Alright, folks, we are BACK. A lot has happened since the initial look article when salaries came out. We’re here to direct our best and favorite plays here, with tons of options to start the season.
Let’s ride!
QUARTERBACKS
Justin Herbert $6,900 (vs MIA)
We’re expecting big things from Justin Herbert here at RSJ and what better way to kick off the season than a high-flying and heavy-scoring Week 1 game against the Dolphins? Miami is an ascending defense, but without Jalen Ramsey, I expect Herbert and Kellen Moore to cook on Sunday. With more downfield shots, Herbert and the Chargers should reach new heights and put up many points early on.
Kirk Cousins $6,300 (vs TB)
One of the more consistent QBs last year, Cousins opens the year with a tasty matchup against the Bucs. He’s got the new addition at receiver in Jordan Addison while losing Dalvin Cook in the process. A likely shift towards more passing attempts is likely, and the Bucs have a weaker secondary. Big favorites here: Cousins and the Vikings should dominate the game.
Derek Carr $5,300 (vs TEN)
This salary price would have been the lowest Carr was given all last year; perhaps a shift in teams is why. Nevertheless, Carr has a great matchup against the Titans while having a healthy Michael Thomas on the field (for now). The suspension of Alvin Kamara could put more responsibility on Carr and the passing game or hinder the offense overall. Still, with Olave and Thomas, there’s plenty of talent on the field to open the season on a positive note.
Other intriguing options:
Jalen Hurts $7,800 (at NE), Tua Tagovailoa $6,700 (at LAC), Geno Smith $6,100 (vs LAR), Russell Wilson $5,900 (vs LV), Sam Howell $4,900 (vs ARI)
RUNNING BACKS
Nick Chubb $8,200 (vs CIN)
The Browns lost Kareem Hunt in the offseason and didn’t really bring in a competent backup leaving Chubb as the guy. He’ll play more third down and passing situations, which should boost his overall stock, and Chubb is the focal point of Cleveland’s offense. Expect the Browns to establish the run and tempo here as home dogs.
JK Dobbins $6,600 (vs HOU)
The slate’s largest favorites on the board, the Ravens, are expected to pound the Texans in Week 1. Dobbins is being slept on right now, and the game script lines up perfectly with the defense allowing the most points to RBs last year.
Raheem Mostert $5,400 (at LAC)
Miami did not sign a RB this offseason, and the injury to Jeff Wilson increases the usage for Mostert. In what should be a high-scoring game, Mostert will be sought after this week as he’ll want to be rostered early in the year before the impending injury occurs.
Jamaal Williams $5,100 (vs TEN)
Another likely chalky play, the suspension to Alvin Kamara, thrusts Jamaal Williams into the RB1 role. Williams was a touchdown machine last season and seems destined for a score this week as home favorites over the Titans. He’s only fighting off rookie Kendre Miller who likely won’t see a large workload early on.
Deon Jackson $4,100 (vs JAX)
Maybe THE chalkiest play of Week 1, thanks to Jonathan Taylor landing on the PUP to start the season and Zack Moss recovering from a broken arm. Jackson was named the starter over rookie Evan Hull, which isn’t very surprising. He had that one massive game last year with ten receptions and a rushing touchdown, which put him on the radar, but this is his one shot before Moss’ return to prove he could be the guy without Taylor in the picture. We should expect great usage with receiving upside.
Other intriguing options:
Josh Jacobs $7,700 (at DEN), Travis Etienne $6,900 (at IND), James Conner $6,400 (at WAS), Rachaad White $5,500 (at MIN), Khalil Herbert $5,300 (vs GB), Brian Robinson Jr $5,100 (vs ARI), Semaje Perine $5,100 (vs LV)
WIDE RECEIVERS
Tyreek Hill $8,200 (at LAC)
I love Tyreek as the top option in what should be a shoot-out. Jaylen Waddle is a bit banged up, which pushed me towards Hill a bit more, but you know the volume he’s getting will be great. If Miami wants to keep up with the Chargers, they’ll have to throw to Tyreek early and often.
Chris Olave $6,500 (vs TEN)
I love this price for Olave, feels like he should be closer to $7k than this, but we’ll take it. Last year the Titans were the worst defense against receivers, and Olave is the unquestioned number one guy for New Orleans now. His target share/usage will also increase slightly with Kamara’s suspension.
Mike Williams $5,700 (vs MIA)
This is the guy I want amongst the Chargers receivers. Mike Williams should be the biggest beneficiary in Kellen Moore’s new offense with more deep shots, which perfectly matches Williams’ play style. The team also talked about moving him to the slot more often to create mismatches. We’re looking for high-ceiling plays with super ‘boom’ potential, and Williams fits that to a “T”. The Dolphins being without Jalen Ramsey only makes this play even stronger.
Marvin Mims Jr. $3,000 (vs LV)
While Jeudy seems like a long shot to play this week, the Broncos are a bit depleted at receiver. Insert rookie Marvin Mims into the fold, and we’ll quickly see why many are so high on the Oklahoma product. We’re also looking at a “prove it” game for Russell Wilson to show he’s still got something in the tank.
Other intriguing options:
Justin Jefferson $8,800 (vs TB), Keenan Allen $7,300 (vs MIA), DK Metcalf $7,000 (vs LAR), Calvin Ridley $6,500 (at IND), Christian Watson $6,000 (at CHI), Drake London $5,400 (vs CAR), Michael Thomas $5,100 (vs TEN), Jahan Dotson $5,000 (vs ARI), Curtis Samuel $4,200 (vs ARI)
TIGHT ENDS
Tyler Higbee $4,800 (at SEA)
With Cooper Kupp already ruled out for the week, Matthew Stafford will put his trust in Tyler Higbee to move the chains. I can see them falling behind early and having to play catchup and force-feeding Higbee to move the ball through the air. Seattle boasts some talented young corners on the outside.
Juwan Johnson $3,900 (vs TEN)
The Saints tight end is one of The Wolf’s favorite streamers if Travis Kelce misses Thursday night. Johnson showed to be a true red zone weapon last season and should pair well with Derek Carr, who was used to having a big body like Darren Waller down at the goal line.
Luke Musgrave $2,900 (at CHI)
Musgrave saw great usage in the preseason with Green Bay’s first team. With Christian Watson (hamstring) and Romeo Doubs (hamstring) kind of banged up heading into Week 1, Musgrave could be called upon earlier than expected for the offense.
Other intriguing options:
David Njoku $4,200 (vs CIN), Hunter Henry $3,500 (vs PHI), Isaiah Likely $3,000 (vs HOU), Adam Trautman $2,500 (vs LV)
DEFENSE
Seattle Seahawks $3,300 (vs LAR)
As mentioned above, Seattle has some great young pieces on defense, and the Rams are now without their Super Bowl MVP, Cooper Kupp. This offense now lacks a true playmaker, and Stafford is coming back from his own injury. I could see this getting ugly.
Atlanta Falcons $3,200 (vs CAR)
The Falcons have a sneaky good defense, and get a home matchup with rookie Bryce Young and the Panthers. This could be a real “welcome to the NFL” moment for Young here, getting thrown to the wolves in a subpar offense that isn’t much of a threat.
Washington Commanders $2,800 (vs ARI)
A trendy pick, and rightfully so when the Commanders’ defense gets Josh Dobbs in Week 1. This team is so obviously tanking that we’re sure of a handful of sacks and turnovers as Washington looks to make an early statement, starting with its defense.
Other intriguing options:
Baltimore Ravens $4,000 (vs HOU), Minnesota Vikings $3,900 (vs TB), Denver Broncos $3,600 (vs LV)
