Fantasy Football 2020: The Week one winning DFS lineup
By Bob Heyrman
RB| Josh Jacobs | @ Panthers | $8,200
The talented second-year Las Vegas Raiders running back opens the season against the rebuilding Carolina Panthers.
Head coach Jon Gruden raves about his workhorse, three-down tailback, and why wouldn’t he? Jacobs galloped for 1,150 yards on the ground last season, which ranked 7th in the NFL, plus added seven touchdowns.
Jacobs needs to be more effective as a pass-catcher in 2020, and I’d expect to see his receiving numbers double heading into year two. As a rookie, Jacobs only corralled 20 receptions on 27 targets.
This is an excellent week one matchup to play in fantasy football and a no-brainer. The Panthers were 29th against the run last year and allowed the most fantasy points to running backs a year ago. Jacobs averaged nearly 14 points per game last season, expect that to settle a few points higher in 2020.
RB | Austin Ekeler | @ Bengals | $7,700
Austin Ekeler played exceptionally well last season after star running back Melvin Gordon opted to hold out hoping to sign a lucrative contract extension with the Los Angeles Chargers. That extension never happened, and Gordon will suit up for the Denver Broncos this season.
Gordon did eventually end his hold-out but proved to be a bit behind the curve, leaving a heavy workload for Ekeler.
Ekeler was sensational last season, rushing for 557 yards and three touchdowns on just 132 carries. Those don’t look like RB1 numbers, but when you add in his 993 receiving yards and league-leading eight scores out of the backfield, things significantly perk up.
With Tyrod Taylor under center, a quarterback that will protect the ball much better than Philip Rivers, and opt to check the ball down even more, if that’s possible, Ekeler is poised to have another terrific season.
After averaging over 16 points per game a season ago, Ekeler opens the season with a dream matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.