Football season is finally here! Thursday night we get our first NFL game of the year, with the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Houston Texans.
And while this season is sure to look much different from any other in recent history, I am sure that I am not the only one who is excited to see some football!
Welcome to week 1 of the FantasySportsDad’s Who to Start! You will not see names like Christian McCaffrey or Patrick Mahomes on these lists, I think it is safe to say players such as that will be started every game they are available.
This site is more focused on which RB2 to play, or your flex position. Or maybe you didn’t choose a quarterback or defense until the 10th round, and decided to stream your way to fantasy football glory.
Either way, this will help you decide on who to start on your fantasy football team for week 1!
Quarterbacks
Cam Newton – New England Patriots
A few years ago this would have been a no-brainer, but recent injury concerns and changing of teams in the offseason helped push the former league MVP far down the list on fantasy draft day in most leagues. Although he is rostered in 86% of fantasy leagues on Yahoo, from what I have seen it was as the second or even third quarterback on the roster.
Add to the fact that they are facing the Miami Dolphins, who may be slightly better than they were last year but that is not saying much. Plus I am sure that Cam has a chip on his shoulder about being pushed out of Carolina for Teddy Bridgewater, and didn’t have a lot of teams clamoring for him to join them. Look for a top-5 outing out of Cam this week.
Teddy Bridgewater – Carolina Panthers
Speaking of Teddy, he has a nice match up for week 1 as well. Facing a Las Vegas Raiders team that has 7 new starters on defense, Bridgewater has a chance to show his new team why they invested in him. ESPN has the Raiders defense ranked 30th, so look for a good outing from Bridgewater.
Derek Carr – Las Vegas Raiders
On the opposite sideline will be Derek Carr leading the Raiders offense. A year ago the Panthers had a solid defense, led by a spectacular group of linebackers that included Luke Keuchly, Bruce Irvin, and Mario Addison.
Keuchly retired, and the other two left in free agency, leaving the Panthers defense lacking in star power coming into this year. They will have 4 rookies starting on defense, and although there is promise with the group, it may take a few games to gel since there was no preseason games this year due to Covid-19
Running Backs
Chris Thompson – Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are a mess right now. Over the last couple of years they have basically traded away any talent on the team, culminating in getting rid of lead running back Leonard Fournette last week.
That being said, Chris Thompson may have some value, especially in PPR leagues. He will no doubt be the third down/receiving back, and there is a very good chance that the Jaguars will be behind in a lot of games, so they will be using Thompson more often.
The other 2 running backs that will be suiting up on Sunday will be Devine Ozigbo, who is in his second year, and James Robinson, who is a rookie.
Malcolm Brown – Los Angeles Rams
I know, everybody is talking about the rookie Cam Akers in Los Angeles. And I have no doubt that he will be the lead back by the end of the year.
But for week 1, with no preseason games and only 14 padded practices? Malcolm Brown has already been named the starter for week one, and at the very least will get his opportunity to shine. Plus he is only rostered in 12% of Yahoo fantasy leagues, so if you are hurting at running back or need a flex option, you should take a serious look at Brown.
Boston Scott – Philadelphia Eagles
Scott started off as an afterthought last season, with Jordan Howard, Miles Sanders and Darren Sproles all on the team. But with only Miles Sanders left out of those 3, Scott is now the RB2 for the Eagles.
Normally this would only be a handcuff for Miles Sanders, but the Washington Football Team is a disaster from the top on down. They should be up big early in the game, with lots of rushing opportunities for Scott. He is only on 40% of the teams in Yahoo, so if you need a back this is your guy.
Wide Receivers
N’Keal Harry – New England Patriots
I do not know how Harry is only selected in 33% of the leagues in Yahoo. Last year, in Harry’s rookie season, he was behind Julian Edelman, Mohamed Sanu, and Phillip Dorsett. This year only Edelman remains, putting Harry in a great position to break out in his second season with the Patriots.
Add to the fact that they will be facing the Miami Dolphins and has an eager quarterback in Cam Newton to throw the ball, Harry will have a great week one.
Randall Cobb – Houston Texans
It is hard to believe that Cobb has been in the league for 10 years now. But he has, and he has switched teams once again, joining the Texans after 1 year in Dallas and 7 in Green Bay.
He will join a crowded wide receiver group that includes fellow newcomer Brandon Cooks and well as William Fuller and Kenny Stills, but is expected to start and be the primary weapon coming out of the slot.
Only owned in 9% of leagues, this could be your opportunity to add a dependable slot receiver, especially in PPR leagues.
Bryan Edwards – Las Vegas Raiders
Edwards was recently named one of the starting wide receivers for the Raiders, along with Henry Ruggs. He is expected to take the snaps from Tyrell Williams, who was placed in IR.
Only on 21% of rosters in Yahoo leagues, it might be a good idea to add him before someone else gets to him first.
Tight Ends
Jack Doyle – Indianapolis Colts
Most people see Doyle’s name and think of the 4.3 fantasy points per game that he put up last year. But with Eric Ebron gone, joining the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason, and Trey Burton going to miss at least a few games, Doyle will have the opportunity to shine.
Add that to the fact that Phillip Rivers is now his quarterback, who has made a living targeting tight ends in his career. In fact since 2007, his tight ends have averaged 986 yards, 114 targets and 82 catches, with 9 touchdowns per season. Expect Doyle to have a solid showing week 1.
Eric Ebron – Pittsburgh Steelers
Speaking of the former Colt, Ebron has an opportunity to revive his career in Pittsburgh. It has been said that Ebron will be lined up all over the offense and targeted heavily.
With Ben Roethlisberger back and healthy, there’s no reason to think the the Steeler offense will be much more productive than a year ago. Only on 35% of Yahoo rosters, go ahead and start Ebron with confidence.
Jimmy Graham – Chicago Bears
This one is just a hunch. Jimmy Graham hasn’t been the All Pro he was with the Saints in years, and the Chicago offense is not exactly known to be explosive.
That being said, Mitchell Trubiski, who was named the starting quarterback for the Bears earlier this week, had a lot more success when he had a decent tight end to throw to when Trey Burton was healthy. Without Burton, it was hard to watch the Bears offense sometimes.
Beginning the season against the Lions will help also, as they are not known to have the greatest defense in the league. If you are in a very deep league Graham may be the piece you need to get the win this week, as he is only owned in 5% of the leagues in Yahoo.
Defenses
Indianapolis Colts
Some expect the Colts to have a much better defense this year, with the addition of Phillip Rivers on offense to help them stay off the field as much.
A match up against the Jacksonville Jaguars will be helpful as well, since they appear to be “Tanking for Trevor”, the championship winning quarterback from Clemson expected to come out this year.
Owned by less than 70% of Yahoo rosters, the Colts should be a good streaming option for week 1.
Philadelphia Eagles
Another good but not great defense, the Eagles begin the year at the Washington Football Team. As stated earlier, the team in Washington is a mess, which should allow the Eagles to get of to a good start this year. They are also owned in less than 70% of leagues, so go ahead and pick them up for week 1.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers had some success last year as a defense, and with the Cincinnati Bengals up for week 1 they should be able to put up some defensive numbers.
As good as Joe Burrow was with LSU last year, leading his team to a national championship, he is a rookie in the NFL, and is bound to make some mistakes. The Chargers will take advantage of them, and only owned in 46% of the leagues in Yahoo, so go ahead and stream them for week 1.
Conclusion
Well there you have it, some good options to shore up your roster for week 1. Hopefully you get the much-needed week 1 victory! If you have any questions leave them in the comments below! Tell me how your fantasy team looks this year, and good luck on your season!
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