Here we are once again with a new NFL season, and fantasy football season. Numerous trades all over the NFL and big free agent signings have moved superstars like Carlos Hyde, Jarvis Landry, and Brandon Cooks to new homes. This year all stats and point totals are done by the basic ESPN Fantasy Football system in PPR leagues.

Must Start:

Drew Brees- Quarterback- New Orleans Saints: You have a future hall of famer who is apart of a top 3 offense in the NFL against the worst passing defense of 2017, the Buccaneers. Not only did they give up the most yards last year, but they were also dead last in sacks. No secondary plus no pass pressure equals a field day for Brees and company. The Bucs only really added Vita Vea from the draft as a serious threat, and did not add anyone else to sure up their horrible secondary. Start Drew Brees in a heartbeat. If you have any other New Orleans WR like Michael Thomas, Cameron Meredith, or Ted Ginn Jr. I would start them without hesitation.

Alex Collins- Running Back- Baltimore Ravens: Typically I am not a fan of Alex Collins, but this is a special occasion. The Buffalo Bills defensive line is horrid and has been hit with injuries all over. The addition of Harrison Phillips in the draft along with Kyle Williams is decent, but the Bills have not been able to stop the run this pre-season. I know, I know, it is just pre-season, but Carlos Hyde against the Bill’s first team defense tore them apart. He did it not only on the ground, but in the passing game too. Look to see Collins have workhorse potential this Sunday.

Allen Robinson- Wide Receiver- Chicago Bears: The Packer’s defense were top 10 in passing yards allowed and did not do anything to sure up the secondary this off-season. Robinson signed with the Bears earlier this year and has taken on the WR1 role in Chicago. Trubisky has looked solid for the Bears, so I would not be too worried about who he has throwing to him. Also consider Trey Burton as a TE who is set to get a lot of volume on Sunday.

Do not start:

Odell Beckham Jr.- Wide Receiver- New York Giants: I think a general rule of thumb for this year’s fantasy football players are do not mess with the Jaguars defense. Hands down the best defense last year, and they were able to maintain an extremely large number of players from that strong defense. Odell is one of the best WR in football, but with Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye on both sides I’m not comfortable with him this week.

Derek Carr- Quarterback- Oakland Raiders: This new look Rams team is no joke. The addition of Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters is scary for opposing QBs. The Rams are not just one of the favorites to win the super bowl, but have one of if not the best defense in the NFL. Carr simply will not be able to be productive against such a stout defense. I would be very cautious with starting anyone like Carr, Jordy Nelson, Amari Cooper, or Jared Cook.

Lamar Miller- Running Back- Houston Texans: The addition of Adrian Clayborn and Danny Shelton helps sure up a very solid Patriots D-line. The Patriots also got Dont’a Hightower back from injury. Miller is not a RB that I feel will be able to be successful against such a disciplined and strong defense like the Patriots.

Sleepers for the season:

James Washington- Wide receiver- Pittsburgh Steelers: This kid has looked extremely good so far for the Steelers. During the pre-season he was being used as a WR3 kind of guy, and even was being used at WR2 consideration. He has been racking up targets, including 8 in his third pre-season game for 88 yards, and has been used often by the Steelers. He is great pick up of the waiver wire or late in your draft.

Ben Watson- Tight End- New Orleans Saints: Watson has quietly been one of the most productive TE in fantasy football throughout the years. He has now put up two back to back top 11 fantasy finishes among TE in point total, and is now apart of one of the best offenses in football. Watson should still get consistent targets behind Michael Thomas and Cameron Meredith, so do not be worried about that. Watson is good TE to take late if you don’t like taking a TE too early. He is also available in a large number of leagues on the waiver wire, because of his 36% owernish in all of ESPN fantasy leagues.

Matt Breida- Running Back- San Francisco 49ers: If you’re looking for RB to replace Jerick McKinnon I really like Matt Breida. McKinnon tore his ACL earlier this week so now there is a RB competition between Alfred Morris and Matt Breida. Morris has appeared to be the 1st and 2nd down RB, but Morris is not a good receiving back. A Kyle Shanahan led team loves to do get RB into the passing game often. Breida is the feature passing down back and should see more time due to Morris’s inability to be very effective in the passing game. I believe it is very possible that Breida could become the RB1 in San Fran and to rack up points for fantasy teams. He is a very solid waiver wire pick up, and is great player to draft in the final rounds.