Week 1
Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em
This Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em does not take into consideration the very obvious players. This is designed to help with those Flex plays or Matchup plays.
Start ‘Em
Quarterback:
Carson Palmer
–Threw for over 4,000 yards last year with the Raiders… The Raiders. With a future HOF receiver in Larry Fitzgerald, breakout candidate Michael Floyd, and the poor mans T.Y. Hilton, Andre Roberts. Palmer has a legit chance to throw for 4,500 yards and be a top 12 quarterback. Start in 14-team Leagues and/or 2 QB leagues
EJ Manuel
— Start a rookie Qb, in his first career start? Against a pretty good Patriots defense? Yes. The Pats will have to respect the Bills rushing attack, leaving play action plays and screens as potential big yardage gains. If all else fails, Manuel is a duel threat QB who can also rack up yardage rushing. Did I mention the Bills will be behind? Garbage time yards still count as Fantasy Points. Start in 14-team Leagues or two QB Leagues
Jay Cutler
–Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, and Matt Forte are primed for big years in receptions. Cutler throws them the ball. It’s pretty simple. Worth a start in 12 Team leagues where options may not be great.
Running Back:
Ben Tate
— Arian Foster is the most overworked back in the past three seasons. While I don’t expect that to translate into a majority of the season, he’s supposed to split the workload this week with Tate. Thus making Tate completely Flex worthy with low -end RB2 Potential.
Lamar Miller:
–He’s a Starting RB in the NFL. That means he will usually be startable. Have you seen Daniel Thomas play? Lamar Miller will start as a Flex play and you could see low end RB1 numbers from him, I won’t be surprised when I do. Flex Start in all Formats
Shane Vereen
–Expect the Patriots to test a lot of different formations, plays, and how they utilize each player. Shane Vereen has been talked about lining up in the Slot, WR, and RB. He’ll have a lot more value in PPR leagues but is worth a flex start in 12-team leagues.
Wide Receiver:
Michael Floyd
–Bruce Arians likes to throw. Rashard Mendenhall will provide a more balanced attack (assuming health and no butterfingers). Larry Fitzgerald will be the defenses main focus. This will leave open space for Floyd and Roberts. I like Floyd’s skill set more. Talent prevails.
Cecil Shorts
–A waiver wire gem last year but is most likely a hesitant start for owners. Shorts has big time play ability but lacks a QB to get the ball to him. Remember the blurb about Garbage time? Start ‘Em
Eric Decker
–Thomas, Welker, Decker. 3rd in the pecking order makes you wonder will he have enough targets. For the season, I expect all three players to reach 1,000 yards receiving which Peyton made happen in Indy with Harrison, Wayne, and Stokely. There are similarities there. The Broncos running game isn’t expected to have much rhythm with a RBBC based on situation. Ball to run, Moreno to pass protect, Hillman to fumble. Moreno will be on the field the most, but Peyton will be passing 50+ times..
Tight End
Zach Sudfeld:
–Who? You want to start an Undrafted Rookie Free Agent? Yep. Start him with confidence too. “Baby Gronk” is 6 foot 7, 253 pounds. Main concern with Sudfeld is he had 6 surgeries in college, or he would’ve been more highly touted in the draft. He’s not as fast as Gronk, he’s not built like a robot, but I expect him to be “Gronk Spiking” Twice against the Bills.
Julius Thomas:
–A former basketball player who is built like Jimmy Graham could break out this year. Already listed as the starter at TE, look for his coming out party on Thursday Night against the Ravens. He’ll be the Top Waiver Wire add this coming week that doesn’t result from injury. Boom or Bust. With Peyton Manning, he has very high upside
Greg Olsen:
–The Seahawks secondary is scary. The Panthers WR’s (Outside of Steve Smith) are not much to write home about. Look for Cam to check down a lot and Olsen will be a beneficiary of it. Added value in PPR leagues
Defenses:
Indianapolis
–They play the Raiders. Pryor is supposed to start, however there are whispers that Matt McGloin may give the Raiders a better chance to win, according to some execs in Oakland. Regardless who plays QB, the Defense playing the Raiders this year will always be a Start until proven otherwise.
