WATCH: New York Jets fantasy outlook for Week 1 vs. Buffalo Bills
For most NFL fans, drafting a player from your favorite team is all a part of the fantasy football experience and for the most part, New York Jets players have a pretty good fantasy outlook this year now that Adam Gase is running things. However, that doesn’t mean that they’ll be matchup proof every week of the season.
The Buffalo Bills, who are New York’s opponent on Sunday, could pose a tough fantasy matchup depending on which Jets player you have on your roster. With that in mind, here’s the fantasy outlook for each Jets player for Week 1.
Key Stats to Keep in Mind
- Buffalo allowed 179 yards passing per contest in 2018 (No. 1 in the NFL).
- Buffalo allowed 294.1 total yards per game in 2018 (No. 2 in the NFL).
- Opponents completed 35.3 percent of deep passes against Buffalo in 2018.
- Opponents averaged 1.62 deep completions per game against Buffalo in 2018.
- Opponents completed 67 percent of short passes against Buffalo.
- Buffalo allowed 85 completions on short passes over the middle of the field (No. 22 in the NFL).
- Buffalo allowed 114.9 yards rushing per game in 2018 (No. 16 in the NFL).
- Buffalo allowed 512 yards receiving to tight ends in 2018 (No. 1 in the NFL).
- Buffalo allowed 90 receptions to opposing running backs in 2018 (No. 12 in the NFL).
- Buffalo allowed 687 yards receiving to running backs in 2019 (No. 16 in the NFL).
- Buffalo averaged 298.6 total yards on offense per game in 2018 (No. 30 in the NFL).
- Buffalo averaged 174.6 yards passing per game in 2019 (No. 31 in the NFL).
- Buffalo averaged 124 yards rushing per game in 2018 (No. 9 in the NFL).
- Buffalo averaged 16.8 points per game in 2018 (No. 30 in the NFL.
Must-Start Players
RB Le’Veon Bell
FantasyPros Week 1 Ranking: RB11
FanDuel: $7,900,
DraftKings: $7,100
Rust could be a concern, but Bell is an absolute must-start against Buffalo. The Bills defense was in the middle of the pack when it came to stopping the run (114.9 yards allowed per game, No. 16 in the NFL) and allowed 687 yards receiving to running backs (No. 16 in the NFL) last season. Bell is expected to see plenty of work in Week 1 and, based on the above, should be in for a huge fantasy day.
WR Jamison Crowder (PPR Only)
FantasyPros Week 1 Ranking: WR43
FanDuel: $5,400
DraftKings: $4,100
Buffalo has one of the most dominant secondaries in the league, but its defensive backfield isn’t without its weaknesses. Bills defensive backs actually struggled to stop the short passing game last season; especially over the middle of the field. Opposing quarterbacks completed 67 percent of their short passes against Buffalo last season, with 85 completions coming over the middle of the field (No. 22 in the NFL). Expected run short and intermediate routes out of the slot, Crowder could see enough targets to have a great fantasy day.
Boom-or-Bust
WR Robby Anderson
FantasyPros Week 1 Ranking: WR36
FanDuel: $6,300,
DraftKings: $5,200
Anderson has been inconsistent when playing against the Bills in during his short tenure in the NFL, recording just 16 receptions for 189 yards and two touchdowns in five career games against them. There is a chance, though, that he could be in for a solid fantasy day. The 25-year-old led the Jets in both targets (92) and red-zone targets (10) with Sam Darnold under center and both of his career touchdowns against the Bills have come in his last two contests against them.
D/ST New York Jets
FantasyPros Week 1 Ranking: DST8
FanDuel: $4,200
DraftKings: $3,100
New York’s defense is a solid streaming option against a Buffalo offense that averaged just 16.8 points per game and 298.6 total yards (Both No. 30 in the NFL) last year. However, it should be noted that the Bills’ offense has been at their very best against the Jets in their two years under Sean McDermott. Buffalo has averaged 26.5 points per game and 1.75 turnovers per game in its last four contests against New York.
Start at Your Own Risk
QB Sam Darnold (Two-Quarterback League)
FantasyPros Week 1 Ranking: QB25
FanDuel: $6,700
DraftKings: $5,100
Darnold looks like he’s ready to take the next step in Year 2, but Buffalo’s elite secondary doesn’t offer a favorable matchup for the young signal-caller’s fantasy owners. Unless you’re desperate for a starter in a two-quarterback league, Darnold is better off riding the pine this week.
Avoid This Week
WR Quincy Enunwa
FantasyPros Week 1 Ranking: WR67
FanDuel: $5,200
DraftKings: $3,800
Unless you’re in the deepest of PPR leagues, Enunwa shouldn’t be in anyone’s lineup this weekend. The 27-year-old notched just seven receptions for 40 yards receiving in two games against Buffalo last year. Additionally, he’s averaged just four receptions for 44 yards receiving in five career games against the Bills.
TE Ryan Griffin
FantasyPros Week 1 Ranking: TE43
FanDuel: $4,000
DraftKings: $2,700
Buffalo’s defense allowed the fewest yards receiving to tight ends last year (32 yards per game), which doesn’t bode well for a player of Griffin’s caliber. Fantasy owners would be better off finding a better streamer on the waiver wire.
RB Ty Montgomery
FantasyPros Week 1 Ranking: RB55
FanDuel: $4,900
DraftKings: $3,200
Montgomery could be relevant in deep PPR leagues at some point this season, but until we get a full grasp of Le’Veon Bell’s workload, he’s better off on the bench.
K Kaare Vedvik
FantasyPros Week 1 Ranking: K31
FanDuel: N/A
DraftKings: N/A
Vedvik is an unproven kicker and based on his Week 1 ranking, you could probably find a better streaming option on the waiver wire.
No Fantasy Relevance Until Proven Otherwise
WR Josh Bellamy
WR Braxton Berrios
TE Chris Herndon IV (Suspended)
TE/FB Trevon Wesco
RB Bilal Powell
RB Trent Cannon