The Fanatics Sit/Start Advice for Week 1
It’s finally here! Week one of the NFL fantasy football season. All your research, mock drafting, and arguing on social media have led us here. Now it is time to see what all that hard work produces. Back again for yet another year of helping you navigate your sit or start dilemmas. Week one is always a difficult week for this article because we do not have much to go on. Last year is last year and the preseason rarely gives a glimpse into how teams are going to use players this year. Usually, my best advice is just to go with the top guys you draft, then after week one, you can adjust accordingly. After all, why would you not start that guy you drafted in the fourth or fifth over the guy from the 12th round. That said I am going to be looking a little deeper this week and find some guys that might be on the cusp of sitting or starting this week.
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Quarterback
The Fanatics Starts of the Week
Eli Manning (NYG) @ DAL
I know Eli right? Well, I am liking Eli this week for a couple of reasons. First, they are playing the Cowboys, where Eli usually does pretty good against them. Last year he completed 67 percent of his passes for 580 yards with three touchdowns and one pick in two games. The second reason I like Eli this week is Daniel Jones. The kid looked good in preseason and Eli has to know his days are numbered. I think that little extra fire might do Eli some good this year. Finally, I think the Cowboys are going to focus on Barkley, rightfully so, and force Eli to be active in the passing, and without Beckham demanding the ball Eli is spread it around and get all sorts of guys involved this week. None might have a great week, but many should contribute.
Other Starts
- Josh Allen (BUF) @ NYJ
- Kirk Cousins (MIN) vs ATL
The Fanatics Sits of the Week
Matthew Stafford (DET) @ ARI
I am not as down on Stafford overall as many people are. The reason why he is on my sit list this week though is we all know the Lions what to run more and they could not get a better matchup week one then the Cardinals. They were terrible stopping the run last year. This gives the Lions every opportunity to reinforce the idea that they will run more this year. Which I think they will be successful enough running the ball that Stafford might not be asked to through that often this opening week. Factor in the Lions have a solid defense themselves and facing a rookie quarterback, the Cardinals offense might struggle this week as well, allowing the Lions to control the ball and run it often. It just seems like a week that the Lions won’t need to rely on Staford and if the don’t I think the won’t.
Other Sits
- Tom Brady (NE) vs PIT
- Nick Foles (JAX) vs KC
Running Back
The Fanatics Starts of the Week
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Devonta Freeman (ATL) @ MIN
Two years ago this would be a no brainer, but after only 14 carries in 2018, I think many people have their doubts about Freeman going into this year. I am not one of those people. Will he be the same Freeman we had in 2015 and 2016? I don’t think so, but I do believe he can crack the top 15 and possibly top 10 of running backs this year if a few things go his way. I have always believed in his talent, but the fact that they let Tevin Coleman walk out the door leads me to believe the organization has faith in his return too. The Falcons have so much faith the did not even really address the position in the offseason at all. All signs point to Freeman being the man in A-town. Start with confidence.
Other Starts
- Kerryon Johnson (DET) @ ARI
- Tarik Cohen (CHI) vs GB
The Fanatics Sits of the Week
Mark Ingram (BAL) @ MIA
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I am hesitant here because while I am not expecting a good year from Ingram they do get to face the Dolphins #FishTank. That said I think Ingram doing poorly this week results from one of two possibilities. First, the Ravens go up big early and rather run their aged running back into the ground in the Miami heat, you let your backups get some time early or even let Lamar Jackson get some practice throwing the ball because lord knows he needs it. The second possibility is the Dophins stack the box and force Jackson to throw early and ofter taking Ingram out of the game. Either way, I am not expecting much from Ingram, even if the Ravens to well as a whole.
Other Sits
- Phillip Lindsay (DEN) @ OAK
- Austin Ekeler (LAC) vs IND
Wide Receiver
The Fanatics Starts of the Week
Adam Humphries (TEN) @ CLE
Did you know Humphries was actually 16th in receptions last year? I know it a new team and all, but he had 76 receptions on only 105 targets. The just catches the ball. I think going to the Titans was perfect for him. Marcus Mariota desperately needed and a guy he can count on in the middle of the field not named Delaine Walker. Humphries might not light it up in yards or touchdowns, but a six receptions day for 50 yards is still 11 points, which is pretty solid for a flex play in some deeper leagues. What if Mariota gets hurt likes he seems to every year? No worries Ryan Tannehill is very comfortable throwing to a slot receiver. He had one of the best ones in the games during his time in Miami.
Other Starts
- Chris Godwin (TB) vs SF
- Jamison Crowder (NJY) vs BUF
The Fanatics Sits of the Week
Alshon Jeffery (PHI) vs WAS
The Redskins actually have a pretty good pass defense and with their offense looking pretty sad these days it could translate into some good field position all day for the Eagles. I look for the Eagles to pound the ground game and wear out the Redskins defense. Not that the Eagles won’t throw the ball I just don’t think anyone one player will be targeted enough to put up solid numbers other than possibly Zach Ertz. The Eagles have too many weapons on offense right now and playing a team in the middle of a rebuild is just not a good situation for Jeffery this week in my opinion.
Other Sits
- Josh Gordon (NE) vs PIT
- Jarvis Landry (CLE) vs TEN
Tight End
The Fanatics Starts of the Week
Jason Witten (DAL) vs NYG
This pick is probably more nostalgic than anything else. Over Witten’s great career he has owned the Giants. In 31 games he has 161 receptions on 222 targets for 1,649 yards and 15 touchdowns. Tight end is deep this year, but if for some reason you are desperate Witten averages five receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown every other game against the Giants. I know Witten has been out of football for a year, and this pick might bite me in the ass, but sometimes a player just owns another team and that is why I willing to take the chance.
Other Starts
- Darren Waller (OAK) vs ATL
The Fanatics Sits of the Week
Eric Ebron (IND) @ LAC
I was not a huge fan of Ebron going into the season to start with. I think he is a solid tight end that got a big boost playing for a really good quarterback and cashed in on a burst of touchdowns. Even if Andrew Luck played this year I felt like Ebron was coming back down to Earth this season. Still very much a top ten possibility, but much closer to ten. So other things to consider other than no Luck, is that Jack Doyle is finally healthy, something he had a hard time doing last year, and with Jacoby Brissett taking over the signal calling duties I think he might go back to his old reliable target from the last time he was a starter and that was Doyle. There is just too many factors going against Ebron at this point for me to trust a guy that has always underperformed but had a touchdown spike last year.
Other Sits
- Delanie Walker (TEN) @ CLE
Defense
The Fanatics Starts of the Week
Kyler Fackrell (GB) @ CHI
Even since Green Bay let Clay Matthews leave I have had my eye on Fackrell. In a parttime role last season he managed to rack up 10.5 sacks. I would have thought he was have taken the starting job, but he has not to date. Regardless I am curious to see how he does this week because I think he should see the field more even if he is not the starter. Which should result in at least more tackles.
Other Starts
- Zach Cunningham (HOU) @ NO
- Todd Davis (DEN) @ OAK
The Fanatics Sits of the Week
Yannick Ngakoue (JAX) vs KC
I would not be surprised if the Chiefs do not run the ball all that often. At least not many traditional run plays. Everything the Chiefs do will be quick negating any type of defensive line pressure. The Chiefs just have too much offense for me to trust and IDP players that are playing them. I would look elsewhere for IDP linemen.
Other Sits
- Dre Kirkpatrick (CIN) @ SEA
- Shaq Thompson (CAR) vs LAR
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