
Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 1 Big Board
Week 1 is the easiest time to make lineup decisions because, barring an injury, you’ll know exactly who’s starting based on where you drafted them. Enjoy this while it lasts, because it only gets harder, but do you really want fantasy football to be easy?
When it comes to ranking these players, things get a little tougher. I hate using data from last season because there are so many changes to personnel, coaches and schemes, and I refuse to believe that history is that easy to repeat. Using preseason performances doesn’t help much, either, so a lot of it comes down to weighing talent against matchups.
Luckily, we’re no longer talking about the preseason or where to draft players, because now it actually counts. It’s time to dive into Week 1.
Note: These rankings will be updated throughout the week leading into the Sunday games.
Top 100: It's Good to Be the Packers
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This will be an every-week occurrence, but you should know that quarterbacks consistently score the most points, so most of them will be at the top of the heap when it comes to the overall rankings.
Many of you will use these to determine how to fill flex spots between the running backs, wide receivers and even some tight ends. Once again, a lot of this may already be determined based on where you drafted, although the flex spots may be up for grabs and might come down to the best matchups.
This week’s rankings are led off by some great QBs in tremendous matchups, which could lead to some high-scoring affairs in both fantasy and reality. Obviously, I really love the Packers this week, as they’ll head to Chicago to face a rebuilding defense. Be very happy if you have Aaron Rodgers, Eddie Lacy, Randall Cobb or Davante Adams.
Matt Camp Week 1 PPR Top-100 (Updated 9/9, 11:45pm ET)
Rank | Player | Matchup |
1 | Aaron Rodgers - GB | at Chi |
2 | Tom Brady - NE | vs. Pit |
3 | Sam Bradford - PHI | at Atl |
4 | Eli Manning - NYG | at Dal |
5 | Andrew Luck - IND | at Buf |
6 | Matt Ryan - ATL | vs. Phi |
7 | Tony Romo - DAL | vs. NYG |
8 | Ryan Tannehill - MIA | at Was |
9 | Ben Roethlisberger - PIT | at NE |
10 | Drew Brees - NO | at Ari |
11 | Peyton Manning - DEN | vs. Bal |
12 | Dez Bryant - DAL | vs. NYG |
13 | Matthew Stafford - DET | at SD |
14 | Odell Beckham - NYG | at Dal |
15 | Eddie Lacy - GB | at Chi |
16 | Antonio Brown - PIT | at NE |
17 | Jeremy Hill - CIN | at Oak |
18 | Julio Jones - ATL | vs. Phi |
19 | Adrian Peterson - MIN | at SF |
20 | Demaryius Thomas - DEN | vs. Bal |
21 | Calvin Johnson - DET | at SD |
22 | DeMarco Murray - PHI | at Atl |
23 | Lamar Miller - MIA | at Was |
24 | Randall Cobb - GB | at Chi |
25 | Jordan Matthews - PHI | at Atl |
26 | Rob Gronkowski - NE | vs. Pit |
27 | A.J. Green - CIN | at Oak |
28 | Jamaal Charles - KC | at Hou |
29 | Justin Forsett - BAL | at Den |
30 | Teddy Bridgewater - MIN | at SF |
31 | Brandin Cooks - NO | at Ari |
32 | Jarvis Landry - MIA | at Was |
33 | DeAndre Hopkins - HOU | vs. KC |
34 | Jonathan Stewart - CAR | at Jac |
35 | Carson Palmer - ARI | vs. NO |
36 | Joe Flacco - BAL | at Den |
37 | Marshawn Lynch - SEA | at StL |
38 | Russell Wilson - SEA | at StL |
39 | Emmanuel Sanders - DEN | vs. Bal |
40 | Matt Forte - CHI | vs. GB |
41 | T.Y. Hilton - IND | at Buf |
42 | C.J. Anderson - DEN | vs. Bal |
43 | Amari Cooper - OAK | vs. Cin |
44 | Philip Rivers - SD | vs. Det |
45 | Golden Tate - DET | at SD |
46 | Mark Ingram - NO | at Ari |
47 | Andre Johnson - IND | at Buf |
