X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Fantasy Fill-Ins: Week 1

Welcome to Fantasy Fill-Ins, where each week I play a type of “Mad Libs”-style game that gives you perspective about the fantasy football landscape.

The guys at RotoBallers were nice enough to let me run wild with the idea of suggesting players to go all in on, and players to avoid, in a different and hopefully fun way. So now, with my sweet book of “Fantasy Football Prompts and Suggestions: Week 1,” let me now pencil in some of my favorite Fantasy Fill-Ins for Week 1.

Editor's Note: Purchase a full season NFL Premium Pass (including Draft Kit + DFS Premium), and also get MLB Premium + DFS for free through the playoffs. Premium DFS lineup picks, expert lineups, tools and more - seven days a week. You can see screenshots of our NFL Premium and MLB Premium and DFS tools. What are you waiting for?

 

Fill In the Blank, Fantasy Football Style

Carlos Hyde will either be on my bench or will ruin my week.

Admittedly there won’t be a lot of weeks where I would recommend a 49ers player to give you big offensive production, though Hyde is forecast to be the best offensive weapon for this team if he can stay healthy. This game feels especially painful to me for fantasy purposes in week one; Week 1, a late Monday night, and though it will be played in Santa Clara, I have a very real feeling that the brand-new “Ramily” in Los Angeles will be showing off how well they can travel.

The Los Angeles Rams have arguably one of the best front-seven defenses in the league, anchored by talented players like Aaron Donald AND Robert Quinn, and should be much better at stopping the run this year. Even if they have their week-to-week struggles, Carlos Hyde is a good matchup for a team like the Rams, given that Hyde’s preseason has been shaky due to a possible concussion. Even if he gets lucky with a touchdown at some point, I can’t imagine Los Angeles game-planning a strategy that doesn’t focus on Hyde come Monday.

 

Hey Golden Tate, can you autograph one of your touchdown reception balls?

This also applies to Marvin Jones. Hell, it could apply to Anquan Boldin too for one simple reason; the already crippled Indianapolis Colts defense will be missing as many as five (!!) starters, including Vontae Davis. No one quite knows the role Tate will fill throughout 2016, but Indianapolis isn’t in a position to gameplan right now and may have to double their answer on offense to account for their troubles on defense.

Tate is a talented receiver who may have an up-and-down year or be a stud, but Week 1 is a lock for a high-scoring game for the Lions and Colts. You’re starting Golden Tate in your eight man league, ten man league, twelve man league, daily fantasy, monthly fantasy,

 

As for me and my running back slot, we will serve DeAngelo Williams

Remember when DeAngelo Williams serving in Le’Veon Bell’s shoes was a big deal? This year, it feels like Williams and his temporary starting role have generally been ignored. The Steelers-Redskins game will be incredibly high scoring, and though DeAngelo Williams is almost certainly been claimed in every league, he has the potential to be an RB1 in Week One. If you own him, start him. If you start him and he does well, get ready to trade him before Bell comes back in Week 4.

 

Please don’t hit me if I tell you to avoid Jarvis Landry this week

Yes, he was my pick for Fantasy MVP and *dodge* yes, I’ve noted how much I’ve loved Ryan Tannehill *duck* and *dip* OK, STOP THROWING THINGS! If you drafted Jarvis Landry because I’ve declared my love for all things Dolphin, this week will be disappointing. Landry might get some garbage time work, but I don’t want to deal with a whole game of watching Richard Sherman shake the man’s confidence.

 

The heart wants what the hearts wants, and my heart wants to pick up Spencer Ware

Kansas City opens up their season at home, against a San Diego team that has a better secondary than defensive line. Andy Reid doesn’t enjoy throwing the ball much as is, and Spencer Ware found the endzone in every instance he was handed the ball more than ten times last season. If the Kansas City defense can keep the Chargers in check, and Spencer Ware is the starting RB, then he’s worth a start.

