“Start your studs.” Advice that any fantasy manager should listen too, but whom do you start when you have no studs? No matter if it’s a bye week or injuries, here are some favorable matchups that you can snag off the wire for week 1.
Week one we will be covering the three most streamed positions of 2015. The QB, TE, and DST.
Quarter Back
Carson Palmer
This week Palmer returns from last years ACL tear and will be playing against a lacking Saint’s defense. They will be missing both their top corner Keenan Lewis and their free safety Jairus Byrd. Targets such as John Brown and Andre Ellington should expect to reap the fantasy benefits as the Cardinals look to score big this week with a projected score of 25.5 points. Owned in a little over half of Yahoo Leagues he is a great pick for week one.
Andy Dalton
You may not believe it but Dalton was a top 10 quarterback when facing poor defenses last season. The Raiders were the 28th ranked passing defense last year and should be near the same in 2015. Dalton has statistically played best when his team is ahead and Cincinnati is favored in this match up. In 2013 he was a top 5 QB for the season, which people soon forget after a down 2014 season. His Number one wide receiver AJ Green will be back at full heath in 2015 and barring bad weather conditions Dalton should have a solid week one this year.
Tight End
Larry Donnell
With Victor Cruz out for week 1, expect Donnell to start the season out hot. Odell Beckham Jr. will be mostly double teamed, leaving him and Rueben Randle as the next receiving targets. The Cowboys are a soft matchup for tight ends, giving up the third most fantasy points to tight ends and the second most yards in the 2014 season. Donnell is owned in around 50% of Yahoo Leagues and is a good pick if you’re lacking a tight end.
Defense/Special Teams
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Yes you read that right Tampa Bay. Playing at home and favored, they are one of Vegas’ lowest scoring games of the week. They play against the Titan’s rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota in his first NFL game. All circumstances point to a perfect steaming situation for week one. They are owned in 5% of leagues and we have them predicted as the #4 DST for the week.
New York Jets
Matched up against one of the worst defenses in the league, the Jets are playing at home. They face a team with both questionable quarterbacks and receivers allowing them to focus on the run. The game is set for an over-under of just 40 points. The Jets defense is already substantial, but in this match-up we have them predicted as the #6 DST for the week.