Sleep is for the weak!
That’s what I keep telling myself. Today, the fog from this pandemic begins to lift, because football has returned.
COVID-19 has mercilessly captured the United States since the world seemingly stopped turning with the death of March Madness. After months without sports, it felt as if the collective consciousness wasn’t living, it was just merely existing.
Slowly, with the return of sports, the first ray of light began to peer over the horizon. A world not held captive by this global pandemic is finally in sight, and I can scarcely sleep. Football has returned, COVID! You haven’t won the war just yet.
Okay, enough depressing pandemic jibber jabber. Week 1 provides us with some juicy matchups to exploit and there’s nothing better than starting off the season with a win. While projecting 2020 production based on 2019 efficiency is largely a crapshoot, it does provide at least a foundation to build upon.
Also, use our Fantasy Football Week 1 Positional Rankings for additional lineup help.
Here is your Fantasy Football Week 1 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em:
Quarterbacks
START ‘EM
Josh Allen vs NYJ
The Jets defense appears to be highly suspect to start the season. With limited practices and no real training camps, the departure of Jamal Adams and CJ Mosley should really hurt out the gate. Quietly, the Bills have provided Allen with a talented weapons cabinet.
Stefon Diggs and Zack Moss provide Allen with consistent production in both the receiving and rushing games, respectively. This season, everyone seems to be sleeping on John Brown, who should now see consistent matchups against the opposing teams CB2 and Devin Singletary is still very much a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands.
Allen is still also very much a threat in the rushing game. He finished third last season in terms of QB rushing and first in QB rushing touchdowns. The Jets were nothing to fear against fantasy QBs last season, with Allen and Mosley, ranking 13th against the position.
Allen could easily explode this week and is a safe start out the gate.
Honorable Mention: Ben Roethlisberger, Tyrod Taylor
SIT ‘EM
Daniel Jones vs PIT
This could very well come back and blow up in my face. In a game that could easily turn into a positive passing game script, Jones could not play very well and still provide plenty of garbage time points. Jones does have that flair for chucking the rock across the yard and has a LOT of Jameis Winston in his game.
Still, the Steelers return a lot of their starting defense from 2019. In fact, in 2019, the Steelers ranked third against fantasy QBs. Until proven otherwise, I expect Jones to provide plenty of turnover worthy mistakes in Week 1 and I am not looking to play him this week.
Honorable Mention: Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield
Running Backs
START ‘EM
Raheem Mostert vs Cardinals
Don’t overthink this one too much. Last year, Mostert was an absolute STUD when given the opportunity down the stretch. From Week 13-to-17, Mostert ran the ball 12.8 times per game, as opposed to the 6.6 times in previous weeks. In those five games, Mostert ran for 379 of his 772 yards and recorded six of his eight touchdowns.
In 2019, Arizona ranked 20th against fantasy running backs and have not made any major moves to inspire confidence they will improve much this season. Despite sharing a backfield with Tevin Coleman and the resurrected Jerick McKinnon, Mostert should still be in line to receive the majority of the rush attempts Week 1.
Honorable Mention: Tarik Cohen, Jonathan Taylor
SIT ‘EM
Le’Veon Bell vs BUF
This isn’t as much about Bell as it about Adam Gase. Reports out of Jets’ practices are glowing about Frank Gore, who Gase brought in this offseason. Last season, Bell was given a workhorse level workload and crushed the Bills Week 1.
As I said, this is more about Gase and less about Bell. With the glowing reports about Gore and the fact that Gase tried to trade for Kalen Ballage, there just isn’t enough trust in Bell’s workload to start him this week. With Bell offering limited upside as it is, Bell is safe to sit on the bench this week.
Honorable Mention: D’Andre Swift, Jordan Howard
Wide Receivers
START ‘EM
Will Fuller V vs KC
The season opener offers major shootout potential. Fuller is in line to see a steady dose of targets with Brandin Cooks’ availability in question and DeAndre Hopkins now in Arizona. With Deshaun Watson now looking for a target-hog, Fuller has legitimate 10-plus target upside, any of which Fuller could take to the house at any moment.
Last season, Fuller saw at least 10 targets twice. In those two games, Fuller caught 21 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns. While the Chiefs defense was above average against the wide receiver position (11th in 2019), Houston is going to have to throw the ball a lot to stay competitive.
Honorable Mention:
Henry Ruggs III, Marquise Brown
SIT ‘EM
AJ Green vs LAC
Green hasn’t played a game in nearly two years. Still, all reports out of practices were glowing before he suffered a minor hamstring injury during camp (surprise, surprise). Green will have his work cut out for him out the gate, going against high caliber cornerbacks Casey Hayward and Chris Harris Jr.
Make no mistake about it, Green is still an immensely talented wide receiver. However, the Chargers ranked second against wide receivers last season and this will be Joe Burrow’s first start of his career. With Burrow locking onto Tyler Boyd, odds are stacked against Green having a strong start to his season.
Honorable Mention: Odell Beckham Jr., Amari Cooper
TIGHT END STREAMERS
Jack Doyle vs JAX
Tyler Higbee vs DAL
Blake Jarwin vs LAR
