It’s finally here. Week one of the 2019 NFL season is upon us. For fantasy football, there are always those players who are automatic starts, no questions asked. Players like Ezekiel Elliott or Saquon Barkley fit that description. Other players, you have to be more strategic with. This week, Chris Carson of the Seattle Seahawks highlights running backs who you should start in your fantasy league. Let’s take a look at a few players to start and a few to sit this week.
Chris Carson, Derrius Guice, and Running Back Week One Start/Sits
Chris Carson
Carson carved out a nice role for himself in Seattle last season. The second-year back went from only 49 attempts and 208 yards in 2017, to 247 attempts and 1151 yards last year. Though Rashaad Penny is waiting in the wings, Carson should shoulder a heavy workload again. Carson has a favorable matchup at home in week one facing the Cincinnati Bengals defense. Carson has a chance to make a bigger name for himself in 2019 and week one could easily be a big week for him.
Leonard Fournette
Leonard Fournette was easily one of the most disappointing fantasy backs last year. He only played in eight games due to injuries and a suspension. Many thought he was poised for a big sophomore campaign but it was a disappointing year for him. The 2019 season is a prove-it year for the young back and he will play a big role in the offense. Not only is Fournette a three-down back, but he may play an even bigger pass-catching role in 2019. Fournette shouldn’t have a problem starting his comeback against the Kansas City Chiefs in Jacksonville on Sunday.
Mark Ingram
Mark Ingram heads into the 2019 season with a new team. Though the Baltimore Ravens have a good back up in Gus Edwards, Ingram has a chance for more touches than when he shared time with Alvin Kamara. Ingram and the Ravens will face the tanking Miami Dolphins in week one. If the Ravens get out to an early lead, Ingram should have added time to stack up yardage.
Running Backs to Sit
Derrius Guice
Derrius Guice was a second-round draft pick in 2018 but didn’t see the field due to a torn ACL in the preseason. Guice could have a solid season this year. But expectations should be tempered early on. He hasn’t played a snap of meaningful football in the NFL yet and will be facing the Philadelphia Eagles stout defense in the city of brotherly love. Guice is likely a flex at best in week one but is safer on the bench.
Marlon Mack
Marlon Mack figures to have a larger role in the Indianapolis Colts offense with the retirement of Andrew Luck. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry in 2018 and could very well surpass 1000 yards this year. But Mack doesn’t have a very favorable matchup in week one. The Colts face the Los Angeles Chargers strong defense on the West Coast in an important first week of the season. Jacoby Brissett‘s performance will be under a microscope. Brissett could look to Mack for check-downs but this doesn’t appear to be a promising week to start Mack.
LeSean McCoy
LeSean McCoy is back with his former head coach Andy Reid. McCoy may be in a more favorable position with the Kansas City Chiefs than he was in Buffalo, but he’s a candidate for the bench until he proves otherwise. McCoy will have to contend with Damien Williams for touches on an offense that loves to air it out. Shady should get his chance to prove he’s still got it, but he’s on the wrong side of 30 and the Jacksonville Jaguars defense in week one furthers the case to bench McCoy.
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