Sunday Morning Huddle: Week One

Let’s face it, there’s an enormous amount of information out there on Sunday mornings. We’re not going to waste your time by repeating the news and notes about who’s in or out this week, since that’s really not what you visit us for. We’re also not going to do another article on starts or sits this week – we already have the personalized lineup advice for you on the premium content. Again, there are 100 places you can go for that, so no reason to repeat ourselves or others.

The Sunday Morning Huddle goes through each game and states what we’re looking to see from a dynasty perspective. We’ll pick one player from each team who we have our eye on and describe why their weekend performance is a key one for them in relation to their dynasty value.

Early Games

Cincinnati at Baltimore

There are a few new players to watch on the Bengals offense, but only one is operating with a limited timeframe. Mohamed Sanu only has about four weeks to show the coaching staff that he should stick in the starting lineup before Marvin Jones returns from his foot injury. With A.J. Green on the other side and a Baltimore defense that’s a step short of that ferocious version of itself from the early 2000’s, expect Sanu to do everything he can to make a good first impression.

Another man with a brief window of opportunity, Bernard Pierce needs to announce his presence with authority during Ray Rice’s two game suspension. This is a big stage against a divisional opponent so if Pierce falters here, it is likely his chance at a starting spot for the full season is over.

Cleveland at Pittsburgh

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All eyes are on Brian Hoyer and it’s not because of that sweet bald head, either. The grab and stash strategy dynasty owners had with Johnny Manziel is predicated on Hoyer’s ability (or inability) to maintain starter status. The over/under is after their bye week, but game one will be featured on highlight reels as the start of “Johnny Watch 2014.”

I don’t just like Markus Wheaton because of the rebellious nature his first name spelling suggests. Instead, I like speedy receivers in Pittsburgh as Ben Roethlisberger has been historically successful with them. Wheaton has the first crack at the number two job so his owners (and those with Martavius Bryant) will be keeping score.

Washington at Houston

There is a buzz around Jordan Reed and it’s not just a sound he is hearing from all those concussions. There is a lot of talent here, but unless his health complies, this could be a tragic tale of “What if?” This is the first step to proving he can be a lynchpin to your dynasty team, so let’s see what happens.

Sorry Ryan Mallett fans, he is not the choice here. Instead, I’m going with Ryan Fitzpatrick as he holds the reins of this offense and the fate of the skill players it employs. Can he keep defenses honest for Arian Foster and will he be able to be a consistent part of this passing offense?

New England at Miami

The obvious choice here is Rob Gronkowski, even if Billy B is his usual cryptic self about Gronk’s playing status. Just to see him on the field healthy would be a victory and the fact it is a divisional game makes it all the sweeter. And sorry to those who thought I’d write about Tim Wright.

Who’s it gonna be? Knowshon Moreno or Lamar Miller? I know, I’m cheating here by naming two players, but it impacts a lot more fantasy teams that way. The decision around their playing time will be critically important to know whether either can be a weekly start option.

Oakland at New York Jets

The non-existent secondary of the Jets does not compel me to choose Derek Carr, so let’s go with Khalil Mack, Oakland’s first round pick in 2014. Mack profiles as a big play linebacker capable of double digit sacks as soon as this year. Let’s see how that works out starting this week.

With Stephen Hill gone…ok, nothing changes. I am an unabashed Geno Smith supporter here and have continually encouraged people to go get him on the cheap. With new weapons in tow and a defense that looks like it will have issues defending the pass, Smith could be in line to put up QB2 numbers. Week one will be a good test to see if that is the case or if Michael Vick supplants him.

Tennessee at Kansas City

I love Justin Hunter so he is a very good one to watch, but I’m going with Bishop Sankey and the atrocious Titans running back situation. While no one is convinced Shonn Greene is a positive contributor to anything football related, the mishandling of the running game has Sankey owners worried. His deployment against the Chiefs may start slow, but watch his effectiveness to see if he starts earning more time.

Here’s an admission: I like to sing Travis Kelce’s name to the A-Team theme song. This is a very telling week for the long lost Gronkowski brother as Dwayne Bowe has a one week suspension. If Alex Smith utilizes Kelce as a primary option here, it may be a sign of things to come (or at least a sell even higher opportunity).

Jacksonville at Philadelphia

Marqise Lee may get this designation by default as he is the only offensive rookie who will likely start. Playing against a high scoring team will give him tons of opportunities and the Eagles defense isn’t known for shutting their opponents down. If Lee can’t take advantage here, he may get passed up as a featured option soon enough.

