Week 1 of the NFL season is right around the corner. It’s an exciting time in fantasy football land, as we finally get the chance to dig into individual matchups instead of season-long projections.
What follows is an early look at the toughest individual matchups in Week 1. This will focus specifically on the QB, RB, WR and TE positions, although offensive line matchups certainly play a large role in projecting performance at any position. Please note that inclusion on this list doesn’t mean the player is a suggested fade; these are just some of Week 1’s tougher matchups that offensive players will have to overcome.
Washington WR Terry McLaurin vs. Eagles CB Darius Slay
The ex-Lions CB was a prime example of a stud who usually only gave up solid performances because it took plenty of targets to get there: Keenan Allen (8-89-0), Davante Adams (7-93-1), Stefon Diggs (6-92-0), Allen Robinson (8-86-1) and McLaurin (5-72-0) took 15, 12, 8, 12 and 12 targets, respectively, to earn their box scores under Slay’s shadow. Never sit your studs in fantasy because of a defense, but a matchup against PFF’s No. 11 corner is a good example of when to temper expectations in DFS.
It’s worth noting that McLaurin’s performance against the Lions could’ve been much juicier; he was overthrown on two potential scores and largely had his way with the long-time CB1.
Absolutely cannot wait to see Terry McLaurin vs. Darius Slay again in Week 1 (????️ via @PFF_AustinGayle )pic.twitter.com/bP6UhVaHkG
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) September 2, 2020
The Eagles have been a punching bag against opposing No. 1 WRs for years, but the times they are a’changin now that Slay and slot CB Nickell Robey-Coleman are in town. McLaurin is certainly capable of continuing his Philadelphia-destruction tour, although life as a WR1 in the NFC East won’t be as easy as past years.
Dolphins WR DeVante Parker vs. Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore
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