Zoneblitz.com’s weekly position-by-position breakdown to help YOU set your fantasy lineup!

 

Quarterbacks

  1. Matt Ryan at New Orleans
  2. Tom Brady at Buffalo
  3. Robert Griffin vs. Philadelphia
  4. Andrew Luck vs. Oakland
  5. Drew Brees vs. Atlanta
  6. Matthew Stafford vs. Minnesota
  7. Tony Romo vs. NY Giants
  8. Aaron Rodgers at San Francisco
  9. Colin Kaepernick vs. Green Bay
  10. Michael Vick at Washington
  11. Carson Palmer at St. Louis
  12. Cam Newton vs. Seattle
  13. Ben Roethlisberger vs. Tennessee
  14. Eli Manning at Dallas
  15. Russell Wilson at Carolina
  16. Matt Schaub at San Diego
  17. Alex Smith at Jacksonville
  18. Christian Ponder at Detroit
  19. Philip Rivers vs. Houston
  20. EJ Manuel vs New England
  21. Ryan Tannehill at Cleveland
  22. Josh Freeman at NY Jets
  23. Brandon Weeden vs. Miami
  24. Andy Dalton at Chicago
  25. Jay Cutler vs. Cincinnati

Just because you drafted one of the top 12 quarterbacks doesn’t mean your guy is necessarily one of the 12 best plays every week. Cam Newton, Eli Manning, and Russell Wilson owners are the first to fall victim to tough matchups, though in most cases you’re likely starting them anyway. I certainly wouldn’t argue as a “don’t bench your studs” proponent, though quarterback is so deep this year that if you waited and then nabbed a couple of guys in the 10 to 15 range, playing the matchup every week. For instance, those who drafted Michael Vick are delighted to throw him in against a Washington defense that allowed the third most passing yards last season.

Running Backs

  1. Adrian Peterson at Detroit
  2. Marshawn Lynch at Carolina
  3. Jamaal Charles at Jacksonville
  4. Stevan Ridley at Buffalo
  5. Doug Martin at NY Jets
  6. David Wilson at Dallas
  7. Alfred Morris vs. Philadelphia
  8. Steven Jackson at New Orleans
  9. Frank Gore vs. Green Bay
  10. Trent Richardson vs. Miami
  11. Arian Foster at San Diego
  12. CJ Spiller vs. New England
  13. LeSean McCoy at Washington
  14. Lamar Miller at Cleveland
  15. Matt Forte vs. Cincinnati
  16. Maurice Jones Drew vs. Kansas City
  17. DeMarco Murray vs. NY Giants
  18. Ahmad Bradshaw vs. Oakland
  19. Chris Johnson at Pittsburgh
  20. Darren Sproles vs. Atlanta
  21. Reggie Bush vs. Minnesota
  22. Daryl Richardson vs. Arizona
  23. Darren McFadden at Indianapolis
  24. Shane Vereen at Buffalo
  25. Rashard Mendenhall at St. Louis
  26. Isaac Redman vs. Tennessee
  27. Chris Ivory vs. Tampa Bay
  28. Mark Ingram vs. Atlanta
  29. DeAngelo Williams vs. Seattle
  30. Ryan Mathews vs. Houston
  31. Ben Tate at San Diego
  32. Vick Ballard vs. Oakland
  33. Eddie Lacy at San Francisco
  34. Giovani Bernard at Chicago
  35. Bilal Powell vs. Tampa Bay
  36. Pierre Thomas vs. Atlanta
  37. BenJarvus Green-Ellis at Chicago
  38. Fred Jackson vs. New England
  39. Jacquizz Rodgers at New Orleans
  40. Danny Woodhead vs. Houston
  41. Joique Bell vs. Minnesota
  42. Bryce Brown at Washington
  43. Michael Bush vs. Cincinnati
  44. Shonn Green at New Orleans
  45. Kendall Hunter vs. Green Bay
  46. Jonathan Franklin at San Francisco
  47. Roy Helu vs. Philadelphia
  48. Zac Stacy vs. Arizona
  49. Mikel Leshoure vs. Minnesota
  50. Mike Tolbert vs. Seattle
  51. Christine Michael at Carolina
  52. Daniel Thomas at Cleveland
  53. LaRod Stephens-Howling vs. Tennessee
  54. Phillip Tanner vs. Houston
  55. Knile Davis at Jacksonville
  56. Ryan Williams at St. Louis
  57. Leon Washington at Buffalo
  58. Bobby Rainey vs. Miami
  59. Michael Cox at Dallas
  60. Toby Gerhart at Detroit

