Sit Tua Tagovailoa

By: Matt Gruber

Week one is just hours away and it’s finally time for the weekly starts and sits. This is the first installment of the 17-piece series aimed to help you make the roster decisions to give you an edge over your opponent. Let’s jump into it and hopefully win some championships.

Quarterbacks

Start: Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles start their season on the road against the Atlanta Falcons. This is a juicy matchup as the Falcons were ranked dead last in the league in passing yards allowed. Furthermore, they surrendered 34 passing touchdowns last season which would rank them 27th in the league. Couple this with Hurts’ ability to run and he should be in for a big day.

Honorable Mentions: Matt Ryan vs. PHI, Trevor Lawrence @ HOU, Baker Mayfield @ KC

Sit: Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins head to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots. This is a definite avoid for me. Last season, the Patriots were 8th best when it came to passing yards allowed. In addition, this defensive unit gave up the fifth least amount of passing touchdowns to opponents. The last time Tagovailoa faced the Patriots he threw for a measly 145 yards and one interception. Leave him on your bench this week.

Honorable Mentions: Andy Dalton @ LAR, Daniel Jones vs. DEN, Jared Goff vs. SF

Running Backs

Start: James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars

Second-year running back James Robinson should be in for a huge day on the ground. He is going into Houston to face the Texans who were brutal against the run last season. Ranking last in rushing yards allowed and 30th in rushing touchdowns allowed, Robinson needs to be in your lineup. In his last game against the Texans, he gashed them for 99 yards and one touchdown. I am expecting similar results.

Honorable Mentions: Gus Edwards @ LV, Miles Sanders @ ATL, Raheem Mostert @ DET

Sit: D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions find themselves in a home matchup versus the San Francisco 49ers. Ranked inside the top seven for the least amount of rushing yards and rushing touchdowns allowed, this is going to be a tough matchup for Swift and the rushing attack. On top of the stout defense he faces, he was dealing with a groin injury. Although he should be good to go, I will err on the side of caution here and keep Swift on the bench for this one.

Honorable Mentions: Zach Moss vs. PIT, Josh Jacobs vs. BAL, Melvin Gordon @ NYG

Wide Receivers

Start: Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans

This may be a bit of a surprise since their starting quarterback is Tyrod Taylor, but someone’s got to catch the ball. Cooks is the top target on this team and has a great matchup against one of the worst pass defenses in the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ranked 27th in yards and touchdowns allowed last season, this Jaguars defense is a funnel. I am plugging Cooks into my lineup with confidence.

Honorable Mentions: Tee Higgins vs. MIN, Laviska Shenault Jr. @ HOU, DeVonta Smith @ ATL

Sit: Kenny Golladay, New York Giants

After missing a good portion of training camp and the preseason with a hamstring injury, it doesn’t get any easier for Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay. He will be going up against a solid pass defense in the Denver Broncos. Pair this with the fact Golladay will be playing in his first game with a new team and system, with little practice reps, and this is a no-brainer for me. Leave him on your bench.

Honorable Mentions: Michael Gallup @ TB, Chase Claypool @ BUF, Mike Williams @ WSH

Tight Ends

Start: Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams

I know what you’re thinking. Yes, the Rams are playing the Chicago Bears who have a good defense. However, last season, this Bears team gave up the second-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. In addition, they gave up the third-most touchdowns to the position. Matthew Stafford loves his big pass catchers and when this team gets into the red zone, bet on Stafford to look for his 6’6” tight end in Higbee.

Honorable Mentions: Zach Ertz @ ATL, Tyler Kroft @ CAR, Austin Hooper @ KC

Sit: Gerald Everett, Seattle Seahawks

In his Seahawks debut, Gerald Everett finds himself going up against the Indianapolis Colts. An overall solid defense, the Colts are exceptionally strong against tight ends. Ranked third last season in the least amount of fantasy points per game allowed to the position, Everett may find himself having a quiet day. I wouldn’t bank on a touchdown catch to salvage a disappointing day either, as the Colts only allowed three touchdowns to tight ends last season. I would look elsewhere for a tight end this week.

Honorable Mentions: Mike Gesicki @ NE, Dawson Knox vs. PIT, Eric Ebron @ BUF

If you enjoyed this piece, feel free to find more of my content on Twitter @FF_Worm. I am always available to talk fantasy football and answer any questions.