Start ‘Em and Sit ‘Em Week 1

Welcome back Rush Nation to another year of ‘Start / Sit’ advice!

It doesn’t matter if you were last season’s Champ or Chump, today we wipe all the slates clean. 

With “Clear eyes and Full Hearts” we focus on the season ahead. Making the right Start / Sit choices will be the difference between winning and losing. 

To a Fantasy owner, nothing matters as much as that Week 1 win. Let’s dive right in and look at the obvious and the not so obvious choices we need to be making.

Football is back baby, Let’s Go!

Quarterbacks

My top-ranked Quarterbacks for Week 1 are:

1. Allen @ LAR
2. Herbert vs LV
3. Murray vs KC
4. Jackson @ NYJ
5. Mahomes vs @ ARI

 

Start QB 1- Kirk Cousins vs GB

With an ADP of around 130 Cousins is a huge value for me in this year’s drafts. A tough opener against rivals Green Bay could see Cousins having to throw in what could be a shoot-out or a comeback situation. He has a plethora of weapons to get it done.

Start QB 2- Trey Lance @ CHI

Investing heavily in Lance, the 49ers will be looking to let Lance loose when both passing and running the ball. The Bears will try hard to scheme up looks that Lance has not seen before which should see him tucking and running often during this match up. The 49ers will be creative and give him the best opportunity to succeed and I see him hitting the ground running in week 1.

 

Sit QB 1- Justin Fields vs SF

Fields will have weeks where his running and passing makes him fantasy relevant but against Warner, Bosa and Co. week 1 will not be his week.

Sit QB 2- Tua Tagovailoa vs NE

I believe in Tua and maybe I give too much respect to big Bill Belichick but I feel this is a trap week for Tua. With T. Hill as a weapon, it’s easy to get excited but I feel that the Patriots will do enough to contain him. I may regret this one, time will tell.

 

Running Backs

 My top-ranked Running Backs for Week 1 are:

1. McCaffrey vs CLE
2. Taylor @ HOU
3. Henry vs NYG
4. Ekeler vs LV
5. Cook vs GB

 

Start RB 1- Clyde Edwards-Helaire

As the stand-alone RB1 for the Chiefs CEH is in line for a strong start to the season. Catching out the back field to support the WR core CEH should be kept busy. A comfortable RB 2 in week one with top 15 upside.

Start RB 2- AJ Dillon @ MIN

Matt Lefleur described Dillon as the 1A to Aaron Jones’ 1A. Dillon should be a top 24 back this week against the Vikings. Start with confidence.

Start RB 3- Dameon Pierce vs IND

I might as well jump on the hype train here and say start Pierce. Hopefully you got him late before his ADP caught fire. If so, he is a lock as your RB3 with the volume he will see.

 

Sit RB 1- Tony Pollard vs TB

Last year the Cowboys gave up on the run after just 60 yards rushing and I don’t see much changing this time around. With a weakened O-line there will not be room for both Zeke and Tony to produce here. He will have his time but sit in week 1.

Sit RB 2- Cordarelle Patterson vs NO

The Falcons will be looking to reduce Patterson’s workload with injuries plaguing his pre-season. Where you drafted him it’s likely you will need to start him but if you have options, I’d sit him this week. 

Sit RB 3- Melvin Gordon vs SEA

 Returning to the Denver back this year Gordon will serve as the complimentary piece to J. Williams. The Seattle run D has not improved and I feel this will be the Williams show.

 

Wide Receivers

 My top-ranked Wide Receivers for Week 1 are:

1. Kupp vs BUF
2. Jefferson vs GB
3. Chase vs PIT
4. Diggs @ LAR
5. Samuel @ CHI

 

Start WR 1- Amari Cooper @ CAR

 Cooper should be Brissett’s main target with the chemistry is said to be developing between the two. Amari should be open often against the Panthers secondary in week 1.

Start WR 2- Amon-Ra St. Brown vs PHI

If Amon-Ra’s breakout late last season was not enough to get you believing, then maybe featuring in Hardknocks has done it for you. Either way, I expect St. Brown to be a top 20 WR in week 1 with WR1 upside.

Start WR 3- Adam Thielen vs GB

He often does well against the Packers and much like last season I expect him to start strong in week 1, a Touchdown could be on the cards. I have him as a mid-level WR2 in this matchup.

 

Sit WR 1- Drake London vs NO 

I find myself not getting over excited to start the Falcons new shiny toy against the Saints. I want to see it happen the Falcons passing game for a couple of weeks. You will have 3 or 4 other options, be patient and wait.

Sit WR 2- Chris Olave vs ATL

So, it seems I am down on both the rookies in this one despite their full season projections being positive. The matchup is not favourable here, sit and be patient.

Sit WR 3 – Chase Claypool @ CIN

Sit if you can, wait to see how George Pickens is used and what the chemistry is like with a new QB.

 

Tight Ends

 My top-ranked Tight Ends for Week 1 are:

1. Andrews @ NYJ
2. Kelce @ ARI
3. Pitts vs NO
4. Kittle @ CHI
5. Shultz vs TB

 

Start TE 1- Zach Ertz vs KC

When a TE is either the main or secondary target in an offence you are on to a winner and when D. Hop was out last year Ertz was featured heavily. Expect the same this time around as he will be Murrays second option behind Hollywood Brown.

Start TE 2- TJ Hockenson vs PHI

I am hoping for Hockenson to be unlocked this season. The Lions WR core has been upgraded and this should benefit Hockenson. A top 10 TE with top five upside.

 

Sit TE 1- Irv Smith Jr

I have already projected Cook, Jefferson and Thielen to have big games, so I don’t see Irv Smith getting a decent enough look in here. For what it’s worth I have him finishing between TE 14 and 19 in week 1.

Sit TE 2- Hunter Henry @ MIA 

The Patriots will be a heavy run first team this season and with Jonnu Smith being a part of the TE group I don’t see Henry having much of a chance this week.

Join us again for Week 2’s Start and Sit picks next week!

Colin @ukfantasyballer