NFL 2018: Week 1 - Studs and Duds

Robby Anderson

New York Jets v Miami Dolphins

Robby Anderson had a breakout campaign in 2017. He forged a great rapport with Josh McCown that resulted in 63 receptions for 941 yards and 7 TDs. This season though, it’s a completely different set up in New York.

The 3rd overall draft pick was used to select QB Sam Darnold, who will lead out the Jets for a week 1 matchup against the Lions. One reason I have Anderson on this list is that I think it will take a few weeks to build a genuine rapport with Darnold. The other is that Anderson is likely to be covered by Lions CB Darius Slay, who led the league in interceptions in 2017 with 8. It could be a tricky matchup for Anderson this week.

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LeSean McCoy

Wild Card Round - Buffalo Bills v Jacksonville Jaguars

Shady has had an eventful offseason in Buffalo, but let’s focus on what has happened with the Bills offense. The Offensive Line has been torn apart due to the departures of Cordy Glenn, Richie Incognito and Eric Wood. This has made the O Line one of the weakest in the league, on paper.

We caught a glimpse of that in the preseason when Josh Allen was sacked 5 times in the first half by the Bengals. McCoy will still receive a great volume of rushes and receptions, but it may be tricky getting anything going behind a woeful line, just ask the 2017 Seahawks RBs. He also gets a tough matchup against the impressive Baltimore Ravens D, who will look to make it a rough day for Shady and Nathan Peterman.

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Carlos Hyde

Buffalo Bills v Cleveland Browns

It looked as though Carlos Hyde had landed in a decent spot this offseason, when he signed with the Cleveland Browns. His only competition was Duke Johnson, who is a passing down specialist and no real threat to Hyde’s early down work.

Then the Browns went and drafted Nick Chubb in the second round of the draft. Chubb comes into Cleveland with a lot of hype after a stellar few years in college. Hyde should be locked in for the early down work in the first few games, but after then I’d expect Chubb to really eat into his work.

With a week 1 match against the Steelers, Hyde’s work could be limited due to the Steelers being in the lead for the majority of the game. This could force the Browns to throw more, meaning Johnson could get more playing time than Hyde. I am steering clear of Hyde in week 1.