New York Jets

Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 1: D/ST of New York Jets

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

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When it comes to Week 1 of the Fantasy Football season, the defense/special teams of the New York Jets is a solid start against the offense of the Cincinnati Bengals.

The defense/special teams of the New York Jets have all the potential in the world to be a top three or even the best in the NFL this fantasy football season. With the perfect blend of veterans and young hungry rookies, Gang Green’s brick wall defense will without a doubt be a top fantasy option in 2016.

According to the NFL’s fantasy site, the Jets’ defensive unit last season ranked ninth in total points allowed per game with 19.6, tied for third in takeaways with 30, and tide for twelth in sacks with 39.

This year’s defensive unit of the Jets is stronger than ever with Muhammad Wilkerson leading the defensive line along with Sheldon Richardson, Steve McLendon, and Leonard Williams. The Jets also cut ties with former first-rounder Quinton Coples and veteran linebacker Calvin Pace.

Their replacements came from within as well via the 2016 NFL Draft. Sophomore linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin and rookie Jordan Jenkins out of Georgia are expected to line up alongside each other for Week 1.

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First round pick linebacker Darron Lee out of Ohio State is locked in behind Erin Henderson on the depth chart at middle linebacker.

Defensive back Buster Skrine is expected to take over the CB2 duties with Marcus Williams expecting to provide quality depth.

Their schedule is by far one of the hardest schedules in the NFL this season.

2016 will test just how talented and shut down that defensive unit of theirs truly is and it all starts with Week 1.

September 11th is the Jets first game of the regular season and their opponent is no walk in the park. The Cincinnati Bengals are coming off a 12-4 season in which they claimed their division for the second time in three years. Their success came entirely from their defense, however, their offense will by no means intimidate the Jets’ defense this Sunday.

Cincinnati’s offense in 2015 ranked 17th in points per game with 19.2, 18th in yards per game with 300.8, and 12th in passing yards with 213.8. Their rushing attack ended at 25th in rushing yards with a mere total of 87 per game making New York’s defense a solid start for Week 1 of fantasy football.

Andy Dalton and A.J. Green are the Jets only offensive concerns come Sunday.

Considering Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill aren’t No. 1 caliber running backs, neither of them will be running the ball down the throat of the Jets’ defensive line. Green is Dalton’s primary offensive target since Marvin Jones departed for Detroit, Mohamed Sanu left for Atlanta and tight end Tyler Eifert isn’t expected back until at least Week 4 or 6.

The only other weapon Dalton has in his arsenal is Brandon LaFell who the Bengals acquired during the offseason. As long as Calvin Pryor, Darrelle Revis, Skrine and Williams can stick to Green, Tyler Kroft, and Mario Alford like glue, the Jets will start the year off 1-0.

Overall, the Jets’ defense/special teams is a solid start for Week 1 as they look to feast on Cincinnati’s offense. They will rack up some fine fantasy points come Sunday. Also, the special teams unit of the Jets is better than what we’ve witnessed the past few years. Expect their special teams to surprise many in this Week 1 matchup.

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