Week 1 Fantasy Football Rankings: Standard | PPR
Looking for a sleeper to pick up off the waiver wire -- or even start? Heath Cummings and Chris Towers pick one player from each team that is either a sneaky Week 1 option or otherwise worthy of targeting.
AFC
Kenny Stills, WR, Dolphins: Seattle is obviously a tough matchup for the Dolphins' offense, but Stills should line up in the slot quite a bit, and his big-play potential always gives him a chance to go off.
Bilal Powell, RB, Jets: The Jets could struggle to run it against this Bengals defense, but Powell should still have a role even after the signing of Matt Forte. If you're desperate for a third RB, Powell will at least get his touches.
James White, RB, Patriots: The Patriots already have a young quarterback's best friend in Rob Gronkowski, but a capable running back catching passes out of the backfield can help too. LeGarrette Blount should get plenty of work too, but if the Pats can't put it away on the ground, White should be a factor.
Charles Clay, TE, Bills: Clay's first season with the Bills didn't go as planned, but he was limited at times by a knee injury that bothered him last offseason. The knee hasn't been an issue for him this time around, so he could emerge as a more reliable target for Tyrod Taylor this time around.
Terrance West, RB, Ravens: West looked a lot better for about 12 hours last weekend, when it looked like Justin Forsett's time with the team was finished. As it is, this backfield looks muddled, but West was the best of the bunch in the preseason, and could surprise with a big role this week.
Eli Rogers, WR, Steelers: The Steelers' passing game beyond Antonio Brown could be really rough if someone doesn't step up, and Rogers at least earned a big role in the preseason. Despite playing fewer snaps than Sammie Coates in exhibition play, Rogers led the team in catches, and should get plenty of work in the slot in what could be a high-scoring game against Washington.
Terrelle Pryor, WR, Browns: The converted quarterback actually showed enough in the preseason to earn a starting role, after leading the team with 122 yards on five catches. He is very much a work in progress, but he showed real big-play potential, and could make for an interesting combination with Robert Griffin III if he can get out of the pocket against the Eagles' porous secondary.
Brandon LaFell, WR, Bengals: Someone has the be the No. 2 option for the Bengals in the passing game, especially with A.J. Green facing the still-tough Darrelle Revis. LaFell is nobody's idea of an exciting reciever, but he has averaged 54.4 yards per game over the last two seasons, and could have a bigger role than usual this week if Green gets locked up.
Phillip Dorsett, WR, Colts: Given the rough state of their defense, this one could turn into a shootout for the Colts, and Dorsett's big-play ability could prove very valuable for Andrew Luck, given his ability to extend plays.
T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jaguars: This one could really come down to which running back is most reliable on passing downs, because the Jaguars should be trailing early. Yeldon was effective as a pass-catcher last season, while Ivory has more than 20 receptions just once in his six-year career.
Brock Osweiler, QB, Texans: Osweiler's weapons aren't the best, but he does have DeAndre Hopkins and exciting rookie Will Fuller heading into a matchup against what was a very bad pass defense in Chicago last season.
Derrick Henry, RB, Titans: The Titans have a tough test in Week 1 against the Vikings, but the good news is, this should be a slow-paced, low-scoring game, which should mean plenty of running opportunities for their No. 2 back.
Travis Benjamin, WR, Chargers: Benjamin emerged as a big-play ace last season and he did it with the putrid Browns quarterbacking situation. This is a tough matchup, but I'm excited to see what he can do with a real, elite passer.
Charcandrick West, RB, Chiefs: If Jamaal Charles sits, Spencer Ware is expected to be the main option for the Chiefs, but West should get some work too. West was much more involved in the passing game than Ware, and still had 23 touches in Week 16 and the first round of the playoffs, when Ware was healthy last season.
Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Broncos: The Panthers will likely be a very stout pass defense yet again this season, but the absence of Josh Norman makes them look a little less scary. This has all the makings of a low-scoring game, but if the Broncos' defense falters in the opener, Sanders could be a safety blanket for Trevor Siemian in his first NFL start.