48 | Greg Olsen - CAR | at Jac |
49 | Nelson Agholor - PHI | at Atl |
50 | Rueben Randle - NYG | at Dal |
51 | Rashad Jennings - NYG | at Dal |
52 | Tyrod Taylor - BUF | vs. Ind |
53 | Julian Edelman - NE | vs. Pit |
54 | Davante Adams - GB | at Chi |
55 | Andy Dalton - CIN | at Oak |
56 | Keenan Allen - SD | vs. Det |
57 | Jay Cutler - CHI | vs. GB |
58 | Steve Smith - BAL | at Den |
59 | Andre Ellington - ARI | vs. NO |
60 | Allen Robinson - JAC | vs. Car |
61 | Alshon Jeffery - CHI | vs. GB |
62 | Colin Kaepernick - SF | vs. Min |
63 | Doug Martin - TB | vs. Ten |
64 | Cam Newton - CAR | at Jac |
65 | Marcus Mariota - TEN | at TB |
66 | Jameis Winston - TB | vs. Ten |
67 | Vincent Jackson - TB | vs. Ten |
68 | Charles Johnson - MIN | at SF |
69 | Mike Evans - TB | vs. Ten |
70 | Travis Kelce - KC | at Hou |
71 | Jeremy Maclin - KC | at Hou |
72 | Alex Smith - KC | at Hou |
73 | Derek Carr - OAK | vs. Cin |
74 | Frank Gore - IND | at Buf |
75 | Sammy Watkins - BUF | vs. Ind |
76 | Jordan Cameron - MIA | at Was |
77 | Brandon Marshall - NYJ | vs. Cle |
78 | LeSean McCoy - BUF | vs. Ind |
79 | DeSean Jackson - WAS | vs. Mia |
80 | Eddie Royal - CHI | vs. GB |
81 | John Brown - ARI | vs. NO |
82 | Jimmy Graham - SEA | at StL |
83 | Blake Bortles - JAC | vs. Car |
84 | Anquan Boldin - SF | vs. Min |
85 | Latavius Murray - OAK | vs. Cin |
86 | Steve Johnson - SD | vs. Det |
87 | Larry Fitzgerald - ARI | vs. NO |
88 | Giovani Bernard - CIN | at Oak |
89 | Carlos Hyde - SF | vs. Min |
90 | Ryan Mathews - PHI | at Atl |
91 | Roddy White - ATL | vs. Phi |
92 | Marques Colston - NO | at Ari |
93 | Shane Vereen - NYG | at Dal |
94 | Mike Wallace - MIN | at SF |
95 | Martellus Bennett - CHI | vs. GB |
96 | Torrey Smith - SF | vs. Min |
97 | Chris Ivory - NYJ | vs. Cle |
98 | Eric Decker - NYJ | vs. Cle |
99 | Jason Witten - DAL | vs. NYG |
100 | Ameer Abdullah - DET | at SD |
Quarterbacks: Lots of Points Coming from the NFC East
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A lot of fantasy matchups may swing wildly in the final three games of the week, which should be a great way to start the season.
On Sunday night, the Giants head to Dallas to face the Cowboys in what’s become a semi-regular occurrence early in the season. We’ve seen these two teams have some classics in the past, and this should be no different, especially if you’re looking for a lot of fantasy points.
Eli Manning may not have Victor Cruz, but he will have Odell Beckham Jr. leading the way against a very vulnerable Cowboy secondary. Rueben Randle should be busier with Cruz still dealing with a calf injury, and Manning could get some use out of a new toy in Shane Vereen. Plus, Larry Donnell might get a boost from Cruz’s absence, and with the Giants having defensive struggles of their own, Manning should be taking to the air quite often.
For Tony Romo, it could be a different approach than we saw in 2014. Gone is DeMarco Murray, and in his place is a stable of running backs in Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar and now Christine Michael who get to run behind one of the best offensive lines in football. However, it’s anyone’s guess who will lead the way, and neither Randle nor McFadden proved he should clearly be the top guy, hence the trade for Michael.
With some questions in the backfield, Dallas may dial up the pass a bit more, and why not? The Giants are very weak on the back end and still don’t have much of a pass rush, especially with Jason Pierre-Paul not ready to return to action, per Ed Werder of ESPN.