Of course, as I started writing this Ware was closer to 25% owned in Fleaflicker leagues, and as of publishing has since jumped up closer to 60%. However, if you’re in a ten-man league and can spare a bench spot, he’s probably still available.

 

I found this Robert Woods on the waiver wire, can I just have him?

Without even 5% of fantasy football players owning the guy, Robert Woods is my pick this week for a super-deep league lotto ticket play. Woods had a consistent 2016 preseason according to Buffalo Bills Insider Chris Brown, earning himself the role as the #2 guy in Buffalo. But in a game where Buffalo is going to try their hardest to get any offensive production, and with very good CB Jimmy Smith covering Sammy Watkins all game long, Robert Woods is a very decent option in deeper leagues. Woods is available in nearly every league, and while I understand the hesitance in starting him, he could be a very popular waiver wire pickup in the future.  

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Joseph Woll47 mins ago

Stands Tall On Sunday
UTA53 mins ago

Alex Kerfoot Leads The Way In Sunday's Victory
Tristan Jarry58 mins ago

Shuts The Door On Sunday
Sebastian Aho1 hour ago

Busy In Sunday's Victory
Anze Kopitar1 hour ago

Tallies Three Helpers On Sunday
Troy Terry1 hour ago

Exits Early On Sunday
Denny Hamlin3 hours ago

Silences Doubters After Crew Chief Change with Dominant Martinsville Victory
Ty Gibbs3 hours ago

Earned Best 2025 Finish at Martinsville Despite Failing Cool Suit
Ross Chastain3 hours ago

Although the Hail Melon Was Ross Chastain's Greatest Martinsville Moment, Yesterday Was Likely His Best Race
Chase Briscoe3 hours ago

Had Solid Run at Martinsville, but His Teammates Were All More Impressive
Erik Jones3 hours ago

Disqualified from Martinsville for Weight Violation, but Still Lacked Speed
Tanner Bibee10 hours ago

Throws 5 2/3 Shutout Frames
Daniel Schneemann10 hours ago

Homers, Draws Three Walks
Wilyer Abreu10 hours ago

Draws Three Walks
Aaron Judge10 hours ago

Goes Deep Again
Isaiah Hartenstein10 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Monday
Jaylin Williams10 hours ago

Could Miss Monday's Game
Jazz Chisholm Jr.10 hours ago

Jazz Chisholm Blasts Two More Homers
Chet Holmgren10 hours ago

Uncertain For Monday
Jonathan India10 hours ago

Hit In Head By Pitch
Jonathan Kuminga10 hours ago

Won't Return On Sunday
LeBron James11 hours ago

Expected To Suit Up Monday
Zach Wilson12 hours ago

Still Views Himself As A Starter
New York Giants12 hours ago

Victor Dimukeje Signs With Giants
Dallas Cowboys12 hours ago

Brian Schottenheimer Optimistic About Deal With Micah Parsons
Tyler Soderstrom13 hours ago

