If your league's fantasy playoffs start this week, it might be the toughest opening weekend in recent memory. The seemingly must-start Jacoby Brissett is facing a Houston D that's yielding the fewest fantasy points per game, while the Texans are also third-best versus WRs. (Is Michael Wilson a safe start?)
The Chargers are giving up the second-fewest QB fantasy points per game. Minnesota's surrendering the third-fewest. Cleveland, Buffalo, Denver, and Green Bay are next. Suddenly Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott are "start them with only relative confidence." Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jordan Love are risky, while the struggling Bo Nix seems unstartable even in 16-team leagues.
While the Vikes are #1 versus fantasy WRs, it shouldn't stop managers from starting CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Still, is it reasonable to expect *both* of them to do well?
The top defenses against RBs are (in order) the Lions, Broncos, Patriots, and Rams. Normally there would be no hesitation in starting Kyren Williams, Josh Jacobs, James Cook, and Jahymr Gibbs. Blake Corum and David Montgomery ordinarily would be acceptable streamers. But not today. We start our top RBs because we need their ceiling. And yet, their ceilings seem pretty capped.
If you're looking for a high-upside streamer at each position -- players who should be available in most leagues -- I'd recommend Bryce Young, Devin Singletary, Ricky Pearsall, and Colby Parkinson. Some might say Mike Gesicki is the better TE dart throw. That might be true. Both are under-the-radar, TD-friendly options.
Pearsall might seem like an odd recommendation. He has only five catches for 20 scoreless yards in three games since recovering from a knee injury. I discuss his outlook on today's podcast, and why a breakout is a question of "when," not "if." Facing a beatable Tennessee defense at home, it's a prime opportunity for the Niners to get their young receiver going.
Good luck today.
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