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Fantasy Pop Quiz - NFL Week 1

Cliff Clinton prepares us for Week 1 of the 2017 NFL season with a fantasy football pop quiz to see which RB, WR, and TE to monitor for your lineups.

I was faced with this thought the other day when, on Twitter, I joked that the weirdly under-discussed "Red Sox Steal Signs from Yankees" story wouldn't even be the biggest sports story of the day on September 5. And seriously, it wouldn't be; a few hours later the fact that the NFL's arbitrator upheld Ezekiel Elliott's suspension (not rendered; upheld) was a much bigger deal.

Now in context, sure, the NFL is bigger than MLB when it comes to the daily news cycle, even when baseball's biggest rivalry is in the center of the story.

It was another day of insane sports news that may only exist as a Jeopardy question, and in the vein of my "Fantasy Mad Libs" columns from 2016, the RotoBaller team asked themselves.... seriously, is there ever a right answer in the insane world of sports? Pop Quiz Answer: Nope

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

 

Sharpen Your Pencils...

This year, I'll try my best to identify whatever the "right answer" is at each position when it comes to fantasy football, as well as sharing stories of what 2017 has left for me, including getting my soon to be wife into fantasy football, marrying my soon to be wife, and watching my soon to be wife potentially leave me because I've been overselling her on the success and value of Ezekiel Elliott in drafts, but he ends up doing something else silly. I'm excited to write it all out this year, and I'll be doing some expert chats as well, so you can ask me why the hell I made my picks each week and I'll try to begrudgingly defend myself. What a fun 2017!

Of course, the other story from September 5th is worth noting; a hurricane began it's descent on the coast of Florida, as well as some small islands and countries that surround the state. As a Houstonian who just watched the city adjust to Hurricane Harvey, I would encourage you, as you pay your fantasy league fees multiple times over, to consider helping a local Florida charity in the coming days as parts of the state look to re-build. You've seen this message a few times, I'm sure, but I saw the generosity pour into Houston, and I hope Florida isn't forgotten in its time of need.

 

Running Back

______ will either be on my bench or will ruin my week.

A: Marshawn Lynch
B: Bilal Powell
C: Eddie Lacy
D: CJ Anderson

I keep getting people who are trying to sell me on some of these guys on this list; Marshawn Lynch? Well he's running behind the best offensive line in the league, arguably, so why not Lynch? CJ Anderson may be the linchpin on a great offense, so why not him? But in Week One, I'm riding with Bilal Powell against a very weak Buffalo Bills defense, because apart from Robby Andersen, Powell may be the ride-or-die offensive player for the Jets as they toss, pass, and pray that Powell will gain decent yardage and drag their team to some scoring potential. Powell, in a crop of not-great options, is the best of the bunch here, and has a guaranteed workload unparalleled to the other guys here.

 

Against all odds, you should take a look at ___________ now

A: Christian McCaffrey
B: Jordan Howard
C: Ty Montgomery
D: Rob Kelley

DRUM SOLO! Sorry, sorry, I got excited. Phil Collins is super underrated. I actually think all of these guys could have a decent week to kick off the season, and normally I won't pick the highest ranked guy on my own list... but seriously, Jordan Howard is an RB1 this week against Atlanta, thought people are viewing Howard as an RB2. Chicago will lean on Howard in the first outing, and against Vic Beasley and his gang of pretty-good-but-not-great fellow defensive linemen won't be able to stop him fully. If you drafted Howard, you're rolling him out, but it's not the worst news in the world to find that your sophomore RB will have a great week.

 

Wide Receiver

Am I going to really roll with ____________ this week? (Yes. Yes I Am)

A: Stefon Diggs
B: T.Y. Hilton
C: Pierre Garcon
D: Davante Adams

This might look harder on paper, but right now you're asking a simple question; do you want the WR1 against one of the leagues worst secondaries, or do you want.... anyone else? Yes, T.Y. Hilton vs the Rams is pretty close, but it's actually not comparable to Stefon Diggswho, though he was being drafted not too far away from Adam Thielen, is in an incredibly favorable matchup against one of the league's worst secondaries according to PFF. Enjoy a good week for Diggs while you can, as I don't know how long he will have this job or this fantasy potential.
In Week 1, I will FLEX my muscles and put ________ in my lineup

A: Zay Jones
B: Tyrell Williams
C: Kevin White
D: Davante Adams

In the same vein as Powell, rookie Zay Jones is being lumped in with WR3's (and Kevin White) with the understanding that Jones, despite being part of an offense that doesn't represent much bite, is the WR1 against a defense that has even less. I wouldn't feel confident starting Jones all season, but in one of the few Week 1's with a BYE week in history, there are worse FLEX choices in deeper leagues.

