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Digging In The Crates Daily 2018 week 1

By Justin Lonero

Week 1 Main Slate

Quarterbacks

Andy Dalton @ Indianapolis ($5,800)

Put Andy Dalton’s preseason league leading passer rating a, the Bengals leading the AFC in total offense and also allowing the fewest sacks aside. Dalton heads into Week 1 with an arsenal of talent around him with A.J. Green, John Ross, a “healthy” Tyler Eifert, Gio Bernard and future NFL star Joe Mixon. The offensive line is improved which will hopefully keep Dalton up right. The Colts secondary is young and inexperienced. Dalton should exploit the Colts Week 1 on the road. The Bengals are 3- point favorites. An Andy Dalton-A.J. Green stack will be in play for me Week 1.

Blake Bortles @ New York Giants ($5,600)

The Jaguars are going to run the football heavily with Leonard Fournette in 2018, its their identity on offense. It will be Blake Bortles job to sell the play action to keep defenses confused. Bortles was 12th in the league a season ago in yards per completion (11.7 yards). The Giants are a middle of the road secondary at best heading into 2018. Bortles had 27+ Fantasy points on Four occasions a season ago. They have a young wide receiving corps with Keelan Cole, Donte Moncrief, Dede Westbrook and D.J. Shark. I like Bortles in tournaments.

Bonus: Case Keenum vs. Seattle ($5,100)

Running backs

Carlos Hyde vs. Pittsburgh ($4,500)

Despite the Browns drafting Nick Chubb and Duke Johnson having a defined role in the passing game, Carlos Hyde should get the bulk of the carries Week 1 against a leaky Steelers front Seven. The former Ohio State Buckeye is now home and should be the primary ball carrier for the Browns. He’s been a top-15 Fantasy running back over the last Two seasons and now he is in his prime. Hyde is a sneaky play Week 1 in a crowd of fantasy relevance on both sides of this game. He is capable of the big play when healthy and here i’m paying an extreme discount for a back that should come near 20 touches in his Browns debut.

Royce Freeman vs. Seattle ($4,500)

We’ve been playing the guessing game as to who the Broncos are going to start at running back since the NFL Draft in April and now it’s clear Royce Freeman will get the bulk of carries Week 1 against the Seahawks. Freeman is now replacing the departed C.J. Anderson as the Broncos bell cow finishing the preseason averaging 5.6 yards per carry and scoring Three touchdowns. Dollar for dollar Freeman may be the steal at running back in the 2018 class. Freeman is the first Broncos running back to start opening day since Terrell Davis. If that is any indication what the future holds for Fantasy owners, then beautiful things are to come. Freeman is a tournament play that should come low owned Week 1. Similar to Hyde i’m paying for volume and upside at an enormous bargain.

Bonus: Dion Lewis @ Miami ($4,900)

Wide receivers

Danny Amendola vs. Tennessee ($4,200)

Out goes Jarvis Landry and 100 + receptions from 2017 and in comes his immediate replacement Danny Amendola. With DeVante Parker set to miss week 1, Amendola could get peppered with target and even get looks inside the red zone. It will be a miracle if Amendola doesn’t lead the Dolphins in receptions. The rapport with Ryan Tannehill and Amendola has grown all offseason into the preseason. Amendola can be used in tournaments and cash games week 1.

Marquise Goodwin @ Minnesota ($4,600)

Even though we do not know exactly what Jimmy Garoppolo is yet, we know that he has a rapport with wideout Marquise Goodwin. Goodwin commanded 24 percent of the Niners targets over Garoppolo’s five starts. His upside is tremendous despite potentially seeing elite corner back Xavier Rhodes. With George Kittle hurting, and Pierre Garcon coming off a neck injury, Goodwin will be featured, especially if the Niners are down early. I like Goodwin in tournaments.

Bonus: Keelan Cole @ New York Giants ($3,800)

Tight End

Jordan Reed @ Arizona ($4,000)

There is a new sheriff in Washington by the name of Alex Smith and he is coming off his best season as a starter. Kirk Cousins has departed and the switch is practically a wash from a talent stand point. If Smith uses Reed like he did with Travis Kelce then we could see some early fire works permitting he stays healthy. Health is the primary concern as we all know with Jordan Reed and upside is why we yearn to own him. Jamison Crowder will see a ton of Patrick Peterson and there will be plenty of targets for Reed. It’s important we remember that Jordan Reed has as much upside as Rob Gronkowski and we get an incredibly discounted version.

Charles Clay @ Baltimore ($3,500)

Disclaimer: Charles Clay is NOT Travis Kelce or Rob Gronkowski. He is however one of the only viable pass catching options in Buffalo outside of LeSean McCoy and Kelvin Benjamin. The Bills are going to be trailing a ton of football games in 2018 and it will force whomever the quarterback is to sling the ball around. Clay doesn’t have tournament winning upside, but he is a safe bet for 6-10 targets each week for cash games. Clay has caught more balls than any other Bill since 2015. He’s a salary saver Week 1 and a safe cash game play.

Bonus: Jack Doyle vs. Cincinnati ($3,600)

Defense/Special teams

Chargers ($2,800) vs. Chiefs

Welcome to the NFL Patrick Mahomes here are the keys to a starting job. Meet Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa Week 1. It’s tough to imagine Mahomes doesnt struggle Week 1 on the road against one of the best defenses he’ll see all season.