Quarterbacks

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Aaron Rodgers, Packers (vs. Lions): Rodgers torched the Vikings defense for 364 yards and four touchdowns. Now, he will face the Lions, who just gave up three passing touchdowns to Mitchell Trubisky. The Lions are also dealing with several injuries in the secondary. Desmond Trufant and Jeff Okudah are currently dealing with hamstring injuries, and Justin Coleman was just placed on the IR. There is a strong possibility 2019 fifth-round pick Amani Oruwariye will be Detroit’s top cornerback this Sunday.

Josh Allen, Bills (vs. Dolphins): Allen had perhaps the best game of his career against the Jets. He had 312 yards and two touchdowns through the air and carried the ball 14 times for 57 yards and a touchdown. The Dolphins allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks last season and struggled to contain Cam Newton in their season opener.

Sleeper: Joe Burrow, Bengals (vs. Browns)

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Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers (vs. Broncos): Roethlisberger opened the season with a solid fantasy performance; he had 229 passing yards and three touchdowns. However, it was against the Giants, who allowed the fifth-most passing yards last season. Now, he will face the Broncos, who allowed the 11th fewest passing yards last season. They are without Von Miller, but they are still respectable defensively. Ryan Tannehill finished as only the 16th fantasy quarterback last week. Roethlisberger will not be a total bust this week, but I would not count on him to be a top ten fantasy quarterback.

Carson Wentz, Eagles (vs. Rams): Wentz was inconsistent against Washington. After a good start, he threw two interceptions and fumbled once. Now, he will face a much harder test against the Rams. Their defense was able to hold Dak Prescott to only 17.6 fantasy points.

Running Backs

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Ronald Jones II, Buccaneers (vs. Panthers): The Panthers gave up more fantasy points to running backs than any other team in 2019, and that trend continued in Week 1. Josh Jacobs scored three touchdowns and led all running backs with 35.9 PPR points. Meanwhile, Jones led Tampa Bay’s backfield in their season opener with 17 carries for 66 yards. Leonard Fournette posted only five carries for five yards, and LeSean McCoy had only one touch, which was a two-yard reception. It is now evident that Jones is the Buccaneers number one back. He is in store for a big game against the porous Panthers defense.

Jonathan Taylor, Colts (vs. Vikings): Marlon Mack was placed on the IR with an Achilles injury. As a result, Taylor will now see more touches. In Week 1, Taylor led the Colts in carries and was heavily involved in the passing game with six receptions for 67 yards. The Vikings gave up 139 rushing yards against the Packers, so Taylor is a strong starting option.

Sleeper: Peyton Barber, Washington Football Team (vs. Cardinals)

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Cam Akers, Rams (vs. Eagles): Akers was upstaged by fellow running back Malcolm Brown against the Cowboys. Brown carried the ball 18 times for 79 yards and two touchdowns, and he also had three receptions for 31 yards. Akers did receive a fair amount of touches. However, he only gained 39 yards on his 14 carries. Regardless, Akers still holds fantasy value, but he is a risky play against the Eagles stout run defense.

Kerryon Johnson, Lions (vs. Packers): Johnson was the odd man out in the Lions backfield Week 1. Adrian Peterson led the team in carries (14) and rushing yards (93), while D’Andre Swift played the most snaps at running back. The Lions turned more to Peterson as the game progressed, and as a second round pick, Swift will certainly continue to see the field. Additionally, Johnson did not make a strong case for touches; he was Detroit’s least efficient rusher gaining only 14 yards on seven carries. I expect Peterson and Swift to continue to lead the Lions backfield this week.

Wide Receivers

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Allen Lazard, Packers (vs. Lions): The Packers proved how prolific their passing game can be against the Vikings, and Lazard is their second wide receiver. He had four receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 19 yards in their season opener. As I previously mentioned, the Lions secondary will be very thin this week, which makes Lazard a good flex option.

Emmanuel Sanders, Saints (vs. Raiders): Michael Thomas is out, so Emmanuel Sanders will be the Saints top wide receiver against the Raiders. Thomas garned 185 targets last season, so Sanders and the rest of the Saints receivers will receive plenty of additional targets with Thomas sidelined. Sanders is a must start as long as Thomas is out.

Sleeper: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers (vs. Lions)

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Brandin Cooks, Texans (vs. Ravens): Cooks has been dealing with a quad injury. After being limited in practice last week, he was limited in practice on Wednesday.

Cooks did play against the Chiefs, but he was held to only two receptions for twenty yards. It is clear that he is not fully healthy, and a matchup with the Ravens secondary does not inspire confidence.

DeSean Jackson, Eagles (vs. Rams): Jackson is already a risky play due to his role as a deep-threat. He only had two receptions for 46 yards against Washington. Nevertheless, his big-play potential makes him an intriguing start certain weeks. This is not one of those weeks, as he will face the Rams defense and cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

Tight Ends

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Jared Cook, Saints (vs. Raiders): Cook could see an uptick in targets with Michael Thomas out. Additionally, he will have a favorable matchup against the Raiders, who gave up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends last season.

Sleeper: Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team (vs. Cardinals)

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Chris Herndon, Jets (vs. 49ers): Herndon hauled in six receptions for 37 yards and lost a fumble against the Bills. He has fantasy potential, but he will have a tough matchup this week against the 49ers, who allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends last season.