Week 1 Start/Sits

We made it! I don't know about you, but that offseason felt way too long. The wait is finally over and we finally will get some actual football this week. This also means the fantasy season will also begin. Most drafts have now been completed, leaving setting the lineup as the next step. There is just something about starting the year 1-0 that makes the wait not so bad. Just like every other week, matchups will play a big part on who you decide to start. Many teams won't have multiple flex options as you more than likely drafted the guy who will start there already. For those that don't, this could be a great way to figure out who to start off of your bench, or even who you could stream for week one. I won't highlight the obvious starts as that really doesn't help anyone. I want to try to dig a little deeper. Get ready for a wild season, we have only begun! 

Starts

QB-

Jameis Winston: One of my favorite QB starts this week, will go up against the 49ers who gave up the 7th most fantasy points to opposing QB. I wouldn't be surprised if this game hit the over this week. Winston has looked shaky during preseason play, but I think the team gets it together for week 1. Winston is going to benefit from the various playmakers on this team. He may throw for a interception or two, but 300 yards and 2-3 touchdowns is very possible.  

Kirk Cousins: I want as much of this offense as I can this week. They go up against the Falcons in which could turn into a shootout if Matt Ryan can beat the Vikings stout defense. The Falcons secondary isn't the best, giving up the most fantasy points to opposing QB's last year. They also gave up the third highest amount of passing touchdowns. Now they did have multiple injuries last year, but overall I think Cousins could have a solid game. 

Notable Options: Russell Wilson, Matthew Stafford

RB-

Chris Carson: I like almost everyone on this Seahawks team against the Bengals this week. The Seahawks want to use Carson more in the passing game and have publicly stated that he is going to be the guy. He is set up for a nice week one matchup against on of the worst rushing defenses in the league. They allowed the 4th most rushing yards and RB receiving yards last year. Along with the 2nd most fantasy points per game. Start up Carson with confidence. 

Matt Breida: Don't go crazy and start him over your studs but I think he is going to be a solid play for deeper leagues. As of 9/3, the 49ers have Breida as their starting RB. I do still believe it will be a timeshare between him and Coleman, but Breida has proven himself to this team. The 49ers will play the Buccaneers in which like I said above, could be a higher scoring game. Last year, the Buccaneers gave up the 5th most fantasy points per game and the tied for first for most RB receiving touchdowns. Breida could be a solid flex play this week. 

Notable Options: Mark Ingram, David Montgomery

WR-

Dede Westbrook: He is going to be a PPR machine this season with Foles under center. Foles had one of the highest percentage of throws to the slot, while Dede ranked 1st in slot routes run last season. I think Foles will look his way all year long. This week presents a great matchup against the Chiefs in which the Jaguars will more than likely play catch up. I am starting Dede up with confidence. 

Dante Pettis: There was a lot of chatter that Pettis could end up being passed as the WR1 on the 49ers, I hope you faded the noise like I did. I think he is in a prime slot this week to show the haters they are wrong. He will matchup against MJ Stewert who gave up the 2nd most points per target last year out of the slot. Pettis had almost 50% routes run out of the slot this preseason. He is the WR1 on this team and should see his fair share of targets against a bad Buccaneers defense. 

Notable Options: Kenny Golladay, Josh Gordon

TE-

Jared Cook: It pains me to put him here. I'm not as high on Cook as most are but I think he's in a good spot this week. We could have a pretty decent game this Monday with these two powerful offenses. The Texans struggled last year to contain the TE, giving up the 5th most fantasy points per game to the position. This game also has the highest over/under in week 1. I see a solid chance that Cook finds the endzone. 

Notable Option: Greg Olsen

Sits

QB-

Ben Roethlisberger- Historically he has not been great when coming into Foxboro to face the reining superbowl champs. I can see this trend continuing this week. He averages less than 2 touchdowns and less than 285 yards per game when playing on the road against the Patriots. He bucked the trend last year of being worse on the road, but I think he will have trouble here. He could end up being decent in this game, but there are far better options to play week 1.

Jacoby Brissett- For those people who had to pick him up after Luck retired, I would go find someone else this week. I do think he will improve from his awful 2017 performance, but it won't start here. The Chargers defense ranks 8th in least fantasy points per game to the QB and passing yards allowed. This is a great defense and I think Brissett will struggle in this game. 

Notable Fades: Josh Allen

RB- 

The Bills Backfield: I was going to put just Devin Singletary, but I think Gore will be in consideration for a few teams as well. Stay away this week. Maybe even until we get a better idea on how these backs will be used. The Jets don't have a great rush defense, but it isn't terrible either. I think there is just to much risk in starting either guy this week. They both should have been drafted as bench players anyways. 

Tarik Cohen: He is seen as playable in some PPR leagues but I am staying away. The Bears want to reduce his workload and I really think David Montgomery is going to be something special. Cohen will lose work in the passing game to Montgomery which is going to reduce his playing time. I have personally completely faded Cohen in every single league this year. I think his 2018 numbers can be deceiving to some. 

Notable Fades: Kenyan Drake, Philip Lindsay

WR-

Robby Anderson: It could be tough sledding for Anderson to start the season. He has one of the more difficult CB matchup slates and could struggle because of it. The Bills had one of the best pass defenses last season, allowing the 4th fewest fantasy points per game. He is coming off an injury and could be seeing a lot of Tre'davious White. I'd rather play Jamison Crowder over Anderson this week. 

Corey Davis: Here could be another awful WR matchup, with Davis set to face Browns Pro Bowl CB Denzel Ward. I think this Browns defense has looked great throughout the preseason and will be trouble for Mariota. Other than maybe 3 games last year, Davis wasn't anything special. I do think he can rebound from a bad year last year, but not week 1. I'm holding off on basically all Titans players this week. 

Notable Fades: Calvin Ridley, Devin Funchess

TE-

Jordan Reed: If he does play this week, you should not start him. He would be coming off his 7th concussion. One hit could end his day, and even his career at this point. He is too much of a risk to roll out there if he plays week one. One top of the injury risk, the Eagles gave up the 2nd fewest fantasy points per game to the TE position last year. Stay away. 

Notable Fades: Jimmy Graham, T.J. Hockenson