Diggs, Gurley have good matchups
Think twice before deploying Jeffery, Mixon
The NFL regular season is set to kick off, but we all know you’re tinkering with your fantasy football lineup as Thursday’s opener approaches. Each week, as we did last season, we’ll give you studs, duds and sleepers to help you put together the perfect lineup.
Studs
WR Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings: The New Orleans Saints gave up the most passing yards in 2016, and that will continue in Week 1 with rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore starting and Delvin Breaux out with an injury. Diggs should benefit with a heavy-volume day. RB Todd Gurley, Los Ange
les Rams: The Indianapolis Colts weren’t very good at stopping the run last season, and although they signed Johnathan Hankins to help with that problem, he has been banged up this preseason. That means the Rams could feed the third-year back to open the season. QB Marcus Mariota, Ten-
nessee Titans: The game vs. the Oakland Raiders could be a shootout (the over/under is in the low 50s), which means a big day for Mariota and all of his new receiving weapons. TE Zach Ertz, Philadelphia
Eagles: Jordan Matthews is no longer an Eagle, meaning Ertz might see even more targets than the 106 he had in 2016. Couple that with the Washington Redskins’ struggles stopping tight ends — Ertz had 112 yards on 10 catches vs. them in December — and you have the potential for a big day.
Duds
WR Alshon Jeffery, Eagles: He’s facing Redskins cornerback Josh Norman, which could mean
the new Eagles star is in for a long day. RB Joe Mixon, Cincinnati
Bengals: Signs are pointing to Jeremy Hill getting the majority of work to start the season with Mixon third on the depth chart. For now, it’s safe to keep him on the bench as this situation works itself out, especially when the Bengals’ Week 1 opponent is the
Baltimore Ravens. QB Philip Rivers, Los Ange
les Chargers: He’s in for a big season, but facing the league’s most stifling passing defense — that of the Denver Broncos — to open 2017 should be rough for the veteran starter. TE Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions: The Arizona Cardinals are absolutely stiffing when it comes to defending tight ends. Ebron might be in line for a breakout this season but not in Week 1.
Sleepers
WR Brandon Marshall, New York Giants: If Odell Beckham Jr. plays, will he be at 100% as he battles an ankle injury? If not, it’s an opportunity for the veteran against a suspect Dallas Cowboys secondary. RB Bilal Powell, New York Jets: The Buffalo Bills couldn’t stop opposing rushers in 2016, so New York might look to its dynamic running back a bunch.
QB Tyrod Taylor, Bills: It appears he’s on track to start Week 1. Assuming he’s good to go after a preseason concussion, Taylor could have a field day against the Jets secondary. TE Jason Witten, Cowboys:
The ageless wonder faces a Giants defense that allowed 1,048 yards to tight ends last season, so it’s possible he flourishes after totaling nine receptions and 66 yards in last year’s opener against Big Blue.