Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is the ultimate weekly look at NFL matchups and how they'll affect your fantasy football team. Fantasy superstars such as Patrick Mahomes and Saquon Barkley will not be featured in this column. All player matchups are based on a PPR scoring system. For your final starting lineup decisions, check my weekly fantasy football lineup rankings.
Start 'Em
Start of the Week
Edelman was a PPR dream last season, averaging nine targets and over 17 points per game for fantasy fans. While he is dealing with a thumb injury, I'd still keep him active (with confidence) against the Steelers. Last season, Pittsburgh's defense gave up an average of over 18 fantasy points per game to opposing slot wide receivers.
I've been touting Godwin ever since last season, and now is his time to shine in the Buccaneers offense. He gets a nice matchup in Week 1, as he'll face a Niners defense that tied for a league-high 15 touchdowns to slot receivers in 2018. Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians has talked about Godwin playing the slot often, too.
Golladay should get his 2019 campaign off on a strong note, as he'll head to Arizona to face a Cardinals defense that is without CB Patrick Peterson (suspension). Instead, he'll face CB Chris Jones (he has two NFL games under his belt). I'd start Golladay as a No. 2 wideout or flex in this very enticing matchup in the desert.
Boyd is likely to get a boatload of targets this week, as A.J. Green is still out due to an injured ankle. The Pittsburgh product also has a favorable matchup ahead, as he's projected to face Seattle rookie CB Ugo Amadi for most of the afternoon. I'd expect Andy Dalton to target Boyd often in this one, so get him in your lineups.
Westbrook seems primed for a breakout campaign, and he already looked like the top option for Nick Foles during the preseason. While the Chiefs did improve their pass defense in the offseason, it's still notable that this unit allowed the second-most fantasy points to home wideouts in 2018. Start Westbrook as a flex this weekend.
Start 'Em:Tyler Lockett vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Cooper Kupp at Carolina Panthers
Sleepers:Curtis Samuel vs. Los Angeles Rams, Will Fuller at New Orleans Saints
Sit 'Em
Sit of the Week
Hilton's stock took a dive when the Colts lost Andrew Luck to retirement, so he's not longer a "must-start" in fantasy land. Those with wideout depth might want to sit him against the Chargers, who figure to shadow Hilton with CB Casey Hayward this week. The Bolts also allowed the fourth-fewest points to visiting wideouts in 2018.
Landry will likely find his way into a lot of starting fantasy lineups, but you might want to temper expectations. His target share is destined to decline with Odell Beckham Jr. now on the roster, and his projected low aDOT (average depth of target) makes him a lot less appealing. If you start Landry as a No. 3 WR/flex, I'd temper expectations.
I'm in on Ridley over the course of the season, but I do have some reservations about his upcoming matchup in Minnesota. He ran most of his route split out wide as a rookie, and the Vikings' defense surrendered the third-fewest points to receivers lined up there a season ago. If you have depth at wide receiver, I'd sit Ridley.
Davis received very little buzz during camp, and an expected decline in targets with Delanie Walker back and Adam Humphries in the mix is troublesome. So is this week's game against the Browns, who'll use CB Denzel Ward to stop Tennessee's top wideout. With expectations low in the opening weekend, Davis is a tough player to trust.
Anderson was drafted as a strong No. 3 wideout in fantasy leagues, but this week's matchup against the Bills could make his stat line look rather weak. Buffalo was super stingy against wideouts a season ago, allowing the fourth-fewest points to the position. Anderson is also dealing with a bum calf, which just adds even more risk.
Sit 'Em:Sammy Watkins at Jacksonville Jaguars, Dante Pettis at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Busts:Alshon Jeffery vs. Washington Redskins, Christian Kirk vs. Detroit Lions
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com and NFL Network and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. You can follow Michael on **Twitter**, **Facebook**, **YouTube** and **Instagram** for all of the latest fantasy football news, notes and in-depth analysis!
