Fantasy Football Start ’em Sit ’em Week 1
The fantasy football season is finally here! I repeat, the fantasy football season is finally here! If you haven’t seen the official Couch League Draft Party video please do us a huge favor and watch it ASAP.
Now that we got the formalities out of the way, I want to send everyone who reads this weekly list good vibes as we embark on another long fantasy season together. I will be your fantasy shaman, if you will, guiding you through the choppy waters of the inevitable injuries and bye weeks that will test your mental fortitude.
If you are new to this column I will provide you with some brief context. The players that I am highlighting are not the studs that you typically draft in the first 2-3 rounds, so please do not ask me why I don’t have Cmac or Dalvin Cook on the list.
Now without further ado…let’s get ready for some football!!!
DeVonta Smith – Eagles WR
The Slim Reaper is poised to start the year as the undisputed WR1 on a resurgent Eagles offense who is finally committed to Jalen Hurts as their QB of the future (for now). The two have built in chemistry after spending a year as college teammates at Alabama, and will look to continue their Crimson Tide connection against a porous Falcons secondary who was the worst in the league a season ago.
DeVonta Smith Week 1 Projections: 6 receptions, 87 receiving yards, 2 TD’s
QBs to Start
Jalen Hurts
Jimmy Garrappolo
Matthew Stafford
Baker Mayfield
Joe Burrow
Sam Darnold
RBs to Start
James Robinson
Gus Edwards
Raheem Mostert
Miles Sanders
Kareem Hunt
Trey Sermon
Darrell Henderson
David Montgomery
Myles Gaskin
Leonard Fournette
Javonte Williams
Chase Edmonds
AJ Dillon
Ronald Jones II
Tevin Coleman
Ty’Son Williams
Tony Jones
WRs to Start
Jerry Jeudy
DJ Moore
Deebo Samuel
Odell Beckham
Tee Higgins
Diontae Johnson
Laviska Shenault
Antonio Brown
Brandin Cooks
Marquez Callaway
Kenny Golladay
Robby Anderson
Corey Davis
Tyler Boyd
Jakobi Meyers
Jarvis Landry
Hollywood Brown
DJ Chark
Nelson Agholor
Russell Gage
Rondale Moore
Jalen Reagor
TEs to Start
Tyler Higbee
Kyle Pitts
Dallas Goedert
Rob Gronkowski
Hunter Henry
Austin Hooper
Week 1 Sit ’em
Damien Harris – Patriots RB
Harris is widely considered to be a breakout candidate as the undisputed RB1 for the Patriots. With the recent departure of Sony Michel to the Rams, the likely beneficiary of those vacant touches is Harris, with veteran pass-catching backfield mate James White likely getting some of the 3rd down work.
That may be the case, but the Patriots have a tough matchup against a stingy Miami Dolphins run defense that tied for the 9th fewest rushing TD’s last season. Add into the mix a few touches for rookie preseason MVP Rhamondre Stevenson and you have a backfield that you should fade in Week 1.
Damien Harris Week 1 Projections: 59 rushing yards, 1 reception, 5 receiving yards, 0 TD’s
QBs to Sit
Matt Ryan
Derek Carr
Jameis Winston
Trevor Lawrence
Mac Jones
Tua Tagovailoa
RBs to Sit
Mike Davis
D’Andre Swift
Melvin Gordon
Sony Michel
Michael Carter
Kenyan Drake
Zach Moss
James Connor
Phillip Lindsay
Jamaal Williams
Devin Singletary
David Johnson
James White
JD McKissic
Malcolm Brown
Carlos Hyde
Ty Johnson
Wayne Gallman
Gio Bernard
WRs to Sit
Chase Claypool
Jaylen Waddle
Juju Smith-Schuster
Marvin Jones
Henry Ruggs
Ja’Marr Chase
Courtland Sutton
Will Fuller
Mike Williams
Elijah Moore
DeVante Parker
Cole Beasley
AJ Green
Mecole Hardman
Michael Pittman
Tre’Quan Smith
Jamison Crowder
Terrace Marshall
Bryan Edwards
TEs to Sit
Robert Tonyan
Mike Gesicki
Jared Cook
Noah Fant
Dalton Schultz
Anthony Firkser
If you have any questions about your lineup for this week, you can find me on our Facebook group, Fantasy Couch Fam. My name is Mike Mital on there, by the way.
Last chance to enter the Jaylen Waddle signed jersey giveaway!
Also check out our podcast, Fantasy Couch Podcast (available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, etc.
