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Fantasy football: Week one starts, sits, pickups and drops

By Colton Wesley

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 26: Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals runs the offense against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 26: Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals runs the offense against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 11: Frank Gore #23 of the Indianapolis Colts runs for a touchdown in the third quarter of game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 11: Frank Gore #23 of the Indianapolis Colts runs for a touchdown in the third quarter of game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Running Back

Start: Frank Gore (vs. Philadelphia, ADP: 25th)

There’s not a whole lot to get excited about at the flex spot for running backs in week one, but Gore is going to get the vast majority of carries in an offense led by Scott Tolzein. Gore could get 20 carries on Sunday, which is high upside for anyone in a flex role.

Sit: Isaiah Crowell (vs. Los Angeles Rams, ADP: 15th)

Crowell is running behind a re-tooled offensive line into a pretty good Pittsburgh front seven with only a rookie quarterback and no star receivers to help him out. And he has Duke Johnson Jr. breathing down his neck. I’m giving this setup time.

Pickup: Latavius Murray (vs. New Orleans, 50.6% available)

This is a reach because it’s week one and you’re not picking up a running back off the waiver wire yet, but Murray is a productive back stuck behind rookie Dalvin Cook in Minnesota. At the first sign of trouble, the Vikings could easily shift gears and give Murray more looks.

Drop: Rex Burkhead (39.8% available)

Burkhead is the third running back for the Patriots right now and is still on a team in more than half of ESPN leagues. No New England running back is worth starting until we know what the backfield looks like, even Mike Gillislie after he scored over 9,000 touchdowns on Thursday night. Belichick backfields are considered to be in flux until we see long-term consistency. In the meantime, you have no plans to ever start Burkhead. If you have no plans to start him, drop him.

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