Subscribe
Follow Us
The time is finally upon us where Sunday mornings will be solely for getting out of bed to groggily set your fantasy football lineups. The 2019 NFL season kicks off on Thursday night with the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears squaring off in an NFC North matchup.
It's time to put your fantasy football season from last year behind you — whether you were successful or not. We've arrived at Week 1 of the 2019 season. As a site for the people, we will be doing a weekly start/sit article to help you set your lineups with ease.
Before we dive further into who to start this week, we have to lay the groundwork for how this article will be outlined.
First and foremost, all the picks are based on PPR (points per reception) scoring. Throughout the article, two or three players will be highlighted — guys who are must starts, listing others who are also ready for great performances. Aside from who to start, two or three players will be mentioned as guys you should attempt to avoid.
Without further ado, here are the quarterbacks who you should have (and shouldn't have) in your starting lineups in Week 1.
QBs to Start in Week 1
Ravens' Lamar Jackson (vs. Dolphins): The Baltimore Ravens are ready to impose their will on opposing defenses with their run-oriented offense. Right in the middle of their offense is Lamar Jackson. Jackson showed his fantasy football potential in 2018 with 157.5 fantasy points in just seven games. The mobile quarterback will face the Miami Dolphins in Week 1, who allowed nearly 20 fantasy points per game against QBs in 2018.
Buccaneers' Jameis Winston (vs. 49ers): The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are finally handing the keys to the offense back to Jameis Winston in 2019. With the hiring of Bruce Arians, Winston could be in for the best season of his five-year career. Winston will likely be involved in a shootout against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Other QBs I Like: Lions' Matthew Stafford (vs. Cardinals), Rams' Jared Goff (vs. Panthers), Eagles' Carson Wentz (vs. Redskins)
QBs to Sit in Week 1
Panthers' Cam Newton (vs. Rams): Every season, Cam Newton is typically a must-start fantasy quarterback. This year, I would tread lightly to begin the season with the electric quarterback as he recovers from multiple injuries. Newton faces Aaron Donald and the revamped pass-rush of the Los Angeles Rams this week.
Jets' Sam Darnold (vs. Bills): Last year, Sam Darnold was the second-best rookie quarterback throughout the season behind Baker Mayfield. The second-year quarterback had trouble with turnovers, tying Ben Roethlisberger for the most interceptions in 2018. Darnold will go up against the Buffalo Bills, who had the No. 1 ranked pass defense in 2018.
RBs to Start in Week 1
Ravens' Mark Ingram (vs. Dolphins): Along with Jackson, there's reason to love Mark Ingram this week against a Dolphins defense that allowed 145.3 yards per game in 2018 (second-most in NFL). Baltimore's offense is tailored to run the ball and with Jackson and Ingram leading the way, they shouldn't have any trouble pounding the rock.
Seahawks' Chris Carson (vs. Bengals): Similarly to the Ravens, the Seattle Seahawks love to run the ball at a rapid pace. With some of their wide receivers being injured, expect to see a heavy dose of Chris Carson in Week 1 versus the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals allowed the third-most points to RBs last year.
Other RBs I Like: Kerryon Johnson (vs. Cardinals), Dalvin Cook (vs. Falcons), Leonard Fournette (vs. Chiefs)
RBs to Sit in Week 1
Any Dolphins RB (vs. Ravens): It remains to be seen if Kenyan Drake starts for the Dolphins on Sunday. If he doesn't begin the game in the backfield, Kalen Ballage will likely get the nod over him. Regardless of who it is, don't touch Miami's backfield this week against a stingy Ravens defense.
Texans' Duke Johnson (vs. Saints): There's shootout potential between the Houston Texans and New Orleans Saints. With that being said, don't fall in a trap by starting Duke Johnson on Sunday. The Saints had the second-best run defense in 2018 and recently added Kiko Alonso their front seven.
WRs to Start in Week 1
Buccaneers' Chris Godwin (vs. 49ers): Coming into this season, it seems as if Chris Godwin is everyone's sleeper pick to have a breakout season in fantasy football. There's no argument from me as Godwin will assume the second receiver spot in Tampa Bay's offense next to Mike Evans. Godwin will face the 49ers, who allowed the seventh-most points to WRs in 2018.
Seahawks' Tyler Lockett (vs. Bengals): The Seahawks are going to run the ball as much as possible this week but that won't stop them from airing it out to Tyler Lockett down the field. Last year, the speedy wideout had 10 touchdowns with the Seahawks (two more than Julio Jones had).
Other WRs I Like: Texans' Will Fuller (vs. Saints), Lions' Kenny Golladay (vs. Cardinals), Any Rams WR (vs. Panthers)
WRs to Sit in Week 1
Chiefs' Sammy Watkins (vs. Jaguars): The Kansas City Chiefs boast one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL but they will be facing an elite defense in the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1. The only pass-catchers in the Chiefs offense that I like this week are Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. Sammy Watkins has yet to consistently show he can be consistent in fantasy in Kansas City.
Titans' Corey Davis (vs. Browns): There's no doubt that Corey Davis will be the most reliable target in the Tennessee Titans' passing attack. With that being said, it's hard to trust him with Marcus Mariota being under center. Also, Davis will be facing the Cleveland Browns who have a formidable secondary this year.
TEs to Start in Week 1
Article Continues Below
Saints' Jared Cook (vs. Texans): Earlier this offseason, the Saints signed Jared Cook to provide a boost to their aerial attack. Cook had the best year of his career in 2018 with 896 yards and six touchdowns with the Oakland Raiders. On Sunday, the veteran tight end will face the Texans, who allowed the second-most touchdowns to TEs in 2018.
Chargers' Hunter Henry (vs. Colts): Hunter Henry's first three seasons in the NFL have been plagued with injuries. Last season, Henry missed the entire season due to a torn ACL. The pass-catching tight end will make his return in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts, who allowed the most receptions to TEs last year.
TEs to Sit in Week 1
Falcons' Austin Hooper (vs. Vikings): The tight end position is tough to gauge in fantasy football so it's hard to completely rule out anyone as fantasy relevant. This week, starting Austin Hooper against a vicious Minnesota Vikings defense that allowed just three touchdowns to TEs in 2018 seems counterproductive.
Redskins' Jordan Reed (vs. Eagles): Injuries have always been a concern for Jordan Reed and this season isn't any different. Reed is questionable in Week 1 but even if he does play; he faces a Philadelphia Eagles team who stifled tight ends to less than nine points per game in 2018.
Ks to Start in Week 1
Texans' Ka'imi Fairbairn (vs. Saints)
Chiefs' Harrison Butker (vs. Jaguars)
Ks to Sit in Week 1
Vikings' Dan Bailey (vs. Falcons)
Bills' Stephen Hauschka (vs. Jets)
DEF/STs to Start in Week 1
Baltimore Ravens (vs. Dolphins)
Cleveland Browns (vs. Titans)
Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Redskins)
DEF/STs to Sit in Week 1
Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Patriots)
Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Chiefs)
