And so it begins.
The 2018 season kicks off with the Eagles vs. the Falcons. Let's try to make sense of it.
For Philly, Nick Foles is the consensus 23rd ranked Week 1 fantasy QB. Sure, he's missing Alshon Jeffery and #4 receiver Mack Hollins, and yeah, Jay Ajayi's a bit banged up. But this is a winnable game for the defending Super Bowl champs. Foles should be viewed as a top-16 option. There's obviously enough to like about Nelson Agholor (32nd ranked Week 1 WR) to start him as a flex option in most leagues. Yet it's the 62nd ranked Mike Wallace who presents the most fantasy value on this team. Available in 76% of ESPN leagues, Wallace could see as many as 8-10 targets if Atlanta puts up points. I'd absolutely start him at flex if you don't have an obvious WR3+ option to plug in. He's also a fantastically cheap DFS play.
Zach Ertz is an obvious start, while Ajayi is supposedly fine. The latter's #23 consensus RB ranking this week makes sense, as he should net 60+ yards. But he'll need some goal-line looks to give you an adequate return on investment. Backup Corey Clement (RB-47 ranking) is a solid boom-bust bargain, though he's a little light on the "boom." Still, in very deep leagues, he and Darren Sproles (RB-57) are decent Hail Marys. All that said, I'm maintaining that Wallace is the best "non-startable" Philly fantasy player out there.
On the other side of the ball, Matt Ryan seems to be priced right at his QB-13 ranking. It's very reasonable to believe he'll be outplayed by Foles. In the backfield, I remain hung up on Devonta Freeman's RB-12 ranking and overall bullishness from the fantasy community. He's the riskiest Week 1 RB1 option not because he's not talented, but because Tevin Coleman (RB-27) is just as good. As stated earlier, I believe this year their per-game usage will be closer than ever before.
Through the air, Julio Jones is an obvious start, while Calvin Ridley (RB-50) is expected to take his first step in supplanting Mohammed Sanu (RB-57) as Ryan's #2 target. Realistically, Ridley's weekly ranking will improve as the season progresses. He remains unrostered in 49% of ESPN leagues and is a terrific WR4/5 stash with longer-term upside. And once again, don't sleep on the largely ignored (81% available) Austin Hooper, who's this week's consensus 27th ranked tight end. Really? Really. It's an insane assessment of a player who will finish this week in the top 16. Bank on it.
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Last chance to join the 4th Annual Survivor Pool: officepoolstop.com/JoinLeague.aspx
League ID: 20432
Password: mariota
--
The next 16-17 weeks will be fast-moving and intense as always. A lot of stuff will go down, and it won't always be pretty. No one has all the answers. Looking forward to seeing what happens and getting your takes on it all.
The 2018 season kicks off with the Eagles vs. the Falcons. Let's try to make sense of it.
For Philly, Nick Foles is the consensus 23rd ranked Week 1 fantasy QB. Sure, he's missing Alshon Jeffery and #4 receiver Mack Hollins, and yeah, Jay Ajayi's a bit banged up. But this is a winnable game for the defending Super Bowl champs. Foles should be viewed as a top-16 option. There's obviously enough to like about Nelson Agholor (32nd ranked Week 1 WR) to start him as a flex option in most leagues. Yet it's the 62nd ranked Mike Wallace who presents the most fantasy value on this team. Available in 76% of ESPN leagues, Wallace could see as many as 8-10 targets if Atlanta puts up points. I'd absolutely start him at flex if you don't have an obvious WR3+ option to plug in. He's also a fantastically cheap DFS play.
Zach Ertz is an obvious start, while Ajayi is supposedly fine. The latter's #23 consensus RB ranking this week makes sense, as he should net 60+ yards. But he'll need some goal-line looks to give you an adequate return on investment. Backup Corey Clement (RB-47 ranking) is a solid boom-bust bargain, though he's a little light on the "boom." Still, in very deep leagues, he and Darren Sproles (RB-57) are decent Hail Marys. All that said, I'm maintaining that Wallace is the best "non-startable" Philly fantasy player out there.
On the other side of the ball, Matt Ryan seems to be priced right at his QB-13 ranking. It's very reasonable to believe he'll be outplayed by Foles. In the backfield, I remain hung up on Devonta Freeman's RB-12 ranking and overall bullishness from the fantasy community. He's the riskiest Week 1 RB1 option not because he's not talented, but because Tevin Coleman (RB-27) is just as good. As stated earlier, I believe this year their per-game usage will be closer than ever before.
Through the air, Julio Jones is an obvious start, while Calvin Ridley (RB-50) is expected to take his first step in supplanting Mohammed Sanu (RB-57) as Ryan's #2 target. Realistically, Ridley's weekly ranking will improve as the season progresses. He remains unrostered in 49% of ESPN leagues and is a terrific WR4/5 stash with longer-term upside. And once again, don't sleep on the largely ignored (81% available) Austin Hooper, who's this week's consensus 27th ranked tight end. Really? Really. It's an insane assessment of a player who will finish this week in the top 16. Bank on it.
--
Last chance to join the 4th Annual Survivor Pool: officepoolstop.com/JoinLeague.aspx
League ID: 20432
Password: mariota
--
The next 16-17 weeks will be fast-moving and intense as always. A lot of stuff will go down, and it won't always be pretty. No one has all the answers. Looking forward to seeing what happens and getting your takes on it all.