That’s great news for Romo, who will take to the air with lots of success, as the Giants will have trouble defending Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, Terrance Williams and even Cole Beasley working out of the slot.
Matt Camp Week 1 QB Rankings (Updated 9/9, 11:45pm ET)
Rank | QB | Matchup |
1 | Aaron Rodgers - GB | at Chi |
2 | Tom Brady - NE | vs. Pit |
3 | Sam Bradford - PHI | at Atl |
4 | Eli Manning - NYG | at Dal |
5 | Andrew Luck - IND | at Buf |
6 | Matt Ryan - ATL | vs. Phi |
7 | Tony Romo - DAL | vs. NYG |
8 | Ryan Tannehill - MIA | at Was |
9 | Ben Roethlisberger - PIT | at NE |
10 | Drew Brees - NO | at Ari |
11 | Peyton Manning - DEN | vs. Bal |
12 | Matthew Stafford - DET | at SD |
13 | Carson Palmer - ARI | vs. NO |
14 | Teddy Bridgewater - MIN | at SF |
15 | Joe Flacco - BAL | at Den |
16 | Russell Wilson - SEA | at StL |
17 | Philip Rivers - SD | vs. Det |
18 | Tyrod Taylor - BUF | vs. Ind |
19 | Andy Dalton - CIN | at Oak |
20 | Jay Cutler - CHI | vs. GB |
21 | Colin Kaepernick - SF | vs. Min |
22 | Cam Newton - CAR | at Jac |
23 | Marcus Mariota - TEN | at TB |
24 | Jameis Winston - TB | vs. Ten |
25 | Alex Smith - KC | at Hou |
26 | Derek Carr - OAK | vs. Cin |
27 | Blake Bortles - JAC | vs. Car |
28 | Kirk Cousins - WAS | vs. Mia |
29 | Brian Hoyer - HOU | vs. KC |
30 | Ryan Fitzpatrick - NYJ | vs. Cle |
Running Backs: How Dominant Can Adrian Peterson Be in Week 1?
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Eddie Lacy was my top-ranked running back in the preseason, and he just so happens to enter the regular season in the same spot for Week 1 with a great matchup in Chicago.
It’s already enough that the Bears have major questions on defense in what will be a rebuilding project for head coach John Fox and company. With Green Bay going into this season without Jordy Nelson, they could lean on Lacy a little more early on as Davante Adams adjusts to a bigger role. Plus, I fully expect the Packers to be playing with a lead, so they can feed Lacy late in the game to grind the clock away.
I’m very interested to see how Adrian Peterson does on Monday night in San Francisco. The 49ers defense has been decimated by a variety of issues both on and off the field and could be in for a long evening if the Vikings decide to give Peterson plenty of work in his return to action.
The Eagles shouldn’t have much of a problem with the Falcons in the other half of the Monday night doubleheader. While DeMarco Murray was signed to lead the way, I’m still expecting Ryan Mathews to be a lot more than a handcuff. In fact, this could be more of a 1A/1B running back situation than anyone realizes. Chip Kelly wants to run it a bunch, and he’ll have a chance to put that on display with Murray and Ryan Mathews.