This goes out to all the owners who mortgaged their team to trade for Nick Foles. He won’t repeat the two interception season from 2013, sorry guys. But if he falters against Jacksonville, can we really consider him in the near-elite tier?

Minnesota at St. Louis

Speaking of mortgaging a team for a player, has anyone induced as many happy thoughts as Cordarrelle Patterson? How he is used will be scrutinized to no end by the fantasy community. I think what will be telling is how Norv Turner positions him throughout the game.

In what is becoming a fantasy wasteland, 2013 revelation Zac Stacy is about the only player worth monitoring this early. Benny Cunningham looked good and Tre Mason was drafted high for a reason. Stacy needs to perform here to avoid the painful fantasy death known as RBBC.

New Orleans at Atlanta

Of course it is Brandin Cooks, did you think I was going to highlight Khiry Robinson here? The hype around Cooks is high and in a big game like this, his spot in the pecking order will be telling of his short-term status with the team.

With an already hobbled Steven Jackson, it will be interesting to see how and if Devonta Freeman is used here. Freeman may technically be third on the depth chart, but no one really believes Jacquizz Rodgers is anything more than a change of pace back.

Buffalo at Chicago

The dynasty community will certainly have their eyes on Sammy Watkins, but the receiving performance worth noting may, in fact, be that of Mike Williams, who is in search of a career renaissance. Williams will need some strong early season performances to be the second option in the passing game ahead of Robert Woods, but he certainly has the ability to do just that.

Very little changed in the Bears’ offense during the off-season, so let’s focus on Jay Cutler and his return from yet another injury. This offense led the NFC in scoring and produced the best fantasy quarterback numbers east of Denver so the statistics are there. Keep Jay upright because Jimmy Clausen is unlikely to repeat the numbers Josh McCown put up a year ago.

Afternoon Games

Carolina at Tampa Bay

The Panthers are already worried that Kelvin Benjamin is going to be double teamed by Tampa Bay on Sunday. That is likely a stretch but the attention opponents pay to Benjamin is something worth watching.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins is more than just a long name to type. With Tim Wright jettisoned to New England in favor of offensive line help, Sefarian-Jenkins is just one mediocre Brandon Myers away from a starting spot in the NFL’s tallest offense. He may not be a starter yet, but the Bucs could look to employ more large personnel sets early.

San Francisco at Dallas

Just because I don’t share the love the rest of the fantasy community has for him, I have no less interest in seeing how the 49ers use Carlos Hyde. With Kendall Hunter unavailable to spell Frank Gore, does Hyde get the call here? His opportunities in week one may present a floor for the season if Gore remains healthy for a fourth consecutive year.

Turning to a personal favorite of mine, Lance Dunbar may become the Joique Bell in Scott Linehan’s offense. There are a lot of receiving options in Dallas, but I suspect Dunbar is a 50-catch running back at a minimum in 2014 and San Francisco is a good test to see if that’s really the case. They held Dunbar back in preseason in a suspected move to disguise his role in the offense, let’s see what that looks like.

Sunday Night Football

Indianapolis at Denver

The pecking orders at wide receiver and tight end are still unsettled, but most fantasy owners will be looking at Trent Richardson to see if something has finally clicked. There is less competition over his shoulder this year and a full off-season to absorb the playbook, so the excuses are gone. Add in the potential for a shootout and Richardson’s ability to catch the ball and this will be a telling game to determine his future in both fantasy and reality.

I wanted to go Von Miller here but his IDP status falls short of Cody Latimer’s newfound opportunity. With Wes Welker’s stoned hundred dollar bill parade at the Kentucky Derby getting him suspended, Latimer becomes a candidate for some outside work. Does Peyton Manning put his faith in the rookie or will we see a bigger emphasis on other players?

Monday Night Football

New York Giants at Detroit

Reuben Randle is the receiver who has been better in Madden than in real life. The freakish athlete needs to put things together or the ailing Odell Beckham will be coming for his starting job. Randle needs to focus up and put up an impressive game against a vulnerable Lions defense.

New addition Golden Tate isn’t paid to be a decoy. He led all receivers in broken tackles last year and only had three drops, so he’s reliable. Does the offense look to Tate after Calvin Johnson or are there too many viable receivers at running back and tight end for him to shine?

San Diego at Arizona

While Keenan Allen’s follow-up to an electric rookie season is interesting, everything Ladarius Green does will be closely watched by dynasty owners everywhere. How does San Diego deploy Green when Antonio Gates is on the field? That will be a key question that will begin to get answered Monday night.

It’s all about Andre Ellington and his status. If he doesn’t play, it looks like Jonathan Dwyer will get the start.

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