Week 1 Start and Sit
Week 1 is here! It is time to set those line ups, hopefully resulting in a week one victory. However it is allows hard to decide who you need to start and sit weekly. I am here to break down a few of the week one match ups. Using a strength of Schedule metric from PFF, along with some of my own analysis I have selected a few solid starts and a few must sits. Lets dive right in.
Related | Week 1 Matchups Preview
Start and Sit Quarterbacks
Start – Sam Darnold (CAR)
Sam Darnold could be a sneaky SuperFlex start this week. The Panthers face his former team in the New York Jets, this is the fourth easiest match up in week one according to PFF. Along with this the Jets averaged over 24 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks in 2020. That was 3rd worst in the NFL. The Panthers will need to ease Christian McCaffery back in meaning Sam Darnold may need to pass more this week. Sam Darnold will have a offense full of talented skill players for the first time in his NFL career. This will allow him to post high end QB2 numbers for Sam Darnold in week one. He is a must Start in SuperFlex formats.
Sit – Derek Carr (LV)
Derek Carr is a must sit for me, as he faces the Ravens defense here in week one. According to PFF this is the 6th worst match up of the week. This is for good reason, they have a potent pass rush along with solid corner backs who are always looking to seize the moment with a big play. Last season the Ravens allowed an averaged of only 18 fantasy points to quarterbacks. With a game that is lining up to be more of a ground and pound game, I feel Derek Carr can sit this week out for me, as long as I have another option in my SuperFlex leagues.
Start and Sit Running Backs
Start- James Robinson (JAX)
James Robinson has the best match up in week one for running backs. The Jaguars face off against the Houston Texans who finished last in the NFL in points given up to the Running Back position. They averaged over 33 ppr points per game to the position in 2020. Add in the fact that the Texans did little to improve there defense this off season. I expect the Jaguars to control this game and use James Robinson early and often to help Trevor Lawrence ease into the NFL. With this being said James Robinson will have RB1 upside in week one, making him a must start for me.
Sit- Mike Davis (ATL)
Lets slow the train down a little here on Mike Davis. This week one match up against the Philadelphia Eagles is not going to be an easy road, this ranks as the 9th worst match up. Last season the Eagles only allowed 19 ppr points to the position per game. This was good enough for 11th best in the NFL. Along with all of this the Eagles defense is primed to be even better this season. This Falcons could fall behind early as well limiting the touches Mike Davis sees this week. Due to all of this he only carries low end RB2 upside for me, along with a floor of an RB3 so for me he is a must sit.
Start and Sit Wide Receivers
Start- Chris Godwin (TB)
Even with the injury concern that did not hold him out of practice on Wednesday, he is a must start. This off season Chris Godwin and Tom Brady finally had a chance to get on the same page. He has emerged as Tom’s favorite target so far this year. Facing the Dallas Cowboys in week one who ranked 5th worst in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. Allowing over 43 ppr points to the position per game in 2020. According to PFF this is the fifth easiest matchup in week one. In a game that the Buccaneers will want out show out as they raise the Super Bowl banner Godwin is a must start. He carries WR1 upside this week, with a high end WR2 floor.
Sit- Darnell Mooney (CHI)
I know a majority of the fantasy community is in on Darnell Mooney breaking out this season. This will have to wait till week two however, facing the Los Angeles Rams is a tough task. The Chicago Bears are starting Andy Dalton at quarterback who will face a tough front four and be under pressure all night. Along with that Mooney will have to face some combination of Darious Williams and Jalen Ramsey. Last season the Rams were the best team against wide receivers when it came to fantasy points allowed. They only averaged over 28 ppr points to the position per game. This is the worst match up in week one, making Darnell Mooney a must sit for me.
Start and Sit Tight Ends
Start- Austin Hooper (CLE)
With the return of Odell Beckham, Austin Hooper has become the forgotten guy in Cleveland. However this weeks match up against the Kansas City Chiefs is to nice to ignore. Last season the Chiefs ranked 7th worst in fantasy points given up to the position. Over the last three games of the season last year Austin Hooper averaged over 12 points per game in ppr scoring. Last season the Kansas City Chiefs gave up an average of over 14 ppr points per week. If this game becomes a shoot out like I anticipate I expect Austin Hooper to produce TE1 numbers this week.
Sit- Adam Truatman (NO)
Adam Truatman is in for a tough match up here in week one. He faces the Green Bay Packers who ranked 3rd best against tight ends in 2020. They only allowed an average of 10 ppr points per game to the position. Along with the emergence of Juan Johnson and Marquez Callaway his upside is limited this week. He is also coming off an ankle injury sustained in the preseason. His breakout season may have to start in week two this year, I expect him to finish as a mid to low end TE2 this week.
