Yay or Nay Week 1
Yay/Nay Week 1:
This article is not really reinforced by normal stats, mostly by the eye test and good/bad feelings
QB’s I say Yay to Week 1:
Russel Wilson, Seattle Seahawks: Okay I’m kinda cheating on this one, obviously if you have Russel Wilson you’re starting him but I believe he will do better than he is projected to do. According to ESPN he’s projected to score 20 points on ESPN standard scoring. I am predicting that he will score 23 points. The running back situation is shaky in Seattle, which leads me to believe that they’ll throw it a lot more. To Tyler Lockett in particular cough cough
Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders: Saints Defense? Count me in! Derek Carr and Amari Cooper were roommates during preseason, they’re really trying to build the chemistry for AC/DC because they know what they have there is big. Derek Carr is my candidate to be a top 5 QB at the end of the season. So Amari Cooper is going to be double covered soon enough who’s he gonna throw to? King Crab enter the room. Michael Crabtree, who was the better fantasy receiver of the two, is still available there. Point is you can’t really go wrong with Derek Carr this week
Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions: He was terrible at the beginning of the year; nobody can deny that. And then came in: Jim Bob Cooter. After Jim Bob Cooter took over Matt Stafford was Cooteriffic. Jim Bob Cooter has that offense going like a well-oiled machine. No Megatron? No problem, Golden Tate, Marvin Jones, sure they’re no Megatron but they definitely will spread the ball around and I believe that Matt Stafford has a top 10 week.
QB’s I say Nay to Week 1:
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers: See 50, Super Bowl. I mean it’s that simple, I’m not a fan of Cam for this week, I understand that most people won’t have the courage to sit Cam week one but I legitimately think that Cam should be sat. Don’t have another quarterback? Pick up Matt Stafford off the waiver wire. Dak Prescott will have a serviceable game this week, more serviceable than Cam this week.
Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears: So you’re probably not starting Cutler but in deep 2 QB leagues where you may be starting him: Don’t. Alshon Jeffrey is great when healthy. Key words: When healthy. His hamstrings have been trouble in the past and I don’t think he finishes this game. Forget the fact that he has no one to throw to, he’s playing the Texans, one of the top defenses in the league. I don’t care how deep your league is: DO NOT START JAY CUTLER.
QB’s I like but forgot about and won’t go into too much depth:
Dak Prescott/Eli Manning Dallas, Cowboys and New York Giants: I don’t think I’ll do this section every week but I like Dak Prescott and Eli Manning a lot this week, I think that’ll be a shootout.
Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins: “You like that!” Um yeah you’re right I do like that matchup against the Steelers (shootout alert). I promise that will be my only you like that reference this season. Actually no I don’t, there’s a lot more where that came from.
RB I say Yay to Week 1:
Spencer Ware, Kansas City Chiefs: I like him all year, especially today. After Jamaal Charles got injured last year, Charandrick West took over and was a stud. After he got injured Spencer Ware took over and he was fantastic. Charles is doubtful for this week, so this is Spencer Ware’s gig this week. Against San Diego, one of the softer defenses in the league. I am all in on Spencer Ware for the next couple of weeks.
Ezekiel Elliot, Dallas Cowboys: Again, sort of cheating here but what’s not to love. He’s a total stud behind the best offensive line in football. Against a pretty bad New York Giants defense. As I said earlier I believe this game is going to be a shootout. If DeMarco Murray, who by all means is a good runner, can run for 1000 yards behind that line I believe that Ezekiel Elliot can run for at least 1500. For Daily Fantasy players I like Dak and Zeke as a nice stack (sure Zeke will be expensive but Dak will come very cheap)
Frank Gore, Indianapolis Colts: I love him this whole season, hasn’t missed a game in a long time. He’s not spectacular but look up consistent in the dictionary and you will see a picture of Frank Gore. He was a top 12 RB in 2015 and I think he will be right back there this year. Playing in a favorable matchup vs The Lions.
RB I say Nay to Week 1:
Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons: I’m not telling you to sit him, I’m just telling you to be realistic. He was spectacular for that three week stretch when he took the job over from Tevin Coleman. Let’s just remember that Tevin Coleman is healthy and that they want to incorporate him into the run game. I believe that right now this is Freeman’s job but I believe this could easily turn into a running back by committee. After week 6 Freeman’s top game was a 15-point game, which is good but in that span he had 3 games with less than 5 points. On average after week 6 he scored 8.3 points (not including the bye week) including the bye week he scored 7.5 points on average after week 6. I believe he will be average, just not the spectacular guy everyone expects.
Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs: Okay so he probably won’t play, but on the off chance that he does, I know that there are people out there who will start him just because of the reputation that comes with Jamaal Charles. Do not start Jamaal Charles, start Spencer Ware that’s where the Chiefs Running back points will be this week.
WR I say Yay to Week 1:
Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers: Whaaat Randall Cobb? The same Randall Cobb that everybody thought was going to be a stud but turned out to be a profound disappointment without Jordy Nelson? Yes, that Randall Cobb, because now, unlike last year, he has Jordy Nelson. The Packers asked Randall Cobb to do a lot more than he could, Randall Cobb is a receiver who plays a lot better with Jordy Nelson. He’ll be able to go back to doing to what he does best with his partner back. Throw away last year when it comes to thinking about Randall Cobb.
Golden Tate, Detroit Lions: I’m not saying that Golden Tate is Megatron but he’s got Jim Bob Cooter as his Offensive Coordinator and they want to throw the ball in Detroit. With Marvin Jones to his side I think that Golden Tate will play well against a very shaky Colts defense.
Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks: I love Tyler Lockett, and not just because he is on a couple of my teams. He returns kicks, and is turning to be one of Russell Wilson’s favorite targets. This guy is a threat to get into the end zone even when he’s in his own territory. He is most definitely not the safe play but if you’re projected to lose and need a big upside guy, Tyler Lockett is your man.
Sterling Sheppard, New York Giants: OBJ can’t catch all the passes right? There’s not a lot of pass catchers in New York and like I said, this one is going to be a shootout.
WR I say Nay to Week 1:
All Carolina Panthers WR: See Newton, Cam.
Steve Smith Sr, Baltimore Ravens: When everybody says his career is over, he somehow resurges. Maybe I’m hoping he proves me wrong because I have him in a couple of leagues but he’s coming off the injury that statistically is the hardest to come back from. He tore is Achilles Tendon and that injury takes a long time to recover from and even after recovery, players lose their power and explosiveness. Not only that, it will take a while for him to regain his confidence in that ankle.
Alshon Jeffrey, Chicago Bears: There is only one person on that offense that I am going to place good predictions on. And this is not him. If he can stay healthy that’s another story, but I have never seen Alshon Jeffrey healthy. Until he proves me wrong, he will stay on the wrong side of this list.
TE I say Yay to Week 1:
Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins: The only guy who can contest Gronk for number one TE. Every time he contests him he loses but hey at least you can bring him up in conversation for best TE in the league and not totally get laughed at. Jordan Reed is the Redskins most reliable pass catcher, he and Kirk Cousins have a very good receiver-quarterback relationship. He’s the primary red zone target and he’s playing against the Steelers, a team who is 26th against the TE according to ESPN. He is the number 2 tight end all year, as long as he can stay healthy.
Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles: This guy is due, he showed some promise last year but the sudden trade between the Eagles and Vikings only makes me like this guy more. Think about it: Rookie Quarterback, nervous in the pocket, wants to get rid of the football as quick as possible. Who is the receiver that is usually the closest to the quarterback? The tight end! Zach Ertz will get lots of looks from rookie Quarterback Carson Wentz.
Zach Miller, Chicago Bears: The only Bear I am a bit excited about Zach Miller. Jay Cutler will not be protected very well and he’ll look for his tight end often. Miller had the yardage in most games last year, he just needs the touchdowns and I believe that he will be one of the top two red zone targets in the red zone. And remember, Zach Miller doesn’t lose points when his quarterback turns it over.
TE I say Nay to Week 1:
Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers: I think he’s a great player, I just don’t like him for this week. Playing against a very good Chiefs defense I don’t think he’ll be productive.
Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys: Jason Witten is a good name, and a very good real life football player, but he is no longer a good fantasy football tight end. From week 2 to week 16 he did not score more than 7 points. I think you’re better off guessing which team will have a TE that scores a touchdown.
Coby Fleener, New Orleans Saints: I buy that he will be good but I don’t think he’ll be as good as everyone expects right away. He’s struggled to learn the playbook; I don’t think he’ll have a terrible day but definitely not what everyone expects.
I believe you guys can figure out defenses! Good luck this week!