NFL Players You Should Start & Sit in Fantasy Football for Week 1

Aug 19, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) warms up before the game against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

This is a prove-it year for Cousins, who's motivated to show his doubters—like yours truly—that he can, in fact, lead a team to the postseason. The big-money QB’s task begins with an easy matchup, against the Atlanta Falcons, who surrendered the most fantasy points to opposing QBs in last season. 

Expect a shootout between these NFC powerhouses in Week 1, with both Matt Ryan and Cousins putting up big numbers. You'll also want to start any of Cousins' primary receiving weapons, like Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, and Kyle Rudolph.

Carson will face the Bengals, who had the second-worst run defense in fantasy last season. They gave up an average of 24.4 fantasy points per game in 2018. Though Carson doesn't belong in the elite caliber of rushers like Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey, he should lead the second tier in Week 1.

The Seahawks are expected to use several backs this season (Rashaad Penny and C.J. Prosise will get some looks), but Carson, who averaged an impressive 6 yards per carry in the preseason, will continue to be the main guy. Last season he was a touchdown machine, scoring nine times and adding 1,151 yards on the ground. The 24-year-old former seventh-round pick from Oklahoma State is poised to kick off another big fantasy year in Seattle’s first game.

Johnson is matched up with the Arizona Cardinals, who had the 32nd-ranked run defense in fantasy a year ago. The Cardinals have excitement encircling the franchise with the additions of Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray, and big things are expected from young receivers Christian Kirk and KeeSean Johnson while fantasy owners hope for a bounceback year from David Johnson. But all the hype around Arizona is coming on offense.

The team’s defense has continued to struggle in the preseason. Regardless of what the Cardinals’ O brings to the table—and, with the Air Raid, it could be awesome—expect a big day from the Lions’ key offensive performers, especially Johnson, who’s entering his second year in the pros and is poised for a breakout. He’s a dual threat as a runner and receiver, so he’ll be particularly valuable in PPR leagues.

The 49ers’ success this season might boil down to whether Jimmy G. can stay healthy. He's probable for Week 1 as he comes off his ACL rehab, but don't let his position on the injury report throw you off. The Niners are just being cautious—or perhaps trying to throw off their opposition. 

The Bucs had one of the worst passing defenses in the league a year ago, and they'll be even more offensively oriented this year under new coach Bruce Arians. Many are expecting big numbers from Jameis Winston & Co. (take note, fantasy managers), but Tampa’s defense remains vulnerable. Though San Fran’s receiving corps is shaky at best, expect a big day from the QB known as Jimmy Guapo and George Kittle.

Is Zay Jones a true No. 1 WR? Probably not. But he’s the best receiver on the Bills’ roster (at least, until we know what Robert Foster will turn into), and he put up respectable numbers last season. He emerged in Year 2 after a shaky rookie season, posting 56 catches for 652 yards and seven touchdowns while playing with hot-and-cold rookie QB Josh Allen.

Jones’ Year 3 commences with a favorable matchup against the Jets, who surrendered the second-most fantasy points to wideouts last season. Bigger things are expected from the Jets D with the addition of C.J. Mosley, but opposing passing offenses should still have a field day with New York’s secondary. Expect Jones to outplay his draft position, at least in Week 1.

Sit ’Em

With the sudden retirement of Andrew Luck, it will be a tall task for Brissett to adjust to being the starter on such a short timetable. It’s too early to tell whether Brissett will be a viable fantasy option in 2019—though he had a poor 4-11 record as a starter in 2017, he has plenty of weapons with the Colts’ stable of backs to go along with T.Y. Hilton and Eric Ebron—but you should avoid playing Brissett at least for the first week. We need something to evaluate.

Compounding the difficulty of his quick role change, the former NC State QB will go against the Chargers, who had one of the best passing defenses a season ago. They’ll miss all-everything DB Derwin James, who will be out until at least November, but still have enough firepower to frustrate Brissett.

Darnold is looking to make the Year 2 leap. Though he looked promising as a rookie and will be aided by the addition of one of the NFL’s most dynamic running backs, Le’Veon Bell, he draws a tough Buffalo defense in Week 1. 

The Bills struggled overall in 2018, finishing 6-10, but that was because of their offense. Their defense is as strong as any in the league. Last season, they surrendered the fewest fantasy points to opposing QBs, and their pass rush should be enhanced by rookie Ed Oliver. Though the Jets are at home in the Meadowlands, Week 1 won’t be an easy onramp for USC’s Darnold.

You’d be wise to steer clear of Watkins, who hasn't put up big numbers since his early days in Buffalo, in general this season—but especially in the first week. The Chiefs face the strong Jaguars D, which surrendered the fewest fantasy points to opposing wideouts in 2018.

The Jaguars have two strong starting corners in Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye, as well as versatile, rangy linebacker Myles Jack, and this team will be hyper-motivated to prove they’re for real after an abysmal 2018 following their 2017 run. Watkins should be held in check in this AFC West vs. AFC South showdown.

Some are expecting an “I’m here!” season from Jones (his stock blew up last year in Week 7 when he rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns against the Dolphins), but others still question whether he can be a go-to guy for the Packers due to health concerns. After undergoing season-ending knee surgery and missing the last two games of the 2018 season, he missed time in training camp with a hamstring injury and hasn’t played yet in the preseason. 

It’s been a long time since Jones was on the field in a competitive situation, and when he does lace his cleats up, he’ll be playing in a new system under first-year head coach Matt LeFleur. Further, he has a tough matchup against Khalil Mack and the vaunted Bears D. Don’t play Jones in Week 1.

There are murmurs of a WR1-type year from Parker—particularly because Kenny Stills is not on the Dolphins roster anymore—but Parker has missed all of the preseason action due to an undisclosed injury. Though he has always seemed on the verge of a breakout, the former first-round pick (in 2015) just hasn't lived up to his potential. He's posted only one touchdown in each of the last two seasons  and while battling injuries, he played in only 11 games last season, accumulating 24 catches for 309 yards.

Don’t buy the Parker hype for 2019. In addition to the uncertainty at the QB position for Miami (Ryan Fitzpatrick? Josh Rosen? Neither option is very compelling), Parker faces a tough challenge against the Ravens D (which added Earl Thomas this offseason) in Week 1.