Fantasy Football: 4 Players That Will Win You Your League Opener In Week One
Football is finally back this week, and so are fantasy drafts.
The 2022 Week 1 slate is absolutely packed. Division showdowns, players returning against their old teams, and potential playoff matchups. With that comes a lot of anticipation surrounding vets on new teams and prominent rookies filling immediate holes in their first year.
If you’ve got a fantasy draft coming up, or are unsure about who you should start week 1, fear not! Here are 4 of my must-starts to open up your fantasy season:
Jaylen Waddle (WR, Dolphins) vs Patriots
Regardless of Tyreek Hill being on the Dolphins roster, Waddle should pick up right where he left off from his rookie season.
Waddle was targeted a rookie-record 104 times last season, tallying 1,015 yards and 6 touchdowns. While his production may take a hit with a new WR1 in town, with new coach Mike McDaniel crafting the new-look offense around Tua Tagovailoa’s strengths his receptions should be more impactful and chain-moving.
Waddle owners in fantasy should especially look to start him in week 1 because not only will the Patriots secondary be extra careful with Hill, star DB J.C. Jackson found a new team back in March. This leaves plenty of room for Waddle to shine in the Dolphins’ home opener.
2. Javonte Williams (RB, Broncos) vs Seahawks
Similar to last season, it’s expected that Denver’s 1-2 punch of young workhorse Javonte Williams and seasoned veteran Melvin Gordon will have a 50/50 split in 2022. That leaves plenty of room for either to produce solid RB2 numbers, especially considering their respective ADPs.
Williams, however, is the one with RB1 upside. In his rookie season last year, He ranked fifth in forced missed tackles, and seventh in both yards after contact and 10+ yard rushes despite ranking 15th in carries. He’s a must watch in fantasy.
The Seahawks’ run defense ranked in the bottom half last season, giving up an average of 113.6 rushing yards per game. With more opportunity for high-leverage situations and a legitimate quarterback to catch passes from, it’s safe to say the young Bronco will kick his season off productively in Seattle.
Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR, Lions) vs Eagles
Similar to Jaylen Waddle, Amon-Ra St. Brown should pick up right where he left off from his rookie season. Unsimilar to Jaylen Waddle, Amon-Ra St. Brown is the clear-cut WR1 in Detroit.
After a slow start to the season last year, St. Brown’s production skyrocketed weeks 13 to 18, tallying 560 receiving yards and 6 total touchdowns in that 6-week span. An injury to T.J. Hockenson helped produce this success, paired with his ability to get open and catch the football.
With first-round pick Jameson Williams sidelined and D.J. Chark coming off a broken ankle last year, St. Brown should see a full plate against an Eagles defense that ranked 11th in passing yards allowed last season.
Elijah Mitchell (RB, 49ers) vs Bears
This should be a no-brainer, for a couple reasons.
Heading into Chicago to play arguably the worst team in football, Mitchell is ready to rock in week 1. Last season, the 49ers ran the ball 49% of the time in neutral game script situations. They should have no problem running the ball against a Bears defensive front that no longer has Akiem Hicks.
Although he only played in 3 games last season as a rookie, Mitchell carried the ball at least 17 times in each of them. Now without Raheem Mostert in the mix, Mitchell has emerged as the 49ers lead back.
I would expect Shanahan to lean on Mitchell and the run game pretty heavily, in order to make Trey Lance’s first game as the true starter as easy as possible. Expect the running back to do well for you in fantasy.
