Sony Michel Not Expected To Play

New England Patriots rookie running back Sony Michel (knee), who is questionable for Week 1 against the Texans, is not expected to play, according to a source. Michel was always bordering on not playing in the season opener, so although it's not official yet, you shouldn't plan on using him in your flex spot on […]

Week 1 Matchups Analysis - Fantasy Football Advice

It's here, it's finally here! The 2018 NFL season is upon us and that means so is fantasy football. We all know how important start/sit decisions are in fantasy, and I'm here to help. Unlike other articles that cover just a few players at each position, I am analyzing every player, for every game either […]

Week 1 Rankings Analysis - Nick Mariano vs. ECR

Welcome, one and all, to the weekly piece that puts my rankings under the microscope and gives me a chance to explain myself against the Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) found on FantasyPros. If this is your first time reading me, then hi! Why should you care about me? Well, my finish as the ninth-most accurate […]

Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds

Welcome to this first installment of the Waiver Wire weekly series for the 2018 fantasy football season. I know you're still giddy about your draft and perhaps you're still riding that high, but the waiver wire is now your draft room. We provide information on players that are owned in roughly 30% of Yahoo leagues […]

Week 1 Busts - Overvalued Players to Avoid In Fantasy Football

Football is finally, finally back. Since the NFL is the professional sports league with the longest off-season, the wait for the new season to come around feels like a lifetime. Sure, there are other sports to fill the void, but some of us just can't get into baseball, which is a completely valid thing to […]

Fantasy Football Pop Quiz - Week 1 Lineup Questions

It's officially in the air. For the beginners, you've logged your first draft, you've probably looked at your lineup a few dozen times, and you're just waiting to see what happens next. For the veterans, it's just the beginning. There are enough good or great drafts in everyone's books, but the truth is well known; […]

Under-the-Radar Booms/Busts - Week 1

Cue that Hank Williams Jr. music, because fantasy owners are ready for some football! The fantasy football season is ready to kick off, and there is no time like the present to figure out the under-the-radar booms and busts for the first week of the NFL season. Whether you are in a traditional year-long league […]

Inside the Tent - Week 1 NFL Injury Insight

Making weekly lineup decisions is one of the most excruciating aspects of fantasy football. As if it weren't enough to consider positional matchups, weather, offensive trends and such, the one thing that leaves fantasy owners in the biggest bind is injuries. Health issues can make or break a player's value in a given week and […]

FanDuel Lineup Picks (Week 1) - NFL DFS Advice

RotoBallers, welcome to Week 1 of the daily fantasy football season. In this column, you will find my recommended FanDuel DFS Lineup Picks to target for Week 1 of the NFL season. The goal is to identify players to start on FanDuel this week based on various factors including the opponent, the player's opportunity, analysis of the game's […]

DraftKings NFL DFS Lineup Picks for Week 1

Welcome to Week 1 of the 2018 NFL season. Congratulations, we finally made it through the long and tedious offseason. There are tons of contests on both major DFS sites to open the season. Below are my DraftKings DFS Lineup Picks for Week 1. These DraftKings lineup recommendations are based on matchups, 2017 performances, overall upside/talent levels, […]

Monday Night Football Matchups and Starts/Sits (Week 1)

If I had even the slightest of onomatopoeia skills what you'd see here would be a textual rendition of the Monday Night Football theme song. I don't, though, so let's progress with the analysis instead. Since 2006, the NFL has graced us with a Monday Night Football doubleheader in Week 1 - a tradition which […]

Cardinals Sign David Johnson To Extension

The Arizona Cardinals signed running back David Johnson to a three-year, $39 million deal on Saturday, according to a source. The contract includes $30 million in guarantees and is worth up to $45 million. The two sides weren't believed to be close to an extension before Week 1, but they got it done somehow. Despite […]

Adrian Peterson Poised To Move Up On Rushing List

Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson is looking to have a big day versus the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1. What Peterson really wants to do is get off to a great start so he can vault into the top 10 on the NFL's all-time rushing list. He needs just 37 yards to surpass past […]

Todd Gurley Embracing Fantasy Football Side Of Life

Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley has been the consensus top pick on nearly every fantasy site. His dual-threat ability was put on full display last season, and he should be even better with another year in head coach Sean McVay's offense. Against the Oakland Raiders, he has an extremely high ceiling and he […]

Royce Freeman a Top-20 Option in Week 1

After finishing 2017 with more rushing attempts than all but seven teams, Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph suggested the Broncos will remain committed to the ground attack heading into their Week 1 matchup against Seattle. "We have to stay with it," Joseph said. "Obviously, this [Seahawks] defense, it’s a really, really stout front. They […]

