Fantasy Football 2018: Best flex players not to miss in Week 1

Picking your Flex player is probably the most important decision a Fantasy Football 2018 owner will make, especially for week 1. There is tons of value to be had, but we found the best 2 running backs and 2 wide receivers that are can’t miss.

Normally, in Week 1, picking fantasy football starters just comes down to preference. Byes are not a factor. Ideally, injuries aren’t either. That means, a starting lineup comes down to who an owner drafted and which matchups they like for those fringes players. Thus, the flex position becomes the most volatile and, arguably, the most important. Everyone has a few good players at running back and wide receiver. Not everyone has a flex player they love.

The weekly rankings for flex are all over the place because of this variation in opinion. Expert rankings shift Jamaal Williams anywhere from 13th overall (among all backs, receivers, and tight ends) to 84th overall. Dion Lewis is ranked between 21st and 104th this week. A stud like Davante Adams ranges from 11th to 31st depending on how you feel about that Chicago defense with Khalil Mack. Even our boy Travis Kelce (who Dan loves) varies from 10th overall to the 89th flex player.

We all want Fantasy Football 2018 to start out great, meaning we need the best flex players. So let’s grab some flex guys who we like a lot more than the expert consensus. As you can see by that random variation, no limb is too thin to go out on. (But seriously, who named 88 players they’d start over Kelce this week?)

Two brothers from New York, Dan Salem and Todd Salem, debate the Fantasy Football 2018 in today’s NFL Sports Debate.

Todd Salem’s Top Flex Plays:

I love the flex spot, but it offers room for error. Ideally, this practice will highlight players actually bound for the flex spot in lineups. No one is starting Adams or Kelce in their flex spot. I like Mike Evans a lot more than his ranking this week too, but he isn’t bound for flex regardless.

Giovani Bernard, RB

Playing at Indianapolis is no barrier to high fantasy production. Bernard’s usefulness comes down to opportunity. And it sure seems like Joe Mixon isn’t a three-down back at this point in his career. Mixon flew up draft boards because of a lack of competition on the Cincinnati depth chart, but his efficiency as a rookie was pretty terrible.

He continued to struggle this preseason, and now it’s hard to ignore Bernard. He slipped under the radar last year but put up his fifth straight season with at least 50 targets out of the backfield. Bernard was looking at fewer than 10 touches per game heading into the year, but that should be higher this week as he pushes Mixon out of snaps.

James White, RB

I feel the same way about White as I do Bernard. It felt like he was bound for mostly a bench role, but as Week 1 creeps closer, his potential role continues to expand. For White, the case is murkier than Bernard, but there are more factors playing into his hand.

With Rex Burkhead and Sony Michel just getting back to taking part in drills, White is the only New England rotation back at full health. He is the most familiar with the offense and the best suited in the passing game as well. Houston could get New England into a shootout, which means White will be on the field all afternoon.

Dan Salem’s Top Flex Plays:

There’s no sweeter feeling than having your flex player reach the endzone multiple times. You nailed two potential running back studs for Fantasy Football 2018 Week 1. I’ve got two wide receivers who should not be overlooked.

Demaryius Thomas, WR

The Denver Broncos have a seriously underrated offense and Demaryius Thomas is getting completely overlooked because of it. Forget last season, because Case Keenum is now throwing the football in Denver. I’m no longer scared of any player matching up with the Seahawks defense, especially when Seattle is on the road.

Thomas put up nearly 1000 yards last season…without a competent quarterback. Now Denver has Keenum and a running game. Watch Thomas work the field all day against Seattle. He’s ranked much lower than his value this week.

Kenny Stills, WR

Stills is another wide receiver getting overlooked because his team, the Miami Dolphins, had a very bad season last year. They too lacked a competent quarterback, but Ryan Tannehill is back under center for Miami. Plus, the Dolphins let their former number one receiver go, meaning Stills is in line for increased targets and an uptick in his production. For Week 1, the Dolphins are playing at home against a questionable Titans defense. Home teams have the advantage and Stills reaps the benefits this week.