Tampa Bay
–Defense Roulette. They play the Jets. Bilal Powell is listed as the starter and Geno Smith looked completely lost in the preseason. Oh yeah, the Bucs also acquired some guy named Revis in the offseason.
New England
–Easy pick here. Unless CJ Spiller is running the wildcat the entire game, expect the Patriots to have at least 3 picks.
Kicker
Garrett Hartley
–He’s finally starting a season not suspended. The Saints score a lot. The Falcons score a lot. This game will be back and forth all day. Plus, they’re in a Dome.
Matt Bryant
–One of the games best last year. Reread the above post why he will be a solid play.
Sean Suisham
–I’m not expecting much from the Steelers Red Zone offense this year. Are you? 35-yard field goals all day.
Sit ‘Em
Quarterback:
Ben Roethlisberger
–No running game to open up the pass. No Mike Wallace to stretch the defense. Look Elsewhere
Eli Manning
–While its conceivable that Dez and Romo go off, look for the Giants to slow down the attack with David Wilson and keep the clock running.
Andrew Luck
–Look, if he’s your No. 1 guy you aren’t benching him. But let’s say you have RG3 as well. I’m starting RG3 over Luck. While the Colts can get up quickly on the Raiders, look for the Colts to get Ahmad Bradshaw into game shape by running him a lot in the first 3 quarters. Opening the door for Vick Ballard in the 4th. Clock Management
Running Back:
Monte Ball:
–Peyton will be throwing. He can’t pass protect. Moreno can. Avoid this backfield at all costs until someone begins to emerge
Eddie Lacy:
–A buy low candidate after week 1. Lacy is going to struggle against the Niners. While he may go on this season to be a Top 20 back, he should be benched for a better matchup.
Isaac Redman:
–Don’t get cute here Yinzers. Just because he is a Steeler doesn’t mean he is going to get 18-22 touches. Look for a RBBC and situational use of Redman, Jones, and LSH. If anyone busts out for a big day, my guess is on Felix Jones.
Wide Receiver:
Greg Jennings:
–The Vikings employ this guy named Adrian Peterson. They like to see him run the ball. Greg Jennings is in a new offense. Christian Ponder is the Quarterback. Bench him until further notice
Mike Williams:
–They guy is an enigma. A poor mans Marques Colston if you may. He’ll have a monster day and then disappear for 4 weeks. The minute you bench him he goes off. When you play him, he’s a dud. Colston does the same thing, but has a much better QB situation. Sit Mike Williams and trade him if he does end up having a big day.
Desean Jackson:
–Wait and see what his involvement in the Eagles new offense is. With Lesean McCoy as the center piece + Michael Vick’s running ability + Chip Kelley’s new offense = Jackson as a highly paid decoy and most likely, overdrafted as well.
Tight End
Kyle Rudolph:
–Scored as a top 10 TE last year. Also had the most games where he was held without a point. It’s a roll of the dice. Sorry if you wasted a mid round draft pick on him. Look to the waiver wire
Jared Cook:
–Stop believing his hype. He’s overrated. If he works out in St. Louis it’ll be a surprise. Behind playmaker Tavon Austin, speedy Chris Givens, and the running attack spearheaded by Daryl Richardson, don’t expect more than a 20 yards from Cook.
Defense:
Atlanta:
–They could have a fantastic season but playing the saints is not a matchup you look forward to
Baltimore:
–Playing the Broncos doesnt help. Peyton Manning is going to shred them, absolutely shred them.
Steelers:
–Couldn’t stop anyone in the preseason and I think Chris Johnson is back, thanks to a much better O-line.
Kicker:
Sebastian Janikowski:
–He’s got a leg, we all know that. However, I’ve never seen him make a field goal from his won 20. Points will be few and far between for him. He’s also dealing with a calf injury on his plant leg.
Mason Crosby:
–Unless you get 3 points for XP’s you better not have him on your roster to begin with. A disgrace to the Crosby name, and thats pretty bad considering Bobby Crosby….
Nick Novak:
–I just don’t have a ton of faith in San Diego being able to move the ball much. He was a great replacement for Kaeding when he went down 2 years ago, but times have changed. See Gates, Antonio.
Just for fun:
Survivor Pick
Kansas City
