The 'Holics are back, baby!
The NFL is back and I, #DRock313, will be here every Saturday to give you my best fantasy player matchups to take advantage of if you're struggling between a couple of players. When a team can exploit a disadvantage of the opposing team, there's a chance a breakout performance or big-boom week could happen. Whether it's a result of injury, contract disputes or bye weeks, new players have to step in on their respective teams and fantasy lineups.
As General Shang said in Mulan, let's get down to business...
QUARTERBACKS
START Baker Mayfield vs Washington Commanders
Mayfield is coming off of a stellar season where he bet on himself in Tampa and crushed it. An NFC South title and a playoff victory is a nice way to earn another contract. Now he starts the 2024 season against a still-suspect Commanders pass-defense that gave up a league worst 4600 passing yards last year. Washington did very little to improve the pass defense and Mayfield is a great option to deploy if you have a high-end QB you are questioning with a tougher matchup. Like...
SIT Brock Purdy vs New York Jets
If you decided to wait on a quarterback in your fantasy drafts to snag Purdy with a later pick, it wasn't a bad strategy. You might have a tougher time starting him this week though. Going up against the Jets defense, easily the better side of the ball for them last year, is a tough task with playmakers on every level. While Purdy has the weapons that will get open, I see more of the CMC show to begin the season where Purdy and the pass offense will take more of a backseat. This could be set to be a low-scoring game for how anticipated this matchup is.
RUNNING BACKS
START Devin Singletary vs Minnesota Vikings
The Giants vs Vikings matchup is one that's going to be overlooked by much of the football community for the lack of star power. Neither team has a bona fide starting QB leading to the offenses to be lackluster. Enter Devin Singletary who can take advantage of the suspect Vikings defense who lost a ton of veteran leadership over the season. Singletary has a pass-catching acumen that will help QB Daniel Jones out in getting the ball out quickly. Singletary will be a nice FLEX play in PPR leagues and still sits as the primary ball carrier for Big Blue.
SIT Tennessee Titans RB's vs Chicago Bears
This is a two-for. The Titans have come out to say that the tandem of Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears will share the carries in the backfield. While this is good for their longevity for the season, it is not great for fantasy purposes. It is especially not good for Week 1 where they go up against last year's best run defense in terms of total rush yards allowed. The fact that the two backs will be sharing touches against a stout run defense does not bode well for their potential production. Stow them on the bench for Week 1 and see if one separates themself from the other to get more of the carry share.
WIDE RECEIVERS
START Jameson Williams vs Los Angeles Rams
If you couldn't tell by my callout, #DRock313, I hail from the Detroit area and will occasionally show my Honolulu Blue and Silver pride. That being said, you guys need to know about the breakout season of Jameson Williams before it happens. The Lions lost former WR2 Josh Reynolds to free agency and Detroit has planned for this moment for Williams to take on the vacated role. With his elite speed, he has the ability to exploit the lackluster outside corner opposite of Tre'Davious White (who will also be coming back from two straight injury riddled seasons) as Williams will demand less attention than All-Pro's Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta. Williams is a sneaky FLEX option.
SIT Tyler Lockett vs Denver Broncos
Let's be clear: I really hate to bet against Lockett. Every year for the past couple years he's proved me wrong in his longevity in the league. Granted he took a decent step back last year, he still finished as a Top 40 wide receiver in all formats. The numbers just seem to be working against him as he turns 32 at the end of September making him one of the oldest remaining receivers in the NFL. You can also look at the development of 2nd year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba who is a breakout candidate. I don't like betting against the guy who has proved me wrong but the trend is showing now and Lockett could very well be showing the decline and starting him even against the Denver Broncos lackluster defensive backfield is risky to start the year.
TIGHT ENDS
START Hunter Henry vs the Cincinnati Bengals
Henry will look to be the safety blanket for the Patriots QB room this year with Jacoby Brissett starting under center in Week 1. Last year, the Bengals gave up the 4th most points to tight ends and a lot of the linebacker room has stayed the same coming into this season. This bodes well for a natural streaming option in Henry. If you're playing the TE streaming strategy this season, here's your guy for Week 1.
SIT David Njoku vs Dallas Cowboys
If anyone on our FantasyHolics team downgrades more than most, it's David Njoku. He lit the fantasy football world on fire the second half of the 2023 season... with Joe Flacco. He's a solid option this season but you cannot expect the same level of production you got when he's catching passes from Deshaun Watson back under center. Let's also point out the matchup portion of this: it's the Cowboys. The Cowboys defense is one of the best units in the league and this matchup of juggernaut defenses looks to make this a slugfest. Sit Njoku for this week.
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