Philadelphia Eagles

Fantasy Football Week 1: Ryan Mathews or DeAngelo Williams?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Is Ryan Mathews or DeAngelo Williams the better fantasy football play in Week 1? Our NFL Sports Debate talks this and more to help you win your matchup

We are back for Week 1 of the 2016 NFL season. Everyone and their niece has a fantasy football team these days and they want to win their weekly matchup. Yet, its hard to know which lower-ranked players are the best starts and which supposed guaranteed performers may come up short. Week after week, lesser players outperform their rankings and stars lay an egg. Those decisions are the difference between a win and a loss. So we’re playing ‘Who’d You Rather?’ between two guys at the same position.

Two brothers from New York, Dan Salem and Todd Salem, discuss Fantasy Football Week 1 in Thursday’s NFL Sports Debate.

Todd Salem

For Week 1, the first fantasy ‘Who’d You Rather?’ decision I have my eye on is in the backfield. In Philadelphia, Ryan Mathews is being ranked as just the 15th running back, behind the likes of weekly fill-ins Spencer Ware and DeAngelo Williams. Why Mathews is not considered among the most elite every-down backs in the NFL is beyond me. I would much prefer Mathews this week over those part-time substitutes.

First, he has no competition for carries on the Eagles. Only Darren Sproles can cut into his playing time and Sproles is just a receiving back at this point in his career. The offensive line has pieces to open holes for Mathews as well. Throughout his career, the only downside to Mathews’ game has been his inability to stay healthy. That doesn’t play a role in a one-week decision here as he is healthy heading into the game. Is Ware really the only guy going to get looks with Jamaal Charles out? What about Charcandrick West or Knile Davis? And everyone loved what Williams did in place of Le’Veon Bell last season, but call me dubious of a repeat performance.

And oh by the way, the Eagles are playing the Browns, the 29th ranked defense in the league from a year ago.

Dan Salem:

While I like the Eagles matchup against the Browns and I fully believe Philadelphia runs the ball a lot to take pressure off of their rookie quarterback, I am by no means ready to start Ryan Mathews over DeAngelo Williams. While Spencer Ware may split carries in Kansas City this week, Williams will be the work horse for Pittsburgh against the Washington Redskins.

Perhaps this is personal bias, because Mathews burned me on multiple occasions last season. That being said, I don’t know if the Eagles are a good football team, one that is going to get in the end zone multiple times. You know who is going to be really good? The Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pittsburgh has a dynamic offense which Washington will be unable to stop. Williams is going to dominate in Bell’s absence once again. Both Mathews and Williams are solid plays this week, but go with the proven player on a better football team. Black and Gold.

Aug 26, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws the ball as Cleveland Browns defensive end John Hughes (93) defends during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Todd Salem:

I found similar value the same distance down the quarterback rankings for Week 1 where Tampa Bay’s Jameis Winston is ranked 15th. Seriously?

This is even more egregious than Mathews’ ranking. 15th at quarterback implies said player isn’t worth using at all in a standard league. Yet Winston could be elite this season. Moreover, he has a matchup against one of the worst defenses in the sport. Only four defenses in the NFC were worse than Atlanta’s in 2015 and the Falcons didn’t exactly retool like the Giants or Bears did. Furthermore, Atlanta was dead last in DVOA in 2014. This hasn’t been a reliable defensive roster in some time.

Surely Winston is a better option than Kirk Cousins, Carson Palmer against a tough New England defense, Tyrod Taylor, or Blake Bortles. Some of the ESPN experts even rank rookie Dak Prescott ahead of Winston this week, which seems ludicrous. I would take the latter over any of the previously mentioned passers. Give me Famous Jameis and Ryan Mathews as starters in fantasy and I’ll win my Week 1 matchup.

Dan Salem:

Now we finally agree on something. Jameis Winston gave owners every reason to believe in him last season. He made great strides as a rookie and likely excels this season. While I like the Falcons to bounce back this year, starting with a victory over Winston’s Buccaneers, I don’t think their passing defense is much to write home about. Winston should put up big numbers in this football game.

You can easily start Winston over Kick Cousins who’s facing the Steelers. I’m not buying into the Tyrod Taylor or Dak Prescott hype either. Yet you’ve lost me when you lump Carson Palmer and Blake Bortles into the conversation. Those two guys are going to be money all year, starting in Week 1. Climb back off the limb just a little bit and we are on the same page. Winston is a great play to start the year.