Sit/Start Week 1: Reviewing All Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, September 10th, 1:00 PM ET

Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA

Betting Odds: ATL -3.5, 39.5 total via Oddsshark

Network: FOX

Writer: Mario Adamo Jr. (@marioadamojr on Twitter, /u/dotcaim on Reddit)

Carolina Panthers

Quarterback

Bryce Young (Sit)

Is this year’s first overall pick good enough for your fantasy team? That’s click-bait, the answer’s no. There are just too many other veteran QBs I trust to do average for me than to roll the dice on an unknown in Week 1. Take a chance on Bryce Young in deeper 2QB leagues, but otherwise, I’m looking elsewhere for my Week 1 signal caller.

Running Backs

Miles Sanders (Start, High-RB2), Chuba Hubbard (Sit, Low-Flex)

The most talented player on the Panthers’ offense is Miles Sanders. After finishing 2021 with 0 touchdowns, Sanders saw some positive regression and found the end zone 13 times last year. He’s the player I believe has the best chance to score a touchdown for this offense. The Falcons also allowed the 10th most rushing yards per game last year (130.24).  While I’d argue Chuba Hubbard is the better pass-catcher, I expect his role to be limited with Sanders taking over the starting job. Hubbard is worth a stash as a premier handcuff but is not someone I start with confidence at this time.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Adam Thielen (Sit, Low-Flex), DJ Chark (Sit), Laviska Shenault (Sit), Jonathan Mingo (Sit), Hayden Hurst (Sit)

If you’re here because you’re starting one of these receivers you probably know you’re in a bad spot. Adam Thielen is the highest guy on my list at WR51. If you’re in a 12-person league with 3 WRs and a Flex, there’s enough talent to fill all 48 starting spots with players I have higher expectations for than him this week. If you’re here for Hayden Hurst, you probably also know you’re in a bad spot. Hurst is my TE20 this week. As if you couldn’t be more on the fence about starting any of these players, the Falcons also signed former second-team All-Pro Jessie Bates III in the offseason to bolster their secondary. I’m fading all Panthers pass catchers for the time being.

Atlanta Falcons

Quarterback

Desmond Ridder (Sit)

Ridder me this, why are you starting Desmond Ridder? Are you in a deep 2Qb league and took talent elsewhere to punt on your QB2? If not, do not start Desmond Ridder. There’s plenty of talent elsewhere. Although Ridder is coming off a high, finishing 2022 with a career-best 15.86 points, there are still a variety of options I have ahead of him, not limited to but including:

• Jordan Love
• Sam Howell
• Kenny Pickett
• Brock Purdy

Running Backs

Bijan Robinson (Start, RB1), Tyler Allgeier (Sit, Flex), Cordarrelle Patterson (Sit)

If you drafted Bijan Robinson you probably did so in the 1st round. You’re excited to see him in his first NFL game. I am too. The sky’s the limit and I’m sipping the Kool-Aid. Robinson is my RB4 this week. The Panthers allowed 122 rushing yards per game and exactly 1 rushing TD per game last year. Granted, the team is under Frank Reich’s management now, but neither that nor the Panther’s offseason acquisition of DL Shy Tuttle have me worried things are drastically improved. There was never a doubt in your mind before and there shouldn’t be now. It’s time to meet the Robinsons.

As for sophomore Tyler Allgeier, his snap count is expected to be reduced significantly with Robinson as the lead back. With the reduced snap count comes reduced expectations. He’s on my bench except for the deepest of leagues.

And lastly, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Cordarrelle Patterson. Who could forget his incredible 2021 season where he finished RB9? He has passed the torch to the new generation of Falcons running backs, but we’ll never forget what he did as the giant whose shoulders Robinson will stand on. For now, Patterson has no fantasy relevancy besides being a locker-room leader on your bench.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Drake London (Start, WR3), Mack Hollins (Sit), Scott Miller (Sit), Kyle Pitts (Sit) 

I want to get ahead of it and say I’m a certified Kyle Pitts hater. He’s not lacking in the talent department but his production leaves much to be desired.  Last year he had two finishes in the top 10 and had an average weekly finish of TE21. His poor QB play combined with Robinson being the focal point of this run-heavy offense will lead to another disappointing season for Pitts. While Pitts is currently the 7th TE coming off the board according to fantasy pros, I predict Pitts will finish out of the top ten.

As for the receiver core, Drake London is the only one I’d start. If any non-Robinson Falcon scores a touchdown, my money is on London. He led the team in receiving touchdowns last year as a rookie. As for Mack Hollins and Scott Miller, I’m not rostering either except in the deepest of leagues.