Wide receivers are difficult to gauge in week 1 of the NFL season.
It sometimes takes a few weeks for the passing game to get back into the flow of the game, so don’t fret if your talented wide receiver gets off to a slow start. Running the football in the NFL takes less time to find a groove than the passing game.
These first few weeks are all about getting back to speed with the NFL game, so here’s the week 1 fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em guide for wide receivers.
Start
Corey Davis vs. Miami Dolphins
I’m high on the Titans this year for a number of reasons and Davis’ maturity is one of them. Davis had a slow start to his rookie season, but eventually caught fire in the latter stages of the season.
That should continue into this season, with a healthy Marcus Mariota and an offensive line that ranks among the best in the NFL.
Davis is the No. 1 target in an offense that should be much more wide open than previous years, too. That should create more volume, and where there’s volume, there’s more opportunities at production.
The Dolphins ranked 20th in yards per pass attempt allowed in 2017 and that defense didn’t get better in the offseason. Davis should have a coming out party in week 1 against the Dolphins.
Allen Robinson vs. Green Bay Packers
This has a lot to do with two things.
Green Bay’s pass defense isn’t good. And I believe Robinson will be a top-tier wide receiver in 2018.
The Packers allowed the second-most fantasy points against wide receivers in 2017. They also gave up 7.4 yards per pass attempt, ranking 29th.
Did the Packers get much better in pass defense in the offseason? I don’t think so. Robinson is a necessary component for this Bears offense, with an unproven quarterback at the helm.
The Bears need Robinson to move the chains, so expect plenty of volume.
Kenny Stills vs. Tennessee Titans
Quietly, Stills has an opportunity at putting up some decent numbers this season.
He totaled more than 100 targets a year ago for the first time in his career. Devante Parker won’t play in week 1, leaving Stills as the main weapon for a Miami offense with Ryan Tannehill returning to action.
It’s amazing Stills didn’t get a little more hype in the offseason.
He’s a deep-ball threat, who will get some volume, so he’s a nice start in week 1, especially against a Tennessee defense that ranked 11th from the bottom in fantasy points allowed against wide receivers in 2017.
Tennessee’s defense is pretty good, but not good enough to avoid in fantasy football. Give Stills a shot in week 1.
Sit
Sammy Watkins vs. Los Angeles Chargers
I don’t have a choice with my fantasy football roster. Thanks to having to start three wide receivers in a 14-team league and investing in other positions, I have to start Watkins.
If I had a choice, I’d sit him for week 1.
There’s a lot of options in Kansas City, with Tyreek Hill, Kareem Hunt and Travis Kelce. And those weapons will be tested by Los Angeles’ stingy defense.
There’s a place for Watkins in this lineup this season, but this isn’t the right spot to test the waters. We don’t know much about Patrick Mahomes either, so play the wait and see approach with Watkins.
Marquise Goodwin vs. Minnesota Vikings
I didn’t like Goodwin in the first place, especially with Pierre Garcon returning from injury for the 49ers.
So I definitely don’t like his chances against Minnesota in week 1.
The Vikings just don’t allow offenses much room to maneuver, especially in the passing game. The Vikings allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers last season and allowed just 5.9 yards per pass attempt in 2017.
That doesn’t play into Goodwin’s big-play skills. Garcon is more of a possession receiver, so I like his production better than Goodwin’s in week 1.
Nelson Agholor vs. Atlanta Falcons
Don’t get too excited about Agholor’s fantasy potential with Alshon Jeffrey on the shelf.
Philadelphia’s offense spreads the ball around to multiple different options and the Falcons are a legitimate defense against the pass.
Atlanta surrendered just 6.2 yards per pass attempt in 2017, the eighth-best mark in the NFL. They have good depth and will be able to put pressure on Nick Foles in the passing game.
I guess I’m just not on the Foles bandwagon as much as everyone else in the media. I can’t shake all those outings where he was terrible. Maybe he’ll prove me wrong again, but I’ll take the Falcons defense in this game.
