Top 7 Fantasy RBs for Week 1

Top 7 Fantasy RBs for Week 1

The week we all have been waiting for (assuming you stumbled across this site for fantasy football advice) is finally here! I feel like I have been waiting since Peyton Manning played his final snap for Thursday September 8th, 2016 at 8:30PM…the start of the 2016-2017 NFL/Fantasy Football Season. In the following post I will attempt to provide you with the knowledge I have conjured to help you win fantasy gold in the first week of the season specifically at the running back position.

Prior to doing so, I just want to take a second to note that this is the first post EVER for Fantasy Projection and hopefully, the first of very many to come. I have been exploring fantasy research and participating in my own fantasy leagues for many years and always found that I take my research to a level not typically seen in the casual player. Although this research was helping me win my own fantasy match-ups, I figured what better way to get the most out of the many hours spent toiling than to share it with as many people as I can get it to. This was the birth of the Fantasy Projection idea. I know that the site is not yet the most appealing to the eye and it may not be fully branded yet, but my words and research are currently the most important item on my to-do list and I need to provide you with information for Week 1 start sit decisions. So please utilize the following research to your ultimate success and know that although the site may not be pretty the advice is.

1. Todd Gurley, LA RB vs. SF

2. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL RB vs. NYG

Elliott has shined in the pre-season and has quickly jumped up the draft boards although he has never played an official regular season snap in the NFL. He was drafted 4th overall in the 2016 draft and really could not have gone to a better team for a young running back.  The Cowboys have an unbelievable O-Line that can block the run for any RB, let alone one of the best rushing prospects seen in the most recent past. I have obviously bought into the hype that is “Zeke” and I believe that his Hall of Fame journey begins in week 1 against the Giants.

The Giants were a below average rush defense in 2015 giving up over 1900 yards good for 9th most in the NFL. They also managed to give up 15 rushing touchdowns and over 120 yards per game to running backs. Although Elliott has no experience against the Giants I am projecting a huge game due to his sheer talents and the impressive run blocking of the Dallas O-Line.

Expectation: 19 ATT 132 Yards 1 TD

3. Adrian Peterson, MIN RB vs TEN

Peterson is one the best running backs to ever play in the NFL and his legacy will continue through the 2016-2017 season. Peterson led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns in 2015 with 1400+ and 11 respectively. Thats good for over 90 yards rushing per game and 9 games of at least one rushing touchdown (2 TD’s twice in 2015). These stats are the sign of as good as a sure thing that we have at the running back position in fantasy.

Peterson is taking on an average rush defense that allowed over 110 rushing yards per game and 11 touchdown in 2015. AP played 4 games against defenses that finished +/- 4 spots around the Titans in rushing yards allowed per game (ATL, DET, LA). In these 4 games AP rushed for 528 yards and 3 TDs good for a 132 yard per game average. In addition to a fairly decent match-up, the loss of Teddy Bridgewater for the season leads me to believe that the Vikings will lean on Peterson. I project a massive game for Peterson in week 1.

Expectation: 21 ATT 115 Yards 1 TD
Rankings Continued

4. Lamar Miller, HOU RB vs. CHI

5. David Johnson, ARI RB vs. NE

6. DeAngelo Williams, PIT RB vs. WAS

7. Spencer Ware, KC RB vs. SD (If Jamaal Charles does not play)

Thank you for reading the FIRST post in Fantasy Projection history and please come back for more if you like the results!

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