You've waited all offseason for Week 1, and now that it's finally here, you don't want to ruin your day by botching your first start 'em, sit 'em decision of the year. Fortunately, the experts at RotoBaller are here to help by giving Sporting News Fantasy readers free access to their exclusive “Who to Start?” advice tool to help with your Week 1 fantasy lineup decisions.
How does the “Who to Start?” tool work? Simple: Choose up to four players to compare below, pick your league settings in the upper right corner (PPR, half-PPR, standard), and push “Who to Start?” It’s that easy. From there, you’ll get a lineup recommendation based on RotoBaller’s award-winning rankings and projections.
MORE: Click here to become a RotoBaller VIP subscriber and receive exclusive access to their Premium VIP lineup tools, DFS cheat sheets, Lineup Optimizer, and Team Sync platform to give you custom tools and advice! Use discount code SPORTING.
Few weeks are worse than Week 1 when it comes to lineup decisions. We think we know who's going to get the most carries, see the most targets, or be the worst defense, but there are inevitably some major surprises. When in doubt, play it "safe" with the players who are the most proven and in the best positions to get opportunities.
As always, RotoBaller factored in usage, matchups, and talent into its Week 1 rankings, and it’s reflected in its “Who to Start?” tool. Check out an example from each offensive position.
Advice below is based on full-point PPR leagues
Start or Sit?: Week 1 fantasy QB lineup advice from RotoBaller
Deshaun Watson (vs. CIN) vs. Tua Tagovailoa (@ LAC) vs. Daniel Jones (vs. DAL) vs. Geno Smith (vs. LAR)
All of these passers have QB1 upside this week, but RotoBaller thinks Tagovailoa is the best bet. Watson is a few spots behind him, followed by Jones and Smith. Jones has the toughest matchup based on last year's stats, while Watson is still yet to have a big performance while with the Browns. Ultimately, Tagovailoa's dynamic duo of Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill give him a boost, as they can easily turn a pedestrian performance into a big day with just two long catch-and-runs.
MORE: Click here to become a RotoBaller subscriber and receive exclusive access to their lineup tools, rankings, and analysis. Use discount code SPORTING.
Start or Sit?: Week 1 fantasy RB lineup advice from RotoBaller
D'Andre Swift (@ NE) vs. Breece Hall (vs. BUF) vs. Brian Robinson Jr. (vs. ARI) vs. Javonte Williams (vs. LV)
All of these RBs are talented, but all are locked in somewhat-unpredictable committees, at least in Week 1. Hall and Williams are also less than a year removed from torn ACLs, further complicating their outlooks. Perhaps because of that, Swift is RotoBaller's top-ranked back in this group, narrowly edging out Robinson Jr. Hall is a couple of spots behind, followed by Williams. Robinson Jr. likely has the best matchup and makes for a "safer" play in standard leagues, but RotoBaller clearly expects the more explosive Swift to rack up some catches and eclipse him in PPR formats.
WEEK 1 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Start or Sit?: Week 1 fantasy WR lineup advice from RotoBaller
Michael Thomas (vs. TEN) vs. JuJu Smith-Schuster (vs. PHI) vs. Marquise Brown (@ WAS) vs. Brandin Cooks (@ NYG)
None of these veteran receivers are particularly exciting, but there's a decent chance you're considering one as your WR3 or flex in 12-team leagues. RotoBaller likes Cooks by a nose over Brown, but Smith-Schuster and Thomas aren't too far behind either. Cooks has the best QB and is playing in the best offense, which is probably why he gets the nod from RotoBaller. Brown is simply too risky with Josh Dobbs under center, and Smith-Schuster has the toughest matchup. Thomas has a great matchup on paper based on last year's stats, but he's always a candidate to exit early due to an injury.
WEEK 1 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Start or Sit?: Week 1 fantasy TE lineup advice from RotoBaller
Tyler Higbee (@ SEA) vs. Pat Freiermuth (vs. SF) vs. Dalton Kincaid (@ NYJ) vs. Chig Okonkwo (@ NO)
Kincaid is a trendy name in fantasy circles, but RotoBaller ranks him last among this group, likely because rookie TEs are so unpredictable. Higbee and Freiermuth are one spot apart, with Freiermuth getting the nod. There's a strong case to be made for Higbee now that Cooper Kupp (hamstring) is officially out, but Freiermuth is still a fairly safe bet for targets and could easily find his way into the end zone.
MORE: Click here to become a RotoBaller VIP subscriber and receive exclusive access to their Premium VIP lineup tools, DFS cheat sheets, Lineup Optimizer, and Team Sync platform to give you custom tools and advice! Use discount code SPORTING.
Try out any combination of players – including players at different positions for your flex spot – with the RotoBaller "Who to Draft?" tool above. It’s like having your own fantasy football expert on call just to help with your specific Week 1 lineup questions.