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With kick off just a couple of days away, fantasy owners are making their final decisions regarding their starting rosters for week 1. Here I take a look at a few players who I expect to have big outings over the first weekend of the season. (Note: I have excluded the so called ‘elite players’ such as Antonio Brown and Todd Gurley etc. We all know they are going to be great.)
AJ Green
Now, you could argue that AJ Green is still elite. Ability wise he certainly is, but he finished last season as the WR 10, just outside of the upper echelon of players. I am sure he will score more highly this season, getting his season off with a bang, against a lackluster Colts defense. The addition of John Ross opposite Green gives defenses more to think about. Green is still a superb athlete and has recorded 1000 yards receiving in 6 of 7 seasons with the Bengals. The Colts secondary is certainly a big weakness, so I’m sure Green and Dalton will take full advantage.
Jordan Wilkins
If Marlon Mack isn’t good to go, then it is rumored that Jordan Wilkins will be the man to lead the Colts backfield. Wilkins, who was drafted in the 5th round of this year’s draft, has a three down skillset that could earn him some serious playing time this season. Marlon Mack has struggled with injuries as well as not taking his chances last season. Christine Michael won’t get too many Colts and fantasy fans excited if he earns regular playing time, and Nyheim Hines had a horrible preseason, with multiple fumbles ruining his chance of a featured role. That leaves the door wide open for Wilkins, who will get to face the Bengals without hard hitting LB, Vontaze Burfict.
Ravens D/ST
The Ravens boast one of the more underrated D/ST’s this offseason. As a unit, they finished 2017 as the second best Defense and Special Teams in terms of fantasy points. This year, they are currently being drafted as the 6th D/ST off of the board, despite securing 22 INTS, 41 sacks and 7 TDs last season. So who rolls into Baltimore for week 1? The Buffalo Bills with Nathan Peterman being named as their starting QB. Peterman had a torrid rookie year in the league. When called upon, he threw 2 TDs, 5 INTs, had a 49.0 completion percentage and just a 38.4 QB Rating. The Baltimore secondary must be licking their lips.
Jamaal Williams
Jamaal Williams has the chance to be the starting RB for an Aaron Rodgers led offense. That should be enough to convince you to start him. Add in that Aaron Jones is suspended for the first two games and that leaves big time volume available for Williams. Yes, Ty Montgomery is still a passing down specialist and will be on the field to spell Williams, but I can’t see him troubling Williams for the early down role, as he proved last season that his body can’t hold up to the rigor of being a full time Running Back. If Williams impresses in the first two weeks, then he could win the bulk of the carries even when Jones returns from his suspension.
Royce Freeman
Royce Freeman looks like he is finally going to be named the starting Running Back for the Denver Broncos. Head Coach Vance Joseph has toyed with us all offseason, by insisting that Devontae Booker will be the starter. Reports out of the Broncos camp today suggest Joseph has finally seen the light and will, in fact, go with Freeman as the lead back. Freeman looked great in preseason,
