The fantasy football season has arrived and this Sunday has some interesting matchups. While there are still are a lot of question marks heading into Week 1, there are still obvious start and sit candidates. Here is the start ’em sit ’em for the fantasy football Week 1 slate of games.
Fantasy Football Week 1 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Trevor Lawrence, Adam Thielen, and More
Quarterback – Trevor Lawrence (Start), Tua Tagovailoa (Sit)
Normally starting a rookie in their first-ever NFL game is risky but this is the exception. Trevor Lawrence is facing off against a Houston Texans team that has the worst roster in football. With a trio of good receivers, he should have no problem picking apart the Texans’ defense. As for Tua Tagovailoa, he is a fade in Week 1. This New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins game should be low-scoring. The Patriots have retooled their defense and Miami is banged up at wide receiver. While Tagovailoa could break out this season, this is not the week to start him.
Honorable Mention Starts: Kirk Cousins (vs. Cincinnati), Sam Darnold (vs. New York Jets)
Honorable Mention Sits: Matthew Stafford (vs. Chicago), Justin Herbert (vs. Washington)
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Running Back – Raheem Mostert (Start), Josh Jacobs (Sit)
Raheem Mostert is a start this week facing off against a Detroit Lions team that was terrible against the run last season. The San Fransisco 49ers should go up big in this game and Kyle Shanahan will be dialing up a lot of run plays. For Josh Jacobs, he is a sit candidate this week due to the matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. While most are probably not sitting Jacobs considering he is your RB2, expectations should be tempered. The Ravens will go up in this game and we will be seeing lots of Kenyan Drake as the Las Vegas Raiders play catchup. As was the case last year, one is hoping Jacobs falls into the end zone to return value.
Honorable Mention starts: Ty’Son Williams (vs. Las Vegas), James Robinson (vs. Houston)
Honorable Mention Sits: D’Andre Swift (vs. Detroit), Javonte Williams (vs. New York Giants)
Wide Receiver – Adam Thielen (Start), Ja’Marr Chase (Sit)
Adam Thielen should feast in this game against a Cincinnati Bengals defense that was in the bottom half of the league in receiving touchdowns last season. This game has the potential to turn into a shootout and Thielen should get into the end zone at least once. In addition, Trae Waynes, the Bengals second corner, is out this week so Thielen will have a great matchup. Ja’Marr Chase is fade this week only because his range of outcomes is huge. He has an equal chance to go off and bust as he has struggled with drops and may not get a full compliment of snaps. It may be best to start somebody that is safer this week if you have a more proven receiver until his role is defined.
Honorable mention starts: DJ Moore (vs. Jets), All Jaguars receivers (vs. Houston)
Honorable Mention Sits: Jaylen Waddle (vs. New England)
Tight End – Tyler Higbee (Start), Hunter Henry (Sit)
Tyler Higbee has a great chance to break out on Sunday night football. The Chicago Bears gave up the second-most fantasy points to tight ends last season. With Gerald Everett moving on this off-season, Higbee has a chance to return to his 2019 form with Matthew Stafford at quarterback. Meanwhile, Hunter Henry is a sit this week. The Dolphins were one of the best teams defending tight ends last season and Henry is sharing tight end targets with Jonnu Smith. Add in the fact that it is rookie Mac Jones’ first start and Henry is too risky to deploy in Week 1.
Honorable Mention Starts: Zach Ertz (vs. Atlanta)
Honorable Mention Sits: Mike Gesicki (vs. New England)
Defense – Seattle Seahawks (Start), Cleveland Browns (Sit)
The Seattle Seahawks are a good deep league streamer in week one for those that waited on drafting a defense. The Indianapolis Colts are banged up at offensive line and receiver. We also know that Wentz can turn into a pumpkin at any time with his erratic play last season. Seattle should also have a big lead in this game so Wentz will be forced to drop back more than he would like to. The Cleveland Browns are an obvious sit this week facing off against the Kansas City Chiefs. While the Browns defense should still be owned in all leagues, it is best to find another defense to stream this week.
Honorable Mention Starts: Miami Dolphins (vs. New England)
Honorable Mention Sits: Pittsburgh (vs. Buffalo)
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