Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 1: Examining Fringe Fantasy Football Flex Starters

The 2021 NFL season begins this week. And so do the difficult fantasy football lineup decisions.

Perhaps you went heavy on running backs and wide receivers in your league's draft, and now that depth is making it tough for you to choose who to put into your lineup and who to leave on the bench. Maybe you missed out on the top-tier quarterbacks and are now streaming the position, trying to find potential starters.

Regardless of how you got here, there's a good chance you have at least one or two tough start/sit decisions for Week 1. With the season beginning Thursday and most of the action happening Sunday, you've still got a bit of time to think it over.

Here's some start/sit advice for several key players heading into the opening week of the season.

Start 'Em: Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

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With a normal training camp and preseason under his belt, Jalen Hurts should be set up to have a big second season in the NFL. He's firmly the Eagles' starting QB, whereas this time last year he was the backup. And there's a better offense around him now.

The 23-year-old also has a favorable Week 1 matchup that should lead to a ton of fantasy points in his 2021 debut.

The Falcons allowed an NFL-high 293.6 passing yards per game last season, and their secondary is still a beatable unit. Plus, Atlanta has an offense that may keep up with Philadelphia and turn his game into an offensive shootout.

There were flashes of Hurts' potential late in the 2020 season, and now he's likely to take the next step. And while there will likely be some weeks he struggles, this won't be one of them. Count on him to use both his arm and his legs effectively in the opener.

Sit 'Em: Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers

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Here's another second-year quarterback poised for a big season.

Justin Herbert is coming off a strong debut in which he won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and he may fare even better in 2021 with a year of experience under his belt.

That doesn't change the fact that the Oregon product and the Chargers' offense drew a tough Week 1 road matchup in Washington, though.

Los Angeles will be going up against a stingy defense that is capable of putting a ton of pressure on Herbert with a pass rush led by NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young.

There are some solid streaming options at QB in Week 1, which makes it so you don't have to start the 23-year-old.

Wait for Herbert to shake off the offseason rust before inserting him into your fantasy lineup, because he's likely going to air it out big time in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Start 'Em: Chase Edmonds, RB, Arizona Cardinals

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There's some concern over whether Chase Edmonds should immediately be started given that the Cardinals added James Conner to their backfield mix over the offseason.

It's not exactly clear how Arizona's offense is going to operate and how many touches each of these running backs will be getting.

However, Edmonds heads into the season as the top RB on the Cardinals' depth chart after he got more work in during the preseason than Conner. Not only that, but he is only 25 and still hasn't reached his potential in the NFL, so he should only get better as the 2021 season goes along.

As for Week 1, Arizona should have no trouble putting up yards and points against the Tennessee Titans in a matchup that should feature plenty of scoring from both sides.

Edmonds' likely involvement in both the running and passing games makes him a strong start this week and likely many more moving forward.

Sit 'Em: Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

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There are two main reasons why Josh Jacobs isn't a good start this week: the uncertainty of how many touches Kenyan Drake will be getting out of the Raiders' backfield and the opposing defense.

It may actually be tough for either Jacobs or Drake to get much going against the Baltimore Ravens.

Last season, the Ravens had a top run defense, allowing only 108.8 rushing yards per game, which ranked eighth in the NFL. That unit is likely to be strong again in 2021, so the Raiders will need to find other ways to have offensive success on Monday night.

Jacobs also isn't likely to be much of a factor in the passing game now that Drake is in the fold. If you don't have any better options than the 23-year-old, he should get enough touches that maybe he'll find a way into the end zone.

However, if you have the depth to sit the Alabama product this week, then it would likely be a wise move to do so.

Start 'Em: Brandin Cooks, WR, Houston Texans

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Not many people are high on the Texans' offense heading into 2021, and for good reason. Tyrod Taylor will be their starting quarterback, which could limit the passing game's ceiling. And as for the running game, there's no great fantasy options, considering four backs could be splitting carries.

But Taylor is going to have to throw the ball to somebody, and Brandin Cooks is the clear No. 1 wide receiver on the team. He's been consistent no matter which offense he's been in, having eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark five of the past six seasons while playing for four different teams during that span.

Taylor doesn't need to make deep throws in order to utilize the 27-year-old underneath.

For a decent Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, expect Cooks to put up serviceable numbers worthy of flex consideration, making him a solid option if you're looking for one more wide receiver for your starting lineup.

Sit 'Em: Kenny Golladay, WR, New York Giants

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Coming off a season in which he played only five games due to a hip injury, Kenny Golladay has again been slowed this preseason, having missed time due to a hamstring ailment.

So, while the 27-year-old may make his Giants debut Sunday, it doesn't seem like he's going to put up big numbers in the opener.

Golladay doesn't yet have a connection with quarterback Daniel Jones, who has struggled and needs to take some steps forward in 2021. And New York will be going up against a Denver Broncos defense that could be a tough matchup and make it difficult for it to move the ball.

It's clear what Golladay's potential is when he's healthy and clicking, as he can be among the best wide receivers in the league. But that's not the version of him we're likely to see in Week 1.

Leave the Northern Illinois product on your bench and find other starting options to begin the season.