Jonathan Williams Promoted To Active Roster

New Orleans Saints running back Jonathan Williams is being promoted from the practice squad to the active roster for Week 1 against the Buccaneers, according to a source. Williams could split time with Mike Gillislee as the backup to Alvin Kamara. Williams won't see enough touches to be a worthy addition to fantasy lineups in […]

NFL Survivor Pool Picks (Week 1): Targets and Avoids

Get those Sunday excuses for your significant other ready because football is back baby! No need to stress about what your Sunday plans entail as football is the only thing to do from 1:00 PM to days end. I've been writing this column for years and I'm very excited to tackle another season of helping […]

Le'Veon Bell Not On Team Bus To Cleveland Saturday

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell is not on the team buses to Cleveland on Saturday afternoon, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. There had been some hope within the organization that Bell would report on Saturday, the day before his team opens the season against the Cleveland Browns. This all but assures that Bell […]

David Johnson Could Receive Extension Midseason

The door is open for Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson to receive a contract extension during the season. As of now, the two sides are not expected to come to an agreement before Week 1 against the Redskins this Sunday, according to a source. The 26-year-old played in just one game in 2017 due […]

Stop The Slander and Trust Your Team!

There are only two feelings you have once you finish your fantasy football draft; love or hate. Don't let the post-draft grades produced from algorithms sway you. Mute the outside noise and Stop The Slander. Trust your team. No matter how much preparation you did leading up to your fantasy draft, what "expert" advice you […]

Deep Dynasty Pickups to Stash - Week 1

The wait is officially over. Week 1 of the 2018 NFL season is here and has already kicked off with the Eagles and Falcons on Thursday night. That being said, this may be the last time you'll be able to grab some waiver wire pickups to stash at the end of your bench before the […]

Frank Gore Sits Out Thursday's Practice, Active For Sunday

Miami Dolphins running back Frank Gore sat out of practice on Thursday, likely for rest. At 35 years old, it makes sense for the Dolphins to keep Gore's workload down to ensure he can play the entire season. Gore remains a low-end fantasy option and should only be used for his potential goal-line scores. There is […]

Hot Take NFL Podcast - Start/Sit Advice with Guest Joe Pollack

RotoBaller writer Blake Sullivan and Fantrax HQ writer Steven Toroni are joined by Joe Pollack to share their thoughts on week one NFL matchups and provide you with the best start/sit advice for who you should have in or out this week. This radio show is sponsored by our good friends over at FanPicks. Be sure […]

Stop That Hype Train! Alex Collins

The 2017 season for Alex Collins was a roller coaster. It started off with the Seahawks releasing him in training camp and finished with him being the next big thing in Baltimore. Wait, the Seahawks released a good running back? No wonder they can’t run the ball. Anyway, after the injury to Danny Woodhead which […]

The Method to the Matchups Madness - An In-Depth Look

Last year was my first year writing the matchups column for RotoBaller, and let me tell you it was a bear. Covering 12-14 games every week, and having to write about every single relevant player from each team is a time-consuming task no one should have to embark on. So when I signed up to […]

Rashaad Penny Ready For Week 1

Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny (finger) is "ready to go" for Week 1 against the Broncos, according to head coach Pete Carroll. The Seahawks plan to use all their backs in the season opener, but they will not force feed Penny in his NFL debut, especially after he missed valuable repetitions in training camp […]

LeGarrette Blount Is Lions No. 1 Running Back

Detroit Lions running back LeGarrette Blount will start the season listed as the No. 1 running back on the depth chart. It appears, at least to start the season, the Lions will attempt to establish a running attack with Blount to begin games. One of the more intriguing backfields entering Week 1 in a run-friendly […]

Kerryon Johnson Has Plus Matchup In Regular Season Debut

Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson faces a Jets front that ranked 24th against the run last year and did not do much to bolster it personnel-wise in the offseason. In every metric imaginable, the Jets defense ranked in the bottom third in fantasy points allowed to the running back position in 2017. It's impossible […]

Sony Michel Listed As Questionable

New England Patriots rookie running back Sony Michel (knee) is listed as questionable for Week 1 against the Texans. Our best guess is that the Pats play it safe and keep Michel out and lean on Rex Burkhead, James White and Jeremy Hill in the season opener. Even if Michel were to be active, he's […]

Marshawn Lynch Limited Again Friday

Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (groin) was limited for the second straight day in practice on Friday. Lynch might wind up being questionable on the final injury report on Saturday, but we'd expect Beast Mode to be able to suit up on Monday night against the Rams. Lynch is a low-end RB2/high-end RB3 choice […]