Fantasy Football Week 1 Start/Sit
FOOTBALL IS BACK!
After an excruciatingly long offseason, action is finally set to return to the gridiron, meaning that big start/sit decisions are approaching for your fantasy football teams. This weekly column will serve to help Fantasy Life App users make those tough calls and win their weeks. Let’s get into the questions.
@rickym asked: “Torrey Smith vs. LA or Tyler Lockett vs. MIA 0.5 PPR. My opponent is starting Gabbert so Torrey can possibly cancel out any points.”
The Pick: Torrey Smith
If possible, I’d like to wait and see how Tyler Lockett produces fantasy wise before starting him. In this case, not only is it possible, but reasonable. Torrey Smith figures to be the clear No. 1 receiver on a San Francisco team that should be throwing much of the game. Lockett is clearly behind Baldwin — and possibly Jermaine Kearse, who many seem to have forgotten about — on the depth chart, and Seattle could spend the entire second half running the ball if they go up early, as many are predicting. With comparable floors — and Smith clearly having the higher ceiling — the 49ers receiver seems like the right choice. With the possible negation of the opposition’s Gabbert, Smith is worth any risk he possesses, especially over the similarly risky Lockett. Playing Smith won’t lose your week, but he could win it.
@jonangelo7557 asked: “I have Mariota and Brady. Should I get Smith, Wentz, Garoppolo, RG3 or Cutler?”
The Pick: Jay Cutler
This pick is mainly match up based. Brady is suspended. Mariota is playing against a young, hungry and improved Vikings defense who will be competing with extra fire after losing their starting QB. Smith is playing against a team (San Diego) against whom he averaged only 13.5 fantasy points per game (FPPG) last season. I don’t feel comfortable starting Garoppolo in his inaugural contest, especially against a strong Cardianls defense. Similarly, although Wentz has a good matchup against the Browns, who really wants to start a rookie quarterback — who’s coming straight off a ribs injury — in his first game? On the flipside, Robert Griffin III also has a good matchup against the Eagles (who allowed the 31st most FPPG to quarterbacks last year), but I won’t start him until he proves that he can hold up both physically and fantasy wise for a number of games. While Cutler doesn’t have the best matchup (in Houston), he’s shown not only that he can be an adequate quarterback, but also that he can produce quality fantasy numbers. Of the listed options, he has the best combination of safety and upside.
@49ertime asked: “Matthew Stafford or Carson Palmer?”
The Pick: Matthew Stafford
I love Matthew Stafford this week (and all season). Proven talent plus Jim Bob Cooter plus clear WR situation (yes, Calvin Johnson is gone, but their offense is now clearly defined and less reliant on one player) equals a great year coming up for the gunslinger. This week, he’ll be engaged in a shootout in Indianapolis (a domed stadium); he’ll throw and throw and throw. This matchup suggests a classic high floor-high ceiling situation for Stafford, and he will not disappoint. Carson Palmer seems to be heading in the opposite direction of Stafford. There is no doubt that his play will regress this season, and despite the Cardinals’ loaded roster, Palmer may not be a must start every week this year. Such is the case this week against Bill Belichick and a Patriots defense that has had months to prepare against the Arizona attack. The leader of an improved offense in a high-scoring stadium against a defense that lacks a secondary, or a declining quarterback against a tough defense and team in an offense that could look to run first? The choice is clear.
Want to get your start/sit question answered? Comment on my weekly start/sit shout (@cb on the Fantasy Life App). You can also find me on Twitter @CBRetweet.
Until next time, happy football!
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