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Fantasy Football 2018: Start or sit for Week 1

By Donnie Druin

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 31: Kenyan Drake #32 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball against the Minnesota Vikings in the preseason game on August 31, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Dolphins defeated the Vikings 30-9. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 31: Kenyan Drake #32 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball against the Minnesota Vikings in the preseason game on August 31, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Dolphins defeated the Vikings 30-9. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 1: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions on October 1, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 1: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions on October 1, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

Running Backs

Start

Dalvin Cook vs. San Francisco 49ers– Cook is coming off an ACL tear just four games into his rookie campaign. From the little we’ve seen, Cook has serious potential to be RB1 material moving forward in his career. 4.8 yards per carry with two out of four games hitting 20+ points and over as a fantasy back leads to good signs from the second year back, as he lines up against a 49ers defense that gave up 116.3 yards per game on the ground last year, along with 13 touchdowns. Dalvin should be able to cook up his first solid fantasy outing of the season.

Alex Collins vs. Buffalo Bills– Collins has the opportunity in Baltimore to be a workhorse back, after averaging 4.6 yards per carry in a Ravens offense that loves to run the ball. Buffalo’s defense ranks dead last in ESPN’s defensive rankings, giving up 124.6 yards per game along with a whopping 22 touchdowns last season. Should Collins get the workload we expect, anticipate a plethora of fantasy points coming your way.

Sit

Devonta Freeman vs. Philadelphia Eagles– If last year’s playoff game is any indication of what to expect from Freeman, owners of the Falcons running back shouldn’t be optimistic. A mere seven yards on 10 attempts isn’t anything to boast about, as Freeman was only able to tally five catches for 26 yards through the air. Needing a touchdown to save him from a sub-double digit day, and having the league’s best vulture in Tevin Coleman behind him, don’t expect Freeman to rack up numbers on the score sheet.

Kenyan Drake vs. Tennessee Titans– Drake has been chosen by some in the fantasy football community to have a break-out season. Yet with Frank Gore listed as a “co-starter” and likely to see touches around the goal line, Drake is banking on a heavy workload he has yet to see and success against a Titans team that allowed a mere 3.4 yards per rush last season. Drake may be on his way up, but playing in a questionable Dolphins offense isn’t reassuring enough to plug him in your Week 1 lineup.

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