Fantasy Football: Top 10 Sit ‘Em Picks For Week 1

As Fantasy Football is finally upon us, owners should highly consider sitting these top 10 players due to not living up to expectations.

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Dec 20, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) is defended after a catch by Miami Dolphins free safety Michael Thomas (31) during the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

It’s Week 1 of fantasy football; this is the preview of your entire season. It is extremely important you don’t fumble early in the year.

Just because you drafted the No. 1 wide receiver or quarterback doesn’t mean your good to go. You can win the season with the first draft pick, but you can also very much have a losing season with the first pick as well!

That’s why it’s so important to do research on your player’s upcoming matchups. Week 1 of the 2016 NFL season offers some pretty intense competitions.

We have the Super Bowl rivals, divisional rivals the Dallas Cowboys vs the New York Giants, and it’s the first time quarterback Tom Brady hasn’t started a game since 2008.

With tight matchups, injuries, and suspensions, some fantasy players gain and lose value. Don’t get stuck with the players that lose value as I have seen people lose over 0.1 points.

Be sure to bench these top 10 players going into Week 1. Don’t take a gamble, it’s only Week 1, everyone!

Next: 10. This Patriot will suffer this weekend

Oct 26, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) shakes hands with Chicago Bears tight end Martellus Bennett (83) prior to their game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

10. Martellus Bennett, TE New England Patriots

It is going to be a rough four weeks for the New England Patriots while Brady finishes out a four-game suspension for the Deflate-Gate scandal. With second-string quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo stepping in front and center, Bennett may have some issues with playing time.

Garoppolo isn’t going to focus on the secondary players. He will do everything in his power to connect with Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman. Bennett will get lost in the crowd.

As the Patriots prepare to take on the Arizona Cardinals, it’s best to bench him. The Cardinals only surrendered six touchdowns to the position last season.

Bennett will have some fantasy value in the weeks to come. But, until Brady is back in the picture, I wouldn’t trust starting him just yet.

Next: 9. Stay away from this Dolphin

Aug 25, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Arian Foster (34) runs with the ball away from Atlanta Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal (22) during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

9. Arian Foster, RB Miami Dolphins

Just because the Miami Dolphins have Arian Foster as their starting running back does not mean they will have a comeback season; they’re still the Dolphins. Yes, they will use Foster heavily on an offensive line that struggles with and on and off quarterback play but, this week is not the week to test that theory.

The Dolphins take on the Seattle Seahawks on the road in this season opener. They will be without center Mike Pouncey who is suffering from a hip injury; he is a crucial member of the Dolphins’ offensive line.

Last season, Foster averaged less than three yards per carry. Those are not numbers you want to hear as a fantasy owner.

Foster will shine on the Dolphins, just not this week. Definitely sit Foster in Week 1, he’ll be a fish out of the water!

Next: 8. This Panther had his value drop this week

8. Cam Newton, QB Carolina Panthers

Oh, Cam! Quarterback Cam Newton was the No.1 quarterback drafted in fantasy leagues this year. He is also the first quarterback I will tell you to bench this season; unless you’re in a one-quarterback league and he is your only option.

Newton and the Carolina Panthers are preparing for their revenge game against the Denver Broncos; we all know what happened last time these two teams stepped on the field together. It’s not worth risking it this week.

Although Newton will be a huge asset this season, this week won’t be a good one for him. If the Panthers were playing a team like the Jaguars, Newton would definitely be a start.

Last season, only one quarterback in the entire league was able to earn 20 fantasy points against the Broncos, and that was Brady. Don’t take a risk in Week 1 when there are plenty of other options.

Next: 7. His matchup doesn't offer ample playing time

Aug 20, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Ivory (33) runs during the first quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

7. Chris Ivory, RB Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars season opener against the Green Bay Packers is going to offer a huge upset for Chris Ivory owners. The Jaguars will be forced to use a passing game when the Packers begin to dominate in points.

With that in mind, it is more likely running back T.J. Yeldon will have more touches because he has a better receiving game than Ivory. Although Ivory can finish the job in the red-zone, it may not be enough to be a big fantasy value this week.

Then there’s always the chance he doesn’t score! There are too many what ifs for Ivory’s weekly match-up and Jaguar debut.

Ivory is projected to earn just a little over 10 fantasy points. He should be looked at as an RB3 option in this week’s game. If you can bench Ivory, do it before it’s too late.

Next: 6. He was a fantasy bust last season

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Nov 29, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (center) looking on during pre-game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. The Chargers won 31-25.at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Steve-USA TODAY Sports

6. Antonio Gates, TE San Diego Chargers

Tight end Antonio Gates and the San Diego Chargers are battling the Kansas City Chiefs in this week’s NFL kickoff. But, if you know anything about Gates, you would know he doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to the Chiefs.