Hits Another Homer
Luke Jackson13 hours ago

Records Second Save
Jacob deGrom13 hours ago

Throws Five Scoreless Innings
Nathaniel Lowe13 hours ago

Collects Three Hits
Mitchell Parker13 hours ago

Has Strong Outing Against Phillies
Trea Turner13 hours ago

Likely Out Until Wednesday
J.T. Realmuto13 hours ago

Expected To Play On Monday
Lane Hutson14 hours ago

Continues Special Campaign With Hat Trick Of Assists
Trae Young14 hours ago

Playing Versus Milwaukee
Anfernee Simons14 hours ago

Cleared For Action Versus The Knicks
Giannis Antetokounmpo14 hours ago

Available On Sunday Night
Nick Suzuki14 hours ago

Notches Three Points In Sunday's Win
Robby Fabbri14 hours ago

Not Expected To Return This Season
Jacob Trouba14 hours ago

Could Be An Option Sunday
Jalen Brunson14 hours ago

Cleared For Basketball Activities
Jordan Staal15 hours ago

Will Not Play On Sunday
Manny Machado15 hours ago

Ready To Go On Sunday
Jerami Grant15 hours ago

Out Again On Sunday
Evgeni Malkin15 hours ago

Out Against Senators
Taj Bradley15 hours ago

Records Seven Strikeouts
Ryan Walker15 hours ago

Dealing With Back Issue
Camilo Doval15 hours ago

Notches Save On Sunday
Tobias Harris15 hours ago

Probable Versus Minnesota
Heliot Ramos15 hours ago

Blasts Homer In Win
Justin Fields15 hours ago

Aaron Glenn Thinks Justin Fields Is Ready To Break Out
Tomoyuki Sugano15 hours ago

Exits Due To Cramping
Michael Busch15 hours ago

Sitting Out On Sunday
Dennis Schröder15 hours ago

Dennis Schroder Expected To Face The Timberwolves
Cade Cunningham16 hours ago

Doubtful For Sunday Night
Mark Williams16 hours ago

Ruled Out Versus The Pels
Dak Prescott16 hours ago

"Doing Great" In Rehab From Hamstring Surgery
Jacksonville Jaguars16 hours ago

Fred Johnson Signs With Jacksonville
Tennessee Titans16 hours ago

Titans Still Entertaining Calls For No. 1 Overall Pick
Esteury Ruiz17 hours ago

Designated For Assignment
Karel Vejmelka17 hours ago

Makes 17th Consecutive Start Sunday
Arvid Soderblom17 hours ago

Tries To End Four-Game Skid Sunday
Alec Martinez17 hours ago

Misses Fourth Consecutive Game
Robert Bortuzzo18 hours ago

Activated From Injured Reserve
Olli Määttä18 hours ago

Olli Maatta Considered A Game-Time Call Sunday
Logan Thompson18 hours ago

Starts Against Sabres Sunday
Rasmus Dahlin18 hours ago

A Game-Time Call Sunday
Cameron Payne18 hours ago

Ruled Out On Sunday
Miles McBride18 hours ago

Remains Out On Sunday
Scoot Henderson18 hours ago

Out On Sunday
Brandon Aiyuk18 hours ago

Deadline Coming For Brandon Aiyuk
Anfernee Simons19 hours ago

May Miss Sunday's Game
Ty Jerome19 hours ago

Out Again On Sunday
Kawhi Leonard19 hours ago

Sitting On Sunday Afternoon
Josh Berry22 hours ago

Has Top-10 Upside At Martinsville
Joey Logano23 hours ago

Don't Overlook Joey Logano This Weekend
Ryan Preece23 hours ago

Could Get First Three-Race Top-10 Streak Of His Career
Chase Elliott23 hours ago

Looking To Continue Great Runs At Martinsville
Christopher Bell23 hours ago

Wins Pole At Martinsville, But Can He Stay Up There?
Ryan Blaney23 hours ago

Fast In Practice But Skeptical About Car
Leon Draisaitl24 hours ago

Leads The Way In Return
Artemi Panarin24 hours ago

Scores Twice On Saturday
Denny Hamlin1 day ago

New Crew Chief Has Terrible Martinsville Record
Austin Cindric1 day ago

Martinsville Is Austin Cindric's Best Short Track
Kyle Busch1 day ago

Short-Track Performance At Richard Childress Racing Is Pretty Dire
Brad Keselowski1 day ago

If Brad Keselowski Has Any Speed Whatsoever, He's A Killer DFS Option
Noah Gragson1 day ago

Teammates Will Likely Outrun Him On Sunday
Michael McDowell1 day ago

Martinsville One Of Michael McDowell's Worst Tracks
Ricky Stenhouse Jr1 day ago

. Consistently Slow At Martinsville
Erik Jones1 day ago

Has Worst Qualifying Run At A Track That Already Wasn't His Best
John Hunter Nemechek1 day ago