The top seven backs all find themselves in road matchups, which has no bearing on anything really, I just found it weird. I know it’s tempting to start your shiny new toys, but as my rankings suggest, you may want to keep Eddie Lacy and Giovani Bernard in their original packaging for a little while longer – Bernard especially as we wait to see how much he’ll get used along with BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

 

Wide Receiver

  1. Calvin Johnson vs. Minnesota
  2. Dez Bryant vs. NY Giants
  3. Julio Jones at New Orleans
  4. Roddy White at New Orleans
  5. Andre Johnson at San Diego
  6. AJ Green at Chicago
  7. Brandon Marshall vs. Cincinnati
  8. Reggie Wayne vs. Oakland
  9. Danny Amendola at Buffalo
  10. Antonio Brown vs. Tennessee
  11. DeSean Jackson at Washington
  12. Dwayne Bowe at Jacksonville
  13. Victor Cruz at Dallas
  14. Vincent Jackson at NY Jets
  15. Randall Cobb at San Francisco
  16. Larry Fitzgerald at St. Louis
  17. Miles Austin vs. NY Giants
  18. Marques Colston vs. Atalnta
  19. James Jones at San Francisco
  20. Anquan Boldin vs. Green Bay
  21. TY Hilton vs. Oakland
  22. Cecil Shorts vs. Kansas City
  23. Jordy Nelson at San Francisco
  24. Pierre Garcon vs. Philadelphia
  25. Hakeem Nicks at Dallas
  26. Kenbrell Thompkins at Buffalo
  27. Stevie Johnson vs. New England
  28. Mike Wallace at Cleveland
  29. Golden Tate at Carolina
  30. Chris Givens vs. Arizona
  31. Lance Moore vs. Atlanta
  32. Greg Jennings at Detroit
  33. Steve Smith vs. Seattle
  34. Mike Williams at NY Jets
  35. Vincent Brown vs. Houston
  36. Emmanuel Sanders vs. Tennessee
  37. Denarius Moore at Indianapolis
  38. Malcom Floyd vs. Houston
  39. Tavon Austin vs. Arizona
  40. Brian Hartline at Cleveland
  41. Michael Floyd at St. Louis
  42. Andre Roberts at St. Louis
  43. Jeremy Kerley vs. Tampa Bay
  44. Kenny Britt at Pittsburgh
  45. Darrius Heyward-Bey vs. Oakland
  46. Brandon Gibson at Cleveland
  47. Sidney Rice at Carolina
  48. DeAndre Hopkins at San Diego
  49. Jason Avant at Washington
  50. Rod Streater at Indianapolis
  51. Greg Little vs. Miami
  52. Leonard Hankerson vs. Philadelphia
  53. Julian Edelman at Buffalo
  54. Davone Bess vs. Miami
  55. Ryan Broyles vs. Minnesota
  56. Reuben Randle at Dallas
  57. Josh Boyce at Buffalo
  58. Robert Woods vs. New England
  59. Nate Burleson vs. Minnesota
  60. Kendall Wright at Pittsburgh

Start your Falcons! I ranked Matt Ryan first this week, so it makes sense to see the Atlanta duo among the top four. Miles Austin is a sneaky good play against the Giants, who ceded the fifth most passing yards in the league last season and have already lost safety Stevie Brown to a torn ACL. Steve Smith, on the other hand, is a flex play at best if you can help it, as he faces a Seahawks team that tied with the Ravens at 15 touchdowns allowed. Difference between the two is this year’s Seattle defense might be even better.

