The expectations heading into Week 1 can get the best of you. We want the Rams and Bengals to pick up right where they left off as the top teams of the NFC and AFC, respectively. We are looking forward to the Bills cakewalking through the AFC East. Tom Brady—well, he's the GOAT, right? He shouldn't falter! But somebody has to finish last in the AFC West between the Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders. It's not likely that the Rams, 49ers and Cardinals all make the playoffs. The pursuit of knowing this year's sleepers, busts and breakouts—the lifeblood of a fantasy manager's offseason—are all examples of our expectations. They all form a narrative, yet it's all speculation until the games begin.
Every NFL season draws us in and holds our collective attention because the league is chock full of parity. Every NFL season ends up being a completely unique experience for all 32 teams—except the Jets. We can all agree they'll be awful, right? In any case, I encourage an open mind as the season kicks off today with the Rams hosting the Bills for Thursday Night Football. And yes, it is possible for the Jets and an eventually healthy Zach Wilson to turn it all around. No team is beyond redemption!
Instead of focusing on the marquee fantasy players across the league, I want to focus the Week 1 cheat sheet on borderline players who are either at the end of your bench or near the top of a 12-team league's waiver wire. We need to keep an eye on the names who could pop early in the season.
