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5 best fantasy football pickups to make for Week 1

By Frankie Licausi

COSTA MESA, CA - JUNE 16: Jared Cook #87 of the Los Angeles Chargers during mandatory minicamp at the Hoag Performance Center on June 16, 2021 in Costa Mesa, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
COSTA MESA, CA - JUNE 16: Jared Cook #87 of the Los Angeles Chargers during mandatory minicamp at the Hoag Performance Center on June 16, 2021 in Costa Mesa, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 28: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers points out the defense as Giovani Bernard #25 goes in motion against the Houston Texans during a NFL preseason game at NRG Stadium on August 28, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 28: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers points out the defense as Giovani Bernard #25 goes in motion against the Houston Texans during a NFL preseason game at NRG Stadium on August 28, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

4. Giovani Bernard, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Anyone remember James White in New England? He was quietly a startable RB2 when he and Tom Brady were together in New England. Brady loves these kind of running backs. The shorter, pass-catching specialists. Enter Giovani Bernard.

Bernard signed with Tampa Bay after being released by the Bengals in the offseason. He immediately slotted in as the team’s third down and passing down back, and already will be a major part of the offense per head coach Bruce Arians.

Neither Bucs’ running backs Ronald Jones or Leonard Fournette have been inspiring in their passing down snaps, so while they battle it out in the trenches, Bernard will soak up all of the passing down work for Tampa.

This makes Bernard an interesting option in PPR leagues. He won’t put up the huge rushing numbers, but his passing down work just may force him into your lineup.

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