Week 1 of professional football is finally here! We have spent the months of the offseason researching and mock drafting to ensure we have the most stacked roster in our leagues when the season comes.
Now that it’s here, we must make the correct decisions to help build the optimal lineup to win our week. Whether you play redraft, dynasty or even DFS, this article will provide stats to help you decide which player should be in your Week 1 lineup.
Let’s get it started.
- Waiver Wire Advice
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Seven Stats To Know Before Setting Your Week 1 Lineup
Antonio Gibson: The PPR Machine
This week, the Washington Commanders face the Arizona Cardinals. New head coach Jonathan Gannon came from Philadelphia and brought the motto of the 76ers: “Trust The Process.” With that motto in mind, they have been on a fire sale all preseason. This game could get ugly fast, especially for the Arizona defense.
As a fantasy manager, these are the moments we love to see fall in our laps. Now, we understand the Commanders have multiple running backs. However, Antonio Gibson is the explosive playmaker of the two running backs in Washington, and now he profiles as the sole pass-catching back with the departure of J.D. McKissic.
Gibson will face a defense this week that allowed the most receiving touchdowns to running backs last season. That same defense also allowed the third-most receiving yards to running backs and third-most receptions. When it was all said and done, the Cardinals allowed the third-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to running backs. With the defense getting worse this offseason, expect more of the same to start 2023 and start Gibson in Week 1.
The Vikings Volume King Will Be Crowned Week 1
Alexander Mattison has taken over this backfield after the departure of Dalvin Cook and instantly became the subject of multiple debates on Twitter (or is it X?). Mattison has an average draft position (ADP) of 60, landing him in the running back dead zone. His first matchup is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which used to strike fear in the heart of fantasy managers.
Do not let that scare you, as Mattison will receive the volume you need to land that victory in Week 1. Why are we so confident? Last season, Dalvin Cook, even with Mattison on the roster, reached his highest snap percentage (72%) of his entire NFL career. The Vikings will lean heavily on one running back, with the rest only filling in for brief spells. With the Minnesota defense still on the lower end of talent in the NFL, the offense will have to continue producing at a faster pace, allowing Mattison to receive volume and ceiling potential weekly.
In Week 1, he faces the Buccaneers’ defense that has injuries on all three levels, including to Calijah Kancey, SirVocea Dennis and Antoine Winfield Jr. These injuries should allow for the potential of explosive plays to walk hand in hand with the volume Mattison should receive Week 1.
If that doesn’t excite you, the Buccaneers were tied for the third most receiving touchdowns allowed to running backs in 2022. The defense will have their hands full with Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison, allowing Mattison to land a mismatch on most routes.
Death, Taxes & DK Metcalf Producing Against the Los Angeles Rams
Dk Metcalf is one of the best wide receivers in the game and always has the potential to create a high-ceiling production level for our fantasy teams. Metcalf gets to face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1. The Rams no longer have Jalen Ramsey, and Seattle’s sensational rookie, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, will not be fully healthy.
This means that Metcalf should be a lock in your lineups this week, no matter who else you have on your roster. Metcalf averages over 4.5 receptions, 65 yards and half a touchdown – good for 14 FPPG average – when facing the Rams. Even if you are loaded at your wide receiver position, ensure Metcalf is in your lineups for Week 1.
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