Week 1 Fantasy Football Start/Sit, DFS & Rankings
We are finally back! In this weekly article series, our Writer, Zach Zander (@ZTwiceFF), will help you make those tough decisions through Start-Sit picks, DFS Fades & Sleepers, along with weekly rankings! With minimal injuries, no byes, and so many unknowns in Week 1, you likely will just be starting who you drafted first. Regardless, we'll get the ball rolling on the Fantasy Football Season below!
Starts
Marquise Brown vs KC
I'm keeping these short and sweet for Week 1. Brown seems to be the only legit option left for the Cards after the Hopkins suspension, Moore injury, and a questionable Ertz. With KC expected to score a lot of points, Kyler will be forced to throw a lot with his former college teammate being the primary beneficiary.
Kirk Cousins vs GB
I view Kirk Cousins as a potential league winner in 2022. Though he lacks the rushing ability you'd want in a late round upside QB, he has the ability to put up monster numbers in attempts, yards, and touchdowns. Jefferson is arguably the best WR in the league, Cook is healthy, Thielen is back as a redzone threat, and Irv Smith is finally healthy (we think). The GB defense is stout, but I expect Kevin O'Connell to look and make a statement in his debut as a Head Coach.
AJ Dillon @ MIN
Matt Lefleur views this backfield pairing of Jones and Dillon as 1A and 1A. Both backs have a chance to smash this season with the lack of passing weapons in the GB offense. Lazard is expected to miss the game and Tonyan is questionable, leaving an already depleted Offense with even less. Dillon should be involved on the ground, likely getting goal-line carries, and last season he has shown his ability as a pass catcher. This should be a high-scoring affair so I expect a lot of opportunities for points.
Gerald Everett vs LV
It seems as if there is always a breakout TE that comes from an elite offense. Everett is a guy that I could see emerge as a weekly option at a thin and unknown position group. Everett has always had elite athleticism but has lacked the opportunity. Joining LA with Justin Herbert at the helm, Everett has a real chance to have a breakout season. In Week 1 facing Las Vegas, there should be a lot of points scored leaving Everett a chance to put up great fantasy numbers.
Sits
Breece Hall vs BAL
Listed as #2 on the depth chart and facing a great team in the Ravens does not bode well for Hall. While he has elite talent and will likely explode at some point this year, Week 1 does not look like the time. If you have pivot options I would definitely take the wait-and-see approach for Hall and the NY backfield.
Dak Prescott vs TB
Prescott will be playing in Week 1 after being questionable throughout the week. He still is a fine play, as you drafted him to start for your team. But, he lacks many high-quality weapons outside of Lamb and Schultz with Gallup out and unproven players filling in. Tampa Bay is also a tough defense to face to start the season leaving Prescott with a lower floor than you would like for a top 12 option.
Amari Cooper @ CAR
Similar to the two players mentioned above, this has nothing to do with Cooper as a talent, it is solely based on the situation. Not only is it his first game in Cleveland, but he has Jacoby Brissett throwing him the ball, and he will be the main focal point for a good Panthers secondary. This should be a slower-paced game with both teams favoring the run, leaving for less opportunity to score Fantasy points. I would sit Cooper if you have any decent option as a fill-in.
Mike Gesicki vs NE
With Mike McDaniel coming to Miami, Gesicki has been tasked with a significantly higher number of blocking assignments. The problem is that he struggles in blocking situations being closer to a slot WR than a blocking TE. The Dolphins tried trading before the season and brought in Tyreek Hill who should command a large target share next to Jaylen Waddle and the RB committee. To top it all off, they face the good defense in New England. Fade Gesicki and pick up another option at TE.
DFS
Targets
Jameis Winston ($5,300)
AJ Dillon ($5,300)
Aaron Jones ($6,700)
Michael Pittman ($5,500)
Elijah Moore ($5,100)
Cole Kmet ($3,700)
*All prices are from DraftKings
Fades
Aaron Rodgers ($7,000)
David Montgomery ($6,000)
Amon-Ra St Brown ($6,100)
Mike Gesicki ($4,800)
*All prices are from DraftKings
Streaming Options
QB: Jameis Winston @ATL
TE: Gerald Everett vs LV
D/ST: MIA vs WAS
K: Brandon McManus @ SEA
Rankings
QB
RB
WR
TE
Thanks for reading! Follow @ZTwiceFF, on Twitter for more Fantasy Football content throughout the season, and hit him up with any of your Start/Sit or Waiver questions.
