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Sleepers: 2011 Week 1
 | QB | Kerry Collins | |
| Kerry Collins isn't going to put up stellar numbers week in and week out, but if Peyton Manning can't go in the opener, he's going to inherit a good corps of receivers and a good matchup against one of the worst passing defenses in the league, Houston. Keep track of the injury report and make sure he's playing before the game. | |||
 | QB | Alex Smith | |
| I'll admit this is a gut check after the poor showing of Smith and his offensive line in the preseason. What he has going for him this week is his opponent. The Seahawks were well below average in passing defense last year and Smith had a field day against them at the end of last year throwing for 255 yards and 3 TDs. He has a new outside threat in Braylon Edwards and could have a similar day if the O line plays better and keeps him upright. | |||
 | RB | Jonathan Stewart | |
| As long as DeAngelo Williams is healthy, you have to be cautious with Stewart, but Arizona ranked next to last against the rush in 2010 and he has built a nice resume against them. He last saw them in week 15 where he racked up 137 rushing yards. The time before that he notched 87 yards and 2 TDs. | |||
 | RB | Michael Bush | |
| Raiders vs Broncos was a rush fest last season. Both teams pounded the ball on the ground and put up big numbers. There should be more of the same to open the season and that makes week 1 a good time to roll out Michael Bush. McFadden may have been the headliner last year, but Bush still managed 13 points per game against Denver in 2010. | |||
 | RB | Willis McGahee | |
| McGahee is the new guy in the mix for Broncos vs Raiders and he could make a splash early. He's going to be the goal line back in Denver, but should also get some extra carries sprinkled in. Oakland ranked 25th against the run last year and Willis could help them start 2011 the same way by finding the end zone at least once. | |||
 | RB | Ben Tate | |
| We still don't know if Foster is going to be able to go on Sunday. If he can't, then Ben Tate will get a chance to carry the load and he couldn't ask for a much better matchup than the Colts. Week 1 last year, Foster got the Colts and burst into fantasy stardom with 231 rushing yards and 3 TDs. | |||
 | WR | Braylon Edwards | |
| He's the reason we like Alex Smith this week. Edwards changes the dynamic of the passing game by being that threat on the outside. He had a good connection with Smith in the preseason and we're looking forward to that relationship developing further on game day. Teams can put up yardage on the Seahawks and Edwards and Vernon Davis will be the benefactors this week. | |||
 | WR | Kenny Britt | |
| Not a deep sleeper, but he's been invisible this preseason and his owners have a lot of questions. He's a risk/reward guy and you have to go after the potential rewards when opportunities present themselves. Jacksonville ranked 24th against the pass last year and they may struggle on offense now that Garrard has been cut meaning the ball will be in the hands of the Titans offense more. | |||
 | TE | Greg Olsen | |
| Cam Newton is getting his first start and his tight ends are going to be his safety blanket. Arizona ranked 24th against the TE a season ago, so they're susceptible to the position. They gave up a TD every other game on average to tight ends so odds are good that Olsen could come down with one. | |||
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