You can’t run against the Titans, but you can certainly throw
the ball successfully. They ranked dead last in 2022 against fantasy
wide receivers and in Week 1, the Saints managed to produce three
double-digit wideouts; Chris Olave, Mike Thomas and Rashid Shaheed.
Justin Herbert throwing to Keenan Allen and Mike Williams certainly
should be able to post big numbers, but I’m still staying away
from their 2023 No. 1 draft choice, Quentin Johnston due to lack
of volume in Week 1.
The Eagles’ pass offense was nowhere to be seen in Week
1. The team got off to a big lead and the OC called way too conservative
a game plan. That won’t happen in the Eagles home opener.
The fans won’t allow it. The Vikings ranked 31st last season
allowing 39.7 FPts/G to opposing wideouts. Both Brown and Smith
crack 100 yards and Brown scores at least once.
I’m assuming you don’t need me to tell you to start
rising star Chris Olave. Thomas saw a respectable eight targets
in Week 1 and against an equally inept Panthers’ pass defense
should see just as much work. This time Thomas might even score.
I don’t want you to start Dak Prescott and I’m warning you off
the Dallas receivers as well. CeeDee Lamb can still be started,
barely, but not Brandin Cooks or Michael Gallup. Sure, Cooks has
amassed a lot of 1,000-yard seasons, but I don’t spit into the
wind or tug on Superman’s cape. The only reason to start Lamb
is that Gardner doesn’t travel from side to side so Dallas coaches
can free him up. That means Cooks versus Gardner and that’s a
no-go.
Yes, I know Diontae Johnson (hamstring) will be sidelined, but
that doesn’t make the Browns’ pass defense less dangerous, it
makes them more dangerous. Their attention will not be divided
between the two talented receivers. The Browns ranked No. 5 against
wideouts in 2022 and didn’t hurt their numbers in Week 1 holding
Tee Higgins to zero catches on eight targets and Ja’Marr Chase
to five catches for 39 harmless yards.
OK, you aren’t going to sit Jefferson in your season-long
leagues, I know that, but I’m not starting “JJ”
in any daily fantasy games. The Vikings have a bad history in
Lincoln Financial Field and the Eagles focused their defense to
stop Jefferson last season holding his to six catches for 48 yards
on a dozen targets. I’d be more tempted to take a flyer
on Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson because of how the Eagles
will defend the Vikings’ pass game.
