Start Em Sit Em Week 1: Breaking Down Pivotal WR Decisions

It can be a struggle deciphering a starting fantasy lineup in the first week of the season. It is the great unknown. 

Hopefully, this will take some of the guesswork out of a few hard choices at wide receiver. Let's start with those that should start. 

Start 'Em

Titus Young, Detroit Lions

Opponent: St. Louis Rams 

Titus Young is coming off a rookie season where he put up 48 catches for 607 receiving yards and six touchdowns with the pass-happy Lions. He displayed his emergence by recording four of his six touchdowns in the final five games. 

He is ready to build on that strong finish with an increased role. Young struggled a bit with his health at the start of preseason, and posted some paltry preseason results when he did play. 

However, he is healthy and will be a big factor once the season starts. The Rams are going to have to devote extra to Calvin Johnson in this game, and that will leave their suspect defense vulnerable to the kind of big plays Young can produce.

Week 1 Projection: 4 catches, 75 yards, 1 touchdown

Malcom Floyd, San Diego Chargers

Opponent: Oakland Raiders 

With Vincent Jackson now a member of the Buccaneers, Vincent Brown on the shelf with a broken ankle and Robert Meachem getting off to a slow start with his new team, Malcom Floyd is in a position to become Philip Rivers' favorite target not named Antonio Gates.

The Raiders corners leave a lot to be desired, and with Gates roaming on the field, they won't get a lot of safety help. 

Under their new regime, Oakland's defense has looked improved in the preseason compared to the one that ended last season by getting obliterated by these same Chargers. However, they are still poorly equipped to shut down the outside passing game.

Week 1 Projection: 5 catches, 68 yards, 1 touchdown

Sit 'Em

Sidney Rice, Seattle Seahawks

Opponent: Cardinals 

Sidney Rice should rebound from a disappointing 2011, but it will not be instantaneous. Rookie Russell Wilson has been named Seattle's starting QB, and there are sure to be some growing pains. 

This fact is not likely to be lost on the Seahawks. Seattle is a defensive-minded team with a strong running game.

They aren't going to put a lot on Wilson's plate right off the bat, and Rice will have few opportunities to produce—especially considering he is likely going to spend a good portion of the day with Patrick Peterson lined up against him. 

Week 1 Projection: 3 catches, 25 yards, 0 touchdowns