Imagine you inherited some money and wanted to put together a solid financial plan. You talked to advisers, created a list of good investments and had the funds in your account ready to go. You're on your way to their office to do paperwork when you decide to hop on a flight to Las Vegas, find a roulette table and put it all on red instead. You had everything in place but decided to gamble at the last minute.
Sounds weird, right? Gutsy, but weird. It's not something you'd actually do in real life, but many fantasy managers will do exactly that with their week 1 lineup.
Headed into the first games you have the players you want to start. Guys you took early, the website slotted them in the starting spots, and you expect them to produce throughout the season. They're healthy, they're starting for their respective clubs and you're ready to go.
But here's the thing: You've waited several months to get to this moment. Running a team is fun, and now you're in the driver's seat again. So naturally, you want to run your team. There's no waiver wire flavor of the week yet, nobody is even thinking about trades, nobody has gotten hurt or benched, and there are no bye weeks to consider. So what can you actually do to run your team? Mess with the starting lineup, of course. And that's where people sabotage their own plan before the real games even start.
It's great if your team has solid depth, with players who can contribute during the season. And some of them might have an attractive matchup for week 1. But if you bench a starter before the first game for a guy deeper on your roster, what was the point of taking the starter in the first place? The Ravens don't have an easy matchup at Buffalo, but there's no reason to bench Lamar Jackson for a backup with an easy-looking game ahead. I know that's an obvious example, but it applies to your other starters as well.
I think daily fantasy games has changed the mentality of some managers. In those games it makes total sense to take a flier on a lesser-known quarterback who might outscore Jackson. You only need their production for one week, their salary will be lower which you can spend elsewhere, and if you're right the payoff can be lucrative.
It's a short-term gamble for some quick money. But a fantasy football season takes months to complete. If you're wrong about a daily game lineup, you're out a few bucks and you start fresh in week 2. If you cost yourself a win in the first game, you're already off to a bad start and it was your decision that put you there.
Plus, some folks are just gamblers. They see a solid matchup and they feel great about their bench. Why not sub in a player if you believe he's a better play? It doesn't matter where they're drafted. They’ll say you have to start the guys you think will perform the best. And that's true — in week 5. But in the first game, why take a risk you don't need to take? Why bother having a plan if you have no intention of following it? Nobody has given you a reason to either lose trust or dish out promotions. I think shaking up your starting lineup before week 1 is a mistake, unless you have a spot with no true starter like maybe a third flex position. Then you have no choice but to rotate in multiple guys who can fill that spot.
It's your team, of course, just like it would be your money to invest or gamble in Las Vegas. Play how you want. I'm just encouraging you to give your starters a chance to prove you right. Maybe you made great decisions on draft day. Let them show the league how formidable you are. That depth will still be there if someone stumbles in a few weeks. And even if the backup would have done better (just like red might hit at the roulette table), taking risks like that can really burn you in the long term. Don't be your own worst enemy. Send your best guys out there until they prove they aren't your best guys. Good luck this week.
Are you considering benching a starter? What matchups look most appealing? Share your thoughts below.