Matt Camp Week 1 PPR RB Rankings (Updated 9/9, 11:45pm ET)
Rank | RB | Matchup |
1 | Eddie Lacy - GB | at Chi |
2 | Jeremy Hill - CIN | at Oak |
3 | Adrian Peterson - MIN | at SF |
4 | DeMarco Murray - PHI | at Atl |
5 | Lamar Miller - MIA | at Was |
6 | Jamaal Charles - KC | at Hou |
7 | Justin Forsett - BAL | at Den |
8 | Jonathan Stewart - CAR | at Jac |
9 | Marshawn Lynch - SEA | at StL |
10 | Matt Forte - CHI | vs. GB |
11 | C.J. Anderson - DEN | vs. Bal |
12 | Mark Ingram - NO | at Ari |
13 | Rashad Jennings - NYG | at Dal |
14 | Andre Ellington - ARI | vs. NO |
15 | Doug Martin - TB | vs. Ten |
16 | Frank Gore - IND | at Buf |
17 | LeSean McCoy - BUF | vs. Ind |
18 | Latavius Murray - OAK | vs. Cin |
19 | Giovani Bernard - CIN | at Oak |
20 | Carlos Hyde - SF | vs. Min |
21 | Ryan Mathews - PHI | at Atl |
22 | Shane Vereen - NYG | at Dal |
23 | Chris Ivory - NYJ | vs. Cle |
24 | Ameer Abdullah - DET | at SD |
25 | T.J. Yeldon - JAC | vs. Car |
26 | Danny Woodhead - SD | vs. Det |
27 | Alfred Morris - WAS | vs. Mia |
28 | DeAngelo Williams - PIT | at NE |
29 | Melvin Gordon - SD | vs. Det |
30 | Alfred Blue - HOU | vs. KC |
31 | Joseph Randle - DAL | vs. NYG |
32 | Tevin Coleman - ATL | vs. Phi |
33 | Isaiah Crowell - CLE | at NYJ |
34 | Duke Johnson - CLE | at NYJ |
35 | Joique Bell - DET | at SD |
36 | Darren McFadden - DAL | vs. NYG |
37 | Bishop Sankey - TEN | at TB |
38 | Darren Sproles - PHI | at Atl |
39 | Dion Lewis - NE | vs. Pit |
40 | Brandon Bolden - NE | vs. Pit |
41 | Reggie Bush - SF | vs. Min |
42 | Khiry Robinson - NO | at Ari |
43 | Josh Robinson - IND | at Buf |
44 | David Johnson - ARI | vs. NO |
45 | Matt Jones - WAS | vs. Mia |
46 | Benny Cunningham - STL | vs. Sea |
47 | Chris Polk - HOU | vs. KC |
48 | Lance Dunbar - DAL | vs. NYG |
49 | Charles Sims - TB | vs. Ten |
50 | James Starks - GB | at Chi |
51 | Knile Davis - KC | at Hou |
52 | Roy Helu - OAK | vs. Cin |
53 | James White - NE | vs. Pit |
54 | Denard Robinson - JAC | vs. Car |
55 | Andre Williams - NYG | at Dal |
56 | Tre Mason - STL | vs. Sea |
57 | Devonta Freeman - ATL | vs. Phi |
58 | Ronnie Hillman - DEN | vs. Bal |
59 | Fred Jackson - SEA | at StL |
60 | Damien Williams - MIA | at Was |
61 | Karlos Williams - BUF | vs. Ind |
62 | Bilal Powell - NYJ | vs. Cle |
63 | Dri Archer - PIT | at NE |
64 | Jonathan Grimes - HOU | vs. KC |
65 | Christine Michael - DAL | vs. NYG |
66 | Anthony Dixon - BUF | vs. Ind |
67 | Chris Johnson - ARI | vs. NO |
68 | Cameron Artis-Payne - CAR | at Jac |
69 | Javorius Allen - BAL | at Den |
70 | Terrance West - TEN | at TB |
71 | Branden Oliver - SD | vs. Det |
72 | Zac Stacy - NYJ | vs. Cle |
73 | Jerick McKinnon - MIN | at SF |
Wide Receivers: Time for Odell's Encore
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As I spoke about in the quarterbacks section, the last three games of the week should give us lots of fantasy points, and the wide receivers are a big part of that.
You’ll have two of the best in the game facing off Sunday night with Dez Bryant and Odell Beckham Jr., and both players could get off to huge starts facing two of the shakier secondaries in the league. That’s music to the ears of fantasy owners with a pair of dominant WRs drawing great matchups in what should be a great start to the 2015 season for both Beckham and Bryant.
I’ve ranked two more prime-time players in the top 10 with Julio Jones at No. 3 and Jordan Matthews at No. 9. Those two face off on Monday night in Atlanta in what could be another high-scoring affair. We know Jones can post big numbers against any team, so we’ll see if he has much trouble handling the new-look Eagles cornerback group led by Byron Maxwell, Nolan Carroll and rookie Eric Rowe.
