Quarterbacks
Start Em
Sam Bradford, PHI at ATL - Bradford has looked good in the preseason and appears to be healthy. He had a big game against the Packers in the team's third preseason game, as he threw for 121 yards and three touchdown, and led the Eagles to three consecutive touchdown drives. Bradford has the potential to be a very good quarterback under this system so long as he can remain healthy. To begin the season, the Eagles head to Atlanta to take on the Falcons who surrendered the most passing yards last season (4,478). This game has shootout written all over it. Vegas opened the lines at 53.5 O/U and Falcons +1. Since then the O/U has moved to 55 and Falcons are +3. This implies that it should be close and a lot of points will be scored. This Eagles offense expects to run 80+ offensive plays on a weekly basis. This could present plenty of opportunities for the Eagles to score. For those who drafted Bradford in hopes that he pans out and stays healthy, Week 1 is the time to plug him in and give him a go.
Other Starts
Eli Manning, NYG at DAL
Ryan Tannehill, MIA at WAS
Tony Romo, DAL vs. NYG
Tom Brady, NE vs. PIT
Sleeper Alert: Teddy Bridgewater, MIN at SF
Sit Em
Cam Newton, CAR at JAC - Newton doesn't have a ton of weapons to choose from in Week 1. His group of receivers are as follows: Corey Brown, Ted Ginn, and Devin Funchess. It's tough to have any type of excitement for Newton with that list of receivers, especially when he struggles with accuracy. Of that group, only Funchess is taller than six feet, meaning his targets aren't that big. The Jaguars defense isn't elite by any means, but they did play well at home. Of their eight home games, they only allowed more than one touchdown pass in two of those games. He's always capable of getting it done with his legs, but the Jags only surrendered 189 yards and one touchdown to opposing quarterbacks on the ground. With the lack of weapons and a respectable defense, Newton can't be trusted in Week 1. There are better options to choose from this week.
Other Sits
Colin Kaepernick, SF vs. SEA
Jay Cutler, CHI vs. GB
Joe Flacco, BAL at DEN
Kirk Cousins, WAS vs. MIA
Bust Alert: Russell Wilson, SEA at STL
Running Backs
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Doug Martin, TB vs. TEN - Martin separated himself from all of the other backs in the Bucs offense during the preseason and now has a strangle hold on the starting gig. He takes on a Titans defense that struggled immensely against the run last season. The Titans defense surrendered the second most rushing yards (2,195) and allowed the second most fantasy points per game to opposing backs (21.2) last year. Not to mention the third most rushing touchdowns (17). The Bucs have rookie quarterback Jameis Winston under center to start off the season, so chances are they will try to run as often as possible to keep the pressure off of him, especially against such a vulnerable run defense. Martin could be in for a big game.
Other Starts
Latavius Murray, OAK vs. CIN
Andre Ellington, ARI vs. NO
Lamar Miller, MIA at WAS
Ameer Abdullah, DET at SD
Sleeper alert: Ryan Mathews, PHI at ATL
Sit Em
Alfred Morris, WAS vs. MIA - Morris takes on Miami who has improved dramatically on the defensive line with the addition of Ndamukong Suh. If you look at last year's numbers, you may consider Morris as a solid option, but Suh makes all the difference and this line has a shot to be elite against the run. Last season, the Lions were one of the best run defenders in the league and he had a lot to do with that. Morris is also running behind a mediocre offensive line that may have trouble opening holes for him. Another concern is if the Redskins fall behind, Morris could be a victim of fewer carries. He can't catch out of the backfield and is likely to receive less snaps if the team playing catch up. While it may be difficult for some to bench Morris, this matchup is not one I'd like to have him in my lineup for.
Other Sits
Tre Mason, STL vs. SEA
Isaiah Crowell, CLE at NYJ
Melvin Gordon, SD vs. DET
Alfred Blue, HOU vs. KC
Bust Alert: Mark Ingram, NO at ARI
Wide Receivers
Start Em
Jordan Matthews, PHI at ATL - If I have Bradford on this list, it only makes sense to start Matthews, right? The Atlanta Falcons surrendered the most receiving yards last season (4,618). That equates to 288.6 receiving yards per game. I'll take that every day of the week. As a rookie, Matthews displayed his ability to be a reliable and consistent receiver. He starts off the season with a great matchup and a perfect situation to get his season started off right. Like I mentioned above, this game has a high O/U and could be a potential shootout. Matthews should see plenty of targets and be in a good spot to score some fantasy points.
Other Starts
Davante Adams, GB at CHI
Jarvis Landry, MIA at WAS
Allen Robinson, JAC vs. CAR
John Brown, ARI vs. NO
Sleeper Alert: Charles Johnson, MIN at SF
Sit Em
Sammy Watkins, BUF vs. IND - Believe it or not the Colts actually allowed the fifth fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. I'm also concerned with the injuries that Watkins has dealt with in the offseason. Add a shaky passing quarterback into the mix and there's not much to like about Watkins in Week 1. This offense will strive on the run game because they will rely on their defense to win games. I'd also like to see Watkins and Tyrod Taylor build some chemistry, before I can start having faith in Watkins. He was inefficient last season as far as catch rate is concerned (caught just 51% of his passes) and has a quarterback that isn't known for his passing abilities. There's a lot of red flags surrounding Watkins in Week 1, so I'd keep him on your bench.
Other Sits
Brandon Marshall, NYJ vs. CLE
Torrey Smith, SF vs. MIN
Brian Quick, STL vs. SEA
Steve Smith, BAL at DEN
Bust Alert: DeSean Jackson, WAS vs. MIA
Tight Ends
Start Em
Jordan Cameron, MIA at WAS
Delanie Walker, TEN at TB
Kyle Rudolph, MIN at SF
Sit Em
Heath Miller, PIT at NE
Vernon Davis, SF vs. MIN
Charles Clay, BUF vs. IND
Defense
Start Em
Miami Dolphins at Washington Redskins
New York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns
Sit Em
Buffalo Bills vs. Indianapolis Colts
Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos
Twitter: @Armando_Marsal
