Fansided

Fantasy Football 2021, Week 1 rankings: Who to start and sit

By Scott Edwards

Dec 27, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35) runs for a third quarter gain defended by New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35) runs for a third quarter gain defended by New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Aug 28, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) warms up before a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) warms up before a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Start

Tom Brady, TB, vs. DAL (Thurs.)

It almost goes without saying once again, but Brady is the must-start of the week in all leagues. While the Dallas Cowboys drafted Micah Parsons to help their defense, they did not make the needed steps to become a shutdown defense by any stretch. With all the weapons in the world at his disposal, it only feels right that Brady goes off as the Buccaneers begin their championship defense.

Trevor Lawrence, JAX, @ HOU

Sure, it can be risky to start a rookie quarterback in his first start, but this guy happens to be the most highly respected quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck. Lawrence has a shot to start his career off with a bang in Week 1 as he takes on the lowly Houston Texans. Expect Lawrence to air it out and show why he was worth the first overall selection in the NFL Draft.

Jalen Hurts, PHI, @ ATL

If all goes as expected, this could be the year Hurts wins a lot of fantasy owners a championship. Hurts has all the intangibles to be a superstar in fantasy with a mixture of solid arm talent and good running ability. He will get his first shot at proving that against the Atlanta Falcons. Expect a shootout in this one.

Sit

Derek Carr, LV, vs. BAL

Carr has been a solid quarterback in the NFL and in fantasy for a few seasons now. That being said, a matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in an offense that has watched its offensive line get worse doesn’t really excite us in terms of streaming Carr. Leave him on the bench or the waiver wire.

Baker Mayfield, CLE, @ KC

Mayfield could be a post-hype sleeper this season, seeing his team is one of the most talented in the NFL. He could be worth an add following a solid game against the Kansas City Chiefs but we feel he isn’t going to deliver huge numbers in a game where the score could still be high. Wait and see on Mayfield this season.

Home/Fantasy Football