There are no tougher lineup decisions than Week 1. Yes, we feel pretty confident coming out of our drafts, but either news or sheer worry has us questioning our decisions. The following we have guys that we should start and sit at every decision as we head into the first week of the year. If you have lineup questions you can hit us up on Twitter @fightingchance or @fantasygeek37 or email us at steve@ or ryan@fightingchancefantasy.com.
Start/Sit Week 1
Quarterback
Start: Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders vs. New Orleans Saints. I am just a huge Derek Carr fan this season, and I see no reason that he doesn’t get off to a really good start. The Saints may have made some improvements to their defense, but they were the worst against the pass last year, and I don’t think they did enough that the Raiders won’t shred them with Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. Look for Carr to top 250 yards and have three touchdowns.
Sit: Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs. I do like Philip Rivers as a fantasy quarterback this year. Not quite as much as Steve, but I do think he will be a high end QB2. However, the Chiefs defense is a stout group, and I think it might take a couple of weeks for the Charger passing game to gel. While I don’t expect the Chiefs to be quite as good as they were in 2015, I think they will hold Rivers to under 250 yards and likely one passing touchdown.
Running Backs
Start: Spencer Ware, Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Diego Chargers. Jamaal Charles isn’t going to play on Sunday and that leaves the majority of carries and catches to Ware. Kansas City lives and dies on the ground game, and while Charcandrick West will get some work, Ware will still be the bell cow back while Charles is out. The Chargers have a middle of the road defense and I completely expect Ware to top the 100 yard mark and hopefully score a touchdown as well.
We are looking for Melvin Gordon to bounce back in a big way in 2016
Start: Melvin Gordon, San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs. I’m not gonna lie, the Chiefs defense finished the season really strong last year, and if this was Week 18 of 2015, I might not suggest Gordon here. However, I expect a regression in the Chiefs defense and a huge improvement in the running game of Melvin Gordon. There’s no way he can be as bad as he was in 2015 and I am looking to a huge rebound year and that is starting right away.
Sit: Demarco Murray, Tennessee Titans vs. Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings defense is pretty stout against the run and I still see Murray splitting carries pretty close to 50/50 with rookie Derrick Henry. You may have spent a third or even fourth round pick on this guy and might not want to bench him, but I really don’t see him having more than 60 or so yards and I don’t see him scoring so I bet you have better options on your roster.
Sit: Terrance West, Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills. Jesus the Ravens running back situation could not be more of a mess. Kenneth Dixon was running with the first team and then was injured. Justin Forsett was then the assumed starter and was cut. West was then thought to be atop the depth chart, but with Forsett resigned who the hell knows who is going to carry the load this Sunday. I’d sit everyone on the Ravens who is a running back until we have the slightest idea who will get the most carries or receptions out of the backfield.
Wide Receivers
Start: Will Fuller, Houston Texans vs. Chicago Bears. There are a number of rookie wide receivers that have a chance to have a strong season, but Fuller is near the top of my list. The Bears defense will be average at best, and with improved play at the quarterback position, I think the Texans passing game can actually be respectable when they aren’t throwing to DeAndre Hopkins. I think Fuller has a chance to have five or more catches, 80 or more yards and a score to open up his first year.
Start: Chris Hogan, New England Patriots vs. Arizona Cardinals. Backup quarterbacks love reliable receivers, and while Hogan is a long way from exciting, he has very good hands. Julian Edelman will play but is not 100% and Danny Amendola is always a mess with injuries. This leaves Hogan with a chance to have a significant impact in the game and a chance to have at least seven catches. The Cardinal defense is no joke, but in PPR leagues I really like Hogan to have a strong game on Sunday night.
Sit: Kevin White, Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans. I love Kevin White, I really do. The talent, the speed, the hands, there’s nothing not to like about this guy. However, I am not suggesting starting him in Week 1. First, I don’t believe that he is ready to play the snaps needed to have a major impact in the opener. I do believe by the middle of the season that White is going to be a fantasy player that we all want on our rosters, but this is not going to be the game where he will thrive.
Tavon Austin will tease but will leave you wanting more in Week 1
Sit: Tavon Austin, Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers. I have never really been a huge fan of Austin. Despite his strong finish to 2015, I still view him as a gadget player and not one that you can count on to be a regular part of the offense. With Case Keenum at quarterback for the first week, I don’t think you can count on the passing game being consistent on Monday night against the Niners and I think unless he breaks some unexpected big play he likely won’t score you many points.
Tight Ends
Start: Martellus Bennett, New England Patriots vs. Arizona Cardinals. Rob Gronkowski is out, which leaves Bennett as the top tight end. New England loves to throw to their talented tight ends. They also have a first time quarterback who will be looking to big, reliable targets to get the ball to. All of these factors add up to Bennett having a strong game on Sunday Night. Start him if you have him!
Sit: Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Cleveland Browns. I am a huge fan of Ertz and his talent. He is by far the most talented pass catcher at tight end on his team. However, they are starting rookie quarterback Carson Wentz, and while that might lead to more targets to reliable receivers, that also could lead to the Eagles wanting Brent Celek out there as he is the better blocking tight end who could keep Wentz upright.
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