As if signing up for the Fantasy Alarm Assistant G.M. wasn't a good enough decision already, we present to you even more assistance in setting your lineups this week.
Every Friday throughout the NFL regular season I will be sending you this lineup helper that I like to call: Tough Decisions. In this article I will breakdown players with similar value, ranking and projection heading into this coming week.
Let's take a look at the TOUGH DECISIONS for Week 1:
Quarterbacks
Ryan Tannehill (Redskins) or Eli Manning (Cowboys)
The Case for Tannehill: First and foremost, Tannehill has an excellent matchup to open the season. In 2014, the Redskins defense surrendered the most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. The Washington secondary is weak, and while the Chris Culliver acquisition will help, it doesn’t help enough. Tannehill should be able to pick apart the Redskins through the air, en route to a couple touchdown tosses. When it came to opposing quarterbacks rushing the ball, the Redskins allowed the ninth most yards in the league. Do you know who ranked 2nd among AFC quarterbacks in rushing yards? It was Tannehill. Don’t be surprised when he decimates the Washington defense on Sunday.
The Case for Manning: Unlike Tannehill, Manning won’t be going up against a defense that is fantasy-friendly for players at his position. However, with the expectation of this game becoming a shootout, Manning should have plenty of opportunities to rack up fantasy points. Despite being 10-11 against the Cowboys, his numbers against Dallas are typically pretty good. He has thrown 44 touchdowns in 21 career games, while his 61.14 completion percentage and 91.8 quarterback rating is the highest against any division foe. With Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz, Rueben Randle and Larry Donnell at his disposal, not only could it be a big week one for Manning, but a huge 2015 campaign.
The Verdict: Ryan Tannehill. The extra points he could accrue from rushing are just too good to pass up. Both players will throw their share of touchdowns, but the Dallas defense will cause more problems than the Washington defense will to Tannehill and the Dolphins.
Running Backs
Joseph Randle (Giants) or Darren McFadden (Giants)
The Case for Randle: He practiced with the first-team offense on Wednesday, so if we had to take a guess, he should see the majority of the reps out of the Dallas backfield. The Cowboys’ offensive line is so good that regardless of who is in the backfield, there will be holes for the ball carrier to exploit. Randle flashed his ability last year, averaging 6.7 yards per carry in a limited role. This situation is hard to trust, especially given all the different reports over the offseason, but Randle
seems to be the safer of the two backs.
The Case for McFadden: In the preseason, McFadden received six fewer carries, but rushed for only four fewer yards than teammate Randle. His 5.9 average yards per carry blew Randle (3.5) out of the water, and his two receptions also bested Randle’s lone reception. No one has ever doubted McFadden’s skill set since he entered the league, but his durability has been the major issue. While Dallas will likely start with a committee approach, it won’t be long before McFadden gets hurt. In terms of week one, Randle should see more carries, thus equating to better fantasy numbers.
The Verdict: Joseph Randle. The Giants surrendered the sixth most yards and seventh most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs last year. With Jason Pierre-Paul sidelined for this one and the Cowboys offensive line being so dominant, both running backs could find a way to be useful. However, of the two, Randle is the safer choice.
Tevin Coleman (Eagles) or Tre Mason (Seahawks)
The Case for Coleman: The speedy rookie has a lot of hype surrounding him this season, and his quality preseason play led to him earning the starting job over teammate Devonta Freeman, who is currently dealing with a hamstring issue. Freeman won’t see a ton of touches in week one, so Coleman will have a chance to literally run away with the job. There is some deception within this matchup. In 2014, the Philadelphia Eagles allowed the eighth most fantasy points to opposing running backs. In that regard, this matchup looks tasty. However, the Eagles allowed just 3.7 yards per carry, tied for fourth fewest in the league. While Coleman is speedy and extremely elusive, he might have a tough time finding ample running room against a ferocious Philadelphia front seven.
The Case for Mason: Mason is currently dealing with a hamstring injury and his availability for week one has yet to be determined. He was held out of practice on Wednesday, so owners are hesitant enough about this. Oh yeah, Mason and the Rams are also going up against the stiff Seattle Seahawks. The ferocity of their defense wreaks havoc and most offenses, with Sunday being no exception. Mason’s fantasy relevancy is expected to be short lived, seeing as rookie Todd Gurley continuing to work his way back from a torn ACL.
