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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.

Editor's Note: Purchase a full season NFL Premium Pass (including Draft Kit + DFS Premium), and also get MLB Premium + DFS for free through the playoffs. Premium DFS lineup picks, expert lineups, tools and more - seven days a week. You can see screenshots of our NFL Premium and MLB Premium and DFS tools. What are you waiting for?

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

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

Joe Flacco

Browns Name Joe Flacco as Their Week 1 Starter
Jalen McDaniels

Inks Deal With New Orleans
N'Faly Dante

Signs Deal With Hawks
Matthew Stafford

Practicing on Monday
Dru Smith

Agrees to Deal With Heat
Austin Dillon

Scores an Upset Victory at Richmond
William Byron

Clinches the Regular Season Championship Title at Richmond
Denny Hamlin

Pit-Road Struggles Impede Denny Hamlin's Chances of a Top Finish at Richmond
Joey Logano

Earns A Fourth-Place Finish at Richmond
Kyle Larson

Rallies to A Top-10 Finish at Richmond
Malik Nabers

Dealing With Back Injury
Khamzat Chimaev

Is The New UFC Middleweight Champion
Dricus Du Plessis

Gets Dominated At UFC 319
Aaron Pico

Suffers Knockout Loss In His UFC Debut
Lerone Murphy

Scores Stunning First-Round Knockout
Leodalis De Vries

Earns Promotion to Double-A
Nathaniel Lowe

Finalizing Deal with Boston
Geoff Neal

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Ketel Marte

Arizona Could Trade Ketel Marte in the Offseason
Carlos Prates

Gets Back In The Win Column
Michael Page

Dominates At UFC 319
Jared Cannonier

Gets Outclassed
Tim Elliott

Gets Submission Win
Kai Asakura

Still Winless In The UFC
Austin Cindric

has Arguably his Best Run of the Season at Richmond
Ryan Blaney

Contends for First Richmond Win but Comes Up Short
Alex Bowman

Finishes Second but Loses Ground in Playoffs
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Sets Personal Laps-Led Record at Richmond
Chris Buescher

Falls Out of Playoffs After Miserable Richmond Run
Coby White

Bulls Not Interested in Trading Coby White
Dereck Lively II

Expected to be Ready for Camp
Brian Robinson Jr.

Commanders "Shopping" Brian Robinson Jr.
John Metchie III

Texans Trade John Metchie III to Eagles
Victor Scott II

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Trey Hendrickson

Bengals Listening to Trade Offers for Trey Hendrickson
Marcelo Mayer

to Have Season-Ending Wrist Surgery
Samuel Basallo

Called Up From Triple-A Norfolk
J.K. Dobbins

Expected to Win Starting RB Job?
Quentin Johnston

Suffers Concussion in Preseason Loss
Jaxson Dart

Plays Well on Saturday Night
Marcus Semien

Avoids Serious Injury
Kyle Stowers

Heads to Injured List With Left-Side Strain
Zack Wheeler

Placed on Injured List With Blood Clot in Shoulder
Terry McLaurin

Commanders Optimistic Terry McLaurin Deal Can Get Done Soon
De'Von Achane

De’Von Achane Dealing With Lower-Body Injury
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Likely Avoids Serious Injury
Josh Hader

