Fantasy football for Week 1 of the NFL season is on the doorstep and the quest to be one of few to make the playoffs is on. The first week always provides some of the most unpredictable football seen all season because managers don’t have much data about which match ups are favorable for their team.
Fortunately, there is history that gives owners the opportunity to make the calls that hopefully get his/her team off to a fast start. With that in mind, here are three Redskins players to start as the team takes on the Arizona Cardinals in its first game of 2018.
1. QB Alex Smith
Washington’s offense is one of the best in the NFL between the twenties and it can hit the big play. With a solid rushing attack and a full complement of weapons at his disposal, Smith should be able to spread the ball around to his play-makers efficiently.
The former Utah star is a reliable starter that is going to consistently give team owners 16-to-20 fantasy points per game. In 2017, Smith finished the season ranked fourth in overall fantasy points among quarterbacks (295.18). He threw for 4,042 yards with 25 touchdowns with just eight interceptions.
2. Jamison Crowder
Crowder has consistently been a quarterback’s dream with his unique ability to get open. He has a crafty ability to shake defenders, creating the separation needed to be a reliable target for his quarterback. The Smith-to-Crowder connection was evident in training camp and most expect this trend to continue.
Crowder caught 66 passes for 789 yards and three touchdowns in 2017 (94.3 fantasy points), even as he battled injury all season long. In 2016, he had significantly better numbers with 67 receptions for 847 yards and seven touchdowns, amassing 124.5 fantasy points on the season. With the Cardinals’ defense having to also account for WRs Josh Doctson and Paul Richardson Jr.; and tight end Jordan Reed, Crowder could have a big day.
3. RB Adrian Peterson
The Cardinals defense may not be the talk around the water cooler but is a physical and disruptive unit. To avoid being one-dimensional, expect the Redskins to run the football early and often. Peterson will likely see numerous carries on first and second down.
With his bruising style of running, Washington could lean on him in the red zone run game. Peterson, in one preseason game, had 11 carries for 56 yards averaging 5.1 yards per attempt. The future Hall of Famer shouldn’t be owners’ No. 1 back just yet… but he is a solid No. 2 due to his potential near the goal line.