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Fantasy Football Week 1 Wide Receivers: Best Match-ups

By Pj Candido

Dec 20, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Fantasy Football Week 1: Top Five WR Match-ups

It seems the NFL preseason drags on forever, leaving us all to wait & debate until the season finally starts.  We are finally here and it is Fantasy Football Week 1. In just two days, we will all be teased with a ‘Super Bowl rematch’ 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, I’m here to hold you over by looking at the top five match-ups elite wide receivers face for fantasy football in week 1.

1. Julio Jones against the Bucs

Jan 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes a catch against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at the Georgia Dome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes a catch against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at the Georgia Dome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

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.  The Falcons play their division-rival in a game that should be a shootout, which obviously fairs well for the stud receiver. He’s the best play in week 1.

2. DeAndre Hopkins against the Bears

Nov 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) is unable to make a catch during the third quarter as New Orleans Saints cornerback
Nov 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) is unable to make a catch during the third quarter as New Orleans Saints cornerback /

Hopkins is primed for a huge week 1 against a depleted Bears’ secondary. The Bears are preparing to play without their top three corners — Kyle Fuller, Bryce Callahan and Tracy Porter — and Hopkins should have a feast with his new quarterback. Jacoby Glenn and Deiondre’ 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

Jan 9, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) walks off the field before the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) walks off the field before the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Like everyone, I think Brown is the best fantasy receiver going into the season. But he’s 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 he’s 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

Sep 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) runs for a touchdown during the first half of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) runs for a touchdown during the first half of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

Like Brown, Odell is a good play anytime he’s on the field. In week 1, he’ll see a heavily criticized Cowboys’ 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 he’s going to take a big step this season. He’s 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 Beckham’s big year starts in week 1.

5. Amari Cooper against the Saints

Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; (Editors note: Caption correction) Oakland Raider wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) runs for a touchdown after making a second quarter catch as San Diego Chargers defensive end
Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; (Editors note: Caption correction) Oakland Raider wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) runs for a touchdown after making a second quarter catch as San Diego Chargers defensive end /

I’m a proud member aboard the Oakland Raiders’ 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; he’s 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 he’ll 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 he’ll see more this year in a young offense that’s ready to make the next step. The Saints’ defense let up the most points in the league last year. There’s still room on the Raiders’ 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 he’ll 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.

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