Last year alone, Gates was held to only seven completions for a little over 80 yards; that was in two games against them. He also hasn’t scored a touchdown against the Chiefs in his last five match-ups.

The Chiefs dominate tight ends! No player scored double-digit fantasy points against the team last year. And, Gates only had one game that he exceeded 10 points.

With those statistics, it would be too much of a gamble starting Gates. Don’t start your season with a bust, sit Gates for sure!

Next: 5. This Viking needs another week before starting

Aug 28, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) catches a pass against the San Diego Chargers in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings won 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

5. Stefon Diggs, WR Minnesota Vikings

Wide receiver Stefon Diggs is going to have a great season, with quarterback Sam Bradford joining the Minnesota Vikings. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, Bradford won’t be starting in the season opener against the Tennessee Titans as he is still learning plays, routes, and the players.

With quarterback Shaun Hill starting, we can expect to see a heavy run game from the Vikings. Here’s my chance to plug that Adrian Peterson should definitely have a good game!

Last season, Diggs only earned about 12 fantasy points against the Titans. Compared to other receivers that consistently earn 20 points per game, I’d say that’s not great at all.

Diggs could still see a few passes depending on how the game is going. However, it won’t be as impressive as it could. Hold off on Diggs until Bradford steps on the football field.

Next: 4. This running back has less value in a passing game

Dec 20, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones (31) carries the ball as Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Preston Brown (52) grabs his face mask during the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 35-25. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

4. Matt Jones, RB Washington Redskins

Matt Jones has been cleared for Week 1 after he hurt his shoulder during a preseason game. Although he has been cleared, Jones will probably be limited on the field.

Aside from his shoulder, the Redskins opening game doesn’t look very promising on paper. Jones takes on the Steelers who offered the second fewest points to the position last season.

With that said, we can expect to see a heavy passing game from the Redskins. Not to mention, Jones doesn’t offer valuable fantasy points unless he makes a touchdown.

You need to test out the water before you can start someone like Jones in your weekly lineup. Sit him this week, and track for the next few weeks!

Next: 3. Don't start anyone on this team in Week 1

Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) runs for yards after a catch with Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) leaps for a tackle in Super Bowl 50 at Levi

3. Emmanuel Sanders, WR Denver Broncos

I should have stated earlier that you should just sit any Denver Bronco this week. Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders will be struggling against the tough defense of the Panthers.

Although, that’s not any different than last season. Unfortunately, Sanders was a huge fantasy bust last year and was dropped by more than 20% of leagues throughout the season.

Sanders earned double-digit fantasy points per game only twice all season! The madness continues; he only earned five fantasy points in six of his matchups.

This week doesn’t look very good for Sanders, and he takes on the Panthers who are out for revenge. Sanders could increase his fantasy value over time but for now, he is a definite sit!

Next: 2. A strong defense will struggle this week

2. New England Patriots D/ST

I have waited for the day I could realistically sit the New England Patriots Defense/Special Teams without being biased. Ladies and gentlemen, the time has finally come!

The Patriots prepare to take on the Arizona Cardinals who could potentially give them a run for their money. Last season, the Cardinals allowed the fewest fantasy points per game towards opposing D/ST.

The Cardinals also earned more than 30 fantasy points in nine of their matchups last season. Did I mention they only were able to pull off more than two sacks against the Cardinals in 2015?

The Patriots are opening the season without defensive end Rob Ninkovich who happens to be their strongest pass rusher. The Patriots will be able to dominate this season, just not this week.

Next: 1. This quarterback only has one receiver

Sep 1, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) looks on from the sidelines in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts in a preseason NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium. The Colts won 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

1. Andy Dalton, QB Cincinnati Bengals

Quarterback Andy Dalton cut his season short last year after a thumb injury in Week 14. For his first NFL game since then, the Cincinnati Bengals take on the New York Jets.

I know what you’re thinking, the last time these two teams played together the Bengals destroyed Gang Green. A lot has changed since then; Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu are no longer there for Dalton to connect with and Tyler Eifert is still out with an ankle injury.

A.J. Green is Dalton’s only legit option. But, with cornerback Darrelle Revis covering him, it may not be the best option for Dalton. It’s likely Green will still have a decent game but Dalton isn’t looking too good against a solid Jets’ defense.

must read: Fantasy Football: Top 10 Start 'Em Picks For Week 1

Don’t blow your Week 1 lineup with Dalton. Sit him this week!