Trashman’s Sits and Starts: Week 1
Trashman’s Fantasy Plays: Week 1
It’s the beginning of another fantasy season, and with it comes the hopes and fears of making all the right moves in your lineups. This season, I’ll be laying out the best starts, and the best fades, going into every week of the season. We’ll start with Week 1:
Quarterbacks
Start:
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers vs. Commanders
Are we at a place now where we’re advising people to start Baker Mayfield in the first week of the fantasy season? Yes, we are. Mayfield has proven himself as a Buccaneer, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 28 TDs in 2023, and he has a cherry matchup to start his 2024 campaign. Mayfield and co. will face Washington in Week 1, a team that makes for our no.1 matchup for opposing QBs to open the season. Start Mayfield with confidence.
Other locks:
Josh Allen vs Cardinals
Jared Goff vs Rams
Anthony Richardson vs Texans
Jalen Hurts vs Packers
Avoid:
Bo Nix, Broncos vs. Seahawks
I love Nix as a long term prospect, but I’m not bullish on him in what will be his first career start in the NFL. That aspect alone should probably keep you off of him, but you also have to consider his matchup in Week 1. The Broncos are playing the Seahawks in Seattle, a potent combo, as the Seahawks project to be our 6th worst matchup for opposing QBs coming into the season. Always a headache at home, Seattle makes Nix an ill advised play this week. Let’s see him play a few games before taking the plunge.
Running Backs
Start:
D’Andre Swift, Bears vs. Titans
Swift has a new home in Chicago, where he’ll begin his season as the lead back in Week 1. Swift looked fast, and most importantly healthy, during Bears training camp, where he was utilized as the primary in between the tackles runner in addition to catching a lot of passes. He faces a Titans team this week that is in the middle of the pack against WRs, but makes for our 2nd best matchup for opposing RBs coming into the 2024 season. Make the most of Swift in this plus matchup, while he’s in tiptop condition.
Other locks:
James Cook vs Cardinals
Rachaad White vs Commanders
Joe Mixon vs Colts
Alvin Kamara vs Panthers
Avoid:
Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys vs. Browns
Elliott’s return to the Cowboys was lauded by owner Jerry Jones and few others, as the idea of the aging back leading the Cowboys rushing attack failed to ignite the fanbase. Yes, Elliott had a decent 2023 as the de facto lead back for the Patriots over the last month of the season(99/372/3), but his yards per carry(3.5) were a career low. The Cowboys face the Browns in week 1, a team that is our 6th worst matchup for RBs coming into the season, so the going will already be tough for the almost 30-year-old Elliott, but most importantly, he probably won’t even be the Cowboy back to get the most touches. Rico Dowdle is slated to be the closest thing Dallas has to a lead back going in, making Elliott a shaky play at best.
Wide Receivers
Start:
Mike Evans, Buccaneers vs. Commanders
If his QB is a lock, it makes sense that Evans will be as well. He’s getting up there in age, but Evans has yet to suffer from the hands of time, from a fantasy perspective, going over 1,200 yards and tying for the league lead in TDs(13) in 2023. He’s a sure bet in Week 1 against a Commanders offense that is our absolute best matchup for opposing WRs going in.
Other locks:
Justin Jefferson vs Giants
Tyreek Hill vs Jaguars
Amon-Ra St. Brown vs Rams
Stefon Diggs vs Colts
Avoid:
DeAndre Hopkins, Titans vs. Bears
Coming off of a knee strain that kept him out of much of the preseason, Hopkins is already a less than stellar option in Week 1. Add in the fact that he’s going up against shutdown corner Jaylon Johnson of the Bears, and you have a match made in Hades. I visited Bears training camp this preseason, and watched Johnson stymie DJ Moore and Keenan Allen with my own two eyes. Hopkins isn’t an advised start this week if you have other options.
