Fantasy Football Sunday Morning Start 'Em or Sit 'Em Decisions: Week 1

Just hours before the start of Week 1 I know many people have questions running through their heads.  Who should I start?  Who should I sit?  Let’s take a look at how some of the recent news changes things:

Knowshon Moreno – Denver Broncos – Running Back

One would’ve thought that he was going to be a solid play against the Raiders.  Then comes this news from Jeff Legwold of the Denver Post (click here for the entire article), who quotes offensive coordinator Mike McCoy:

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“We’re going to roll them,” McCoy said. “They’re going to play, and if one of them is tired, the other one is going in. Then we’ll just keep them going. Both of them are going to play plenty of snaps, but we’re not going to worry about counting snaps with them. If someone is in there playing and they’re on a roll, then they’re going to stay in. When they need to come out, then they’re going to come out.”

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In other words, Moreno may not actually be the lead back for the Broncos…Really?  It’s hard to believe that the team could actually let McGahee attempt to carry the load, having failed to rush for more than 671 yards in each of the past three seasons in Baltimore.  This just feels like all talk, though I guess we won’t know for sure until the game is played. 

At this point I wouldn’t change your opinion of Moreno, especially in PPR formats.  Unless you have a significantly good option sitting on the bench, continue to consider him a viable RB2 in all formats.
Verdict – Start ‘Em

Miles Austin – Dallas Cowboys – Wide Receiver

I mentioned him in yesterday’s Injury Report (click here to view), but it bears repeating this morning.  Not only does Austin walk into a head-to-head matchup with Darrelle Revis, the man who has single-handedly silenced many a top wide receiver, but he does so while battling a hamstring injury. 

While I wouldn’t consider him completely unusable, he’s just too high risk at this point to consider as anything more than a WR3.  As anything more than that, there’s just too much downside to really consider him.  Dez Bryant and Jason Witten feel like a much better option.
Verdict – Start ‘Em as a WR3 and nothing more

Arian Foster – Houston Texans – Running Back

Another situation that we discussed in yesterday’s Injury Report, we may not know if Foster is going to play until just before the start of the game today.  Lucky for fantasy owners, the Texans do play at 1 p.m. today so you’ll be able to ride things right until the roster deadline.  Having not practiced, however, even if he plays how much do you trust him? 

That said, if he’s playing and getting carries would you actually sit him down?  Of course, all the talk has been that Foster is not going to play, so I’d plan on being without him, but keep checking the news, just in case.  The Texans will likely take things cautiously with him, as they likely won’t want to risk him having a setback.
Verdict – Monitor the news, but don’t expect to have him

Chaz Schillens – Oakland Raiders – Wide Receiver

Interesting news from Steve Corkran of the Contra Costa Times (click here for the post):

“For what it’s worth, Jacoby Ford and Darrius Heyward-Bey were the wide receivers with the first-team offense during the media access window Friday night.”

I don’t think any of us actually think Heyward-Bey is going to develop into a viable fantasy option, do we?  The bigger news is that Chaz Schillens, who was considered a sleeper by some, will open the year as the third receiver (with Louis Murphy out).  Until Schillens proves that he can stay healthy and be productive, he is too big of a risk for fantasy owners.
Verdict – Sit ‘Em

Kevin Boss – Oakland Raiders – Tight End

According to Gregg Rosenthal of NBC Sports (click here for the article):

“Tight end Kevin Boss, safety Mike Mitchell, and wideout Louis Murphy were all ruled out by the Raiders for Monday night’s game. No one else was listed worse than probable.”

This shouldn’t be surprising news for fantasy owners at this point.  Boss was more of a TE2 for Week 1, but if you were using him go looking for a replacement immediately.
Verdict – Find a Replacement ASAP

Braylon Edwards – San Francisco 49ers – Wide Receiver

After it originally was thought Michael Crabtree would miss the opening week of the season, now comes word that he is going to be available for Week 1.  Should that change our opinion of Braylon Edwards?  I wouldn’t think so, after Crabtree missed all of training camp, helping his role this week to be a complete unknown.

Edwards is not a high level option by any stretch, but he did post 53 receptions for 904 yards and seven TD last season while operating as the second wide receiver for much of the season.  Depending on your other options, you could do much worse as a WR3 (especially taking on the Seahawks).
Verdict – Worth a WR3 (depending on options)

Reggie Bush – Miami Dolphins – Running Back

There’s no real news on Bush, but his backup has been making headlines.  Daniel Thomas is listed as questionable due to a hamstring injury, though having practiced the past few days he is expected to play.

Prior to the preseason one would think that Thomas being active would severely cut into Bush’s value.  However, we have all learned that it just isn’t the case.  If Thomas plays or doesn’t play, look for Bush to be utilized as the featured back against the Patriots (and knowing that matters, since they don’t play until Monday).  In PPR formats he’s a real no-brainer.  In other formats he should still be considered a viable RB2, depending on your other options. 
Verdict – Good play in PPR formats and viable in all formats

Make sure to check out all of Rotoprofessor’s Week 1 Rankings:

• Top 25 Quarterbacks
• Top 40 Running Backs
• Top 40 Wide Receivers
• Top 20 Tight Ends
• Top 15 Kickers