The regular season is finally here after eight months off. Dynasty owners grind through the NFL Draft process, free agency, their rookie and startup drafts, and finally the training camp and preseason shake-up phase of the offseason to get to this moment. It is time for the new reality of dynasty. Here are key players and situations to monitor in Week 1:
Running Back Splits
Tennessee Titans: While Derrick Henry was an impressive runner in the preseason, signs point to a lion's share of touches for DeMarco Murray out of the gate. Henry is a touchdown-dependent (or logging plenty of late carries in a blowout game script) option for now. Dynasty owners will want Henry to be a big part of Tennessee's run game to open the season, but like many of the other rookie runners, he is more likely to impact fantasy starting lineups later in the season.
Other backfields to track beyond the incumbent starter include: Eagles (Kenjon Barner?), Colts (lackluster showing by all the non-Frank Gore backs in the preseason), Lions (entire workload split up in air), Ravens (all competent options, Justin Forsett back), and Seahawks (Christine Michael resurgence, C.J. Prosise back on field by end of preseason, Thomas Rawls returning from injury).
Kelvin Benjamin
The reports are a snap count is coming for Benjamin out of the gate against Denver. Devin Funchess is a key player to watch. Reports have been glowing all offseason for Funchess entering Year 2 and opportunity for significant targets in Week 1 is there. Funchess has been one of the best talent acquisitions this offseason in startup drafts and the trade market.
Tyler Boyd
Boyd has been projected as an NFL-ready and likely Year 1 performer with Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu gone from Cincinnati. However, Brandon LaFell is the ho-hum veteran who has stunted younger options in the past. With Tyler Eifert out to start the season there may be room for both to see five or more targets in a given game, but Boyd, like Derrick Henry, could be a mild disappointment out of the gate for dynasty owners expecting strong production.
Kevin White
White was one of the more quizzical watches during the preseason with three near-invisible games before flashes in Week 4. Snaps will be plentiful for White opposite Alshon Jeffery, but after missing Year 1 with an injury White has more pressure to confirm his top-25 startup price tag this offseason and top-3 rookie pick status from 2015.
Dak Prescott
While Prescott is headed to the Hall of Fame based on his rookie preseason performance for many, the regular season is a different animal. The run game will be critical to Prescott seeing success. With Prescott's zoom up in dynasty value in August, especially in superflex leagues there may be a rebound period with a lackluster game or two in September.
Trevor Siemian
Paxton Lynch will be the starter for the Broncos. The question is when. The weapons are of quality in Denver, but a poor game against a competent Carolina defense to open the season will start the rumbling on starting Lynch immediately. Siemian is a placeholder, but while he has the job, a value one for quarterback premium formats. Sell while you can as Lynch is the long-term starter in Denver.
Packers Offense
It was a down year across the board for the Green Bay Packers offense in 2015. Was it mostly Jordy Nelson's absence? The Packers are on the road, in a projected shootout, against Jacksonville's up and coming defense. Monitor their potential bounceback closely with plenty of dynasty value tied to this offensive roster in 2016.
Streaming and Low-Cost Tight Ends
The cheap tight end pool is vast to open the season. Names like Crockett Gillmore, Larry Donnell, Jacob Tamme, Lance Kendricks, Virgil Green, Jesse James, and Cameron Brate are just some of the names poised for significant snaps in Week 1. Stashing one or more in case they pop is ideal in medium or deeper level depth dynasty leagues.
Finding Value in San Francisco
The 49ers are a high-leverage offense for this season. Other than Carlos Hyde, the entire set of skill position players are dirt-cheap in dynasty. Will the quarterback play be good enough to support any weekly viable pass-catchers? Vance McDonald has been inconsistent throughtout his career. Torrey Smith has not rounded out his game through a handful of NFL seasons.