Tight Ends
Colby Parkinson, Rams vs. Lions
The Rams just put out their depth chart going into Week 1, and at the top of the TE column is Parkinson, who will take the reins while Tyler Higbee recuperates from an ACL/MCL injury. While Parkinson isn’t in the upper echelon of starting TEs right now, he’s proven to be explosive in stints, and he’ll face a Lions defense that is our 5th best matchup for opposing TEs to start the season. Adding to his upside is the fact that the Lions are much better against the run. They’re a bottom 10 matchup for opposing RBs, so the Rams are much more likely to find success through the air this week.
Other locks:
Sam LaPorta vs Rams
Dallas Goedert vs Packers
Dalton Schultz vs Colts
Noah Fant vs Broncos
Avoid:
Jake Ferguson, Cowboys vs. Browns
The ‘Boys have some tough sledding ahead in Week 1 all around, but the going is especially rough for TEs. The Browns are our 2nd worst matchup for opposing TEs, and the likelihood of Ferguson getting shut out of the end zone is palpable. Always roll with your studs in Week 1, but Ferguson doesn’t fit into that category.
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Nice work Trashman! Doesn’t smell bad at all!
Rashee Rice, Zay Flowers, Terry Mclaurin for PPR FLEX?
How many do you need? I rank them Rice Flowers TMC
How do you guys do in season management of your home league teams? Excel sheet or what?
I’m a disorganized mess with my leagues, I just have bookmarks to all the sites I play on and make sure to set each LU and waiver priority before the deadlines, but nothing fancy
facing Kelce this week so want to stay competitive at TE and I guess I’m streaming since I drafted Ertz (@TB) but he’s ranked below all these guys who are still available… who is the play this week? I know Trashman likes Parkinson but that’s not the consensus play?
Tyler Conklin @ SF
Hunter Henry @ CIN
Noah Fant vs DEN
Juwan Johnson vs CAR
Jonnu Smith vs JAX
Chigoziem Okonkwo @ CHI
Colby Parkinson @ DET
PPR btw !
We’ll have Ertz above those guys when we push our rankings update this afternoon
10 Team PPR Play 1 QB 2 RB 3 WR 1 TE 1 Flex
QB K Murray
WR THill, JWaddle, MEvans, TDell, XWorthy, ROdunze
RB TEtienne, DAchane, JConnor, BCorum, JWright
TE KPitts
Def NYJets
K JSanders
KPitts may not play? If so, who should I pick up and who should I Dop?
Available : Fant Otten Conklin jJohnson THillHHurst Onkonkwo Dulcich Likely Everett
Drop what player of mine?
Also very heavy on Miami players – that’s how draft fell to me so I took it
Should I think about trading a few away as season progresses? Or just hold tight?
From what I understand, pitts is going to play. Yes MIA should start hot so wait until one of them goes bananas to diversify at highest value
Need flex advice- who you like most between Dionte Johnson, Jerome Ford, or Rachee Rice?
Oops, standard scoring
Ford
1 point PPR league, 1pt 10yds both rushing and receiving – need 2 of the following for a flex spot – listed in my current order of preference – please provide input! (I tend to overthink things)
– Diggs
– Aaron Jones
– Terry McLaurin – rookie QB has me nervous
– Mostert (Achane is my starting RB)
– Ekeler – he has to get some yards and catches right?
– Moss – up against the NE defense
Thanks!
Think I might go Diggs and Moss if you don’t like TMC
Last flex spot- League 1-Moss or Jerome Ford
League 2-Najee, Jameson W or palmer
Probably Ford and Najee
Have 2 flex spots along with 2 wr slots for starting lineup. Might be overthinking it but worried about J Chase and what he decides to do.
Currently have starting AJ Brown and J Chase starting
DK Metcalf and Malik Nabers in flex spots with Rashee Rice sitting on the bench
Should I switch out one of DK / Nabers for Rice since he goes tonight and then have the substitute on the bench if Chase doesn’t go?
Thanks!
I think Chase will play, but it makes sense to cover your tail. Rice is a fine start
Flex spot full PPR Nabers or Swift?
Nabers! for the #Targets
Best of Luck!!