 

Tight Ends

  1. Jimmy Graham vs. Atlanta
  2. Tony Gonzalez at New Orleans
  3. Antonio Gates vs. Houston
  4. Jason Witten vs. NY Giants
  5. Kyle Rudolph at Detroit
  6. Zach Sudfeld at Buffalo
  7. Greg Olsen vs. Seattle
  8. Brandon Myers at Dallas
  9. Dwayne Allen vs. Oakland
  10. Jermichael Finley at San Francisco
  11. Vernon Davis vs. Green Bay
  12. Jordan Cameron vs. Miami
  13. Brent Celek at Washington
  14. Brandon Pettigrew vs. Minnesota
  15. Coby Fleener vs. Oakland
  16. Jared Cook vs. Arizona
  17. Martellus Bennett vs. Cincinnati
  18. Owen Daniels at San Diego
  19. Scott Chandler vs. New England
  20. Fred Davis vs. Philadelphia
  21. Zach Miller at Carolina
  22. James Casey at Washington
  23. Jeff Cumberland vs. Tampa Bay
  24. Tony Scheffler vs. Minnesota
  25. Jermaine Gresham at Chicago

Alright all you Rob Gronkowski owners, time to play on the waiver wire! Dwayne Allen is a guy that may have gone undrafted in shallow leagues who make excellent plays this week. Brent Celek is another one who has a juicy matchup, but I’m reluctant to move him much higher until I see how he fits in with the other two tight ends in Chip Kelly’s offense. Jared Cook is a guy many are high on—I’m probably medium on—but don’t like him this week against a Cardinals team that was among the league’s best in limiting tight ends last season.

 

Kicker

  1. Blair Walsh at Detroit
  2. Josh Brown at Dallas
  3. Adam Vinatieri vs. Oakland
  4. Shaun Suisham vs. Tennessee
  5. David Akers vs. Minnesota
  6. Phil Dawson vs. Green Bay
  7. Stephen Gostkowski at Buffalo
  8. Ryan Succop at Jacksonville
  9. Matt Bryant at New Orleans
  10. Dan Bailey vs. NY Giants
  11. Steven Hauschka at Carolina
  12. Sebastian Janikowski at Indianapolis
  13. Rian Lindell at NY Jets
  14. Jay Feely at St. Louis
  15. Alex Henery at Washington
  16. Josh Scobee vs. Kansas City
  17. Rob Bironas at Pittsburgh
  18. Randy Bullock at San Diego
  19. Kai Forbath vs. Philadelphia
  20. Nick Novak vs Houston
  21. Mason Crosby at San Francisco
  22. Greg Zuerlein vs. Arizona
  23. Garrett Hartley vs. Atlanta
  24. Robbie Gould vs. Cincinnati
  25. Dan Carpenter vs. New England

I really wanted to include Caleb Sturgis, Giorgio Tavecchio and Graham Gano, but cool names aren’t enough to make this prestigious list I guess.

 

Defense

  1. Patriots at Buffalo
  2. Seahawks at Carolina
  3. Texans at San Diego
  4. Bears vs. Cincinnati
  5. Buccaneers at NY Jets
  6. Rams vs. Arizona
  7. Cardinals at St. Louis
  8. Colts vs. Oakland
  9. Steelers vs. Tennessee
  10. Bengals at Chicago
  11. Titans at Pittsburgh
  12. Jets vs. Tampa Bay
  13. Chargers vs. Houston
  14. 49ers vs. Packers
  15. Browns vs. Miami
  16. Jaguars vs. Kansas City
  17. Chiefs at Jacksonville
  18. Vikings at Detroit
  19. Dolphins at Cleveland
  20. Redskins vs. Philadelphia
  21. Saints vs. Falcons
  22. Panthers vs. Seattle
  23. Packers at San Francisco
  24. Giants at Dallas
  25. Lions vs. Minnesota

If you picked the 49ers defense, you’re probably going to use them. But with last year’s embarrassing playoff loss still spoiling Green Bay’s cheese, I could see this turning into a high-scoring affair. If you’re playing the waiver wire for defenses this season, allow me to introduce you to the Bucs, Titans and Colts defenses, who all take on offenses with significant question marks.

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