Bench
KirVonte Benson, Georgia Tech vs Alcorn State
Benson will miss the first quarter of Saturday’s matchup against Alcorn State due to disciplinary reasons. There is a good chance that the starters will be on the sideline by the start of the fourth quarter, which means Benson will only give you two quarters, at best, in Week 1.
Jawon Pass, QB-Louisville vs Alabama
Even though Lamar Jackson has moved on, the Cardinals’ offense is in good hands with Jawon Pass. The sophomore quarterback can be a difference-maker for fantasy owners in 2018. However, we suggest waiting another week before passing judgment on our prediction, because starting anyone against the Alabama defense isn’t the wisest decision, especially with all of the easy matchups around the country in Week 1.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB-LSU vs Miami
While college football fans crave these type of matchups, fantasy owners would have preferred LSU open up with a softer opponent, so we can get glimpse of the running back rotation. A tough matchup against Miami to open the 2018 season may force fantasy owners to take a wait-and-see approach with Edwards-Helaire before starting him or dropping him.
Shea Patterson, QB-Michigan at Notre Dame
Patterson provided an instant upgrade at quarterback the minute he was ruled eligible in 2018, but it could take a couple of weeks to assess his fantasy worth this year. We knew well in advance that the season-opener on the road at Notre Dame was going to be a stiff test for Patterson and the Wolverines’ offense. However, what makes matters worse is the potential loss of play-making receiver Tariq Black, who was reportedly injured in the week leading up to the showdown.
Gardner Minshew, QB-Washington State at Wyoming
The Cougars’ Week 1 quarterback depth chart didn’t offer any clues as to who would start at Wyoming this Saturday. In fact, there is a good chance that head coach Mike Leach won’t know his starting quarterback until Friday or Saturday. Expect the unexpected with Leach, who won’t hesitate to make a change at quarterback if the offense is struggling. Plus, a road trip to Laramie in Week 1 won’t be easy, so fantasy owners would be wise to sit on Minshew for a week, even though we expect him to take the first snaps.
Start
Adrian Martinez, QB-Nebraska vs Akron
Up until a week ago, we didn’t know if Martinez was going to be the Cornhuskers’ starting quarterback, even though his performance in the spring game made him the preseason favorite. Shortly after Martinez was named the starting quarterback, Tristan Gebbia announced his transfer. Now clear of competition, the true freshman could take every snap in Nebraska’s season opener against Akron.
Ryan Finley, QB-NC State vs James Madison
Finley threw 18 touchdown passes in 2016, 17 touchdown passes in 2017, and topped the 3,000-yard passing mark in both seasons. He lost star H-back Jaylen Samuels, but the Wolfpack return a trio of talented receivers, Kelvin Harmon, Jakobi Meyers, and Stephen Louis. Finley is primed for a breakout fantasy season and a Week 1 matchup against James Madison could get him off to a fast start.
Myles Gaskin, RB-Washington vs Auburn
Gaskin has proven to be consistent and durable in his three seasons at Washington. He has carried the ball at least 200 times, rushed for at least 1,300 yards, and scored at least ten touchdowns every year. Auburn is far from a cupcake to open the 2018 season, but the Huskies’ offense goes through Gaskin, and fantasy owners can expect the senior back to get at least 17-20 carries this weekend. And as far as his chances of reaching the end zone, Gaskin has scored at least one touchdown in 28 of his last 36 games.
Jonathan Ward, RB-Central Michigan at Kentucky
Ward is coming off a 1,000-yard, double-digit touchdown 2017 season. He finished the year rushing for at least 130 yards in three of the last five games and scored eleven of his thirteen touchdowns in the last eight games. Topping the 100-yard rushing mark at Kentucky could be a challenge, but the junior back can be productive in the passing game. He caught 48 passes out of the backfield last year, so he’s definitely worth a start this week in PPR formats.
Bryce Perkins, QB-Virginia vs Richmond
At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Perkins’ size complements his dual-threat ability well in the Cavaliers’ offense. Not since Taysom Hill at BYU, has Mendenhall had a quarterback as physically gifted as Perkins. The combination of Perkins and multi-dimensional H-back Olamide Zaccheaus will create problems for opposing defenses in 2018, particularly in the opener against Richmond.