Just like with my waiver article earlier this week, my suggestions are going to a bit light this week. I’m only going to be making 1 start and 1 sit recommendation per position since it is only week 1. Going forward I’ll have a lot more data, injuries, tendencies and trends from which to base my selections. Also like the waiver wire article, you won’t find obvious names on here — you know to start your studs and bench your duds.
However, as always, please comment like crazy below and I can get to your league specific questions before game day on Sunday!
Quarterbacks
Start:
Tyrod Taylor (vs. NYJ): Past few years you would think twice about starting a QB against the Jets. Now, this freshly neutered Jets defense has traded arguably one of its best players in Sheldon Richardson to the Seattle Seahawks. Taylor is going to run, jump, throw and kick the Jets butt all over the field. If you are a Jameis Winston owner Taylor could be a good spot starter for you.
Sit:
Kirk Cousins (vs. PHI): I know preseason games are meaningless, but Cousins doesn’t seem to be on the same page with his new wide receiver gem Terrelle Pryor Sr. just yet. Last year Cousins only scored 16 and 15 fantasy points against the Eagles and while they have a new, young secondary, DL Fletcher Cox is still out there for Eagles and he will be in Kirk’s face all game.
Running Backs
Start:
Jonathan Stewart (vs. SF): While everyone else is going to be staring at the sexy young stallion Christian McCaffrey, the old trusty mule Jonathan Stewart will sneakily score 20+ fantasy points against 2016’s (and possibly 2017’s) worst defense. I think McCaffrey is going to get slowly eased into games (by mid-season it’ll be the McCaffrey show) but until that time Cam and co. are going to ride the horse that got them there.
Sit:
Ezekiel Elliot (vs. NYG): But, but Kerry! I just got him back and he fell in my draft! Well, may I remind you that Elliot’s two worst games last season were against…the New York Giants (12 points) and…the New York Giants (10 points.) Elliot will be great for the rest of the season (depending on how this whole weird situation shakes out) but Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon’s crew have Elliot’s number.
Wide Receivers
Start:
Adam Thielen (vs. NO): With Sam Bradford dinking, dunking and west coasting I expect Thielen to get a lot of targets out of the slot this season. While the Saints smartly spent their #11 overall pick on Marshon Lattimore, his team was still second to last in receiving yards allowed in 2016. Thielen is going to get a lot of looks from Bradford in this game.
Sit:
T.Y. Hilton (@ LAR): This is me putting trust in my boy Tehol ranking the Rams as his #1 defense this week. As I mentioned in my waiver wire article earlier this week, the Colts are out of Luck at QB for Week 1. Plus the Rams actually did place 9th last season in receiving yards allowed in 2016. With Scott Tolzien under center, T.Y. this week will stand for totally yucky passes coming his way.
Tight Ends
Start:
Hunter Henry (vs. DEN): In 2016, Henry scored 20 fantasy points with 83 yards and a TD against Denver. The Broncos also allowed the 7th most receptions to tight ends last year. If you need a quick fill in, Oh Henry!
Sit:
Jordan Reed (vs. PHI): This puts me in direct opposition to ESPN who has Reed as their top ranked TE for week 1, but there are just a few red flags for me. 1.) his injured toe. 246 pounds of torque on a toe that isn’t 100% healed can’t be good. 2.) in their 2016 matchup, Reed managed only 1 reception for 10 yards against the Eagles. 3.) in 2016 the Eagles allowed the fewest receiving yards to tight ends.
Defense & Special Teams
Start:
LA Rams (vs. IND): I’m sorry for being Captain Obvious here, but Luck is out: so there goes their passing game. 34-year old Frank Gore is the Colts RB1 so there goes their running game. The Rams were ranked 9th in fewest yards allowed in 2016.
Sit:
Arizona Cardinals (@ DET): Despite being the 3rd highest scoring defense in 2016, the Cardinals make me worried against Money Matthew Stafford in week 1. The uber-athletic Golden Tate, Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah will be running all over the field tiring out the Cardinals and causing a lot of frustration and confusion.
Kickers
Start:
Will Lutz (@ MIN): With the owner of 5 of the top-10 single season passing yards as his QB Lutz will always have a safe PAT floor. Playing in the cozy kicking confines of US Bank Stadium in week 1 should allow Lutz to get you close to 9-10 fantasy points.
Sit:
Adam Vinatieri (@ LAR): This is less of a commentary about Vinatieri and more about the Colts. I’m again going back to the “Andrew Luck is injured” well. There shouldn’t be many PAT opps for Vinatieri and the offense will struggle to get into field goal range.
