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Fantasy Fill-Ins: Week 1

Welcome to Fantasy Fill-Ins, where each week I play a type of “Mad Libs”-style game that gives you perspective about the fantasy football landscape.

The guys at RotoBallers were nice enough to let me run wild with the idea of suggesting players to go all in on, and players to avoid, in a different and hopefully fun way. So now, with my sweet book of “Fantasy Football Prompts and Suggestions: Week 1,” let me now pencil in some of my favorite Fantasy Fill-Ins for Week 1.

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Fill In the Blank, Fantasy Football Style

Carlos Hyde will either be on my bench or will ruin my week.

Admittedly there won’t be a lot of weeks where I would recommend a 49ers player to give you big offensive production, though Hyde is forecast to be the best offensive weapon for this team if he can stay healthy. This game feels especially painful to me for fantasy purposes in week one; Week 1, a late Monday night, and though it will be played in Santa Clara, I have a very real feeling that the brand-new “Ramily” in Los Angeles will be showing off how well they can travel.

The Los Angeles Rams have arguably one of the best front-seven defenses in the league, anchored by talented players like Aaron Donald AND Robert Quinn, and should be much better at stopping the run this year. Even if they have their week-to-week struggles, Carlos Hyde is a good matchup for a team like the Rams, given that Hyde’s preseason has been shaky due to a possible concussion. Even if he gets lucky with a touchdown at some point, I can’t imagine Los Angeles game-planning a strategy that doesn’t focus on Hyde come Monday.

 

Hey Golden Tate, can you autograph one of your touchdown reception balls?

This also applies to Marvin Jones. Hell, it could apply to Anquan Boldin too for one simple reason; the already crippled Indianapolis Colts defense will be missing as many as five (!!) starters, including Vontae Davis. No one quite knows the role Tate will fill throughout 2016, but Indianapolis isn’t in a position to gameplan right now and may have to double their answer on offense to account for their troubles on defense.

Tate is a talented receiver who may have an up-and-down year or be a stud, but Week 1 is a lock for a high-scoring game for the Lions and Colts. You’re starting Golden Tate in your eight man league, ten man league, twelve man league, daily fantasy, monthly fantasy,

 

As for me and my running back slot, we will serve DeAngelo Williams

Remember when DeAngelo Williams serving in Le’Veon Bell’s shoes was a big deal? This year, it feels like Williams and his temporary starting role have generally been ignored. The Steelers-Redskins game will be incredibly high scoring, and though DeAngelo Williams is almost certainly been claimed in every league, he has the potential to be an RB1 in Week One. If you own him, start him. If you start him and he does well, get ready to trade him before Bell comes back in Week 4.

 

Please don’t hit me if I tell you to avoid Jarvis Landry this week

Yes, he was my pick for Fantasy MVP and *dodge* yes, I’ve noted how much I’ve loved Ryan Tannehill *duck* and *dip* OK, STOP THROWING THINGS! If you drafted Jarvis Landry because I’ve declared my love for all things Dolphin, this week will be disappointing. Landry might get some garbage time work, but I don’t want to deal with a whole game of watching Richard Sherman shake the man’s confidence.

 

The heart wants what the hearts wants, and my heart wants to pick up Spencer Ware

Kansas City opens up their season at home, against a San Diego team that has a better secondary than defensive line. Andy Reid doesn’t enjoy throwing the ball much as is, and Spencer Ware found the endzone in every instance he was handed the ball more than ten times last season. If the Kansas City defense can keep the Chargers in check, and Spencer Ware is the starting RB, then he’s worth a start.

Of course, as I started writing this Ware was closer to 25% owned in Fleaflicker leagues, and as of publishing has since jumped up closer to 60%. However, if you’re in a ten-man league and can spare a bench spot, he’s probably still available.

 

I found this Robert Woods on the waiver wire, can I just have him?

Without even 5% of fantasy football players owning the guy, Robert Woods is my pick this week for a super-deep league lotto ticket play. Woods had a consistent 2016 preseason according to Buffalo Bills Insider Chris Brown, earning himself the role as the #2 guy in Buffalo. But in a game where Buffalo is going to try their hardest to get any offensive production, and with very good CB Jimmy Smith covering Sammy Watkins all game long, Robert Woods is a very decent option in deeper leagues. Woods is available in nearly every league, and while I understand the hesitance in starting him, he could be a very popular waiver wire pickup in the future.  

