The Patriots focus on DeAndre Hopkins
should lead to success for Will Fuller in Week 1.
Grab a Helmet
Austin
Seferian-Jenkins @ NYG: They trust me for the opening
week of the Shot Caller’s Report and I put ASJ in as a starter?
Madness you say? Maybe, but hear me out. After being an enigma for
a few seasons, Seferian-Jenkins put up a respectable 50-357-3 line
last season with the offensively challenged Jets. And if you’ve
resigned yourself to being a tight end streamer like I have in some
of my leagues, there isn’t a much better option that ASJ this week
against the G-men. The Giant’s struggles against tight ends became
a running joke last season where they gave up by far the most fantasy
points to that position. They’ve continued to be victimized this
preseason, and the Jags have enough talent at wideout to keep the
New York safeties honest. There certainly won’t be many weeks where
ASJ is a streamable option, but this is one of them!
Editor’s Note: ASJ missed practice Wednesday
with a core muscle issue. Check his status throughout the week.
Michael
Thomas vs TB: Despite catching 104 passes last season,
Thomas somehow wound up with only 5 touchdowns. That number is due
for a serious correction and it starts this week against a defense
that looks to be overmatched. Sure the Bucs added some secondary
talent in the middle and late rounds of the NFL Draft, but the Saints
offense isn’t in the SEC or BIG 12. Entering his third season, Thomas
is a polished route runner that has the trust and confidence of
Brees. Tampa Bay was a defense to target for wide receiver choices
last year as they gave up the 2nd most fantasy points to their opposing
pass catchers. 100 yards and a score are easily reachable for Thomas
this week, making him a plug and play WR1.
Will
Fuller @ NE: Because of an early season shoulder injury,
Fuller didn’t get many rides on the Deshaun Watson hype train last
season. But they did make the most of their time together, as Fuller
was a WR1 in the four games with Watson. With an actual chance to
practice this summer, Fuller slides in as a Robin-eque sidekick
to DeAndre “Batman” Hopkins. And while the Patriots expend copious
amounts of resources trying to keep Hopkins bottled up, Fuller has
a chance to do some serious damage. Despite my tempered expectations
for Watson, I still think Fuller can be an upside WR2 in Week 1.
Grab Some Pine
Allen
Robinson @ GB: Robinson came out of nowhere in 2015
to put up a video-game like 80-1400-14 line. Robinson looked to
be on an elite fantasy track, but shoddy quarterback play in 2016,
and a season ending injury in 2017 killed all of the buzz. Robinson
is back and healthy, this time, lining up for an up-and-coming
Bears squad. This team has been a lightning rod of attention this
offseason with many prognosticators predicting a Rams-like resurrange.
You will find just as many people who don’t believe this offense
can excel with a shaky Trubisky. I actually do believe this offense
is going to impress when it’s all said and done, but I need to
see Robinson put some good play on tape before I can trust him
as anything more than a WR3.
Allen
Hurns @ CAR: The Cowboys could be the first team in
NFL history to run the ball on every offensive play this season.
Exaggerations aside, Dallas is missing well over 200 targets from
last season with the loss of Dez Bryant and Jason Witten, and
have done little to add impactful playmakers. It could be that
Dallas becomes the source of great receiver value down the road,
but with such flux out wide and along the offensive line, I think
the Cowboys go with a very run-heavy game plan on the road to
start the year. Time will prove if Dak Prescott has the chops
to make the receivers on this team fantasy viable, but for Week
1, look elsewhere.
Robby
Anderson vs DET: Despite an ugly run-in with the law
this offseason the NFL has stayed mum on any discipline, so it’s
safe to assume Anderson will be in the lineup this week against
Detroit. The Jets stuck with him, as his undeniable talent was
on full display in 2017’s breakout season. And ultimately,
I think he’ll be a solid target for Sam Darnold, but in
Week 1 he’s sure to draw the full attention of shut-down
corner Darius Slay, as Jermaine Kearse is going to miss the first
game with an injury. Add this to the fact that Darnold is making
his first start in the NFL on the road, on Monday night football,
and you have more than a few reasons to bench Anderson this week.