Perhaps the most intriguing part of Week 1 will be seeing Chip Kelly’s offense on display with Sam Bradford at the helm in what should be a pretty favorable matchup. I’m excited to see Matthews take on a Falcons secondary that boasts a pair of early-round starters from the 2013 draft in Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford, although we’ll see how Atlanta handles Matthews working out of the slot.
While there are plenty of big names with great matchups, don’t forget about some of the sneakier plays to take advantage of in those same games. With Victor Cruz’s status in question, according to Eli Manning (via Boomer and Carton), I love Rueben Randle this week, as you’ll hear more about on Friday.
Terrance Williams could be good for a big play or two against the Giants, and rookie Nelson Agholor could quickly make everyone forget about those other plans the Eagles had for the first round of this year’s draft.
Matt Camp Week 1 PPR WR Rankings (Updated 9/9, 11:45pm ET)
Rank | WR | Matchup |
1 | Dez Bryant - DAL | vs. NYG |
2 | Odell Beckham - NYG | at Dal |
3 | Antonio Brown - PIT | at NE |
4 | Julio Jones - ATL | vs. Phi |
5 | Demaryius Thomas - DEN | vs. Bal |
6 | Calvin Johnson - DET | at SD |
7 | Randall Cobb - GB | at Chi |
8 | Jordan Matthews - PHI | at Atl |
9 | A.J. Green - CIN | at Oak |
10 | Brandin Cooks - NO | at Ari |
11 | Jarvis Landry - MIA | at Was |
12 | DeAndre Hopkins - HOU | vs. KC |
13 | Emmanuel Sanders - DEN | vs. Bal |
14 | T.Y. Hilton - IND | at Buf |
15 | Amari Cooper - OAK | vs. Cin |
16 | Golden Tate - DET | at SD |
17 | Andre Johnson - IND | at Buf |
18 | Nelson Agholor - PHI | at Atl |
19 | Rueben Randle - NYG | at Dal |
20 | Julian Edelman - NE | vs. Pit |
21 | Davante Adams - GB | at Chi |
22 | Keenan Allen - SD | vs. Det |
23 | Steve Smith - BAL | at Den |
24 | Allen Robinson - JAC | vs. Car |
25 | Alshon Jeffery - CHI | vs. GB |
26 | Vincent Jackson - TB | vs. Ten |
27 | Charles Johnson - MIN | at SF |
28 | Mike Evans - TB | vs. Ten |
29 | Jeremy Maclin - KC | at Hou |
30 | Sammy Watkins - BUF | vs. Ind |
31 | Brandon Marshall - NYJ | vs. Cle |
32 | DeSean Jackson - WAS | vs. Mia |
33 | Eddie Royal - CHI | vs. GB |
34 | John Brown - ARI | vs. NO |
35 | Anquan Boldin - SF | vs. Min |
36 | Steve Johnson - SD | vs. Det |
37 | Larry Fitzgerald - ARI | vs. NO |
38 | Roddy White - ATL | vs. Phi |
39 | Marques Colston - NO | at Ari |
40 | Mike Wallace - MIN | at SF |
41 | Torrey Smith - SF | vs. Min |
42 | Eric Decker - NYJ | vs. Cle |
43 | Markus Wheaton - PIT | at NE |
44 | Kendall Wright - TEN | at TB |
45 | Terrance Williams - DAL | vs. NYG |
46 | Danny Amendola - NE | vs. Pit |
47 | Allen Hurns - JAC | vs. Car |
48 | Kenny Stills - MIA | at Was |
49 | Pierre Garcon - WAS | vs. Mia |
50 | Michael Crabtree - OAK | vs. Cin |
51 | Brian Quick - STL | vs. Sea |
52 | Marvin Jones - CIN | at Oak |
53 | Malcom Floyd - SD | vs. Det |
54 | Doug Baldwin - SEA | at StL |
55 | Cole Beasley - DAL | vs. NYG |
56 | Brandon Coleman - NO | at Ari |
57 | James Jones - GB | at Chi |
58 | Phillip Dorsett - IND | at Buf |
59 | Ted Ginn - CAR | at Jac |
60 | Leonard Hankerson - ATL | vs. Phi |
61 | Greg Jennings - MIA | at Was |
62 | Dorial Green-Beckham - TEN | at TB |
63 | Kamar Aiken - BAL | at Den |
64 | Jerricho Cotchery - CAR | at Jac |
65 | Kenny Britt - STL | vs. Sea |
66 | Philly Brown - CAR | at Jac |
67 | Tyler Lockett - SEA | at StL |
68 | Aaron Dobson - NE | vs. Pit |
69 | Cecil Shorts - HOU | vs. KC |
70 | DeVante Parker - MIA | at Was |
71 | Percy Harvin - BUF | vs. Ind |
72 | Michael Floyd - ARI | vs. NO |
73 | Devin Funchess - CAR | at Jac |
74 | Andrew Hawkins - CLE | at NYJ |
75 | Marlon Brown - BAL | at Den |
Tight Ends: Get Ready for a Lot of Greg Olsen
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Based on the loss of Kelvin Benjamin as well as Devin Funchess not being elevated to the starting lineup, I decided to move Greg Olsen over Jimmy Graham to the No. 3 spot on my overall tight end rankings for the season. Olsen checks in even higher for the opener with a nice matchup against the Jaguars.
