Philadelphia Eagles: Week 1 Fantasy Football Roundup
The Philadelphia Eagles take on the Cleveland Browns. Is there some fantasy football opportunities to be taken advantage of?
The only thing greater than the start of the NFL season is the start of fantasy football leagues. The Philadelphia Eagles have had some top fantasy players in the past. LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin were once must-haves for fantasy players while they were in Philadelphia.
It’s hard to take bias out of the way when you are drafting for fantasy glory. No, drafting Carson Wentz isn’t a good idea, and no, Jordan Matthews isn’t a first round pick. But that’s not to say there’s no value in drafting or adding some of the beloved Philadelphia Eagles.
All based on standard H2H scoring, we’ll rank some of the best fantasy options from the Eagles.
1. Ryan Mathews
Ryan Mathews comes in as the main ball carrier for the Philadelphia Eagles. He’ll be up again a Browns run defense that was third worst in the league. The Browns also have lost linebacker Karlos Dansby in free agency.
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With this being the debut of rookie quarterback, expect Mathews to get a nice bulk of carries. Also expect Mathews to be the main target in the red-zone on the ground game. Mathews will be splitting some carries with some kind of Darren Sproles/Kenjon Barner rotation, but not enough to decrease his fantasy value.
Ryan Mathews will find the end-zone once this week, which is just enough to make him a reliable back option for this Sunday.
ESPN Point Projection: 11 points
Section 215 Point Prediction: 13 points
If Mathews can creep towards 80 yards, it usually means he’ll be finding the end-zone on some type of long run.
2. Carson Wentz
Carson Wentz is the most interesting quarterback story come this Sunday. Making his first start against the team that passed up on him, Wentz maybe out for blood.
But hold on when it comes to starting Wentz. Unless your quarterback situation is in shambles, Wentz should stay on the bench this week. The Philadelphia Eagles will be throwing the ball, but throwing the ball short. With the wide receiver depth chart looking thin, expect short dump offs and screen plays.
Wentz can be a good option is quarterbacks are stretched thin in a full league of 12-16.
ESPN Points Projection: 16 points
Section 215 Points Prediction: 12 points
Wentz’s ability to run makes him attractive to start, but always be weary of turnovers for a rookie’s first game.
3. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST
Defense defense defense. The Philadelphia Eagles will be a lot more fun to watch without the ball than with. The defensive line will come in trying to improve on the rush game, and the secondary will look to continue the takeaway rampage from the preseason.
Going up against an unknown in Robert Griffin III is tricky, but fully expect the secondary to hold their own in the pass game. Duke Johnson, Jr. will have a tough time trying to rush the ball against the D-Line.
ESPN Point Projection: 8 points
Section 215 Point Prediction: 11 points
There’s something about this defense that should make fantasy owners feel confident of a takeaway. Add-in Kenjon Barner/Darren Sproles in special teams and there is even more attractiveness in this selection this week.
4. Zach Ertz
Zach Ertz will be a huge target for Carson Wentz, especially in Week 1. Ertz, like Mathews, will be an often red-zone target with huge points potential. If Wentz succeeds, it’ll be because of the consistency of Zach Ertz.
Doug Pederson loves tight-ends, and he’s got a good one in Ertz. Expect him to be one of the most targeted players.
ESPN Point Projection: 7 points
Section 215 Point Prediction: 8 points
Choosing Ertz will be putting faith in Wentz to target him in the end-zone, but Ertz’s ability to catch the ball is elite for his position.
5. Jordan Matthews
Jordan Matthews is the number one receiver on the Philadelphia Eagles’ depth chart. That usually means he’ll be up against the team’s best corner. Joe Hayden will have the majority of his time up against Matthews, who is coming off injury.
With a rookie quarterback, an elite corner, and a recovery from injury, Matthews is an iffy start. If there is no other options for you, start him. If you are debating if you should start someone else over him, do it.
ESPN Point Projection: 8 points
Section 215 Point Prediction: 6 points
Expect Matthews to still put up yard numbers, but a touchdown may be based more on faith than anything else. Matthews will continue to grow with Wentz, but expect some hiccups in the first game.
Next: Carson Wentz Paper Toss Breakdown
The Rest of Section 215 Point Predictions…
Caleb Sturgis– 7 points
Darren Sproles- 4 points
Dorial Green-Beckham– 4 points
Brent Celek– 3 points
Josh Huff– 2 points