Hey all and welcome back to Week One of the 2023 season!!!
I am so pumped for the start of the fantasy football season and pumped to be back here with the Fantasy Football Guru! Full disclosure, I am writing for another website in addition to this one. They have asked that the content I publish on their website isn't repeated anywhere else. Since they pay me pretty nicely, I suppose I can honor that request. If you're interested in checking out that article, and specifically the rostership numbers, click here.
On this blog I'm going to go through every game on the Sunday slate and highlight my thoughts about some the fantasy potential or lack thereof for some of the players, as well as hint at ownership projetions.
I'll still have updates on my Discord channel on Sunday morning, including rostership numbers. Click here to get into that, it's free!
Let's get into Week One!
Arizona @ Washington
Gear up your Commanders' defense, except in DFS where they're going to be chalky. Is it possible that the Commanders end up being the best DST on the slate? Sure. But defense scoring is random. Who knew the Lions would pick-6 Mahomes on Thursday night? Just avoid the chalky DSTs and hope that any of the other 25 teams can outscore the Commanders.
Terry McLaurin may or may not suit up. If he doesn't, then Jahan Dotson becomes a popular play.
The Commanders running the Cardinals into the ground is a likely scenario. Brian Robinson's rostership numbers are on the rise whereas Antonio Gibson likely comes in with lower ownership numbers.
People might know who Michael Wilson is after this week.
Cincinnati @ Cleveland
It seems much of the fantasy community thinks this game could be high scoring. I don't know about that. Burrow doesn't have great numbers historically against the Browns. Also, divisional games can be tough, especially between two teams with aspirations of a Super Bowl appearance. Ja'Marr Chase should be one of the higher owned players in DFS this weekend.
I'm big on the Browns defense this year, and they're one of my pivots off the chalky Commanders.
Nick Chubb looks to have low rostership numbers this week. He's basically the only RB in town with Kareem Hunt not longer here.
Jacksonville @ Indianapolis
Christian Kirk looks to be highly owned this week. I'm more interested in the Jaguar perimeter receivers, Zay Jones and Calvin Ridley, who are going up against subpar CBs.
Deon Jackson is carrying some ownership on the Colts side. I'd be careful as HC Shane Steichen has openly said this will be a committee with Zach Moss and Evan Hull in the mix.
I like Lawrence this year a lot, but not sure this is a GPP winning situation for him. I'll be surprised if the Jags don't win this handedly, which would mean that Lawrence wouldn't have to keep throwing.
I'm leery of Travis Etienne. Tank Bigsby, D'Ernest Johnson and JaMycal Hasty will all have roles.
Tennessee @ New Orleans
Jamaal Williams is likely going to be the highest owned RB on Sunday. It makes sense. However, this offensive line is not the same one that Williams ran behind last year, and the Titans are a pass funnel defense.
Derek Carr and his deep threats in Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are interesting to me here. I probably won't stack this scenario, but not many are going to own Shaheed this weekend.
Derek Henry ain't done yet. He might breakdown at some point this season, but I doubt it happens in Week One.
Tampa Bay @ Minnesota
What's more shocking? The Chiefs losing to Detroit, or Baker Mayfield throwing for 300 and 3 on Sunday? There is no respect coming the Bucs way, and for good reason, but no one is going to own Baker and 2 of his pass catchers in DFS. The Vikings defense is not good and neither are the Bucs; I do believe this one has sneaky shootout potential. Once the Vikings are up 24 - 0, the Bucs will have no choice but to start airing it out.
Rachaad White is carrying some ownership this weekend. Pass.
Justin Jefferson could be the highest owned WR on Sunday.
Carolina @ Atlanta
Bijan Robinson and Miles Sanders are the guys I'm interested in here.
Until I see more out of Ridder and Young, I'll wait to roster players in these passing games.
San Francisco @ Pittsburgh
Another one that I think has sneaky shootout potential. The Steelers are going to be better than people think, and the 49ers might not be as good as people think. The Niners have lost some quality starters on their offensive line and in their secondary. Also, if you watched the preseason, and I know it's the preseason, Kenny Pickett looks GOOD. The start of a solid career could possibly begin this weekend if both teams elect to air it out.
CMC, Deebo, and Aiyuk are carrying a little ownership. Outside of them, the numbers are not high on anyone else, especially Pickett and George Pickens. It also could be hard for the Steelers to run the ball this week, but they're likely to try.
Houston @ Baltimore
The Ravens are going to attempt to be more pass heavy in 2023. That supposedly means less running for Lamar.
No one on the Texan side of the ball is garnering ownership in DFS. Someone has to do something though, right? Right?? I could see Dameon Pierce, Dalton Schultz, or Nico Collins doing something worthwhile for fantasy purposes.
Zay Flowers is good at football.
Las Vegas @ Denver
I'm big on the Broncos this year, particularly Javonte Williams.
Sean Payton is going to test rookie CB Jakorian Bennett, and I think he's going to do it with Courtland Sutton and/or Marvin Mims. We need to pay attention to Jerry Jeudy's status and whether or not he's going to play.
Davante Adams is still a beast, I don't care who is throwing him the rock.
Was Jakobi Meyers a Raider spy all along?
Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle
One of Tyler Lockett or DK Metcalf, if not both, is going to have a day. If they both do, then Geno Smith has had a good day as well.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba looks quite talented, but he had like one good year in college. Dude's injury prone.
The Rams backfield is still not to be trusted. I'm staying away from that situation.
Tyler Higbee is likely to be a popular DFS choice at TE.
Philadelphia @ New England
Why are the Eagles only favored by only 3???
Hurts is gathering ownership but there's a variety of pairings that are coming with him. Figuring who to start him with could be a pain going forward.
Careful, the Patriots defense is real good again.
The Pats offense should also be better. Not good, but better.
Yes, Zeke Elliott will eat into Rhamondre's workload.
Green Bay @ Chicago
Not a ton of ownership is coming in on anyone in this game. Justin Fields has the highest. I'm going to take a couple shots and pair him with DJ Moore and/or Cole Kmet. Moore might see a good amount of Jaire Alexander, which is less than ideal.
Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon could make some splashes in this game.
I believe Romeo Doubs will be the true WR1 in this offense, but the Packers are going to try and expose rookie CB Tyrique Stevenson with a deep shot or two. Christian Watson was my pick for this attack, but alas he is OUT. Doubs is dealing with hamstring issues so monitor that.
I'm skeptical of rookie TEs, but Luke Musgrave is potentially a future star.
Miami @ Los Angeles Chargers
This should be the most popular stack in DFS as 51 points is the highest total on the slate.
Tyreek Hill might be the highest owned WR on Sunday, which makes pivoting to Jaylen Waddle appealing.
Most people are going to stack Justin Herbert with Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler, or Keenan Allen. Get different for GPPs. Use Everett, Palmer, or Johnston.
The Dolphins defense is better thank you think.
Thanks for reading!
You can catch me on...is it Twitter or X? Saying 'X' is weird and they changed "retweet" to "repost" which I'm not a fan of. Anyway...follow me @Borisnow00 and don't forget the Discord channel for Sunday morning updates!