I do have concerns about Cam Newton for the season and even this week with some offensive line issues as well as a starting wide receiving duo of Corey Brown and Ted Ginn, but that’s even more reason to pepper Olsen with targets. The veteran TE can certainly handle an increased role and could easily lead all TEs in receptions this week.
Obviously, Rob Gronkowski is a no-brainer for the top spot with a favorable matchup on Thursday night against the Steelers. The Patriots will be without LeGarrette Blount (suspension) and Brandon LaFell (designated-to-return injured reserve), so Tom Brady will likely rely on Gronk even more than usual. Let’s just hope Scott Chandler doesn’t steal any touchdowns.
Jordan Cameron has a chance to get off to a great start with the Dolphins in a very nice matchup against the hapless Redskins. Jarvis Landry is getting plenty of well-deserved love in fantasy circles, but I’m all about Cameron since he gets to play with a big-time talent at QB in Ryan Tannehill for the first time in his career.
Miami boasts a pretty talented receiving corps, which also includes Kenny Stills, Greg Jennings and rookie DeVante Parker, but I believe Cameron can emerge as a consistent threat both as a chain-mover and in the red zone. I’m expecting Cameron and the Dolphins to dominate in the opener.
Matt Camp Week 1 PPR TE Rankings (Updated 9/9, 11:45pm ET)
Rank | TE | Matchup |
1 | Rob Gronkowski - NE | vs. Pit |
2 | Greg Olsen - CAR | at Jac |
3 | Travis Kelce - KC | at Hou |
4 | Jordan Cameron - MIA | at Was |
5 | Jimmy Graham - SEA | at StL |
6 | Martellus Bennett - CHI | vs. GB |
7 | Jason Witten - DAL | vs. NYG |
8 | Delanie Walker - TEN | at TB |
9 | Tyler Eifert - CIN | at Oak |
10 | Larry Donnell - NYG | at Dal |
11 | Heath Miller - PIT | at NE |
12 | Kyle Rudolph - MIN | at SF |
13 | Owen Daniels - DEN | vs. Bal |
14 | Austin Seferian-Jenkins - TB | vs. Ten |
15 | Eric Ebron - DET | at SD |
16 | Coby Fleener - IND | at Buf |
17 | Richard Rodgers - GB | at Chi |
18 | Zach Ertz - PHI | at Atl |
19 | Scott Chandler - NE | vs. Pit |
20 | Josh Hill - NO | at Ari |
21 | Brent Celek - PHI | at Atl |
22 | Dwayne Allen - IND | at Buf |
23 | Vernon Davis - SF | vs. Min |
24 | Jordan Reed - WAS | vs. Mia |
25 | Charles Clay - BUF | vs. Ind |
26 | Ben Watson - NO | at Ari |
27 | Marcedes Lewis - JAC | vs. Car |
28 | Crockett Gillmore - BAL | at Den |
29 | Jared Cook - STL | vs. Sea |
30 | Mychal Rivera - OAK | vs. Cin |
31 | Ladarius Green - SD | vs. Det |
32 | Jacob Tamme - ATL | vs. Phi |
Defense/Special Teams: The Dolphins Are Coming for Kirk Cousins
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If you committed a pick outside of the final two rounds to a defense, you’re likely starting that unit on a weekly basis, so teams like the Jets, Browns and Seahawks are obvious plays for this week.
