Favorite fantasy football option at each position entering Week 1

We have arrived at Week 1 of the Fantasy Football season we couldn't be more excited to help you set your lineup and win your matchups week in and week out. 

There are many key matchups to keep an eye on and it's hard to judge someone's usage without seeing the team in full form. However, these are my favorite players at each position entering Sunday afternoon. 

QB

Chicago Bears, QB: Justin Fields vs. Green Bay Packers 

ESPN Point Projection: 19.5

Last season in Week 1 the Bears had a very impressive victory. With Justin Fields leading the way entering this season after being one of the best fantasy QBs last year, I expect Fields to keep taking strides forward without missing a beat. The Packers have a solid defense but nothing that should keep you from leaving Fields out of your lineup this week. 

In two games last season against the Packers, Justin Fields was 27/36 through the air with over 300 passing yards, 90 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns. He didn't play much in the second meeting due to injury but Fields should see even better outlets with a better offensive line up front and the key addition of D.J. Moore at the wide receiver position should fair well for the third-year quarterback. 

RB

Jacksonville Jaguars, RB: Travis Etienne at Indianapolis Colts

ESPN Point Projection: 15.0 (PPR)

Travis Etienne is in a very unique spot. Being a late second or early third-round draft selection in most fantasy drafts, Etienne could be a serious threat all season for fantasy lineups and has the upside of being an elite RB1 in many settings. 

However, week 1 against the Colts is a no-brainer that you start Etienne in your lineup. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield along with his speed and agility makes him extremely elusive with the football, paving the way for fantasy points from all different spectrums.

The Colts are the youngest team in football, and with the connection between Lawerence and Etienne growing stronger after last season, he could have a monster week to start the season off and should be utilized in all leagues. 

WR

Miami Dolphins, WR: Jaylen Waddle at Los Angeles Chargers

ESPN Point Projection: 15.3 (PPR)

Jaylen Waddle is in a very good spot in Mike McDaniel’s Miami offense. It is pass-heavy and utilizes Jaylen Waddle with the speed they have on the outside. The Chargers defense isn’t a slouch, but it also isn’t a defense that should make you wary of your star fantasy players' value that a player like Waddle has.

In 10-14 man leagues he should be in your lineup just about every week. But if you sit in a 6-8-man league and are considering multiple options, I would still put Waddle in one of those WR or flex spots without a doubt. The Chargers allowed 24 touchdowns last season to opposing wideouts and teams had a 61.4 completion percentage against the Los Angeles defense. 

TE

Baltimore Ravens, TE: Mark Andrews at Houston Texans 

ESPN Point Projection: 13.4 (PPR)

Mark Andrews is the 2nd most productive tight end after Travis Kelce, and unless you have Kelce and doubled-up on a tight end, you shouldn't ever consider benching Andrews unless his production falls off the map. The depth and production at the position are just too weak and unproven entering this season.

Andrews should see plenty of targets with Lamar Jackson on the field, and he matches up extremely well against a Texans defense that has a lot of new faces, going through the rebuilding stage. With the Kelce injury, Andrews is my favorite tight end entering Sunday.

K

Cincinnati Bengals, K: Evan McPherson at Cleveland Browns 

ESPN Point Projection: 8.3

Evan McPherson is one of the most efficient kickers in the NFL over his first two seasons and for a Bengals offense that is high-powered and can score quickly and often he can and will generate some very solid fantasy games this season for Cincinnati.

Bengals have had trouble with the Browns in recent memory which leaves me a little bit skeptical but his make percentage and his ability to make kicks from 50 yards and beyond makes me comfortable having him as my favorite kicker of the week for your fantasy lineups. His career long sits at 59 yards, he has an 83.9% make percentage on over 60 attempts, and is 14 for 16 on kicks 50+ yards.

That means if he just lines up for a 50 yarder once, you are already generating 5 points without including any other kicks, or extra point attempts. His range makes him as dynamic as any other kicker in the league outside of Justin Tucker who is the obvious catalyst at the position.

D/ST

Baltimore Ravens, D/ST at Houston Texans

ESPN Point Projection: 8.4

With the pass rush and overall defense that the Ravens have, matching up with a rookie QB making his first career start looks like a clear opportunity to plug and play the Ravens' defense if they are available.

Ravens' defense is going undrafted in many fantasy leagues so they should be high in availability and being someone who starts defenses based on the matchup, you aren't going to see a better matchup on the slate than the Ravens' defense led by Roquon Smith against the young inexperienced Houston Texans led by CJ Stroud. The Ravens are projected to 8.4 fantasy points by ESPN, but I believe they could soar over that and break into the 10s.