Has Fastest Legacy Car, But That's Not Saying A Lot
Riley Herbst1 day ago

Unlikely To Gain Enough Positions To Justify DFS Play
Dereck Lively II2 days ago

Ruled Out Versus Chicago
Chicago Bears2 days ago

Doug Kramer Jr. Re-Signs With Chicago
Washington Commanders2 days ago

Foster Sarell Inks One-Year Contract With Washington
Miami Dolphins2 days ago

Willie Gay Jr. Heading To Miami
Seattle Seahawks2 days ago

D'Anthony Bell Signs With Seattle
Houston Texans2 days ago

Texans Sign E.J. Speed To One-Year Deal
Buffalo Bills2 days ago

Bills, Christian Benford Reach Agreement On Four-Year Extension
Detroit Lions2 days ago

Lions Re-Sign Kayode Awosika
Irvin Charles2 days ago

Jets Re-Sign Irvin Charles
Green Bay Packers2 days ago

Kristian Welch Signs With Green Bay
Pittsburgh Steelers2 days ago

Jeremiah Moon Heading To Pittsburgh
Teagan Quitoriano2 days ago

Falcons Sign Teagan Quitoriano
2 days ago

Tetairoa McMillan Scheduled To Visit With Panthers
Baltimore Ravens2 days ago

Ravens Reach Three-Year Contract Extension With John Harbaugh
Steve Erceg3 days ago

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Brandon Moreno3 days ago

A Favorite At UFC Mexico City
Manuel Torres3 days ago

Set For Co-Main Event
Drew Dober3 days ago

An Underdog At UFC Mexico City
Joe Pyfer3 days ago

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Kelvin Gastelum3 days ago

Set For Middleweight Matchup
Vince Morales3 days ago

In Dire Need Of Victory
Raul Rosas Jr.3 days ago

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Saimon Oliveira3 days ago

Looks For His First UFC Win
David Martinez3 days ago

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Kevin Borjas3 days ago

Set To Open Up UFC Mexico City Main Card
Ronaldo Rodríguez3 days ago

Ronaldo Rodriguez Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Jhonattan Vegas5 days ago

Not A Good Play At Houston Open
Gary Woodland5 days ago

A Dark-Horse Candidate At Houston Open
Nick Taylor5 days ago

Keep An Eye On Nick Taylor At Houston Open
Mackenzie Hughes5 days ago

Avoid Mackenzie Hughes At Houston Open
Nicolai Hojgaard5 days ago

Looking To Rebound At Houston Open
Scottie Scheffler5 days ago

Returns To Houston Looking For Year's First Victory
Rory McIlroy5 days ago

Making Additional Start At Houston Open To Prepare For Augusta
Doug Ghim5 days ago

Looking For Iron Form In Houston
Aaron Rai5 days ago

Keep An Eye On Aaron Rai At Houston Open
Si Woo Kim5 days ago

Looks To Build On Recent History At Memorial Park
Harry Hall5 days ago

Looking For Consistency At Texas Children’s Houston Open
Harris English5 days ago

Looking To Build Off Solid Finish At The PLAYERS
Sahith Theegala5 days ago

A Risky Option At Texas Children’s Houston Open
Alex Smalley5 days ago

A Strong Play At Texas Children’s Houston Open
Michael Kim5 days ago

Bounces Back At Valspar Championship
PGA5 days ago

Sungjae Im Looking For Bounce-Back Performance At Texas Children’s Houston Open
Austin Eckroat5 days ago

A Player To Avoid At Texas Children's Houston Open
PGA5 days ago

Nico Echavarria A Volatile Option At Texas Children's Houston Open
Joe Highsmith6 days ago

Continues Post-Win Success And Is Looking For More In Houston
Adam Hadwin6 days ago

Far From Good Form As He Heads To Texas
Ben Griffin6 days ago

Looking For Consistency At Houston Open
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF