Week 1 Starts / Sits
Starts
Reshaad Penny - It’s pretty simple here. He was electric to end last season and has an improved line now. Yeah they will probably be playing from behind and he will have limited passing work but just start him until the wheels fall off. Hopefully that’s not by the end of the 2nd Quarter. Hunter Renfrow - We've been pounding the table about Hunter Renfrow all off season and it's time to put our money on the table. As Derwin James said, Hunter Renfrow is a problem to game plan for and we will see Josh McDaniels take advantage of these mismatches in Week 1 against a tough LA Chargers matchup. Coupled with the fact that Darren Waller has only just returned to practice this week, I expect Hunter Renfrow to continue being Derek Carr's safety net. Christian Kirk - The Jaguars made quite the splash in free agency when they signed Kirk to 4 year, $72M deal. In the only pre-season action Kirk had with Trevor Lawrence, he managed an impressive 5/54 stat line (10.4 PPR points) on 8 targets….IN ONE HALF. While it’s unrealistic to expect a 38% target share every week, Kirk should command near double digit targets in his first outing as a Jaguar against a Washington defense that underwhelmed last season. Julio Jones - While Chris Godwin is back at practice and is expected to be suited up for Week 1, I don’t see him being overly productive as he’ll like be on a snap count. Moreover, Russell Gage is coming back from a leg injury as well. By default, Julio Jones likely becomes Tom Brady's defacto WR2 which will bode well for deep fantasy lineups. Brady has spoken publicly about the chemistry he and Jones have been able to create this offseason so I expect a nice Week 1 from the veteran WR.
Cole Kmet - With guys like Kittle, Ertz, and L. Thomas all either questionable or doubtful for Week 1, Cole Kmet looks to be a good streaming TE option who will likely see 8+ targets against a staunch 49ers Defense. Remember, Kmet saw 93 targets last season and with no more Jimmy Graham we expect him to be a focal point in the redzone - something that didnt happen last season as Kmet had 0 touchdowns. If he hits on an endzone reception, fantasy managers will be sitting pretty with this decision.
Sits
Any Patriots Offensive Player - As a lifelong Pats fan, it pains me to say this, but I really don't know how to gage the Pats offense after this past offseason. Between the offensive coordinator experiment and lack of fluidity both in games and in practice, I'm not sure we can trust this offense right now. I do believe they will figure it out, it just won't be in Week 1. Chris Godwin – Reports earlier in the week had Godwin at practice but that he was still weeks away from seeing the field. Wake up this morning, he’s apparently suiting up and expected to play. (Yea, we’re also confused) Nevertheless, while Godwin will play he is expected to be on a snap count. Feel free to sit Godwin until further notice. DK Metcalf - I had originally chosen Tyler Lockett as my sit of the week, but ultimately decided he might actually be a safer play than Metcalf. Aside from the obvious downgrade at QB, Metcalf faces an uphill battle going against Denver’s rising star Patrick Surtain. Whether it’s Lock or Geno Smith, either QB will have their hands full with a stiff Week 1 test against an underrated Broncos defense. Metcalf is good enough to slot into lineups against weaker matchups, but there is certainly risk right out of the gate here.
Ezekiel Elliot - The Dallas Cowboys continuously get fathered by Tom Brady (6-0 vs. Dallas). Last season, Zeke squeaked by with barely 5+ points against the Bucs in Week 1. With the loss of Tyron Smith and an already banged up O-Line facing a stout Bucs front-7, Zeke will likely have trouble earning his keep in Week 1. We expect Dallas to be playing from behind and therefore see a heavy dose of Tony Pollard when it comes time to collect garbage points. Sit Zeke in Week 1.