Fantasy Football Week 1 Key Lineups: Marquez Callaway to the Moon

Finally, after a long-awaited offseason, football is back! With most drafts recently concluded, more than likely you’re probably going to end up starting the players you invested the most draft capital in. With that being said, it’s never too early to look at players sitting on your bench or even the waiver wire that may be in more favorable situations than your day 1 projected starters. Recent injuries, along with difficult matchups, have paved the way for certain players to see increased roles that could lead them into becoming weekly starters and potential league winners. Fantasy Football is a game of skill, strategy, and more often than not pure luck. I may not have all the answers, but here are some players at each position that I like more than others ranked ahead of them in ECR (Expert Consensus Rankings) this week.

Quarterback: Zach Wilson (NYJ): ECR QB25 > Ryan Fitzpatrick (WAS) ECR: QB18

With Superflex leagues becoming more and more popular, fantasy managers might have to decide whether to start a rookie who has yet to take a snap in an actual NFL game or a seasoned vet that has proven to be a reliable fantasy asset in recent years. For me, I’m going with the rookie, Zach Wilson. After a tremendous showing this preseason, Wilson looks ready to take his game to the next level. With a sneaky group of talented pass catchers in former first-rounder, Corey Davis, who Wilson has already established a strong connection with and rookie Elijah Moore, the talk of the offseason, finally healthy, I’m expecting Wilson to hit the ground running in his season debut against a Carolina defense that was the 4th best matchup for quarterbacks last season. Give me the rookie over Fitzmagic in a new system, now down arguably his second-best receiver in Curtis Samuel, facing a tough Chargers secondary. Also, the post-Gase bump never hurts.

Running Back: Ty’Son Williams (BAL): ECR RB32 > Josh Jacobs (LV): ECR RB25

No team has been plagued with more injuries than the Ravens’ backfield, who have now lost J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill for the season. After an impressive preseason, undrafted rookie Ty'Son Williams has continued to climb up the depth chart and should be the favorite to be the lead back on a high-powered Ravens' offense that has proven to be very fantasy-friendly for running backs. The additions of Le’Veon Bell, Devonta Freeman, (well past their prime), and Latavius Murray, (recently replaced by another undrafted rookie) should pose no threat to Williams. Going into Monday night as the favorites against a Raiders defense that was bottom 5 against running backs last season, could lead to a run-heavy game script, setting Ty’Son Williams up with the potential for a breakout performance. I’m easily starting him over opposing running back Josh Jacobs, coming off an injury, and a poor offensive line.

Wide Receiver: Marquez Callaway (NO): ECR WR44 > Jerry Jeudy (DEN): ECR WR32

Another undrafted player who should see an increased role following injuries to fellow teammates is Saints wide receiver, Marquez Callaway. With Michael Thomas and Tre’Quan Smith both being placed on IR and Adam Trautman recently coming off an injury, Callaway should be the clear number 1 pass catcher in this offense. The last time we saw Jameis Winston start the season under center he was able to sustain not one, but two top 3 fantasy wide receivers in fantasy points per game! The chemistry between Winston and Callaway was on full display this preseason when the two of them connected on multiple deep touchdown passes. Although Callaway could be presented with a tough matchup against one of the league’s best cornerbacks in Jahire Alexander, I am confidently rolling him out in my starting lineup. Volume is king when it comes to fantasy and Callaway should see plenty of it. A second-year receiver that I am not as high on this week is Jerry Jeudy. Like Callaway, Jeudy too finds himself in a difficult matchup against a tough Giants secondary. Unlike the Saints, however, the Broncos have a lot more mouths to feed with the likes of Courtland Sutton, K.J. Hammler, and Noah Fant. In a potentially low-scoring game, it’s difficult to see Jeudy with enough targets to return value.

Tight End: Mike Gesecki (MIA): ECR TE12 > Noah Fant (DEN): ECR TE8

I’m low on the Denver passing game this week. Their elite defense should be able to keep the Giants in check, leading to a more ground and pound type of game script. With the lowest over/under of the weekend at just 41.5, it’s hard to trust any pass-catchers in this one, especially at tight end, a position that has often turned into a touchdown or bust for fantasy. Coming off a season where new Broncos’ quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater, only threw for 15 touchdowns, while still sustaining three top 25 receivers by rarely targeting his tight ends, it’s difficult to rely on Fant getting many looks or finding the end zone. With Fant also coming off an injury, I’d much rather start Mike Gesecki, who has already established a strong connection with Tua going back to last season and this preseason. Fuller’s one-game suspension, the multitude of injuries to the Dolphins’ receiving core, along with tight ends Adam Shaheen and rookie Hunter Long already ruled out, should allow Mike Gesecki to see a healthy target share this Sunday.

Writer

-By: Sunny Choudhury