Sit ‘Em, Start ‘Em – Week One
Start Em
Carson Palmer – Carson Palmer is expected to have a big week versus the Chargers this week on Monday Night Football. Palmer was one of our favorite sleepers at the QB position as he is primed to hit over 4,500 passing yards with John Brown and Troy Niklas added to the elite wide receiver duo of Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd.
Nick Foles – We had Foles ranked outside the top-12 for draft day but he has an easy matchup versus the Jaguars this week and he should be started in any league you drafted him as a starter in. If you got him as a backup you have to evaluate the options as we know some 12 team owners managed to land both Foles and Cutler and this week we still prefer Cutler. Foles’ numbers at home last season were very pedestrian but he has more weapons to throw to this year and should improve upon his pitiful split this season.
Jeremy Hill – Hill is among our top two rated rookie running backs and he should have a sizeable role against the Ravens this week. Giovani Bernard may remain the starter in name the whole season but Hill will get his carries, is a weekly TD threat and should eventually see more snaps per game than Gio even if the latter gets more overall touches. Hill can also contribute in the passing game and will be an RB2 or RB3 every week this season depending on matchup.
Bernard Pierce – It almost feels like cheating suggesting Pierce with Ray Rice out but Pierce should have a solid week despite concerns and he has been recovering from a concussion. Pierce appears locked in as a RB2 option this week. Start Pierce in all leagues.
Keenan Allen – Keenan Allen should be started this week despite having the tough matchup versus Patrick Peterson on the slate. Allen was probably drafted as one of your top two receivers and despite the tough matchup is still ranked as a WR2 even in a loaded wide receiver field.
Reuben Randle – Randle should be started in most formats while Odell Beckham recovers from injury and plays playbook catch-up. We do not suggest starting Randle over options we have ranked higher but those in deeper formats should be able to deploy Randle as a flex2 option.
Antonio Gates – The Cardinals have given up big games to the tight end position in recent memory and really have done nothing to improve in that area coming into this season. Despite Gates’ ADP at his position he seems set to prove doubters wrong and post another TE1 finish this season. Gates is still the starter here and will see the field with the hyped Ladarius Green. Start Gates with confidence this week.
Sit Em
Tony Romo – Despite the potential for garbage time production we are recommending sitting Tony Romo this week even against a banged up 49ers defense. The 49ers still have an explosive offense which should get them up early and have two rock-solid backs in Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde who can both kill the clock down the stretch. Most of you who drafted Romo probably have a good backup or have him as a backup so if you have another top-15 option we suggest starting him instead.
Philip Rivers – Those who waited on QB’s this year may be using a platoon approach but week one versus Patrick Peterson and the Cardinals secondary is a week to sit Rivers as he may post lower than average passing yards though the TD’s could still be there as Arizona has been susceptible to giving up big plays to top tight ends, of which the Chargers have two.
Lamar Miller – Miller appears to have lost passing down duties to Knowshown Moreno and if Moreno manages 50 percent of the carries and the passing down work than Moreno is the back to own in this backfield. Owners who drafted Miller may want to employ another option this week as we observe the usage of the two backs. Miller is no more than a upside flex3 this week.
Jonathan Dwyer – With the injury to Andre Ellington there is an opportunity for Dwyer to find the end-zone this week but he should not be started in any save the deepest of formats. Dwyer is a below average talent in a pass heavy attack and should only be an option during heavy bye weeks. With news that Ellington is now a game-time decision it puts a further damper on Dwyer’s potential upside this week.
Riley Cooper – Cooper will be a mainstay in this particular column as we believe he will not come close to his fantasy impact of 2013 where most of his value came from playing across a receiver drawing constant double teams and stretching the field. Cooper is no longer the second most talented healthy receiver on this team and there are many more mouths to feed at running back and tight end this season leading Cooper to being our favorite ADP bust this season. Sit Cooper wherever possible or better yet dangle him in trade offers before it is too late. Jordan Matthews is legit.
Brian Hartline – Hartline is no longer the second most talented receiver in a mediocre receiving corps and should not be started in any but the deepest formats. It is only a matter of time before Jarvis Landry starts to get more snaps and targets than Hartline meaning he is a depreciating asset that should be dangled in leagues that allow trades immediately. If your league does not allow trades consider an upside stash with your bench slot.