 




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Aaron Rai

Looks to Bounce Back in Houston
Luther Burden III

Ascending Into Major Role on Offense?
Jason Day

a Volatile Option at the Texas Children's Houston Open
Joe Mixon

Remains a Free Agent as April Approaches
Kirby Yates

Angels Place Kirby Yates on 15-Day Injured List
Elijah Moore

Eagles Sign Elijah Moore to a One-Year Deal
Harris English

Eyes a Bounce-Back at the Texas Children's Houston Open
Ben Griffin

Looks for Turnaround at the Texas Children's Houston Open
Kirk Cousins

an Option as Backup Quarterback in Green Bay?
Zach Wilson

Saints Sign Zach Wilson to a One-Year Deal
Rickie Fowler

Brings Strong Form Into Texas Children's Houston Open
Brandon Clarke

to Miss Rest of Season
Ja Morant

Done for the Season
Brady Tkachuk

Collects Two More Points on Tuesday
Royce O'Neale

Available Tuesday Night
Grayson Allen

Cleared for Action Tuesday
Martin Necas

Scores Twice Against Penguins
Brandon Ingram

Questionable for Wednesday's Game
Ryan Dunn

Won't Play Against Nuggets
Paul George

Officially Available Wednesday
Nick Lodolo

Will Open 2026 on the Injured List Due to Finger Ailment
Pete Crow-Armstrong

Agrees to Six-Year, $115 Million Extension With the Cubs
John Collins

is Returning on Wednesday
Jordan Miller

is Questionable for Wednesday's Game
Bennedict Mathurin

is Returning on Wednesday
Kawhi Leonard

is Uncertain for Wednesday's Game
Kyle Kuzma

Carries Questionable Tag for Wednesday
Bobby Portis

is Tagged as Questionable for Wednesday
Kevin Porter Jr.

to Miss Fourth Straight Game
Isaiah Collier

Remains Out Wednesday
Alexandre Sarr

Out Against Jazz
Ayo Dosunmu

Questionable for Wednesday
Daniel Gafford

Iffy Against Denver
Quentin Grimes

Could Miss Another Game
Andrew Nembhard

Probable for Wednesday
Luke Kornet

Unavailable for Wednesday
Igor Chernyshov

Returns to Sharks Lineup
Dylan Larkin

Good to Go Tuesday
Ross Colton

Logan O'Connor, Ross Colton Available Tuesday
Morgan Rielly

Back in Action Tuesday
Joel Eriksson Ek

Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek Returning Tuesday
Thomas Chabot

to Be "Out a While"
Evgeni Malkin

Out Against Avalanche Tuesday
Joe Flacco

Reaches Agreement to Return to Bengals
Marvin Mims Jr.

Now a Trade Candidate in Denver?
Francisco Lindor

Likely to be Ready for Opening Day
Ryan Gerard

Can Continue Rolling at Texas Children's Houston Open
Pierceson Coody

Bounces Back at Valspar Championship
Rasmus Hojgaard

Trying to Get Back on Track at Texas Children's Houston Open
Michael Thorbjornsen

Playing Well Heading to Texas Children's Houston Open
Harry Hall

Looking for Consistency at Texas Children's Houston Open
Brooks Koepka

Continues Building Momentum
Odell Beckham Jr.

Plans to Play in 2026
RJ Harvey

Ready for a Year 2 Jump?
Baker Mayfield

Buccaneers Expected to Discuss Extension With Baker Mayfield This Offseason
Brian Robinson Jr.

