Feaster/Stavers is Snack Time Fantasy’s unique weekly sit/start article. For each fantasy position, we list our feaster and starver of the week, or must-starts and must-sits, as well as five other players you should consider adding/dropping from your starting lineup this weekend. Let me know what you think of my picks on Twitter at @Snack_TimeFS, where you can also ask your fantasy questions for personal advice. Enjoy!
Quarterbacks
Feaster of the Week: Philip Rivers
Rivers has been one of fantasy’s most underrated quarterbacks for a while now and it helps that he has a stellar Week 1 matchup versus the Chiefs’ depleted secondary this weekend. It’s not like he has no shortage of targets to throw to either: Melvin Gordon, Keenan Allen, Tyrell and Mike Williams, and recently-signed veteran tight end Antonio Gates. Rivers should carve up Kansas City with a nice fantasy point total on Sunday.
| # | START | Team | Week 1 Matchup |
| 1 | Matthew Stafford | Lions | Jets |
| 2 | Kirk Cousins | Vikings | 49ers |
| 3 | Andy Dalton | Bengals | Colts |
| 4 | Jared Goff | Rams | Raiders |
| 5 | Cam Newton | Panthers | Cowboys |
Starver of the Week: Russell Wilson, Seahawks
Wilson finished as fantasy’s no. 1 quarterback last season, but that doesn’t mean you should start him opening weekend. The Seattle Seahawks QB is in for a showdown versus one of the leagues toughest defenses. Even with Aqib Talib gone, Chris Harris and Bradley Roby should continue their ball-hawking ways and a fierce pass rush consisting of Von Miller and rookie defensive end Bradley Chubb should provide pressure all day. Avoid, avoid, avoid.
| # | SIT | Team | Week 1 Matchup |
| 1 | Jimmy Garoppolo | 49ers | Vikings |
| 2 | Derek Carr | Raiders | Rams |
| 3 | Eli Manning | Giants | Jaguars |
| 4 | Patrick Mahomes | Chiefs | Chargers |
| 5 | Matt Ryan | Falcons | Eagles |
Running Backs
Feaster of the Week: Joe Mixon, Bengals
Mixon underwhelmed in his rookie season, but Jeremy Hill left for New England via free agency and the starting job was Mixon’s to lose. Watch for Mixon to start 2018 off on the right foot with a tasty matchup with Indianapolis, who were extremely soft against the run last season. With no major free agency acquisitions on the defensive line, it should be deja vu all over again for running backs facing the Colts. Mixon will be no different in his Week 1 start.
| # | START | Team | Week 1 Matchup |
| 1 | Alex Collins | Ravens | Bills |
| 2 | Royce Freeman | Broncos | Seahawks |
| 3 | Derrick Henry | Titans | Dolphins |
| 4 | Peyton Barber | Buccaneers | Saints |
| 5 | Kenyan Drake | Dolphins | Titans |
Starver of the Week: LeSean McCoy, Bills
Shady McCoy has been a consistent weekly starter for the last five years. However, he enters into Week 1 with a daunting date with the Ravens’ run defense and a pesky groin injury that sidelined him for a good chunk of the preseason. It also doesn’t help when you have Nathan Peterman throwing the ball.
| # | SIT | Team | Week 1 Matchup |
| 1 | Alfred Morris | 49ers | Vikings |
| 2 | Chris Carson | Seahawks | Broncos |
| 3 | Marshawn Lynch | Raiders | Rams |
| 4 | Isaiah Crowell | Jets | Lions |
| 5 | Jamaal Williams | Packers | Bears |
Wide Receivers
Feaster of the Week: Golden Tate, Lions
Although New York upgraded their secondary with the addition of Trumaine Johnson during the offseason, Tate will spend most of his time in the slot duking it out with Buster Skrine, a much more favorable matchup. Tate is always a consistent PPR play and it definitely helps that the Jets allowed nearly 240 yards per game to opposing receivers last season.
| # | START | Team | Week 1 Matchup |
| 1 | Chris Hogan | Patriots | Texans |
| 2 | Larry Fitzgerald | Cardinals | Redskins |
| 3 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | Steelers | Browns |
| 4 | Michael Crabtree | Ravens | Bills |
| 5 | Kenny Stills | Dolphins | Titans |
Starvers of the Week: Doug Baldwin, Seahawks
The same reasons for why you would sit Baldwin’s quarterback, Russell Wilson, apply here as well. Baldwin is expected to be shadowed by Denver’s no. 1 cornerback, Chris Harris, for the majority of his snaps on Sunday. Baldwin will have to fight for production and that could translate into a long, long day for fantasy owners. He’s also dealing with a knee injury suffered during the preseason which he admitted wasn’t 100% healthy and called it a season-long issue. Yikes.
| # | SIT | Team | Week 1 Matchup |
| 1 | Josh Gordon | Browns | Steelers |
| 2 | Amari Cooper | Raiders | Rams |
| 3 | Sammy Watkins | Chiefs | Chargers |
| 4 | Robby Anderson | Jets | Lions |
| 5 | Marquise Goodwin | 49ers | Vikings |
Tight Ends
Feaster of the Week: Jordan Reed, Redskins
Reed has been a fantasy headache the last few seasons, going from fantasy stud to bust and back again. He’s finally at full health headed into Washington’s Week 1 matchup versus the Cardinals, who struggled mightily to stop opposing tight ends last season. Reed also has Alex Smith for his new QB, an aficionado of utilizing his tight ends as pass catchers (see Travis Kelce). All this signifies good things to come for Reed during the first week of football and beyond.
| # | START | Team | Week 1 Matchup |
| 1 | Delanie Walker | Titans | Dolphins |
| 2 | Trey Burton | Bears | Packers |
| 3 | Tyler Eifert | Bengals | Colts |
Starvers of the Week: Evan Engram, Giants
Engram had a productive rookie season, but owners who are expecting the same production from last season during the first week of the regular season should be cautious. Engram’s first test in his sophomore year is the Jaguars, who ranked no. 1 in total defense last season. Engram will also be overshadowed by fully healthy receiving core in Odell Beckham and Sterling Shepard, who both battled injuries the majority or all of last season. Start your bench replacement instead.
| # | SIT | Team | Week 1 Matchup |
| 1 | George Kittle | 49ers | Vikings |
| 2 | Jared Cook | Raiders | Rams |
| 3 | David Njoku | Browns | Steelers |
For more news on your favorite team and players, head on over to my Twitter at @Snack_TimeFS and check out the rest of my website, where I post daily articles on the MLB and NFL.
Cole Topham is the lead editor for snacktimefantasy.com and covers the MLB and NFL. He enjoys watching his opponents suffer as he defeats them week after week in his fantasy football/baseball leagues.