Fantasy football: Week 1 wide receiver rankings

Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Mike Evans, DeAndre Hopkins, Michael Thomas, Odell Beckham Jr. and Julio Jones top my Week 1 fantasy football wide receiver rankings for 2019.

Adam Thielen, Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, Tyreek Hill and Brandin Cooks round out my top 10 options for Week 1.

I also have a plethora of solid options listed in my top 50 rankings for the opening week of the season. If you don't have an elite option, there are plenty of capable pass-catchers with great Week 1 matchups.

You should target players who have a good chance to score a touchdown and get a lot of looks from their respective quarterback when considering who to start at wide receiver.

Here are some of my favorite players in this week's rankings.

TOP 50 WEEK 1 RANKINGS BELOW

TOP SHELF

Evans is my top wide receiver option for Week 1. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers target will be the top priority for quarterback Jameis Winston. He is also facing the San Francisco 49ers, a unit that allowed a league-high 27 touchdowns to opposing wide receivers in 2018. Look for at least one score from Evans in this game which should see very little defense.

Hopkins is my No. 2 option this week. The Houston Texans superstar is battling the New Orleans Saints, a unit that allowed the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in 2018. The Texans recently made several moves to improve their offense, bringing in tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Kenny Stills. Those additions should balance the Texans offense and open up Hopkins.

SNEAKY PLAYS

Thielen is my No. 6 wide receiver for Week 1. The Minnesota Vikings target should have a huge game against the Atlanta Falcons, a unit that tied for allowing the second-most touchdowns to opposing wide receivers in 2018. I expect both Thielen and fellow Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs to produce like WR1s to open the season.

LONGSHOTS

Buffalo Bills wide receiver John Brown is my No. 38 option in Week 1, landing in WR3 range in deeper leagues. I think Brown is a great fill-in if you don't have a go-to WR3 option entering the season. The Bills are facing the New York Jets in Week 1, a unit that allowed the second-most fantasy points, second-most yards and most receptions to opposing wide receivers in 2018. Brown has a great shot at getting deep in this one and I see possible WR2 production if Bills quarterback Josh Allen gets hot.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders had his doubters this off-season, but looked very good in the preseason. I see that trend continuing to open the season, especially in Week 1 against the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders tied for allowing the second-most touchdowns to opposing wide receivers in 2018. Sanders has a great shot at scoring in this game. I have him listed as my No. 39 wide receiver in Week 1, making him a low-end WR3 in deeper leagues.

Week 1 fantasy football wide receiver rankings

1. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. SF

2. DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans at NO

3. Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints vs. HOU

4. Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland Browns vs. TEN

5. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons at MIN

6. Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings vs. ATL

7. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers vs. IND

8. Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys vs. NYG

9. Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs at JAX

10. Brandin Cooks, Los Angeles Rams at CAR

11. Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings vs. ATL