Fantasy football fans are getting ready for Week 1 action along with their preparations for their starting fantasy rosters. Being able to identify which players to slot in the two wideout positions and potentially in the flex position as well will hugely contribute to the success of a fantasy team. The statistics mentioned are solely based on points per reception (PPR) scoring.
Here are the start ’em sit ’em wide receivers in your lineups for Fantasy Football Week 1:
WRs to Start in Week 1
Washington Football Team’s Terry McLaurin (vs. Eagles)
Sophomore wide receiver Terry McLaurin continues to be one of the most underrated young players in the league. Ever since he came to the league, the former Ohio State Buckeye has already been slept on by many teams as he fell as low as the 76th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
However, he strived to prove to everyone that it was the wrong decision to overlook his abilities. He went on to record 919 receiving yards on 58 receptions and 7 scored touchdowns as a regular starter for Washington in 2019. The 24-year old player will look to build on a strong rookie campaign and continue to be one of the few bright spots for a struggling Washington team.
McLaurin can take a leap next season by way of the more improved play of fellow sophomore Dwayne Haskins playing under center. He will also aim to replicate the same success he has had against the Philadelphia Eagles last season which will also be their opening game matchup come September 13.
The Indiana native put up strong performances against their division rival with stat lines of 5/125/1 and 5/130/1 on two encounters versus the Eagles last season. McLaurin is positioned to be Washington’s primary wide receiver and will be a lock to put up solid numbers for his fantasy owners as a starter in Week 1.
Bears’ Anthony Miller (vs. Lions)
Third-year wide receiver Anthony Miller is looking to have a breakthrough campaign in the upcoming season. The 25-year old player had solid performances towards the end of the 2019 season en route to tallying a total of 656 receiving yards on 52 receptions and 2 scored touchdowns primarily as a backup wideout.
One of his highlight performances last season was a Week 13 matchup against the Detroit Lions where he lit up with 140 receiving yards and nine receptions on 13 targets. He will look to exceed it on opening night against the same team on Week 1.
The Lions also saw their previous CB1 in Darius Slay relocate to the Philadelphia Eagles and was eventually replaced with a raw talent in 2020 third overall pick Jeff Okudah. Miller is looking to exploit the matchup and start the season with a strong outing. With running back David Montgomery still questionable for the opening game, the passing game will be greatly utilized with the Memphis native getting more touches from quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. He should definitely be penciled in as a Week 1 starter in most fantasy football rosters.
Bills’ John Brown (vs. Jets)
John Brown is a veteran wide receiver who spent his first four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He then had a pitstop with the Baltimore Ravens before landing on the Buffalo Bills. The former Pittsburgh state standout easily had the best campaign of his career thus far last season. He posted career-best numbers in receiving yards with 1,060 and receptions with 72 to along with 6 touchdowns as a full-fledged starter.
Despite the arrival of another prolific wide receiver in Stefon Diggs, Brown should still get looks on the aerial attack made possible by quarterback Josh Allen’s canon. He will get a better chance to do so especially against a dismal New York Jets defense sans Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams.
Brown will surprise a lot of fantasy football fans and slotting him in the Week 1 starting lineup will certainly pay dividends for his fantasy owners.
Other WRs to start: Cowboys’ Michael Gallup (vs. Rams), Bengals’ Tyler Boyd (vs. Chargers), Steelers’ Diontae Johnson (vs. Giants)
WRs to Sit In Week 1
Giants’ Sterling Shepard (vs. Steelers)
Wide receiver Sterling Shepard remains to be one of the New York Giants’ most reliable options on offense. Several offseason reports also claimed that Shepard has already emerged as the team’s WR1 during training camp. However, the five-year veteran had a down year last season as he was limited by an injury. He only tallied 576 receiving yards on 57 receptions and 3 touchdowns in 10 appearances as a starter.
The former Oklahoma Sooner has now recovered and is looking forward to a comeback season heading into 2020. Despite the optimism, he will have to first face another hurdle in their opening game as they host the reloaded Pittsburgh Steelers on September 14.
Coming off a concussion-riddled season and facing arguably the league’s best defensive rotation in Week 1 will most likely spell trouble for Shepard. Expect him to contribute fantasy points in the Giants’ coming games but he should initially be relegated to the bench of fantasy rosters for the opening matchup of the upcoming season.
Cardinals’ Christian Kirk (vs. 49ers)
Then rookie wideout Christian Kirk was the Arizona Cardinals’ most consistent scoring weapon on the field before he got hurt with a broken foot in Week 13 of the 2018 season.
Heading into his sophomore campaign, the Texas A&M product was also limited by an ankle injury all throughout last season. He still managed to slightly bump his rookie tallies en route to a total of 709 receiving yards on 68 receptions and 3 touchdowns in 2019.
However, it may be tough for him to continue the upward trajectory as the Cardinals’ offense became more loaded over the offseason. He will still be playing alongside veteran Larry Fitzgerald who should get his fair share of touches. Newly-extended wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will also get a major chunk of the offense as the team’s WR1.
Kirk being able to put up solid fantasy numbers especially against a stifling San Francisco 49ers defense is a far fetched idea for now. Fantasy football owners should explore other players that can produce more points for them in Week 1 instead.
Browns’ Jarvis Landry (vs. Ravens)
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry has been established as the team’s go-to scoring option in the 2018 season before fellow wideout Odell Beckham Jr. entered the mix last season.
Despite the increased competition, Landry was still able to get good looks throughout his 2019 campaign and even increased his numbers from the prior season. He tallied career-highs in receiving yards with 1,174 and yards per reception with 14.1 through 16 games played.
However, the five-time Pro Bowler recently came off a hip surgery during the offseason. It is expected that he may be limited in his first game back especially against a tough Baltimore Ravens secondary.
Fantasy football fans should first assess Landry’s performance in their opening game to see where his condition currently stands. He will eventually post his usual numbers sooner or later and it is apt to ease him as a starter by the time he gets his groove going. The former LSU Tiger remains to be a risk to start for now and should be benched in the meantime in order for owners to maximize the other wideouts on their roster as well.
Other WRs to sit: Bengals’ A.J. Green (vs. Chargers), Ravens’ Marquise Brown (vs. Browns), Texans’ Will Fuller (vs. Chiefs)
*Additionally, here are ClutchPoints’ start ’em sit ’em recommendations at running back, quarterback, and tight end*
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