Fantasy Football: Start or Sit Week 1

The long wait is over! The NFL season has officially arrived! To get you covered week in and week out we here at The League Winners are here to help you with any fantasy football start or sit questions you have. Spending the week agonizing over who to start in your flex? All these questions and more will be answered for you each and every week here.

We have compiled a group of five of our staff members who will provide one start and one sit each and every week for you. Let us handle the tough questions!

Ok let’s get right to It. It’s time to see who belongs in your fantasy football lineups, and who should take the week off.

Starts

Corey Davis, WR – New York Jets (Thomas Christopher)

Corey Davis was signed by the Jets this offseason to a three-year, $37.5 Million dollar contract. He’s also become Zach Wilson’s favorite target earlier in the preseason and training camp. With the likelihood of an incredibly high target share, expect the rookie QB to use Davis as a safety valve in his first NFL game.

Raheem Mostert, RB – San Francisco 49ers (Keith James)

While the 49ers wait to start the Trey Sermon show, Raheem Mostert will still be the RB1 for the Niners in Week 1. Facing a Lions defense that was gashed in 2020, the Lions are looking more and more like a team drafting in the top-3 in next year’s NFL draft. The Niners are looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2020. Mostert will have live legs early in and will be an excellent flex or RB2 for your squad in Week 1.

DeVonta Smith, WR – Philadelphia Eagles (Jeremy Shulman)

DeVonta Smith has been receiving all sorts of buzz this offseason. He was too skinny in April. He was too fragile in June. He was too injured in August. Now he’s set to take the field in September as the top target in Philadelphia’s passing attack. While that might not exactly strike fear into the hearts of every opponent in 2021, it should be problematic for the Falcons and their 32nd ranked secondary, according to PFF. I expect big things from last year’s Heisman winner right out of the gate in what projects to be a shootout in Atlanta.

Odell Beckham Jr., WR – Cleveland Browns (Joe O’Leary)

When the Browns faced the Chiefs in the playoffs last year, they didn’t have the services of Odell Beckham Jr. OBJ is back and looks healthy. The Browns may need to throw the ball in this one. Vegas is expecting some points to be scored with a 53 point over/under set. A lot has been made about the chemistry between Baker Mayfield and Beckham Jr. Look for them to quiet the naysayers against a Kansas City secondary that has some warts. OBJ is in line to make some noise in his much anticipated return to action.

Matt Ryan, QB – Atlanta Falcons (Matthew Morris)

The arrival of head coach Arthur Smith and departure of Julio Jones brings plenty of question marks to Matt Ryan’s production this season. However, in a backfield of Mike Davis, Wayne Gallman, and Cordarrelle Patterson, Smith does not have a Derrick Henry type alpha to lean on in this offense. As far as weapons, Ryan still has Calvin Ridley to throw to, along with rookie phenom Kyle Pitts, and breakout hopeful Russell Gage. The Eagle’s defensive front seven is good enough to limit the run, opening plenty of opportunities for Ryan to beat a secondary that can’t hang with Ridley and company for an entire game.

Sits

Kenny Golladay, WR – New York Giants (Thomas Christopher)

Kenny Golladay was signed to a four-year, $72M contract this offseason. But unlike their NY counterpart, the Giants are a much more complete offense, sans the QB position. In week one, the Giants play the Broncos, who have improved dramatically in the secondary. With so many mouths to feed, a potentially lingering hamstring issue, and Daniel Jones’ inconsistency, I am fading Golladay in this matchup.

Courtland Sutton, WR – Denver Broncos (Keith James)

Courtland Sutton will get the James Bradberry Treatment in Week 1. Coming off an ACL injury, it will take Sutton some time to ease back into action. Fade The Court in week one and find another flex to start the season.

Mike Gesicki, TE – Miami Dolphins (Jeremy Shulman)

Historically, it’s been rough Gesicki when facing Bill Belichick. Since entering the league in 2018, Gesicki has put up a total of nine receptions for 84 yards and one TD in five games against the Patriots. With Will Fuller serving his suspension in week one, the Patriots defense should be able to lockdown Gesicki, while forcing Tua Tagovailoa to beat corners like JC Jackson on the outside in man coverage.

Darrell Henderson, RB – L.A. Rams (Joe O’Leary)

Darrell Henderson saw his fantasy football stock rise following the loss of Cam Akers for the season. The Rams have since added Sony Michel via trade with the Patriots. This backfield could be much more committee with these two from the start. It’s never easy to run on Akiem Hicks and the Chicago Bears front. Henderson will likely have to score this week to be fantasy relevant. If you have better options you may want to use them. 

Myles Gaskin, RB – Miami Dolphins (Matthew Morris)

Myles Gaskin broke onto the fantasy football scene last year, finishing as PPR RB28 in only ten games. The Dolphin’s only notable addition to the backfield this offseason was Malcolm Brown, leaving it to reason that Myles Gaskin has a chance to repeat his success in 2021. However, the Dolphins have made it clear throughout the preseason that they will deploy a running back by committee approach with Gaskin, Brown and Salvon Ahmed. After being a defense to pick on in 2020, the Patriots defense is revamped with returning opt-outs. Between the potential committee and a tough matchup, expect Gaskin to struggle in week one.