Fantasy Players to Watch Week 1

Week 1 of the NFL season always brings new names and roles to the forefront that leaves fantasy players scrambling. We’ve seen players like the Raven’s Justin Forsett blow up last year and end up having a great season that helped many go on to fantasy championships. On the flip side, two years ago Cowboys WR Kevin Ogletree had a huge Week 1 then did nothing for the rest of the year. It is important to already have a list of players who went undrafted in your league that you need to keep an eye on to see if their Week 1 performance warrants a pickup.

Quarterback:

Your fantasy team is likely fine at QB, but new QBs emerge that can be fantasy relevant in match-up situations or offenses that suit their talents.

Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins

With the injury/benching of Robert Griffin, Kirk Cousins becomes a player to keep an eye on Week 1. The Redskins offense does have talent at the skill positions with RB Alfred Morris, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Pierre Garcon, and TE Jordan Reed. Though Cousins doesn’t inspire awe when his name is heard, he is a solid fit for Jay Gruden’s offense and the defense could give up a lot of points (forcing passes from Cousins to come back). If Cousins can sustain the atrocious offensive line, he could put up fantasy numbers and be worth an add against good match-ups.

Running Back:

The RB position is generally picked over by the time the regular season starts, but any RB with an opportunity can have fantasy value. Keeping an eye on players down the depth chart who have injury prone players in front of them is key.

Zach Zenner, Detroit Lions

Zenner is an undrafted rookie our of South Dakota State, but he has set the preseason on fire, leading the league in rushing. He has become somewhat of a fantasy darling, so a team in your league may already have scooped him up. If not, keep an eye on Zenner’s talents and situation. Joique Bell has already been dealing with injuries and Ameer Abdullah likely won’t carry a full load. If Bell goes down, Zenner will compete with Theo Riddick for carries and he will have the opportunity to lock into a fantasy rich situation.

Khiry Robinson, New Orleans Saints

Robinson seems like the forgotten man for the Saints, but keep an eye on him early in the season. With CJ Spiller’s knee scope sidelining him, the Saints will need another back behind Mark Ingram to pick up some slack. Khiry Robinson has had success for a usually high scoring Saints offense in the past. With the appropriate amount of carries, he should do it again.

Benny Cunningham, St. Louis Rams

Todd Gurley is hurt. Tre Mason is hurt. The Rams are built for running the ball. Keep an eye on the Rams week 1 as they will surely still run the ball. 3^rd down back Benny Cunningham should see plenty of carries since he has experience. If Cunningham emerges as a viable option, he could steal carries from Tre Mason and ultimately become the #2 back for the Rams.

Wide Receiver:

As passing continues to increase, WRs can emerge week to week but not be consistent fantasy producers. Finding players that emerge but will not fade away can create depth for your team and give the boost needed.

Brandon Coleman, New Orleans

Coleman is starting to be drafted in leagues now, but if he is on your waiver wire, he is worth taking a look at. Coleman has emerged as the Saints 3^rd WR and with the injury history of Marques Colston and Brandin Cooks, Coleman could have a ton of value this season. Coleman went undrafted but was a very talented college WR who has NFL abilities. He could be a fantasy gamechanger.

Cole Beasley, Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys may be passing more with DeMarco Murray gone and finding a WR to emerge next to Dez Bryant has to be high on the priority list. Terrance Williams has been disappointing, but veteran Cole Beasley has flashed some talent. He could be a solid possession WR and be a good PPR bench player. Watch him the first week to see if he is showing production.

Tight End:

Tight End is fairly deep this year but there are very few players who are guaranteed production. Every year new TEs emerge out of seemingly nowhere to be starting caliber (like Travis Kelce last year and Julius Thomas the year before that). Be sure to watch for TEs in good situations who could emerge.

Virgil Green, Denver Broncos

While many are buying into Owen Daniels for the Broncos, Virgil Green has a similar profile to Julius Thomas and could fit as Gary Kubiak’s move TE very well. Green has an injury history, but his athleticism is off the charts. Peyton Manning has seemingly made every TE he has played with fantasy relevant, so Green could be the next to emerge.