Congratulations, fellow football fanatics! Week 1 is here, and at this point, all we’ve been able to do is stare lovingly at our rosters and adore them like they were our own children. Unfortunately, just like children, our guys may play in a way that won’t make us mad, but we’ll definitely be disappointed in them.
Even before a single snap is played, we’ve seen the stock of certain players fluctuate more than the S&P 500. Let’s break a few down and see if we should buy, sell, or hold so we can calm our nerves, settle in, and enjoy our Week 1 victories.
Reports have said BTJ is the man on the field in two-WR sets for the Jags and not the noted favorite target of Trevor Lawrence and lord of the underneath route, Christian Kirk. I don’t think it’s as much of a knock on Kirk as it is an endorsement of the talented, first-year wideout from LSU. There’s lots of hype around this rookie wide receiver class, and most of them required much greater fantasy draft capital. BTJ is someone I’m targeting in early season trade offers, especially since impatient fantasy owners may sour on him after a Week 1 matchup against a Miami pass defense that typically performs well against the deep ball. If you drafted Thomas, Jr., well done! If you didn’t, lurk and wait until you can snatch him from an unsuspecting and unprepared league mate.
Ahh, yes… temperatures are falling, school is back in session, and Keenan Allen is on the injury report. It must be football season. The Bears hit Allen with the limited practice tag as he’s dealing with a sore heel. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams would love to have Allen at his disposal. Still, if and when Allen is slowed on Sunday and throughout the rest of the season, the window of opportunity is open for another of the aforementioned hyped rookie wideouts, Rome Odunze, to soak up targets early in his Bears career. The uber-talented DJ Moore will also be one of Williams’ favorite bullseyes after his career year in 2023 when he had eight touchdowns and over 1300 yards. I’m as out as out can be when it comes to Allen.
The whispers surrounding Rico Dowdle hinting that the former Gamecock will be the bell cow in the Dallas backfield have turned into shouts, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to cut Zeke. After a one-year stint in New England that was a fantasy football vacuum for all involved, Elliott returns to the Cowboys looking to reprise his touchdown-scoring ways of old. Even if Dowdle does outgain Elliott on the ground throughout the season, which is likely the case, Elliott will have his fair share of chances in the red zone and, specifically, at the goal line. I’m not saying Zeke will score 12 touchdowns like he did in 2022, but he’ll outperform his ADP. Hold Elliott and be ready to confidently slot him into your lineups when you need him.