I can understand shying away from the Bills with Andrew Luck and the Colts coming to town, which is why you may want to look at my waiver-wire suggestions, which include Indianapolis and Minnesota.
The Dolphins already had a dangerous group of pass-rushers, but they added to their front seven with the signing of Ndamukong Suh. I have very little confidence in the Redskins offensive line, and Kirk Cousins isn’t exactly the best decision-maker. Miami is going to put everyone on notice right away, which is why they are my top defense for Week 1.
Matt Camp Week 1 D/ST Rankings (Updated 9/9. 11:45pm ET)
Rank | DST | Matchup |
1 | Miami Dolphins - Mia | at Was |
2 | Seattle Seahawks - Sea | at StL |
3 | Minnesota Vikings - Min | at SF |
4 | Cincinnati Bengals - Cin | at Oak |
5 | New York Jets - NYJ | vs. Cle |
6 | Green Bay Packers - GB | at Chi |
7 | Carolina Panthers - Car | at Jac |
8 | Cleveland Browns - Cle | at NYJ |
9 | St. Louis Rams - StL | vs. Sea |
10 | Arizona Cardinals - Ari | vs. NO |
11 | Houston Texans - Hou | vs. KC |
12 | Jacksonville Jaguars - Jac | vs. Car |
13 | Indianpolis Colts | at Buf |
14 | Denver Broncos - Den | vs. Bal |
15 | Philadelphia Eagles - Phi | at Atl |
16 | New England Patriots - NE | vs. Pit |
17 | Buffalo Bills - Buf | vs. Ind |
18 | Kansas City Chiefs - KC | at Hou |
19 | Baltimore Ravens - Bal | at Den |
20 | New Orleans Saints - NO | at Ari |
Kickers: Reliability Goes a Long Way
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If you can get an accurate, reliable kicker on a good team, you’ll likely stick with them for most of the season, which is why players like Stephen Gostkowski are so valuable. The Patriots shouldn’t have a lot of trouble putting points on the board against a Steelers defense going through a bit of a transition, so Gostkowski should have a fine performance in Week 1.
I’d be looking for some high-scoring affairs to latch onto, so Dan Bailey, Mason Crosby, Matt Bryant, Cody Parkey and Josh Brown look pretty good this week. If you’re looking for some help on the waiver wire, check out my suggestions, including Denver’s new kicker, Brandon McManus.
One interesting subplot for Week 1 as it pertains to kickers will be the new extra-point rules. Extra points have now become a 33-yard kick, and according to Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk, kickers made 93.3 percent of such attempts in the preseason. With two-point conversions remaining an option from the 2-yard line, we’ll see how aggressive coaches get after a touchdown. Will it give us another reason to ignore kickers?
Matt Camp Week 1 K Rankings (Updated 9/9, 11:45pm ET)
Rank | K | Matchup |
1 | Stephen Gostkowski - NE | vs. Pit |
2 | Dan Bailey - DAL | vs. NYG |
3 | Steven Hauschka - SEA | at StL |
4 | Justin Tucker - BAL | at Den |
5 | Mason Crosby - GB | at Chi |
6 | Adam Vinatieri - IND | at Buf |
7 | Matt Bryant - ATL | vs. Phi |
8 | Cody Parkey - PHI | at Atl |
9 | Brandon McManus - DEN | vs. Bal |
10 | Josh Brown - NYG | at Dal |
11 | Matt Prater - DET | at SD |
12 | Blair Walsh - MIN | at SF |
13 | Josh Scobee - PIT | at NE |
14 | Andrew Franks - MIA | at Was |
15 | Josh Lambo - SD | vs. Det |
16 | Chandler Catanzaro - ARI | vs. NO |
17 | Dan Carpenter - BUF | vs. Ind |
18 | Kai Forbath - WAS | vs. Mia |
19 | Zach Hocker - NO | at Ari |
20 | Greg Zuerlein - STL | vs. Sea |
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