Last Minute Pickups for Week 1

If you are like most people, keeping track of all your Fantasy Football leagues may seem like a full-time job. In fact, you may have a couple leagues where you couldn’t even make the draft. Did you forget to pre-rank your players, allowing the CPU to draft Matt Flynn and Chad Henne as your Quarterbacks? Fear not, because I will provide you with some solid options for Week 1. Most leagues still allow add/drops between Wednesday nights opener and the real opening day on Sunday. So here is an entire “fill-in” roster to help you patch up the rough spots an auto-draft might have messed up for you. These players are also great value plays at any Weekly Fantasy Sports site, keep that in mind.

*All these players are owned in less than 50% of Yahoo! Leagues.

Alex Smith – SF @ GB (45% Owned)
Playing the Cheese at Home means plenty of points. Alex Smith will have to throw to keep pace. Add in all the new toys he has to work with, and he could actually be a very legit QB2 for your team this year. This may be one of Smith’s best fantasy games all year. The Packers don’t exactly pride themselves on limiting opposing Quarterbacks.

Jonathan Dwyer – PIT @ DEN (15% Owned)
Isaac Redman was deemed to be the man all off-season. Then Dwyer went and messed everything up by out-shining Redman in the Preseason. Now you have reports that Mendenhall is already practicing full strength. With Redman nursing multiple injuries and Mendenhall knocking on the door, this is a make or break game for Dwyer. He is worth taking a risk on, in my opinion. The #1 RB position on Pittsburgh is a pretty good spot to be and right now it’s up for grabs.

Alfred Morris – WAS Vs. NO (11% Owned)
Morris may be the #1 back for the Redskins or he could not get a single carry. Morris did not play in the final preseason game, which is usually a good sign but this is Mike Shanahan we are talking about. Only owned in 11% of leagues is silly. At least take a chance, people.

Danny Amendola – STL @ DET (41% Owned)
Amendola is back at full strength. The Rams should be down most of the game and be forced into the passing game. I would guess Amendola is good for a Touchdown and a backpack full of yards.

Brandon LaFell – CAR @ TB (22% Owned)
LaFell is the #2 receiver on a very potent passing offense. Steve Smith had a calm Preseason with his foot infection, so he may not be 100% locked in with Cam Newton quite yet. If that’s the case, we could see a monster game and/or season out of Brandon LaFell.

Kyle Rudolph – MIN Vs. JAX (34% Owned)
Rudolph is developing a close rapport with Christian Ponder. The Jaguar Defense was fourth-worse in defending against Tight Ends last year. Breakout waiting to happen.

Vikings Defense – MIN Vs. JAX
The Vikings are facing the Jaguars with a limited MJD, and all new pieces at the receiver position. If they can’t hold the Jaguars under 20, get a couple sacks and force a turnover or two then it’s going to be a long season in Minnesota.