In the last Fantasy Football Weekly posts, we took a look at some of the best kickers and tight ends to start in week 1. In this article, we'll take a look at the ten best Wide Receivers for week 1 of the fantasy football season.
1. Antonio Brown
The top wide receiver for most fantasy drafts is also the top wide receiver for week 1 on my board. Against Cleveland in week 1, Antonio Browns should have no problem proving that he was worth a top fantasy pick.
2. Mike Evans
The Dolphins secondary is bad. Really bad. That makes both Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson intriguing fantasy plays for week 1.
Winston should look to the air early and often, and that should mean a solid fantasy day for Evans against a Dolphins defense that allowed the fifth most fantasy points to receivers last year.
3. Amari Cooper
The Raiders Titans game is projected to be one of the highest scoring games of week 1, and for good reason. The Titans defense might have been really good against the run in 2016, but the defense allowed the second highest number of fantasy points to opposing wide receivers as well. That makes Cooper a top five fantasy wide receiver in week 1.
4. Julio Jones
When healthy, Jones is a monster. He'll definitely be healthy for week 1, so make sure he's in the lineup for week 1 against a Bears defense that wasn't particularly good at defending receivers last season.
5. Jordy Nelson
The Packers wide receiver had the highest number of fantasy points among players at his position last year, and he should be able to continue his solid performance as long as both he and Aaron Rodgers stay healthy. The Seahawks do have a tough pass defense, but Nelson is a player that owners should definitely have starting in week 1.
6. Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham has been a top seven fantasy receiver in each of the past three years, and that's not going to change even if the Giants did add Brandon Marshall in free agency. Beckham may have a tough time against a tough Dallas defense, but there's no way that he isn't still a top ten wide receiver for week 1.
7. T.Y. Hilton
If Andrew Luck plays, Hilton is going to have a big game against the Rams, who gave up the fourth highest number of fantasy points to opposing receivers last season. Even if Luck doesn't play, Hilton has the ability to turn one catch into a 50 yard touchdown, making him a solid fantasy start almost every week.
8. Doug Baldwin
The Packers secondary is not very good. Anybody who watched the Falcons offense torch the Packers in the NFC championship game knows that. That makes Baldwin, who is still the top option in Seattle, a great play for week 1 of the fantasy football season.
9. A.J. Green
Green was unfortunately hurt by the start of the second half of the year, but he had been a top wide receiver prior to that.
Andy Dalton loves throwing to Green, and that has made him a borderline first round pick in most fantasy drafts. In week 1, he'll get to take on a Baltimore defense that he almost always seems to take advantage of.
10. Michael Crabtree
As good as Amari Cooper was last year, he actually wasn't better than Crabtree, who finished as the 11th best receiver in fantasy. Against a team that allows a high number of points to fantasy wide receivers, I like both Crabtree and Cooper to put up solid numbers and do well for their fantasy teams.