Falcons to Sign Brian Robinson Jr.
Joey Bosa

a Good Fit for the 49ers?
Lavonte David

Hanging Up his Cleats
Maxx Crosby

Dealing With Degenerative Knee Condition?
Roki Sasaki

to Stick in Rotation Despite Spring Struggles
Kevin McGonigle

Makes Tigers Opening Day Roster
Scottie Scheffler

Withdraws From Texas Children's Houston Open
James Reimer

Picks Up Victory Against Rangers
San Francisco 49ers

Denzel Boston Visiting With 49ers on Tuesday
Matthew Stafford

a Great Option for Those in Win-Now Mode
Breece Hall

Dynasty Ceiling Capped in New York?
Jaylen Waddle

Restructures his Contract With Broncos
Ryan Pepiot

Placed on Injured List to Open the Season
Trevor Siemian

Signing With the Falcons
J.J. Wetherholt

JJ Wetherholt Likely to Hit Leadoff on Opening Day
Connelly Early

to Make First Start on Sunday
Tucker Kraft

a Post-Injury Buy-Low Candidate
Jakobi Meyers

Vying for Top Spot in Jacksonville Receiver Room
Luke Clanton

Might Have a Problem in Houston
Sam Stevens

Happy to See Houston This Week
Keith Mitchell

Tries to Rebound After The Players Championship
Will Zalatoris

Returning This Week at Houston
Wyndham Clark

Trending in the Wrong Direction Heading to Houston
Shane Lowry

Seeking Better Luck in Houston This Weekend
Kurt Kitayama

Poised to Bounce Back at the Houston Open
Jake Knapp

More Suited for a Course Like the Houston Open
Tony Finau

Continues Playing Well Heading to Texas Children's Houston Open
Pete Crow-Armstrong

Cubs, Pete Crow-Armstrong Finalizing Long-Term Extension
Shane Pinto

Opens Scoring Versus Rangers
Blake Snell

Targeting a May Return
Hunter Greene

Reds Place Hunter Greene on 60-Day Injured List
J.J. Wetherholt

JJ Wetherholt Makes Cardinals Opening Day Roster
Nick Pivetta

to Start on Opening Day for Padres
Brandon Woodruff

Makes Brewers Opening Day Rotation
Zack Wheeler

to Start Rehab Assignment on Saturday
Carson Benge

Makes Mets Opening Day Roster
Seiya Suzuki

to Start the Season on the Injured List
Lerone Murphy

Suffers His First Loss
Dennis Santana

Won't be Pirates' Primary Closer
Movsar Evloev

Edges Out Lerone Murphy
CFB

Notre Dame Ranks No. 1 in Returning Production for 2026
Michael Aswell

Jr. Drops Decision At UFC London
Michael Aswell

Luke Riley Outclasses Michael Aswell Jr.
Sam Patterson

Suffers Unanimous-Decision Loss
Michael Page

Wins Lackluster Decision
Austen Lane

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Spencer Strider

to Start the Season on Injured List
Iwo Baraniewski

Delivers 28-Second TKO
Lawson Crouse

Picks Up Three Points in Overtime Win
Filip Forsberg

Takes Predators Past Blackhawks
Alex Ovechkin

Scores 1,000th Career Goal
Nate Schmidt

Exits Early Due to Illness
Matt Grzelcyk

to Miss Four-Game Road Trip
Mikko Rantanen

to Return to Full Practice
A.J. Greer

Handed a Three-Game Suspension
Troy Terry

Wins it for Anahiem
Tyler Reddick

Overcomes Adversity for Fourth Victory of the Season At Darlington
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Darlington Victory Despite Domination
Ryan Blaney

Recovers From Pit-Road Struggles to Score Career-Best Darlington Finish
Carson Hocevar

Rallies to Finish Fourth at Darlington
Kyle Larson

Decent Performance Ends with Technical Issues At Darlington
Ilya Sorokin

Earns Shutout Over Columbus
Ethen Frank

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Sunday
Grayson Rodriguez

to Open Season on Injured List
Tyler Reddick

the Clear Favorite at Darlington
Kyle Larson

a High-Risk, High-Reward Driver at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Is Getting Better at Darlington
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not Slowing Down at Darlington
Chris Buescher

Should be a Top-10 Contender at Darlington
Austin Cindric

a Sleeper at Darlington
Erik Jones

Quickest in Practice at Darlington
Denny Hamlin

Qualifies Ninth for this Week's Cup Race at Darlington
Chase Briscoe

Is One of the Top DFS Options of the Week for Darlington
William Byron

Is William Byron A Playable DFS Option for Darlington Lineups?
Christopher Bell

Could Christopher Bell be Considered A Decent DFS Option for Darlington?
Chase Elliott

Is Chase Elliott Worth Rostering At Darlington This Week For DFS?
Joey Logano

May Not Have the Speed to Warrant A Darlington DFS Lineup Spot
Ross Chastain

Should DFS Players Trust Ross Chastain at Darlington?
Kyle Busch

Could Kyle Busch Be A Worthy DFS Option for Darlington?
Brad Keselowski

May be A Contriarian DFS Tournament Option At Darlington
Lerone Murphy

Set For UFC London Main Event
Movsar Evloev

Looks To Remain Unbeaten
Michael Aswell

Jr. An Underdog At UFC London
Luke Riley

Set For UFC London Co-Main Event
Sam Patterson

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Michael Page

Set For Welterweight Bout
Austen Lane

In Dire Need Of Victory
Iwo Baraniewski

A Favorite At UFC London
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