With currently the second highest
over/under at 51.5, the inaugural game at SoFi stadium should
be a doozy. The duo’s 184 receptions were the most of any
teammates in the NFL last season, and the Rams look to fling it
around plenty this year as well, even with the loss of Brandin
Cooks. Two of the Cowboys starting corners are questionable to
play Week 1 due to injuries so Kupp and Woods could each catch
8+ passes in this one. Kupp is the better bet due to his scoring
potential, but Woods is overdue for some positive regression in
that department after only finding the endzone twice last season.
Both of these guys are going to be weekly WR1/2 candidates in
all formats so get em’ going!
In the one full game Jackson and Wentz played together they made
beautiful music. Jackson’s 8-154-2 line likely won the week for
teams playing him as a WR3, and I’m betting on a repeat in Week
1 this season. Jackson is (currently) healthy, and is easily the
top receiver on a team missing rookie Jalen Reagor and vet Alshon
Jeffery. Oh, and the team Jackson torched in Week 1 of last year?
Yup, the same Washington team that the Eagles face this week!
If Jackson can avoid the frequent soft tissues injuries that have
become so common for him the last few years, he’s in line for
a few big weeks. I’d happily start a WR3 who pops off for 50+
yard touchdowns. If you’ve got him, start Jackson while you can.
The hype machine is in full swing for Ridley this year. With
Julio Jones winding down, can Ridley assert himself as a dominant
force on this Atlanta offense? Before an injury cost him the season’s
final few games, Ridley was enjoying a dominating stretch, piling
up a blistering 27-395-3 line over Weeks 11-14. He saw double-digit
targets in two of those games, and his 17 career touchdowns tell
me he’s ready to be a stud in both PPR and standard formats. Now
before we go crazy, his numbers are going to be limited by the
presence of Jones, but Ridley can and should set career highs
if he can play a full season. Seattle’s defense has taken a step
back, even with the addition of Jamal Adams (who isn’t a great
cover safety). With Jones getting the attention, Ridley should
see enough looks to be a plug-and-play WR2 this week, and going
forward.
Landry was a pleasant fantasy surprise last season, but a serious
hip surgery, followed by a change in offensive scheme leave me
down on him, at least to start the season. Sure his recovery was
free of any setbacks, but I still expect a slow start from the
vet. Austin Hopper was brought in as a solid pass catching tight
end, and it seems as though OBJ is fully healthy and ready to
command his required target count. Likely to be eased in, and
on a team that is going to run the ball a ton, I prefer to fade
Landry the first few weeks of the season, or at least his shows
he can handle starter’s snaps. His time will come, but early
on I’m looking elsewhere for my WR3.
Doesn’t it always seem Cooper is battling some ailment? He typically
plays and produces during the times he’s dinged up, but it’s safe
to wonder about his health after he’s missed the last week of
camp. Maybe it’s maintenance, but Dallas is suddenly loaded at
receiver with the addition of 1st rounder CeeDee Lamb, so they
are more than capable of taking a cautious approach with Cooper.
Even at full health, the spectre of doing battle with Jalen Ramsay
is enough to suppress the fantasy value of Cooper in Week 1. Watch
practice reports leading up to the week, but you’ll likely have
to start Cooper if he plays, but he’s unlikely to have the value
you drafted him at.
Buoyed by an impressive 9 touchdowns last year, Jones enters
a Week 1 match-up against a stingy Bears defense that allowed
the 4th fewest points to wide receivers. As a touchdown based
starter, Jones only holds WR3 value in standard leagues. Stafford
should be back and slinging this season, but I think the Lions
really try and establish a run game against the Monsters of the
Midway. If you run Jones out as a WR3, he’ll have to score
to reward your confidence.
