Starts and Sits Week 1

 Happy Friday Fantasy Football world.  What. A. Game! Fantastic to be back in the midst of another football season.  With a full slate of games in store for week 1, I want to highlight some players on the verge of being starters in Expert Consensus Rankings; who I believe are and are not worth being in your lineup this week.  I have our top 10 per position included, as all of these guys are sure-fire starts in week 1.  Good Luck in week 1!!

Top 10 Quarterbacks Week 1

1. Lamar Jackson
2. Patrick Mahomes II
3. Josh Allen
4. Jalen Hurts
5. Justin Herbert
6. Kyler Murray
7. Russell Wilson
8. Tom Brady
9. Joe Burrow
10. Trey Lance

Start: Kirk Cousins, MIN (QB 15 ECR)

 Captain Kirk has been nothing short of a good NFL quarterback throughout his career.  He isn’t as flashy as some of the elite guys in the league, but he always produces.  The Vikings will be throwing more this season, converting to a base 3 WR set on offense.  He went for 31 & 25 points in two meetings against the Packers last season.  Cousins is a great stream this week and one you might be able to hold on to for a majority of your season.

Top 10 Running Backs Week 1

1. Christian McCaffery
2. Jonathan Taylor
3. Alvin Kamara
4. Austin Ekeler
5. Derrick Henry
6. Dalvin Cook
7. DeAndre Swift
8. Najee Harris
9. Joe Mixon
10. Aaron Jones

Start: Antonio Gibson, WAS (RB 16 ECR)

 Gibson has definitely not had the best off-season.  He probably went ahead and lost his job a few weeks back, if not for an unfortunate off-the-field situation with up-and-comer Brian Robinson Jr.  Ron Rivera has come out and said they will lean on Gibson in the run game this week; and they don’t have much of a choice.  I would confidently roll out Gibson in week one as an RB2.  

Start: Travis Etienne Jr., JAX (RB 18 ECR)

 Travis Etienne was a highly regarded rookie coming into 2021 before injuries derailed his season.  The Jags should attack the Washington defense through the air this week, which bodes well for Etienne’s fantasy prospects.  I’d start him confidently in this one.

Sit: Ezekiel Elliot, DAL (RB 17)

 Dallas has had a tough off-season, losing weapons and not replacing them, before offensive line injuries set them back late.  Zeke has name value and has been one of the best fantasy running backs of this generation.  I wouldn’t trust him in a tough week 1 matchup against Tampa Bay.  

Top 10 Wide Receivers Week 1

1. Justin Jefferson
2. Ja’Marr Chase
3. Stefon Diggs
4. Cooper Kupp
5. Davante Adams
6. Deebo Samuel
7. CeeDee Lamb
8. A.J. Brown
9. Michael Pittman Jr.
10. Mike Evans

Start: Christian Kirk, JAX (WR 33 ECR)

 Kirk was one of my sleepers going into this season.  He is the clear #1 in what should be an improved offense in Jacksonville.  If the pre-season workload is any indication, Kirk is in for a huge target share this season.  I believe he has the skills to make the most of it and break out this year, and that campaign should start in week 1.  

Start: Chris Olave, NO (WR 43 ECR)

 The Saints are projected to put up 24 points in week 1, against a very beatable Atlanta defense.  Michael Thomas is likely to be out this week, and A.J. Terrell should be on Jarvis Landry for the majority of the game.  Olave projects to have an easy matchup in a divisional game to start his career.  He’s worth rolling out as a low-end WR2/ WR3 or flex option for me this week.

Sit: Hunter Renfrow, LV (WR 35 ECR)

 Renfrow was the beneficiary of being the only player left in Las Vegas’ passing attack for his breakout at the end of last season.  I think he runs great routes and has great hands.  He just isn’t on the same level as Davante Adams or Darren Waller athletically or as receivers downfield.  Renfrow is one I would look to avoid in week 1, despite the high-scoring projections in this game.  

Top 10 Tight Ends Week 1

1. Mark Andrews
2. Kyle Pitts
3. Travis Kelce
4. George Kittle
5. Darren Waller
6. Dallas Goedert
7. Dalton Schultz
8. T.J. Hockinson
9. Cole Kmet
10. Pat Freiermuth

Starts: Cole Kmet, CHI (TE 12 ECR)

 Another one of my season-long breakouts, Cole Kmet is in for a big workload in Chicago this season.  The #2 target getter on the Bears in 2021, Kmet has not had any additional competition added to the roster.  He has another year with Justin Fields and at the NFL level to get acclimated.  I expect a big workload from him this week, and a top 5 finish at the position is well within reach.

Sit: Zach Ertz, ARI (TE 9 ECR)

 Ertz has gotten a lot of hype this draft season.  Rightfully so, I think he will be a great player for fantasy managers to start the season in the absence of DeAndre Hopkins.  In week 1 however, Ertz is coming in injured with a chance to not suit up.  I think he plays out of necessity, but he won’t see his usual target share.  In an appetizing matchup against KC, I would still look to stream Tight End this week.

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