Fantasy football ‘starts and sits’ for NFL Week One

Start – Daryl Richardson, RB, Rams

Richardson is still a fairly anonymous player in the NFL but in Week 1 he could burst onto the scene. The St. Louis Rams offense is much improved this offseason as they bolstered their offensive line with adding arguably the best left tackle in football, Jake Long. With Isaiah Pead suspended for the first four games, the backfield is all Richardson’s and chances are the Rams will plan to run against a mediocre Arizona run defense in Week 1.

Sit – Ryan Mathews, RB, Chargers

While Ryan Mathews could be in for a breakout year after a healthy preseason, I don’t think that will happen just yet in Week 1. The Chargers take on one of the best front-seven’s in football in JJ Watt’s Houston Texans, who didn’t give up a rushing touchdown until Week 12 last year. If you have the running back depth, sit Mathews out in this one.

Start – Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense/Special Teams

Geno Smith will be the Week 1 starter for the New York Jets against Tampa Bay on Sunday in the Big Apple. Tampa Bay did good work this offseason, including adding safety Dashon Goldson; and let’s not forget second-year safety Mark Barron, who should be in for a breakout year. And of course there’s Darrell Revis, who signed with the Bucs and will be making his debut Week 1. He has to be frothing at the mouth at the opportunity to play a rookie quarterback who had a shaky preseason. The Bucs are a solid play Week 1.

Sit – Santonio Holmes, WR, Jets

Holmes has been a bust in New York thus far, and given the state of this offense and quarterback situation, that’s not likely to change anytime soon. Holmes is said to be healthy and ready to go for Week 1 after battling a foot injury in the offseason, but with the rookie Geno Smith delivering his passes, I wouldn’t expect much of anything from any of the Jets’ receivers. Look elsewhere.