Can you believe that NFL football will be played in less than 24 hours?
The reigning, defending, undisputed Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by Tom Brady, will host America’s team, Dallas Cowboys. It should be a good one folks.
On this edition of THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER, I will compare players ranked closely together and choose who I believe is the best option in week 1. Get your popcorn ready!
QB
JUSTIN HERBERT, LAC v. JALEN HURTS, PHI: We start the first matchup off with a banger, who doesn’t want to own these two? Herbert is the reigning, rookie of the year, while Hurts flashed signs of greatness to close out 2020. I love both guys for the duration of the 2021 season, but this is strictly based on week 1. Herbert travels to Washington to take on the tough football teams offense, while Hurts should be involved in a shootout in Atlanta. I love Hurts this week. WINNER: JALEN HURTS, PHI
RYAN TANNEHILL, TEN v. TREVOR LAWRENCE, JAX: Another banger at the quarterback position. Tannehill will make his 2021 debut at home against the Cardinals, while Lawrence makes his NFL debut in Houston. Lawrence is destined for a good fantasy rookie season as he is surrounded by talent. This is also a great matchup. But week 1, Ryan Tannehill with A.J. Brown and Julio Jones, don’t overthink this one. WINNER: RYAN TANNEHILL, TEN
MATTHEW STAFFORD, LAR v. RYAN FITZPATRICK, WSH: Many people may laugh at this matchup, but it is legitimate, two quarterbacks in new places in 2021. Stafford makes his Rams debut on Sunday Night Football as they host the Bears. Fitzpatrick will play at home against the Chargers, a well-improved defense. Both quarterbacks are surrounded with talent, but I’m going with that week one FitzMagic in this one. WINNER: RYAN FITZPATRICK, WSH
RB
RAHEEM MOSTERT, SF v. MIKE DAVIS, ATL: This is a decision that I have to make myself. Mostert has a great week one matchup as the 49ers travel to Detroit to take on a terrible Lions defense. Davis also has a great matchup in a matchup that should be very high scoring as the Falcons host the Eagles. Both guys have high upside, but I can see Mostert having himself a day in week one. WINNER: RAHEEM MOSTERT, SF
D’ANDRE SWIFT, DET v. DAMIEN HARRIS, NE: Who would have seen this one coming? Swift is healthy and ready to roll week one, but much of a role will he have? Swift was battling through a groin injury all preseason, this may be the Jamaal Williams game. Harris is the clear-cut starter in New England. When this team gets in the redzone, expect to see Scott Hansen saying his name. For the longterm, Swift has higher value, for week one, give me Harris. WINNER: DAMIEN HARRIS, NE
CHASE EDMONDS, ARI v. RONALD JONES II, TB: Will it be Edmonds or will it be Conner? Will it be Jones or will it be Fournette? These are questions that week one should sort of answer for us. Edmonds takes on the Titans, while Jones will be playing against that Cowboys defense. It’s tough to trust Jones with Fournette and Bernard also there. Roll with Edmonds week one. WINNER: CHASE EDMONDS, ARI
WR
BRANDIN COOKS, HOU v. TYLER BOYD, CIN: Here are two options, two very good options that an owner may have to make. Cooks and the Texans will be hosting the Jags, while Boyd and the Bengals will be hosting the Vikings. Cooks is the clear-cut number one option in Houston, but that isn’t saying much. Boyd will be one of three main options for Joey B in Cincy, but I still would start him over Cooks in week one. WINNER: TYLER BOYD, CIN
MARQUEZ CALLAWAY, NO v. ANTONIO BROWN, TB: The number on option for Saints against the number three option for the Bucs. The Saints and Packers should be a good week one matchup, a competitive one too. The Bucs can easily beat down on the Cowboys, hurting Brown’s week one value. Go with Jameis Winston’s number one target. WINNER: MARQUEZ CALLAWAY, NO
DEVONTA SMITH, PHI v. MARQUISE BROWN, BAL: I’m predicting both of these guys to be boom or bust players in 2021, and they both may boom in week one. I’ve already stated that I love all Eagles in week one, Smith could explode, Marquise Brown may also explode on Monday Night Football against the Raiders. I’ll go with Jalen Hurts number on target, though. WINNER: DEVONTA SMITH, PHI
TE
JONNU SMITH, NE v. MIKE GESICKI, MIA: With Mac Jones now the starting quarterback in New England, all the receiving options have more intriguing fantasy value. Smith and Henry will be part of the two tight end set that is most certainly going to be run in New England. Gesicki is Tua’s favorite target and people are sleeping on him. WINNER: MIKE GESICKI, MIA
TYLER HIGBEE, LAR v. ROBERT TONYAN, GB: An interesting matchup here between Higbee and Tonyan. Higbee should see an expanded roll with Gerald Everett now in Seattle. Tonyan did catch 11 touchdowns in 2020, I do not think he will do that again in 2021. But this is a week one comparison and I believe Tonyan is more likely to catch a touchdown in week one over Higbee. WINNER: ROBERT TONYAN, GB
ROB GRONKOWSKI, TB v. AUSTIN HOOPER, CLE: Two veteran tight ends with some fantasy value. This is an easy one for me, Gronk has a better chance of catching a touchdown in week one over Hooper. WINNER: ROB GRONKOWSKI, TB
D/ST (Top 10)
- Los Angeles Rams v. Chi
- San Francisco 49ers @ Det
- Carolina Panthers v. NYJ
- Denver Broncos @ NYG
- New England Patriots v. Mia
- Green Bay Packers @ NO
- New York Giants v. Den
- Miami Dolphins @ NE
- Jacksonville Jaguars @ Hou
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers v. Dal
K (Top 10)
- Harrison Butker, KC v. Cle
- Justin Tucker, Bal @ LV
- Matt Gay, LAR v. Chi
- Ryan Succop, TB v. Dal
- Jason Sanders, Mia @ NE
- Younghoe Koo, Atl v. Phi
- Jason Myers, Sea @ Ind
- Tyler Bass, Buf v. Pit
- Josh Lambo, Jax @ Hou
- Brandon McManus, Den @ NYG
The Fantasy Football Guy 