Dolphins play Colts in Week 1. Who should I start or sit for fantasy football?
My college fantasy football league turns 10 this year.
And while the Colleen Cup wasn’t my intro to virtual game, it has been my most consistent league to date, with yours truly winning three championships during the last decade.
But enough about me. You’re here to know who to start in your various fantasy football leagues. Before we get there, please understand that this won’t every give you every single person on every single team. Instead, think of this as a guide that will highlight players that I’m particularly fond off ahead of the Miami Dolphins’ upcoming matchup.
First up, Sunday’s Week 1 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
START
Tyreek Hill
Here’s the best statistic you will hear all day: in three season openers with the Dolphins, Hill averages about nine catches, 150 yards receiving and a touchdown.
With Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback, the Dolphins’ offense runs through Hill. That won’t change come Sunday.
Michael Pittman Jr./Josh Downs/ Tyler Warren
While I’m not high on Jones, the Dolphins offense should build a big lead.
That means the Colts will have to throw the ball a lot. Sure, Miami’s elite pass rush will get its fair share of sacks. But when they don’t, expect the 6-foot-4-inch Pittman, the speedster Downs or the versatile Warren to come up big.
If the Dolphins’ depth chart holds, the team will trot out Storm Duck and Jack Jones on the outside. Not only do they lack the size to properly match up with Pittman, they have only 24 combined starts between them, 21 of which were from Jones. Rookie corner Jason Marshall Jr., who’s in the midst of a position switch to nickel, will likely cover Warren or Downs, something that could not end well.
While it’s not likely that all will have a great day vs. the Dolphins, someone in that trio could come up big.
Who knows?
It might even be Warren. Keep in mind: the Dolphins also had issues against elite tight ends in 2024, and many experts believe Warren, who was a collegiate All-American, to be cut from that same cloth.
SIT:
Darren Waller
If you banked on the Pro Bowl tight end who unretired to play for the Dolphins to be the steal of the draft, guess again — at least for now.
Waller won’t suit up against the Colts after he suffered a hip strain in practice. Stash him in your injured reserve (IR) and use the extra roster spot to grab a tight end off of waivers.
Daniel Jones
Jones is a bit of mystery.
He beat out Anthony Richardson for the starting job but that, unfortunately, isn’t saying much. He has some pass-catching weapons in Pittman, Downs and Warren. Plus, he has nearly 70 starts under his belt.
Unfortunately, he has won only just two dozen games across his career and has thrown more interceptions (13) than touchdowns (10) since the 2023 season.
If Jones can return to his 2022 form, when he accounted for more than 3,900 total yards and 22 combined touchdowns, then we can have conversation. Until then, leave him on the bench.
TOSS-UP:
Ollie Gordon II
With starting tailback De’Von Achane claiming to be 100% ahead of the season opener, Gordon’s usage will be hard to pin down before kickoff.
That said, he has looked like the second-best back in training camp. Even more important: a season-ending injury to Alexander Mattison and knee surgery for Jaylen Wright suddenly catapulted Gordon up the depth chart. The key will be to monitor how Achane looks in pregame considering he missed a significant portion of training camp with a calf injury.
Start Gordon if you dare, but likely only at the flex until his usage in the offense becomes a bit clearer.
Jonathan Taylor
Yes, Taylor is one of the best backs in the league. Yes, Taylor ran for a touchdown and more than 100 yards in his sole matchup against the Dolphins in 2024. And yes, Taylor is coming off his best year since his 2021 All-Pro season.
The Dolphins, however, bolstered a top-10 run defense in 2024. Even more important: key pieces of that 2024 core – defensive tackle Zach Sieler, edge rushers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb as well as linebackers Jordan Brooks and Tyrel Dodson – have all returned.
Can Taylor have a good day and make the Dolphins rethink their plan? Sure yet the front seven should be one of Miami’s strengths. I will take good defense over good offense nine times out of 10.
