Most weeks there are a lot of questions about which guys to start and which guys to bench and for good reason. There are so many variables like match-up, injuries, weather, and other things that can play into how a player performs that week. One thing that really helps determine that for me is seeing how teams use players in certain situations. This is gets even better once there are some games under their belts and some history to look at for the player, but going into week 1 there’s nothing to look at. Preseason can only be measured slightly, and last year’s performance is nothing like this year.
With this in mind, it’s best to go with the players that you know will get decent, reliable fantasy points instead of shooting from the hip and hoping you hit a bulls-eye. Not saying that is bad. In fact, it’s good to do in fantasy football, but it’s smarter once the season is under way and there are more stats and signals to look at instead of just gut.
The first week of the NFL football year is so much about getting back to the basics and getting back on track. Teams want to get the ball into the hands of the guys that they pay the most to have it. It’s good for the fans, the ratings, and the teams to make sure certain players get the ball. This means that until there’s something to make you think otherwise, or barring any injury, it’s best to go with the studs for week 1 and not try to get to cleaver with how to set the lineup.
If you drafted a player in the 3rd round like Ryan Mathews to be your RB2, then play him and see how it rolls. Don’t worry about playing some touted fantasy sleeper or upcoming rookie that you will do better instead. The same is true for other positions. If you drafted good receivers that get their targets, then play them and try not to worry about which one is going to have a huge game in week 1. It’s only the first week. There will be plenty of time for making adjustments and getting the right lineup set. Fantasy football is not won in week 1 or any one week. I’ve seen teams lose the first 4 games of the year only to come back. make the playoffs, and win the whole the thing. Our goal here is to make sure you win it all, but we don’t hope you lose 4 to do it.
