2019 Fantasy Football Start Em Sit Em Week 1

Just like Hurricane Dorian, Week 1 of the NFL regular season is fast approaching. So now that you came away from draft night with a league winning roster, its time to set your Fantasy Football lineup for Week 1 with the aid of our 2019 Fantasy Football Start Em Sit Em Week 1.

While some would argue that you can’t lose your league on draft night, you can definitely lose it by starting the wrong players every week. Throughout the season, I am going to be providing a few starts and sits for each position (sorry no kickers) as well as providing some of my favorite Draft Kings values. In this column, I am going to shy away from the obvious studs you should be starting on a weekly basis and focus on players who may be on the start/sit bubble as well as some less obvious plays.

2019 Fantasy Football Start Em Sit Em Week 1

Quarterback Start ‘Em

Carson Wentz (DK $5,700): While Wentz seems like an obvious play, some may have caution starting Wentz week 1 due to injury concerns, don’t be! Wentz has a juicy home match-up week 1 against the hapless Washington Redskins. This is a game that the Eagles should dominate throughout and with a plethora of talent around him, don’t be surprised if Wentz has 250-300 yards and 3-4 TDs. Fly Eagles Fly!

Jameis Winston (DK $6,600): Winston has been more up and down than any other QB in the NFL. While we have seen flashes of his talent, Winston continues to make bonehead plays one after another. Although I would hesitate to have Winston as my QB in real life, you can’t deny his fantasy potential this season. In Week 1, Winston will have a great match-up at home against a vulnerable 49ers secondary. This game has shootout potential with an over/under of 49.5 points. Start Winston with confidence.

Philip Rivers (DK $5,900): Rivers’ fantasy value will be one of the beneficiaries of Melvin Gordon’s holdout. With Gordon not being around to take red zone carries, Rivers should have more red zone scoring opportunities with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Hunter Henry. A home match-up against the Andrew Luck-less Colts should provide plenty of red zone chances.

Lamar Jackson (DK $6,000): A high floor play on DK, Jackson has massive upside with better weapons on the offense to go along with his legs. A road match-up vs. the Fins is as enticing as they come.

Quarterback Sit ‘Em

Matt Ryan (DK $6,100): If you drafted Matt Ryan, chances are that you will be starting him regardless of match-ups. However, I strongly recommend benching him if you have one of the above options. Matty Ice has a tough task on hand with a road game in Minnesota vs. a Mike Zimmer defense that he has had recent struggles against. In his last meeting, Minnesota held Ryan to just 173 yards.

Kirk Cousins (DK $5,500): Just like Ryan, I expect Cousins to have his struggles against a healthy Falcons defense. This game could be decided by who can run the ball better and which kicker can make a FG.

Marcus Mariota (DK $5,200): Remember when the Browns were a team we use to pick on in fantasy? Yea don’t do that in 2019. Going on the road vs. a strong Browns D, don’t be surprised if Ryan Tannehill makes a cameo.

Running Back Start ‘Em

Chris Carson (DK $5,700): Carson has a great Week 1 match-up at home vs. the A.J. Green-less Bengals. Playing on a run-first team, the Seahawks should easily control the time of possession in this one, meaning plenty of touches for Carson.

David Montgomery (DK Showdown): If you are not aware of David Montgomery yet, you will be when he makes his pro debut on prime time vs. the Green Bay Packers. Although the Packers made some improvements on defense this offseason, I am still not sold on them. Montgomery should instantly slide into Jordan Howard’s old role, with passing game upside.

Leonard Fournette (DK $6,100): In his preseason debut, Fournette showed flashes of what to expect this season. As a true 3-down back, Fournette should rarely come off the field this season. In a home game vs. the Chiefs defense, Fournette should be able to find plenty of holes to run through/over. If you are worried about the Jags falling behind early, Fournette will stay on the field during passing downs.

Austin Ekeler (DK $5,500): When Melvin Gordon missed time last season, Ekeler was the back who received the bulk of the carries. This preseason proved that Ekeler will once again be counted on in the backfield. In a home game vs. the Luck-less Colts, the Chargers should stay in control of this one.

Running Back Sit ‘Em

Marlon Mack (DK $5,600): I am a fan of the talent, but this match-up vs. the Chargers D could get ugly for Mack. If the Colts fall behind early, Nyheim Hines may end up with more playing time in the passing game. Don’t forget, Mack capitalized on goal-line touches down the stretch last season. With Brissett under center, goal-line carries may be few and far between in this one.

