Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens: Week 1 Fantasy Football Start or Sit 'Em

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

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Fantasy football is bigger to some NFL fans than the games themselves. Here are our predictions on which Baltimore Ravens to start or sit in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills.

There is a lot to look forward to as Week 1 of the NFL season is here. Every team has the same record and a shot to win it all. Not talking about NFL teams either. Every fantasy football team has a shot to take home the glory of winning their league’s championship.

The Baltimore Ravens enter the season with a ton of questions on offense. As we noted in our preview against the Bills, there are no real stars on this team, but several players could be relevant in fantasy. It will come down to the matchups each week.

Each week we will give you our start or sit for the Ravens, beginning with the leader of the offense.

Joe Flacco – Sit

If this were a complete healthy Flacco, he would have been a start in Week 1, but there are concerns coming off a major knee injury and possibly two rookies protecting his blindside. The Bills are going to attack the rookies as Rex Ryan is on a mission to get his pass rush back to being one of the best in the league. Flacco is a spot start player at this point of the season and there are better options this week.

Justin Forsett – Start

Everyone was shocked to see Forsett get cut over the weekend and speculated whether his role with the team was in jeopardy. He helped the team out, got an extra $100,000 in the process and the Ravens are not going to punish him by placing him on the bench for it. Marcell Dareus is a force in the middle, but Marshal Yanda will move him out of the way for Forsett.

Terrance West – Sit

This is still Forsett’s job for the time being. While West was the more impressive back during the preseason, the Ravens are giving Forsett the carries for now. West is a handcuff at this point, and Javorius Allen will serve as the third-down back, but not worth owning in fantasy.

Mike Wallace – Start

It was a limited showing, but when Flacco and Wallace were on the field together, Flacco looked his way often. They took a deep shot on the first play, something we are sure to see plenty of this season. Wallace was also catching passes over the middle and that adds to his value. With Breshad Perriman and Steve Smith not 100 percent ready for a full workload in Week 1, Wallace is a late-round flier that could provide huge dividends.

Steve Smith – Sit

The last person on this team that wants to be questioned is Smith, but he is coming off an injury that could have ended his career and has not played at all in the preseason. He could be a factor in a few weeks, but for now, leave him on your bench.

Breshad Perriman – Sit

Everything said about Smith applies to Perriman as well, and then some. Smith has a proven track record. Perriman has not played in a NFL regular season game. Until we see him with a prominent role on this team, he is someone you’re stashing on the bench hoping for later returns.

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Kamar Aiken – Flex Play

The Ravens unsung hero on offense last season has been quiet through most of training camp, but he has earned his role with this team. He was the lead guy after Smith and Perriman went down with injuries and the failed experiment with Chris Givens. He will likely see most of the snaps in Week 1 alongside Wallace and should draw the Bills second corner. He makes for a solid flex play that could reward with a touchdown.

Maxx Williams, Dennis Pitta, Crockett Gillmore – Sit

Flacco has options at tight end, but it’s unclear who is ahead at the position. Williams has missed a good portion of the preseason. Pitta had a broken finger and hasn’t played in a regular season game in two years. Gillmore is the likely the starter entering the game, but until we get some clarity on who is the top guy, no one is worth starting.

Justin Tucker – Start

He’s the best in the game at a position that you never know what points you will get from them. If you own him, you start him always.

Ravens Defense – Start

While we are not big fans of the acquisition of Devin Hester, it does make the Ravens defense a more attract play in fantasy. Turnovers are the key to fantasy defenses, and the Ravens are hopeful to make more plays this season. Tyrod Taylor can be loose with the ball in the pocket so Baltimore is not a bad play this week.