Take a seat kiddos, grab a piece of looseleaf and a Ticonderoga #2. eDraft is in full swing with our fantasy football content, and we have all your bases covered. Yesterday, I gave you the week 1 start ‘em players, and today, I have for you the sit ‘em players. Buckle in, and take some notes.
Quarterbacks
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
Now, we know that Big Ben is not and never has really been a great quarterback, in terms to fantasy football. In week 1, he draws the Cleveland Browns, a team that he doesn’t necessarily fair very well against. Once again, this is in terms of fantasy. He hasn’t lost against the Browns since 2009, but he averages only 224 yards passing against them. The whole Joe Haden thing, might have a lot to do with that.
Roethlisberger is only starting for you in deep 2QB leagues, most likely. You may even be thinking about him on DFS sites, like FanDuel, where he’s only $7,800. Just scroll over his name and you’ll be good.
Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
Same thing here as Roethlisberger. Not a good fantasy quarterback, but a good real life one. Also, you probably only have him in deep 2QB leagues, or again on FanDuel where he’s only $6,900. Take this into thought before you put him in your lineup: He faces the Tennessee Titans Week 1. That’s terrific, right? Wrong.
The Titans were the fourth best defense against opposing fantasy quarterbacks in 2013. They only gave up 15 passing touchdowns, the same amount Seattle and Richard Sherman gave up. The loss of Alterraun Verner in free agency is a huge blow, but still. It’s only Alex Smith. Just pass on him this week.
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
You probably didn’t draft Newton to sit him Week 1, but based on who is on your bench, you should maul that idea over a bit. Cam is banged up. A lot. Still coming off that ankle injury and now apparently there is a rib problem. If his ankle and ribs are hurt, he has to be weary of running the ball as of right now. Which leaves him to get you points only one way: Through the air. Now, he is an incredible passer. But who in the hell is supposed to catch said passes? Jason Avant? Kelvin Benjamin? Let’s just see how Newton does this week before starting him, or paying $9,000 for him.
Running Backs
Darren McFadden/Maurice Jones-Drew, Oakland Raiders
A west coast team traveling to the east coast for a 1pm game on Sunday? That in itself doesn’t seem like a match in fantasy heaven. Throw in the fact that it’s the Oakland Raiders, and it’s a match made in fantasy hell. Jones-Drew’s average draft position, at 81, makes him a seventh round pick, which is probably on the bubble for your starting lineup. McFadden’s $6,200 price tag on DFS sites makes him a cheap play to give you extra salary for a big name.
The New York Jets gave up less rushing touchdowns than the San Francisco 49ers in 2013. They were overall the third best defense against the run in terms of fantasy last season. Both backs had uninspiring preseasons. McFadden had an eight carry, 27 yard performance against the Lions, and Jones-Drew had a six carries for 12 yards as well. If for some reason you were thinking about either or of these guys, just stop.
Ben Tate, Cleveland Browns
Most people who drafted Tate have him starting, seeing how his ADP has him as a low fifth, early sixth round pick. He is owned in 100 percent of ESPN leagues, and is starting in over 91 percent of them. Think about this. He faces the Pittsburgh Steelers Week 1, a team the Browns haven’t been in five years.\
They still have Dick LaBeau as their defensive coordinator, and the Browns still have Brian Hoyer as their starting quarterback. LaBeau is going to load the box, and dare Hoyer to throw the ball. Considering Hoyer averaged a measly 10 yards per completion last year, it’ll be a long day for Hoyer. A long day for Hoyer, means a longer day for Tate.
Bernard Pierce, Baltimore Ravens
Hey! Pierce is starting for the suspended Ray Rice! And look! He’s only $6,100 on Fanduel!\
Just stop yourself there. Don’t click the add button. The Bengals are stingy when it comes to rushing defense. Really stingy. They only gave up three rushing touchdowns the ENTIRE season. That was the lowest in the league, tied with Carolina. The Bengals also only gave up 3.75 yards per carry in 2013. Plus the fact that the Baltimore Ravens had the worst rushing season in the history of their franchise, Pierce makes for a risky play. Way too risky for me.
Wide Receivers
Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers
Same thing as Newton, you probably didn’t draft him to sit the bench the first week of the season. But with Allen this week, fantasy football fans discretion is advised. He faces the Arizona Cardinals to start the season. And, although the Charger tight ends may be in for a good day against their putrid linebackers, Allen isn’t. He’ll be matched up against a terrific Cardinal secondary. Patrick Peterson is no joke, and he could very well but chains and shackles on Allen on Sunday. The Cardinal secondary only allowed 54 percent of receivers targets to be actually caught in 2013.
Terrance Williams, Dallas Cowboys
After Williams 736 yard and five touchdown rookie year, the former third-round pick has been the sexy pick for top breakout player. Let’s just wait till the first week of the season to think about starting him though. He faces the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, a team that is fundamentally sound in all facets of the game. Williams is the fourth best option in Dallas’ offense, behind Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and DeMarco Murray.
Golden Tate, Detroit Lions
Not sure that I would totally avoid sitting him in this spot. If you have another solid option on your bench, that might be the better bet. The Giants defense against opposing wide receivers in 2013 was surprisingly good, ranking in the top-five. I’m not going to get silly and tell you not to start Calvin Johnson, because he’s a nightmare for anyone and everyone. But, someone like Tate whose game is the long ball, this isn’t an ideal matchup. The Giants only allowed 11 yards per reception, while Tate usually sits at 14 or 15 yards per reception. Something has to give.
Tight Ends
Charles Clay, Miami Dolphins
Clay had a terrific breakout season in 2013, totaling 759 yards and six touchdowns. He had good games pretty much every week, except two. Those two, were against the New England Patriots. On Sunday, he plays the Patriots again. Surprise, surprise, he’s on the “Sit ‘Em” list. In 2013, combined the two games against the Pats, Clay amassed a grand total of 43 yards on six catches. In the entire 2013 season, only four team’s tight ends had a touchdown against their defense. So, apparently the Pats defensive strategy is, “If Gronk can’t score for us, no ones tight end is going to score.” Not a bad mantra.
Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings
Now, before the fans in Minnesooooota get their snow plows in a bunch, I love their team this year, I really do. They’ve played great in the preseason. But, this is an awful spot for one of the best young tight ends in the game. The St. Louis Rams are insanely good against opposing tight ends. In 2013, those tight ends only amassed a tad over 600 yards and just four touchdowns.