 

Tight End

Parachute? I don't need no parachute, I have __________________

A: Coby Fleener
B: Charles Clay
C: Jared Cook
D: Zach Miller

Considering his contributions last year, I don't quite understand why everyone is so down on Zach Miller, especially after largely being undrafted, being a consistent end-zone target in 2016 when healthy, and facing a defense that... probably still isn't great on defense? I see Miller as a consistent free agency pick-up in leagues where I don't own him already, so if you're suddenly in need of a TE who might have some upside, especially if your drafted TE isn't set up for week one success (or already disappointed you on Thursday), bet on Miller to return to form.

 

More Fantasy Football Analysis




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Travis Etienne Jr.

Needs to Bounce Back in 2025
Wan'Dale Robinson

Wants More Downfield Opportunities this Season
Quinshon Judkins

Arrested on Saturday for Battery and Domestic Violence
Terry McLaurin

Could be a Holdout at Training Camp
Roger McCreary

a Candidate for a Contract Extension?
Max Fried

Exits Start With Blister
Mike Evans

Buccaneers Could Have Difficult Time Retaining Mike Evans
Charles Cross

Could Sign Extension Before Training Camp
Xavier Restrepo

One to Watch Going into Training Camp
Calvin Ridley

Appears Re-Energized
Mark Andrews

Still a Key Piece in Ravens Offense
Ndamukong Suh

Officially Announces his Retirement
Jaylen Waddle

Motivated After Disappointing Season
Tre Harris

Still Unsigned
Hunter Dobbins

to Miss Rest of Season With Torn ACL
Nolan Arenado

Held Out of Lineup on Saturday
Alexandre Sarr

Plays Well in Summer League Loss to Phoenix
Yang Hansen

Looks Good on Friday Night
Carlos Correa

Sitting on Saturday
Austin Riley

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Nolan Arenado

Exits Friday's Contest With Sprained Finger
Jake Burger

Expects to Play on Saturday
Erik Karlsson

Open to Move Away From Pittsburgh
Zach Hyman

Hopes to be Ready for Start of Next Season
SJ

Jeff Skinner Joins Sharks on One-Year Contract
Wyatt Langford

Records Four-Hit Night
Cal Raleigh

Homers Twice, Drives in Five
Cody Bellinger

Swats Three Homers in Victory
Jake Burger

Leaves With Quad Discomfort on Friday
Carlos Correa

Exits Game With Mild Ankle Sprain
Edward Cabrera

Dealing with Posterior Elbow Discomfort
Austin Riley

Leaves Game Early on Friday With Abdominal Tightness
Kon Knueppel

Struggles in Summer League Win
Rafael Devers

Dealing With Back Inflammation
Walter Clayton Jr.

Plays Well on Friday Night
Cody Williams

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Leads the Way on Friday Night
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Returning on Friday
Sauce Gardner

Wants to be Highest-Paid Cornerback
Rhamondre Stevenson

Heading into an Important Season
Minnesota Vikings

Josh Metellus, Vikings Have Mutual Interest in Extension
Tua Tagovailoa

2025 Could be Tua Tagovailoa's Last Season in Miami
Rashawn Slater

has "Full Confidence" a Deal Will Get Done
Byron Buxton

Returns on Friday
Isaiah Jackson

Signs Three-Year Extension
Jake Meyers

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Calf Strain
Brandon Lowe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Tightness
Kodai Senga

Reinstated to Start on Friday
Alex Bregman

Officially Activated and Starting on Friday
Marvin Bagley III

Joining the Wizards
Herbert Jones

Signing Extension with Pelicans
Jacob Toppin

Returning to Hawks
Chicago Bears

Bears Extend General Manager Ryan Poles
Dalton Knecht

Avoids Serious Injury
MarShawn Lloyd

in a "Much Better Spot" Heading Into Training Camp
Javon Small

Signs Two-Way Deal
Dustin Hopkins

Browns Still Counting on Dustin Hopkins
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
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