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Fantasy football: Start-em, sit-em players for Week 1

By Jay Marsdale

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 24: Jameis Winston
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 24: Jameis Winston /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 27: Mike Gillislee #35 of the Buffalo Bills runs past Greg Hardy #76 of the Dallas Cowboys during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 27, 2015 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 27: Mike Gillislee #35 of the Buffalo Bills runs past Greg Hardy #76 of the Dallas Cowboys during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 27, 2015 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Sit-em: Mike Gillislee (NE) vs. Chiefs

Head coach Bill Belichick is always a wild card for fantasy football players. Without LeGarrette Blount in the backfield this season, no one really knows who the true lead back is in New England.

Mike Gillislee is the only back on the current roster that has the body type to withstand a heavy workload. That being said, he has never been a feature back. He performed very well, when given his chances as LeSean McCoy’s backup in Buffalo, but those opportunities were scarce.

Also add him needing to learn a new offense, and a complicated one at that. Gillislee may have a good year for the Patriots, but tempering expectations for Week 1 is a smart move.

Belichick recently praised all five of the Patriots running backs. That doesn’t exactly bode well for fantasy owners. Successful fantasy football running backs get guaranteed touches and, until he proves that, he will be on my bench.

More options: Jordan Howard (CHI) vs. Atlanta and Frank Gore (IND) vs. LA Rams