Fantasy Football Picks: Week 1

Football season is finally back! And that means fantasy football is back too! For expertly picked quality starters and bench warmers, continue reading below and WIN your fantasy football league!

Starts of the Week 

Quarterback: 

Josh Allen: Allen will be facing the inexperienced New York Jets defense, with key loses this off-season with Jamal Adams and C.J. Mosley. The defensive backs of the Jets will be featuring second year cornerback Blessuan Austin who appeared in seven games last year and rookie safety Ashtyn Davis. Expect a big day from Allen. 

Russell Wilson: The 8-year veteran quarterback will be entering the game with the best offensive weapons he has ever had in D.K Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Phillip Dorsett, Greg Olsen, and Chris Carson. He will be facing a weak Atlanta Falcons defense featuring rookie cornerback A.J. Terrell and third year cornerback Isaiah Oliver who allowed a 66 percent completion percentage last year. 

Phillip Rivers: Rivers will be facing a completely depleted Jacksonville Jaguars defense. The Jaguars will be once again be playing with a watered-down version of the 2017 defense that reached the AFC Championship Game, with only two remaining starters from that team. Phillip Rivers should have a big day playing with new weapons T.Y Hilton, Jack Doyle and rookies Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr.  

Running Back: 

Josh Jacobs: Jacobs will be facing the Carolina Panthers defensive line that will feature two rookies in defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos and defensive tackle Derrick Brown. Josh Jacobs will have a big day against the inexperienced defensive line. 

James Connor: Connor will be the main ball carrier in Pittsburgh. He will be facing a dreadful Giants defensive line with the only prominent name being Leonard Williams. Connor will run all over the Giants 

Wide Receiver: 

T.Y Hilton: Hilton will be facing a depleted Jaguars secondary who lost both starting cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and A.J Bouye. Hilton will have either Tre Herndon or rookie C.J Henderson guarding him. T.Y. Hilton will have an explosive week one game. 

Juju Smith-Schuster: Smith-Schuster will be facing a weak New York Giants secondary. He will be likely guarded by either James Bradberry or Corey Ballentine, who had combined for a 59 percent completion percentage. 

Tight End: 

Eric Ebron: Ebron will be facing against the New York Giants and linebacker Blake Martinez who was terrible against the pass last year with an 83.8 completion percentage. 

Defense: 

The Lions Defense: The Lions will be facing against the Chicago Bears in week one. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky and the offense struggles last year, with the 29th ranked defense last year and an 8-8 record. The lions return with an improved defense from last year, featuring the third overall pick Jeff Okudah.  

Kicker: 

Rodrigo Blakenship: Blankenship won the kicking job in training camp over Chase McLaughlin. Blakenship should have plenty of opportunities to score points this week with the Colts facing the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Bench Warmers of the Week 

Quarterback: 

Daniel Jones: Jones will be facing the spectacular Pittsburg Steelers defense featuring T.J. Watt, Joe Haden, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Bud Dupree, and second year linebacker Devin Bush. Daniel Jones will struggle against the mighty Steelers defense.  

Ryan Tanehill: Tanehill will struggle against the revamped Broncos defense. While the defense lost edge rusher Von Miller due to injury, the Broncos secondary will allow no room to pass and the Titans will choose to run the ball. 

Running Back: 

Miles Sanders: Sanders will be facing the Washington Football Team’s defensive line, which is extremely talented. It features number two overall pick Chase Young, and Montez Sweat, Jonathan Allen, Da’Ron Payne, and Matthew Ioannidis. Sanders will be smothered at the line of scrimmage. 

Wide Receiver: 

Devante Parker: Parker had an incredible 2019 season, but will be facing the New England Patriots defense, which was the number one fantasy defense last year. He will be guarded by defensive player of the year, Stephon Gilmore, who allowed a 50 percent completion percentage. 

Odell Beckham Jr: Odell will be playing against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. In his two games against the Ravens last year, Beckham had only 18 fantasy points combined. He is likely to be guarded by Marlon Humphry again and will be bottled up the whole game.  

Tight End: 

Jimmy Graham: Jimmy Graham simply is not the player he used to be. His play has been on a decline ever since his Saints days have been over. He was the 22nd overall fantasy tight end last year and is likely to regress. Although he has the name value, avoid Jimmy Graham. 

Defense: 

The New Orleans Saints Defense: The Saints were the 8th overall defense last year and is heavily rostered this year. It would be wise though to avoid them week one against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This game could likely become a shootout, resulting in little to no points from the defense.  

Sources: 

Pro Football Statistics and History. (n.d.). Retrieved September 9, 2020, from https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ 

Fantasy Football Scoring Leaders. (n.d.). Retrieved September 9, 2020, from https://fantasy.espn.com/football/leaders?leagueId=0