Week 1 has finally arrived! I know, it seemed like it would never make it. With kick-off tonight, it’s time to shift gears from drafting & monitoring the latest camp gossip to setting our actual line-ups in preparation for battle. Here I’ll give you some guys you don’t want to leave out of your starting line up, and some you may want to wait a week to debut as a starter. My Week 1 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is geared to assist you with those roster decisions that are so pivotal to winning your weekly match-ups.

Start ‘Em: QBs

Ben Roethlisberger

Big Ben’s return is a huge uplift for the Steelers offense as a whole. Although Roethlisberger only played two games in 2018, he had arguably his best statistical season. The Steelers’ entire offense gets a boost from his return to the line-up and he has a very attractive match-up week 1 vs the New York Giants. New York did little to improve their secondary even though they gave up the fifth-most passing yards and the third-most fantasy points to QBs in 2019. Ben has a healthy supporting cast & even added another red-zone weapon in TE Eric Ebron. Make room for Big Ben in your line-ups this week!

Jimmy Garoppolo

Jimmy G threw for 751 yards and tossed 8 touchdowns in San Fran’s 2 games versus the Arizona Cardinals in 2019! Arizona surrendered the most fantasy points to QBs and TEs by a large margin last year. The lack of health at the WR position for the 49ers’ offense won’t be a concern this week as Garoppolo will be able to go to Kittle at will all afternoon.

Start ‘Em: RBs

David Johnson

DJ’s ADP steadily rose throughout the offseason, and rightfully so. Even Carlos Hyde rushed for over 1,000 yards and averaged 4.4 yards per carry in this offense. David should flourish in this situation and his week 1 match-up at the Super Bowl champion Kansans City Chiefs, is a fantasy owner’s dream come true. Expecting a shoot-out in what’s going to be a wet evening in Kansas City, David will be a huge part of the Texans’ attack.

Mark Ingram

Don’t sleep on Ravens’ RB Mark Ingram. I know they drafted J.K. Dobbins who will ultimately take over this backfield. The former Saint has historically performed admirably splitting carries, and there is plenty of work on the ground in Baltimore. Ingram gashed the Browns’ defense for 6.3 yards per carry in their two meetings last season and will get another crack at them to open the season. Ingram should be in your flex spot at worst!

Start ‘Em: WRs

Stefon Diggs

Diggs was brought in to give QB Josh Allen a legitimate number one WR. He will see plenty of targets in an offense that is sure to feature him and has an appetizing week one matchup against a division rival. In 2019, the Jets surrendered the eighth-most fantasy points to WRs, gave up a 100-yard receiving game in both of their meetings last season, and traded all-world Safety Jamaal Adams this off-season. I expect Diggs to make a splash with his new squad versus this lowly Jets defense. Get him in your line-ups!

Will Fuller

With reports of teammate Brandin Cooks being ‘eased into the offense’ and nursing a troublesome quad, Will Fuller will be the de facto WR1 for Houston as we kick off the 2020 season at Arrowhead Stadium. Fuller has shown the ability to take games over when he is healthy anyway. Well, he’s healthy! In a game jam-packed with fantasy fire-power and a passing game looking to him, Fuller could post a whopper on the stat sheet. You drafted him for THIS type of match-up, start him!

Start ‘Em: TEs

Hunter Henry

The Chargers’ TE is coming off of career highs in targets, receptions, and yards in just 12 games in 2019. I expect him to continue to develop with Tyrod Taylor under center. Henry is a do-it-all pass catcher and has a match-up against a Bengals’ defense that gave up nearly 800 yards and 6 touchdowns to opposing TEs last season. Henry will also collect plenty of red-zone targets with WR Mike Williams‘ status in question.

Noah Fant

Denver TE Noah Fant saw his usage increase when Drew Lock took over the starting QB job for the Broncos and did most of his damage in the meat of the transition. The Broncos are hosting the Tennessee Titans who were among the worst in the NFL against the TE position. With Denver starting rookie WR Jerry Jeudy and Utah product Tim Patrick, Fant will be a focal point week 1 with the Titans coming to town.

Sit ‘Em: QBs

Daniel Jones

Giants’ QB Daniel Jones kicks off his 2nd season with one of the worst possible fantasy match-ups for a QB. The Pittsburgh Steelers were daunting down the stretch in 2019, tallying the 2nd most interceptions (19) and lead the NFL in sacks with 54. The Giants will have to lean on Saquon to have success in this one. If Big Ben rolls, Daniel has the potential to throw multiple picks pushing the ball down-field. Shy away from Jones this week, there isn’t much upside for him here.

Kirk Cousins

Kirk had by far his worst performances of 2019 against his division rival Green Bay Packers. Cousins completed less than 50 percent of his passes vs Greenbay and racked up a whopping 352 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions in their 2 meetings. Not impressive! The departure of WR Stefon Diggs will sting less as the season progresses but for week one, don’t look to Cousins as your starting QB.

Sit ‘Em: RBs

Le’Veon Bell

Jet’s RB Le’Veon left a lot to be desired for fantasy owners in his first year with the Jets. Although I do expect him to look more like the Le’Veon Bell we all know and love in 2020, I don’t see his week one being the week his comeback tour takes liftoff. The Buffalo Bills held Bell to under four yards per touch and only allowed him to sniff the end-zone once. With the additions to that defense, Bell will likely have a long day during week 1.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers RBs

This is a situation to avoid until we see how the touches shake out between RBs Ronald Jones and newly acquired Leonard Fournette. Tampa is coming out with a rough fantasy match-up against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints gave up the second-fewest rushing yards and only 11 total touchdowns to running backs all season. The Buccaneers coaching staff will have their work cut out for them, and we’ll have to see how the RB touches shake out in that crowded Tampa Bay backfield.

Sit ‘Em: WRs

DeVante Parker

2019 breakout WR DeVante Parker had two completely opposite performances against the New England Patriots last season. A 7 target, 0 reception outing in a week one thrashing, and an 8 reception 137-yard performance in a week 17 win. The Patriots allowed only four receiving touchdowns to receivers last season and still have the league’s best CB in Stephon Gilmore. New England only allowed three 100 yard receiving performances last season, two of which were weeks 16 & 17. Parker has an extremely low floor in his week one match-up vs. the Patriots.

Odell Beckham Jr.

Beckham was kept in check by the Ravens’ defense in both meetings in 2019. Odell totaled 6 receptions for 64 yards and 1 garbage time touchdown versus a Baltimore unit that looks to be improved, believe it or not. With the addition of TE Austin Hooper, I won’t feel comfortable with Odell until I see this new-look offense. Although Beckham is said to be healthy, I am looking elsewhere this week and you should as well.

Sit ‘Em: TEs

Evan Engram

Engram played only eight games last season, posting two games of 100+ receiving yards. However, his week one opponent isn’t particularly susceptible to attack from the TE position. The Giants’ TE will have trouble getting open with S Minkah Fitzpatrick lurking all over the field for the Steelers. Also, Daniel Jones will have his top 3 WRs healthy and available. Temper expectations with Pittsburgh visiting as they are among the best defenses in the league, particularly against the TE position.

Austin Hooper

Cleveland gave Austin Hooper big money this offseason, but the Ravens won’t allow him to win over the fanbase yet. Tight Ends only scored three touchdowns against Baltimore last season, tied for second-fewest in the league. Hooper is new to Cleveland and new to the system as well. Temper your expectations if you don’t have another option rostered to open the season.

If you enjoyed this article, make sure to check out more great reads at Belly Up Fantasy Sports!