feels good to get a Week 1 win under your belt.
It is Week 1 for everyone. The preseason is diminished to a shell of itself. The movement of players and coaches during free agency and the 20220 NFL Draft was crazy.
The best thing to do is trust yourself. Look at the stats remember the studs and go from there. Don’t overthink Week 1. Save that for much later in the season. For this weekly IDP plays, there will be the player I think will smash and then five players who have a good matchup.
LINEBACKERS
Odafe Oweh, Baltimore Ravens @ New York Jets
Last season the Ravens had an unprecedented number of injuries. That didn’t slow Oweh. He finished the season with 33 total tackles, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and five sacks.
He also led the team in pressures (49).
Top 5 Plays Week 1
- Micah Parsons v Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The offensive line has suffered some setbacks and Tom Brady has missed some preseason. Now is the time to strike.
- Faye Oluokun @ Washington: This may seem like a pick on Washington segment and well it is…sort of. Their offensive line is mid-range (ranked anywhere between 12-15 depending on who you ask) but they still gave up nine sacks in three preseason games. And yes, it was preseason but still nine sacks in three games.
- Demario Davis @ Atlanta: Davis led the Saints in stops. The Saints last season ranked first in opponent red zone average scores per game (1.2), and second in opponent first downs (17.9). It just does not look good for Marcus Mariota’s first game.
- Shaquill Leonard @ Houston: It will be interesting to see the Colts defense with new defensive coordinator.
- David Long Jr. v New York Giants: Long led the team averaging 7.5 tackles per game. He also had six quarterback pressures, six passes defended and two interceptions.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals v Pittsburgh Steelers
The Bengals first game this season will be against division rivals Pittsburgh Steelers. Mitchell Trubisky has been named starting quarterback. He will be playing behind a shaky offensive line against a mediocre front seven. However, when Hendrickson was on the field last season, he was responsible for 32% of the team’s pressures and 41% of the team’s sacks.
- Nick Bosa @ Chicago Bears: A young offensive line, new head coach, Justin Fields adapting, and his first game is against the Niners and Nick Bosa…brrrr.
- Myles Garrett@ Carolina Panthers: Defense against a quarterback they know…well. Garrett, “If I can get a couple of sacks along the way, I’d enjoy that too.”
- Za’Darius Smith v Green Bay Packers: I feel a theme developing here. Smith gets a chance to go against his former quarterback. I am all about stats. But the human element is just as important.
- Josh Allen @ Washington: Doug Pederson will have his defense ready to take advantage of the quarterback he drafted.
- Emmanuel Ogbah v New England Patriots: The Dolphins blitzed at the second highest rate last year and led the league in pressure rate. Last season Mac Jones had the second highest completion percentage when pressured 58.2%. He also had Josh McDaniels calling his plays.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Marlon Humphrey, CB, Baltimore Ravens @ New York Jets
Last season before his injury, Humphrey played in 12 games. In those game he had 58 total tackles, one force fumble, 13 pass deflections and one interception. His obsession with Zendaya aside he plays good football.
- Lewis Cine, SS v Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers will be testing out the rookie on the other side of the field. Cine is slated to start opposite Harrison Smith. He should be targeted all day.
- Justin Simmons, Safety @ Seattle Seahawks.: Last season Simmons had 80 total tackles, 20 stops, one sack, five interceptions and 59.4 passer rating allowed. Will go against Geno Smith and an offensive line that will force Smith into some really bad calls. There may not be a lot of passing but Simmons can tackle too.
- Kevin Byard, Safety v New York Giants: This game has only a 44 o/u. But the Titans are favored by 6.5. Daniel Jones will need to pass to keep up. And while Byard allowed an 82-passer rating, he also had 85 tackles and five interceptions.
- Trevon Diggs, CB v Tampa Bay Buccaneers: This will be the test. Diggs had an astonishing 11 interceptions last season while allowing quarterbacks a 71.1 rating when targeted. This will be a test to see if his feats last year are sustainable or a flash in the pan. Remember his first game last year was against Tampa Bay. It started with one interception. Caveat he isn’t going to get you points for tackling.
- Jessie Bates, Safety v Pittsburgh: Trubisky will have to get the ball out fast because his offensive line will not be doing him any favors. Bates returns to the roster will have something to prove.
REMEMBER
Know how your league scores. Also keep in mind in 3-4 defenses target the outside linebackers. If your league is tackle heavy in scoring, then the defensive linemen and inside linebackers are the way to go.
If the team is playing a 4-3 base your value will be in the defensive ends (Edge) and middle linebackers.
The 4-3 base teams are going to give you more IDP value.
And if you don’t have to play a cornerback, go for the safeties.
And asl always GOOD LUCK!