Unlikely to Return During Regular Season
Denny Hamlin

the Heavy Favorite to Win at Richmond
Christopher Bell

Has Been Great at Richmond
Kyle Stowers

Out Saturday With Left-Side Tightness
Tyrese Haliburton

No Longer Using a Scooter, Crutches
Ryan Blaney

Can Ryan Blaney Finally Break Through at Richmond?
Joey Logano

Will Start Last at Richmond After Practice Trouble
Chase Elliott

Lack of Top-Line Speed Hurts his DFS Potential
Kyle Larson

Recent String of Crashes Make Him a Big Risk at Richmond
William Byron

Probably Slightly Too Inconsistent at Richmond to Start for DFS
Ryan Preece

on Pole at Richmond as Playoff Deadline Looms Closer
Brad Keselowski

Probably the Best RFK Racing DFS Option at Richmond
Chase Briscoe

Still Figuring Out Richmond
Chris Buescher

a Solid Choice for DFS Play, but Teammates Look Faster
Jhoan Duran

Feels "100%"
Marcus Semien

Out on Saturday, Going for X-Rays on his Wrist
George Springer

Activated and Starting on Saturday
Dylan Beavers

Called Up by Orioles
Terry McLaurin

Commanders Activate Terry McLaurin From PUP List
Jhoan Duran

Takes Comebacker Off Foot, X-Rays Negative
Rashee Rice

NFL Could Reach Settlement Before Hearing
Matt Chapman

Goes to Injured List
George Springer

Likely Returning on Saturday
Max Muncy

Lands on 10-Day Injured List
Joe Mixon

Not a Lock to be Ready For Week 1
Rashee Rice

Receives Clearance to Travel to Brazil for Week 1
Haywood Highsmith

Dealt to Brooklyn on Friday
Amir Coffey

Signs One-Year Deal With Bucks
Jacob Misiorowski

Activated and Starting on Friday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Back From the Injured List
Khamzat Chimaev

A Favorite At UFC 319
Dricus Du Plessis

Set For His Third Title Defense
Aaron Pico

Set For UFC Debut
Lerone Murphy

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Geoff Neal

Looks For His Second Win In A Row
Travis Hunter

Dealing With Upper-Body Injury, Could be Held Out of Preseason Game
Michael Page

Set For His Second Middleweight Bout
Jared Cannonier

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Kai Asakura

Looks For His First UFC Win
Tim Elliott

Set To Open Up UFC 309 Main Card
CBJ

Mikael Pyyhtia Re-Signs With Blue Jackets for One Year
UTA

Caleb Desnoyers Expected to Miss 12 Weeks After Wrist Procedure
Tyson Foerster

on Track to Be Healthy for Season Opener
NHL

Olivier Rodrigue Signs KHL Deal
NHL

Emil Bemstrom to Join Swiss Team
Payton Pritchard

Reportedly Moving Into Starting Lineup
Quinshon Judkins

Won't Face Formal Charges
Sam LaPorta

To "Miss a Little Bit of Time"
Rashee Rice

Disciplinary Hearing Scheduled For Late September
Chris Godwin

Likely to Start the Season on PUP List?
Kevin Durant

Rockets Not Interested in Keeping Kevin Durant with Max Extension
NBA

Isaiah Mobley Joins Turkish Team
NBA

Cole Swider Links Up with EuroLeague Powerhouse
Ethan Thompson

Joins Heat for Training Camp
Los Angeles Clippers

Clippers Add Jason Preston for Training Camp
Stefon Diggs

Unsure About Availability for Week 1
Akshay Bhatia

a High-Upside Play at BMW Championship
Robert MacIntyre

a Safe Play at BMW Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im a Risky Play at BMW Championship
Xander Schauffele

Chases Big Week at BMW Championship
Shane Lowry

Aims to Rebound at BMW Championship
Si Woo Kim

Looks to Build Momentum at BMW Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick

Looking to Rebound at BMW Championship
Patrick Cantlay

Eyeing Another BMW Championship Victory
Neemias Queta

Wants to Raise His Free-Throw Attempts
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Stuggling to Trade Anfernee Simons
Cole Anthony

Focuses on Winning with Bucks
NBA

Jesse Edwards Moves to Australia
Kessler Edwards

Joins Nuggets
Bradley Beal

Feeling Rejuvenated in Los Angeles
PIT

Chad Ruhwedel Retires From NHL
MIN

Jack Johnson Signs Tryout Deal with Wild
Ryker Evans

Kraken Extend Ryker Evans with Two-Year Deal

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K
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