Fantasy Football Week 1: Best Players To Add, Drop For Opening Games
With your fantasy football draft in the books, you’re officially ready for the NFL’s opening weekend.
Or are you?
Fantasy drafts are where you’ll select most, if not all, of your Week 1 starters. But just because you drafted a player doesn’t mean he has to start — or even be on your roster — especially if there’s a better option out there in the free agent pool.
Fantasy football is a game of matchups, and there are plenty of enticing ones in Week 1 that could elevate players overlooked on draft day into legitimate starting candidates. Correspondingly, there probably are a couple guys you drafted who you could afford to part with to free up space.
With that in mind, do yourself a favor and look at these add and drop candidates before setting your final Week 1 lineup.
THREE PLAYERS TO ADD
Dak Prescott, Quarterback, Dallas Cowboys: After a stellar preseason, Tony Romo’s replacement will make his NFL debut against a New York Giants team that allowed the most passing yards in the NFL last season. Prescott still is unowned in 57 percent of FOXSports.com leagues, so if you’re not 100 percent confident about your Week 1 starter and Prescott is available, get him.
Charcandrick West, Running Back, Kansas City Chiefs: Spencer Ware technically is the team’s No. 1 back with starter Jamaal Charles on the shelf for Week 1. But West also could see plenty of touches, especially on passing downs, and the San Diego Chargers’ defense is mediocre at best. West is owned in just 16 percent of FOXSports.com leagues.
Will Fuller, Wide Receiver, Houston Texans: Check his injury status, but if he’s good to go, the rookie out of Notre Dame could see some action in his very first game if the Chicago Bears load up to stop No. 1 wideout DeAndre Hopkins. Owned in 22 percent of FOXSports.com leagues, Fuller is worth a flyer.
THREE PLAYERS TO DROP
Marcus Mariota, Quarterback, Tennessee Titans: We wouldn’t blame you for drafting Mariota — as 65 percent of owners did in FOXSports.com leagues — but his Week 1 matchup against a stingy Minnesota Vikings defense doesn’t inspire much confidence. There’s a good chance you can find a better QB on the waiver wire to plug in for opening weekend.
DeVante Parker, Wide Receiver, Miami Dolphins: Parker has plenty of upside entering his second season, but a hamstring injury could keep him sidelined for Week 1. Brutal road matchups against the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots in Weeks 1 and 2 could allow you to drop Parker now if you need the extra roster spot.
Jay Ajayi, Running Back, Dolphins: Did we mention Miami has a tough early schedule? Ajayi still is the Dolphins’ backup with Arian Foster in the picture, and he likely won’t do much in Week 1 as Miami tries to feature its biggest offseason acquisition. You always can snag Ajayi later, but now is a good time to dump him if necessary.
Click to play fantasy football on FOXSports.com >>
Thumbnail photo via Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports Images