Clive Walford, TE, Raiders
Walford didn't do much as a rookie, but the No. 68 overall pick in the 2015 draft does have a terrific opportunity in Week 1 against the Saints. He's probably fourth on the pecking order for targets, but Walford could still parlay that into a double-digit Fantasy scoring day in what should be a shootout.
NFC
Christine Michael, RB, Seahawks: If Thomas Rawls can't go, Michael could reasonably be a top-12 RB against a very good matchup. Even if Rawls plays I would expect Michael to have a role and be startable as a flex.
John Brown, WR, Cardinals: A lot of the luster fell off Brown as he was sidelined for much of the preseason with concussion issues. He played last week, and if he's a full go this week he has top 20 upside at WR.
Torrey Smith, WR, 49ers: Someone has to catch the ball in San Francisco, right? Smith could be a sneaky flex option in a deeper league.
Tavon Austin, WR, Rams: Know your rules, because if you get points for kick and punt returns, Austin becomes closer to a must-start than a sleeper. In PPR leagues he's a decent deep-league option.
Kevin White, WR, Bears: Everyone keeps talking about how bad the Bears are, and they aren't wrong. But that doesn't hurt wide receivers. White could put up big numbers playing from behind in the second half.
Ameer Abdullah, RB, Lions: Everyone in this Lions/Colts matchup is in play, but Abdullah isn't a guy you drafted to be a starter. The Colts have a beat-up defense that wasn't very good in the first place.
Jared Cook, TE, Packers: I know, you've heard it all before, but Cook actually has a good NFL quarterback now. Richard Rodgers was able to post a top-10 season in this offense, and Cook is at least as talented.
Stefon Diggs, WR, Vikings: I don't like the situation for Diggs until Sam Bradford gets acclimated to the roster. But much like Torrey Smith, he's the clear No. 1, and that's worth something. Diggs has value in deep PPR leagues
Sterling Shepard, WR, Giants: The Cowboys have done a pretty spectacular job against Odell Beckham, which should leave the other side of the field open for Shepard. The Giants' rookie as been very impressive this preseason and could have a breakout game as the Giants attempt to push the pace.
Rob Kelley, RB, Redskins: Matt Jones is no sure thing for the Redskins this week, and Kelley probably has a Week 1 role even if Jones is cleared. This play doesn't come with the upside of Michael, but the benefit is Kelley is probably on your waiver wire.
Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys: There may not be a player with a wider range of outcomes in Week 1 than Prescott. If the Cowboys have their way, he'll probably throw 20 passes in a low-scoring win, but if the Giants win the battle of wills and Prescott has to air it out it's either going to go really well (like the preseason) or terribly bad.
Darren Sproles, RB, Eagles: I would imagine the Eagles are going to do whatever they can to protect Carson Wentz in his first start. To me that means a heavy dose of Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles, who is a deep PPR flex option.
Michael Thomas, WR, Saints: Thomas wowed everyone at camp and his coach has talked about drafting him in Fantasy. His first game comes in a likely shootout at home. Lower perception from everyone else is the only reason he's in this column. He's a solid flex play.
Vincent Jackson, WR, Buccaneers: I expect a bounceback in a big way from Jackson, and I wouldn't be surprised at all if that starts in Week 1 against the Falcons. I like Jackson as a No. 3 WR or a very good flex.
Mohamed Sanu, WR, Falcons: Matt Ryan can't throw every pass to Julio Jones, and Sanu is the clear No. 2 in Atlanta. This should be a high scoring game with lots of passing and Sanu is a solid No. 3 option.
Devin Funchess, WR, Panthers: Listen, if you're starting someone from the Panthers, you're hoping for a touchdown because the yardage totals won't be impressive. Funchess had a great offseason, and with his size he's as likely to get in the end zone as any WR in Carolina.