The Verdict: Tevin Coleman. There isn’t a ton of optimism between the two, but Coleman does have big play ability. All it takes is one long touchdown to make a fantasy day, and Coleman is more likely to complete such a task between these two backs. Coleman’s big play may not come via the rush, but perhaps a screen or swing pass to get him out in the open.
Wide Receivers
Jarvis Landry (Redskins) or Roddy White (Eagles)
The Case for Landry: As alluded to earlier with his quarterback Ryan Tannehill, the Redskins struggle to defend the pass. Landry was the recipient of 111 passes last season, hauling in 84 of them for 758 yards and five touchdowns. Against a porous Washington secondary, he should fare just fine. Sure, he will be covered by Washington’s best cornerback, but in PPR formats his value remains intact. He should receive a healthy dosage of targets all season and an improved Ryan Tannehill should only help his numbers more.
The Case for White: The Eagles struggled to cover opposing wide receivers last season, en route to allowing the most fantasy points per game to the position. That tends to be the case, seeing as their high-tempo offense definitely inflates their defensive numbers. This matchup is sure to be a high scoring affair and all offensive players should benefit from this week one contest. White is coming off a 2014 campaign that saw him catch 80 passes on 122 targets for 921 yards and seven touchdowns. Expect White to find pay dirt in a high scoring affair on Monday night.
The Verdict: PPR: Jarvis Landry. Standard scoring: Roddy White. This one solely depends on your league’s scoring system. White has a better chance to find the end zone, but the high volume of targets gives Landry the upper hand in PPR formats.
Jordan Matthews (Falcons) or Jeremy Maclin (Texans)
The Case for Matthews: Matthews and the Eagles will go against the Falcons in a high-scoring affair on Monday night. Over the last eight games in 2014, Matthews was eight among wide receivers in points per game, ending the season with 872 yards and eight touchdowns. He is the leader of the Eagles’ receiving core and Sam Bradford should provide him with plenty of targets. On Monday night, Matthews should find the end zone, and eclipse 100 receiving yards in the game. If the Matthews and Bradford connection carries over from the preseason, it’s going to be a big year for both players.
The Case for Maclin: In his first regular season game with his new team, Maclin draws a matchup against the Houston Texans. The team that was featured on “Hard Knocks” boasted a defense in 2014 that allowed the fourth most points per game to opposing wide receivers, which clearly bodes well for Maclin. However, Alex Smith is his quarterback, and we all know how frustrating that is for Kansas City wideouts. Take a look at 2014: Kansas City Chiefs wide receivers averaged 9.8 points per game, good for last in the league. The next closest team, the Seattle Seahawks, had receivers who averaged 16.8 points per game. However, the Chiefs have never had a game-changing receiver like Maclin on their roster.
The Verdict: Jordan Matthews. While Maclin could very well end the touchdown drought from receivers, a matchup against the Atlanta Falcons can’t go unexploited. Matthews is your guy between these two and makes for a solid second receiver with the upside of putting up WR1 numbers.
Tight Ends
Larry Donnell (Cowboys) or Ladarius Green (Lions)
The Case for Donnell: The Cowboys allowed opposing tight-ends to catch a league-high 109 receptions last season. Donnell made quite a splash last season, notching 623 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Three of those touchdowns came in week four against the Redskins, but Donnell is no stranger to putting up quality numbers against the Cowboys. Yeah, the plethora of talented receivers in New York attract a lot of the attention, but Donnell is a quality tight end. Not many people realize that he was the 12th best tight end in fantasy football last year.
The Case for Green: With Antonio Gates suspended for the first four games, Green seems poised to have a sizable role in the San Diego offense. However, he suffered a concussion and has limited time to recover for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions. If he is able to play, he has quite the task in front of him. Despite allowing 84 receptions to opposing tight ends, the Lions allowed an average of just 7.3 fantasy points per game to the position. Once Gates does return, Green will return to a role similar to 2014.
The Verdict: Larry Donnell. The matchup is just too good to pass up, as well as the fact that there is uncertainty surrounding Green’s status for Sunday. Donnell could be in for a big game on Sunday, especially with Beckham, Cruz and Randle attracting most of the attention.