Fantasy Football Start ’em, Sit ’em: Week 1 RBs Include A.J. Dillon

It is finally here! With NFL Week 1 upon us, it’s time to set your lineup to get the season started with a W. If you have Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor, Derrick Henry or any other elite fantasy football RB, you already know you are starting them. This fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em article will help you make the tough decisions for who to start on the fringes of RB2/Flex territory.

Welcome to our weekly fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em RB article!

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Fantasy Football Start ’em Sit ’em: Week 1 RBs

Start: Chase Edmonds vs Patriots

With Sony Michel being released, it has cleared the way for Chase Edmonds fantasy football production in what certainly figures to be a much-improved Dolphins offense. Even if Edmonds shares some carries with Raheem Mostert, he offers a safe floor due to his receiving ability, as over the last 28 games he has 96 receptions an average of 3.4 per game. If you have Edmonds, you can start him with confidence this week and feel comfortable that he will hit double-digit PPR points.

Start: A.J. Dillon vs Vikings

With Davante Adams leaving town, there has been talk of how the Green Bay Packers will replace his 169 targets. While many are looking to the receivers, it looks likely the 1A, 1A backfield of Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon will be called upon to fill a huge role this season, making both weekly fantasy football starters. Look for Jones to take on more work in the passing game while Dillon will take on more of the goalline work. Against a Minnesota Vikings team that was in the bottom-third of the league in rush defense last season, look for Dillon to return RB2 value this week.

RELATED | Week 1 Fantasy Football Rankings — PPR + Half PPR

Sit: Breece Hall vs. Ravens

The top rookie in fantasy football this season by most accounts is Breece Hall. While that may very well turn out to be the case by the end of the season, he is best left on the bench for Week 1. It looks like this might be a split backfield with Michael Carter for Week 1. He also faces a tough matchup against the Ravens, who finished in the top-third against RBs last season. With Joe Flacco at the helm, the Jets have an implied team total under 19. A wait-and-see approach is best this week, leaving Hall on the bench to see how the backfield touches will be split.

Sit: Cordarrelle Patterson vs. Saints

The RB9 last season, Cordarrelle Patterson was a major breakthrough in his ninth season as a pro. He looks to receive the majority of touches once again this season in the Atlanta Falcons backfield. Damien WIlliams and fifth-round rookie Tyler Allgeier will also be factors in the backfield. Marcus Mariota will also call his own number occasionally. In addition to the increased competition for touches, the matchup this week figures to be a tough one as well, with the New Orleans Saints finishing as the top unit overall against fantasy football RBs last season. Patterson is best left on benches this week.