RADIO
The time is finally upon us as the 2020 NFL season draws closer. What that means is the time for drafting is done, and the focus shifts towards setting the starting lineups. We spent all offseason long preparing player values and setting rankings as we looked towards the draft. It is that preparation that gives you the jumpstart to setting the most optimal lineup for the season's first week. With all the numbers bouncing around fantasy manager's heads, things can tend to get lost in translation, especially in such a weird year with the pandemic.
In year's past, we would have had preseason games to get an idea of new schemes put in place or how rotations will be set in an offense. That will not be the case headed into the first week. We are all flying blind to a degree without preseason action to get our eyes on. The games may skew more towards the ugly side over the first couple of weeks as teams get acclimated to game action. Also, without the preseason seasoning, we may see teams employ more rotations to keep legs fresh and prevent soft tissue injuries. That will become a headache for fantasy managers to avoid landmines in their starting lineups.
With being said, I give you my Woos and Boos for Week 1. Players that may be flying a little under the radar that you may consider plugging into lineups, and a few names that may need to find a nice home on the bench this week. The most critical mistake that a manager can make at times is to go with the "always start your studs" mentality. Just because you drafted a player higher in the draft, doesn't mean that a situation hasn't changed, leading to a potentially higher scoring week for a bench player.
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Week 1 Woos
Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Arizona Cardinals
Sure, Garoppolo may be missing a few weapons as the 49ers head into this game with both Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk limited in practice. But he will still have Geroge Kittle at his disposal and facing a Cardinals Defense that he owned in 2019 (741 passing yards and eight scores). I expect to see this game be one of the higher scoring games of the weekend, with Garoppolo poised for a very successful week.
Tarik Cohen @ Detroit Lions
Cohen finds himself in a positive situation to begin the season. With David Montgomery on the mend, Cohen should see lion's share of the snaps in the Bears backfield. In what could become a sneaky high-scoring game, Cohen may see several targets out of the backfield (eight receptions and one score against the Lions in 2019). Drafted as an RB3 in most drafts, Cohen is certainly worth the play as a Flex option this week.
Antonio Gibson vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The hype train for Gibson has gained steam for a couple of weeks now and it's finally time to see what he can bring to the NFL. The Washington coaching staff has continued to rave about his skillset and that should be on display in a game against the Eagles in which the Football Team should be trailing. The Eagles were in the bottom ten in the NFL in receptions allowed to opposing running backs in 2019 (87), a trend that could get off to a rocky start against Gibson. Plug Gibson into your Flex spot and enjoy the spoils.
Marvin Jones vs. Chicago Bears
A player that is perenially undervalued, Jones is trending towards having a solid start to the season. He was a top-20 wideout in fantasy in 2019 before the loss of Matthew Stafford and now with both healthy, expect to see them flourish yet again. The matchup may not be the best against the Bears, but Jones is always a threat to score in any given week. Consider him a strong play as a low-end WR2 this week.
DeSean Jackson @ Washington Football Team
We all remember Week 1 last season right? Nine targets, 154 yards, and two touchdowns. Well, that was also against his opponent this week in Washington. Add in the fact that the Eagles are coming into the game thin at receiver and you have all the makings for another big performance. Plug him into your starting lineups with confidence.
Eric Ebron @ New York Giants
New to Pittsburgh, Ebron has been getting positive reviews in camp for what he brings to the Steelers offense. This week he faces a Giants Defense that was one of the worst in the league in 2019 in touchdowns allowed to the position (8). With a healthy Ben Roethlisberger back under center, the Steelers offense should be ready to click on all cylinders. If you happen to wait on the position in drafts and got Ebron late, this is a game in which you can start him with confidence.
Week 1 Boos
Aaron Rodgers @ Minnesota Vikings
Rodgers is no longer the elite talent in fantasy that he once was. He continues to lose weapons and the offense has now become more balanced under HC Matt LaFleur. Rodgers struggled in both matchups against the Vikings in 2019 (425 passing yards and two scores). Expect more of the same in Week 1 as Rodgers should be on your bench to start the year.
Alvin Kamara vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
We all know the struggles of Kamara in 2019 as he played through injuries for most of the year. Now to start 2020, he faces a Buccaneers Defense that was the best in points allowed to the position (15.91 FPPG). Obviously, you will be starting him to begin the season, but temper your expectations in a difficult matchup.
Amari Cooper @ Los Angeles Rams
Cooper is already being nagged by an undisclosed injury in camp and comes into Week 1 with a very tough matchup. Facing the Rams and Jalen Ramsey in Week 15 last year, he was limited to just one catch. That could be much of the same in this game as the Rams will look to lock him down. Not to mention the other options that are present in the Cowboys passing attack. Dak Prescott and company could use Cooper as a decoy in this game, limiting opportunities. I would not shy away from benching Cooper this week if other options had better matchups.
Austin Hooper @ Baltimore Ravens
The newly signed Brown comes into Week 1 with a very tough matchup against a Ravens Defense that was second-best in 2019 against the position (7.49 FPPG). With other options in the passing game that are more involved, expect to see Hooper's opportunities limited in this game. He is firmly a candidate that I would bench in Week 1.
