Week One Start 'Em and Sit 'Em
Well folks here we go again. It is once again time for the NFL Season and that means it is time for fantasy football. Each week we here at the Rat Pack Sports Show will bring you the not so safe picks and some safe picks for your fantasy lineup.
It is easy to start Aaron Rodgers, Christian McCaffrey, and Stefon Diggs every week. Nevertheless, how often are you to start players like Mike Davis, Kyler Murray, and Elijah Moore. That is what our weekly starts and sits will let you know. So, without further ado, lets get into the week one start ‘em and sit ‘em.
Starts
Quarterback
Trevor Lawrence - Jacksonville Jaguars
I am starting Lawrence right out of the gate. He earned the starting job and was not the number one overall pick for nothing. Plus, he is facing a horrid Houston Texans defense that is only projected to have a grand total of 54 fantasy points on the season. This makes the rookie sensation, or soon to be, a must start in week one.
Running Back
Miles Sanders - Philadelphia Eagles
Sanders is facing a revamped Atlanta Falcons franchise. Usually that is good news for that type of franchise. However, this week it is good news for the owners of Sanders. With Jalen Hurts being named the full-time starter for the Eagles that will help Sanders as well. Sanders averaged 18+ touches when Hurts started in 2020. He also averaged 20 fantasy points per game in three of the final four weeks of the season.
Wide Receiver
Robby Anderson - Carolina Panthers
Anderson has been reunited with his main QB from his time with the New York Jets, Sam Darnold. They were a hot connection in the Big Apple. Look for that love to rekindle this season starting in week one against their former team. Darnold will look to show the Jets they made a mistake moving on from him and what a better way then finding Anderson multiple times.
Tight End
Robert Tonyan - Green Bay Packers
Tonyan is one of the later drafted TEs in many fantasy leagues. There still are owners out there who are doubting his ability. This is even after he caught 11 TDs last season. In saying that, I would start the big TE in week one against a depleted New Orleans Saints defense. Tonyan should be a solid red zone target for Rodgers and the Packers offense.
Defense
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos welcome back some pieces that were missing in 2020. They also drafted a big play CB in Patrick Surtain II. In addition to Surtain, they grabbed Kyle Fuller off the free agent wire from the Chicago Bears. All of this will help the Broncos in the AFC West and also on Sunday against the New York Giants.
SITS
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa - Miami Dolphins
I am sitting Tua for two reasons. 1. I am not sold that he is the guy in Miami and he may just be a placeholder until the Texans are ready to rid themselves of Deshaun Watson. 2. The New England Patriots defense will be back to its regular form in 2021. They return a bunch of starters that sat out in 2020 due to Covid protocols. While Miami may be improved I do like this matchup.
Running Back
Kenyan Drake - Las Vegas Raiders
The signing of Drake remains a mystery. Especially with a bell cow back the likes of Josh Jacobs. Couple that with the fact they are playing the Baltimore Ravens. These two factors alone put Drake on my bench in week one. Let me not fail to mention that the Ravens were 12th in the league against the run last season.
Wide Receiver
Mike Williams - Los Angeles Chargers
Williams is supposed to be having his breakout season. That will be something we will have to evaluate after 2021-22 is done. If he does, he does. But I am still not starting him in week one against the Washington Football Team. The FT is said to have one of the best defenses in the NFL. That too will be a topic at the end of the season. Nonetheless, sit Williams against last year’s number two ranked defense against fantasy WRs.
Tight End
Dawson Knox - Buffalo Bills
Knox is the only TE on the Bills roster thus far this season. That is going to make it hard for him to see targets. Buffalo is going to be running a lot of four and five wide formations. This could mean that Knox is only in on short yardage and goal line situations. Think about that along with the week one opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers. They always have one of the best defenses in the league. This will be a defensive battle.Thus, keeping Knox down this week.
Defense
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona finished the season as a top 10 fantasy defense in 2020. This season, if you have them on roster, you may have to play the matchup from week to week. This is not a good week to play them. The Tennessee Titans are one of the best offenses in the league. Some even say they could be the best team in the AFC.
SLEEPERS
Offense
Javonte Williams - Denver Broncos
The rookie RB out of NOrth Carolina may soon take over the starting role from Melvin Gordon. He has all the tools and Coach Fangio is high on the young man. Look for Williams to see a lot of action early and often. If you do not have him and he is available, this could be a guy to grab and stash.
Defense
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers return players from injury last year that should help their defense be better. They play a Football Team that gave up a lot of points to opposing defenses last season. With that on the record, Washington made a change at QB. While Ryan Fitzpatrick is certainly an upgrade, he does have a turnover bone in his body. This is why I would stream the Chargers in week one.
There is your week one Start ‘Em and Sit ‘Em. Be sure to check in week in and week out to see what surprises we may bring to your line up.
If you have any fantasy questions during the week please feel free to email them to ratpackfantasyguru@gmail.com. You can also find the Guru on Twitter @RatPackFFGuru.
Good Luck and enjoy 2021!