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Welcome to Week 1 of the 2020 season, RotoBallers! Below you will find some of my spotlight plays and possible replacement options for your injured starters. I also provide some of my favorite DFS targets.
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Skill position picks and analysis here are based on PPR ranks. Players to consider benching are also included.
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Spotlight Starters and Matchups to Watch for Week 1
-Much of the Fantasy hype in Seattle surrounds DK Metcalf, and deservedly so. But don’t forget about Tyler Lockett. He finished with an 82-1,057-8 line last year even though he was not healthy for the full season, The continued emergence of Metcalf can only help him face less defensive attention than in the past and he remains Russell Wilson’s most trusted pass-catcher. He is a must-start in seasonal leagues and a strong DFS play.
-Nick Chubb rushed for 165 yards and three TDs the last time he traveled to Baltimore. The Ravens be focused on containing him and will try to put the game in the hands of Baker Mayfield. Entering a crucial season, Mayfield will face a pivotal test right away, and look for him to lean on Odell Beckham Jr.. Chubb may disappoint but Beckham will not. There will be volume, even against a quality secondary.
-Jamison Crowder had eight-plus catches in both games last year vs. Buffalo, and the Bills will be wary of him stacking up a heavy amount of receptions again. Look for Sam Darnold to rely on TE Chris Herndon, who is healthy again and should be headed for a breakout campaign. Don’t hesitate to start Herndon this week. It’s a tough secondary draw for the Jets and the tight end will be the safest route of moving the ball in the air. Someone has to catch passes, even if the opponent is a formidable one.
-Are we not giving the Raiders enough fantasy respect? Derek Carr became the first player in storied franchise annals to throw for 4,000 yards in consecutive seasons last year and his 70.5 completion percentage was also a Raiders record and second in the NFL. Josh Jacobs rushed for 1,150 yards despite missing three games. Hunter Renfrow finished strong last year and is a quality WR play, especially if you have to replace another injured WR. Yes, it seems like 18 years since the Raiders were good and and 37 years since they were great. Silver and Black hasn’t been much scarier than Cleveland Brown or Jet green in recent years. But the key position players other than Darren Waller deserve more positive fantasy recognition. Carr is a fine two-QB play and DFS option this week.
-The Lions and Bears will be a low-scoring affair and the defenses will be strong plays. Without Kenny Golladay, Matthew Stafford should look to second-year TE T.J. Hockenson more frequently.
-It seems like T.Y. Hilton is not getting much buzz because of the focus on the Colts running game. But he comes into the season aiming for his fourth consecutive 70-plus yard game and the draw should be a good one against Jacksonville. Philip Rivers could depend a lot on Hilton much like he did with Keenan Allen in Los Angeles.
-My big prediction for this week is that Miami will beat New England on the road. The Dolphins ate improved and the franchise is finally headed in the right direction. Mike Gesicki will have a big opener and Matt Breida may emerge as the Dolphins’ lead RB right away. Gesicki should be busy as the Patriots secondary focuses on DeVante Parker, and Preston Williams may be eased into action. Don’t hesitate to start Miami’s sleeper defensive unit, either. You may want to keep Cam Newton reserved for this week, as he is coming off a long layoff and is meshing with a new team. Miami has won two of the past three vs. New England and I would take them to cover for sure. The Dolphins beat the Patriots 27-24 in Foxboro late last year.
-I expect a low scoring game between Philadelphia and Washington as well. The Eagles are already banged up on offense and the Washington defense is underrated. Carson Wentz is not a Top 10 QB start this week. Washington may double-team DeSean Jackson to prevent big plays. Steven Sims is another good WR injury fill-in. This game will be closer than you think, too.
-The Bengals passing game should be off your radar in Week 1. Joe Burrow is a rookie QB seeing his first NFL action after an abbreviated preseason and the matchup is not an easy one against the Chargers. I would not recommend starting A.J. Green until you see how he performs. You have to be skeptical of him anyway. Bugger WRs wear down quicker and he is 32 years old with an obviously checkered recent injury history. In tight decisions involving Tyler Boyd, go with the alternative.
-Do not hesitate to start Rob Gronkowski as your TE or even at a flex spot if you don’t have a surefire option there. With Mike Evans likely out, Tom Brady should go to his favorite longtime target on key downs and in scoring situations. Scotty Miller is also a desperation WR play and a DFS option.
-Kendrick Bourne is another nifty play in DFS and for those is dire need of a WR replacement. The 49ers WR corps is saddled with injury issues and Bourne has caught TD passes in each of his last two meetings with the Cardinals.
-Even though Malcolm Brown is starting for the Rams, that will mean he is most likely to be on the field for the first play of the game. The Rams want to effectively run the ball in theor matchup vs. Dallas and throughout the season. If Cam Akers shows signs of life early he could very well get the same sort of workload we saw from Clyde Edwards-Helaire on Thursday. He should at least be started at flex spots.
-If Courtland Sutton cannot play Monday night, expect Drew Lock to frequently target second-year breakout candidate Noah Fant.
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