Good to be back to fantasy football and making crazy picks again. All ownership percentages will be taken from CBS Sports this season as they are typically the highest so if you play on another site, these guys should be more readily available. Also, I’ll be doing two groups of four players each this season. One group will be players owned in 20-50% of leagues. The second group will be the same as last season with players that are owned in less than 20% of leagues. Week 1 is tough for these picks but still some good ones to go after. Let’s pick ’em!
20-50% owned tier
Pickup of the Week – QB Marcus Mariota – Owned: 42%
Gambling with the rookie but the match up against the Bucs is too good to pass up. Remember the 5 TDs in the first half by Flacco against them last season? Yeah, their passing D isn’t great and, while Mariota is not Flacco at this point, you have to believe the opportunity is there for a big game. And add in the potential rushing numbers Mariota might tack on and you could be looking at a top 10 finish for him this week. The only question will be can his line protect him from the strong defensive front sported by the Bucs. I think they’ll do enough for him to have a solid start to his promising career. (Projection: 240-2, 45-1)
Honorable Mentions
WR Marvin Jones – Owned: 32% – Probably a little too much of a forgotten man at this point but shouldn’t be for long. If he’s fully healthy, he’s got top 20 potential, easily, and should get off to a good start at Oakland as they might focus too much on stopping Hill and Green. I have a feeling I won’t be able to put him on this list much longer. (85-1)
TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins – Owned: 43% – Just loved the talent he showed in his very short time on the field last season. Now, he gets a clean bill of health, another season wiser, an improvement at QB (hopefully), and a layup for a defense to play against in Week 1 in Tennessee. Add in a banged up Mike Evans and Seferian-Jenkins looks primed for a visit to the end zone this week. (65-1)
Minnesota Vikings Defense – Owned: 29% – A lot of young and hungry lions on this D and they get the team that, personnel-wise, went through the most disastrous off-season in recent memory in the 49ers. Unless Kaepernick took a major step forward in his development since last year, the Vikings D could be feasting in week 1. (12 points)
20% or less tier
Pickup of the Week – WR Corey Brown – Owned: 7%
Swinging for the fences with this home run hitter in week 1. I liked his ability to get downfield last season and I think he catches at least one bomb this week against the Jags. I wouldn’t except him to get much more as Ginn and Olsen will likely get the volume. But don’t be surprised to see a 50+ yard TD out of this guy as he’s very capable of that. The Jags defense is scarier than most people give them credit for but more so against the run than the pass. Newton should find Brown and start his fantasy season off with a bang. (4-80-1)
Honorable Mentions
RB Benny Cunningham – Owned: 19% – Tough match up against the Seahawks but I don’t mind Cunningham in PPR this week. He’s compact and elusive and has really nice hands. Probably won’t do a ton on the ground but should be good as a receiver and might sneak one in. (90 total yards-1)
RB Khiry Robinson – Owned: 11% – Pretty much the same story as Cunningham except he’ll not get the carries with Ingram around. And who knows? Maybe Brees will look his way on a short one in the red zone as he tries to replace his favorite target in Jimmy Graham. Not confident of that but it’s not impossible… (60 total yards-1)
WR Allen Hurns – Owned: 18% – I like the ability of Marquise Lee more but he’s doubtful so Hurns gets a chance to repeat his week 1 magic from last season against the Panthers. Certainly not expecting the same numbers but I’m hoping Bortles proves he’s better than I think and gets plenty of throws to Hurns. He has good size and I think the defense might focus a little more on Robinson when red zone time comes letting Hurns snag one. (5-70-1)
Last Minute Fantasy Football Pickup 