Derrick Henry (DK $5,900): The Browns D-line was nasty last season. So what did the Browns go out and do? They signed Sheldon Richardson this offseason which might make them nearly impossible to run on. Henry will be missing Taylor Lewan a lot in this game. Henry also offers no passing game upside if the Browns get a big lead.

Kenyan Drake (DK $4,700): Whether its Drake or Kalen Ballage, the Dolphins running game seems to be a mess right now. A home match-up vs. the stingy Ravens D is not an ideal spot. The Ravens offense should control the clock with the run game in this one, leading to fewer opportunities for Drake.

Wide Receiver Start ‘Em

Tyler Lockett (DK $6,000): In a game where the Seahawks should control the clock over the Bengals, I’ll put my $ on a play-action TD pass to Lockett on the Football Night in America highlights.

Allen Robinson (DK Showdown): When we last saw Allen Robinson, he caught 10 balls for 143 yards in the loss to the Eagles in the playoffs. I expect A-Rob to pick up right where he left off vs. a vulnerable Packers secondary.

Cooper Kupp (DK $5,700): Many people may take the wait and see approach when it comes to Cooper Kupp. I am not one of those people. With a weaker offensive line and an improved Carolina pass rush, Goff could be under pressure often in week 1. In return, I see plenty of targets for Goff’s safety valve/red zone threat, Cooper Kupp.

Marvin Jones (DK $4,800): With Patrick Peterson suspended, the Arizona Cardinals have nobody in the secondary that can keep up with either Marvin Jones or Kenny Golladay.

Desean Jackson (DK $4,500): REVENGE!!! How fitting that D-Jax’s first game back in Philly is against one of his former teams, the Washington Redskins. Although Jackson is dealing with an injury to his ring finger, he is expected to suit up Week 1.

Trey Quinn (DK $3,400): While I would never be desperate enough to start Quinn in season-long leagues, Quinn is a great value on DK. Case Keenum loves his slot receivers (Thielen, Sanders) and the Redskins should throw a ton as they play from behind.

Wide Receiver Sit ‘Em

T.Y. Hilton (DK $6,600): Hilton should already be downgraded as he will be going from Luck to Brissett. Another reason to downgrade Hilton is that he will most likely be doing battle with Casey Hayward for most of the afternoon. Don’t be surprised if Hilton finishes outside the top 30 WRs for the week.

Robby Anderson (DK $5,200): Dealing with a calf injury going into the season, Anderson draws a tough match-up against an underrated Bills defense.

Corey Davis (DK $4,900): A trend on this list continues as another player for the Titans should be benched vs. Cleveland’s strong defense. Davis will have a tough match-up vs. stud corner Denzel Ward. In a game where Mariota should be under constant pressure, I would avoid his top WR.

Tight End Start ‘Em

Hunter Henry (DK $3,900): In his first regular-season action since tearing his ACL, Henry should have a productive day against a Colts defense that was beat up at times last year by TEs.

Jared Cook (DK Showdown): In what should turn out to be a shootout in the Superdome (Silverdome for the Hulkster), Cook should take advantage of a weak Texans secondary.

Delanie Walker (DK $3,500): In a game where Mariota will face constant pressure in his face, Walker should benefit from running underneath routes.

Tight End Sit ‘Em

Eric Ebron (DK $4,100): Already vulnerable to playing time, Ebron needs to score a TD to hit value for you. As someone who is a skeptic that he can finish with double-digit TDs again, I would go with Jack Doyle if I had to choose a Colts TE.

Jordan Reed (DK $3,600): There is no question that the talent is there, and in a game where the Redskins will be playing from behind, I would be all over Reed. Unfortunately, Reed suffered another concussion in the preseason. As someone who has had almost double-digit concussions in his short career, Reed is just too risky to start.

Austin Hooper (DK $3,200): Hooper will have his weeks, but Week 1 won’t be it. Surprisingly, the Vikings only allowed three TDs to tight ends all of last season. As a player who struggles to get consistent looks, I would look elsewhere.

Defense Start ‘Em

Browns (DK $3,400)

Eagles (DK $3,600)

Ravens (DK $3,800)

Seahawks (DK $3,100)

Cowboys (DK $3,500)

Chargers (DK $3,000)

Defense Sit ‘Em

Rams (DK $3,200)

Titans (DK $2,600)

49ers (DK $2,200)

Colts (DK $2,600)