Fantasy Football Week 1: Top Five WR Match-ups
It seems the NFL preseason drags on forever, leaving us all to waitĀ & debateĀ until the season finally starts. Ā We are finally here and it is Fantasy Football Week 1. In just two days, we will all be teased with a āSuper Bowl rematchā as the 2016 NFL opener features the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos. That should hold us over until the first NFL Sunday of the year, when 13 games will be played and our fantasy football rosters will finally take shape. Until then, Iām here to hold you over by looking at the top five match-ups elite wide receivers faceĀ for fantasy football in week 1.
1. Julio Jones against the Bucs

Julio Jones was dominant all season long in 2015 and it started in week 1, when Jones caught nine passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns. If you watch the Falcons at all, you know their offense is run exclusively through the 27-year-old star receiver.Ā Ā The Falcons playĀ their division-rivalĀ in a game that should be a shootout, which obviously fairs well for the stud receiver. Heās the best play in week 1.
2. DeAndre Hopkins against the Bears

Hopkins is primed for a huge week 1 against a depleted Bearsā secondary. The Bears are preparing to play without their top three corners ā Kyle Fuller, Bryce Callahan and Tracy Porter ā and Hopkins should have a feast with his new quarterback. Jacoby Glenn and Deiondreā Hall are the projected starters, and neither have taken an NFL snap in the regular season. Hopkins is a great play in week 1, despite the Texans adding more weapons on offense.
3. Antonio Brown against the Redskins

Like everyone, I think Brown is the best fantasy receiver going into the season. But heās playing a tough defense who just added one of the best corners in the league in Josh Norman. I still think Brown will have a huge day because heās simply unstoppable, but his stock took a bump because of his tough match up. Regardless, Big Ben should have a field day targeting the best receiver in the league. Brown is a good play always.
4. Odell Beckham against the Cowboys

Like Brown, Odell is a good play anytime heās on the field. In week 1, heāll see a heavily criticized Cowboysā defense with a secondary that will have a big chip on their shoulder. Beckham has actually struggled against Dallas in his first two seasons, but I think heās going to take a big step this season. Heās going into his third year and is begging to break into that Antonio Brown/Julio Jones conversation. Eli should have time to throw Sunday, and Beckhamās big year starts in week 1.
5. Amari Cooper against the Saints

Iām a proud member aboard the Oakland Raidersā bandwagon this season, and Amari Cooper is a big reason why. The former Alabama standout recorded 72 receptions for 1,070 yards and six touchdowns in his rookie campaign; heās poised to have a monster sophomore season in an exciting offense. Cooper will likely be matched up against stud cornerback Delvin Breaux in week one, but heāll have plenty of opportunities to rack up big numbers; Breaux let up a league-high 10 touchdowns in his coverage. Cooper saw 130 targets last year, and heāll see more this year in a young offense thatās ready to make the next step. The Saintsā defense let up the most points in the league last year. Thereās still room on the Raidersā bandwagon. Hop aboard, it takes off in week one.
Next: Week 1 Fantasy Football QB Rankings
Other plays:
I really like Mike Evans this year, and I think heāll have a big week 1 in a shootout against the Falcons. Alshon Jeffery is entering his contract year, and I think his big year starts early. Dez Bryant is salivating to get back on the field, but a rookie QB scares me.