Admin September 8, 2024
Who is this year’s Puka Nacua in fantasy football?
The Fantasy Footballers chat with Prince Grimes about which rookie players they think could be a dark horse in 2024 and have an immediate fantasy impact.
Sports Seriously
After two close games Thursday and Friday night to open the 2024 NFL season, Week 1 of the season will be in full swing with Sunday’s slate of games. Twenty-six teams will be in action starting at 10 a.m. ET with multiple divisional matchups and games between playoff teams from last season. Monday Night Football features defending NFC champion San Francisco and AFC playoff hopeful New York to cap off the week.
There are many must-starts for fantasy managers in all leagues. Your top draft picks are hard to stomach putting on the bench. Other spots on the starting lineup may be up for debate, though, including No. 2 running back, No. 2/3 wide receiver, quarterback, and tight end.
Here are eight players to start – and eight to sit – if you’re making last-minute decisions fantasy football decisions ahead of Sunday.
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Fantasy Football Week 1 start ’em
QB Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Buffalo)
Arizona’s offense has all the makings to improve in 2024. Buffalo’s defense is missing linebacker Matt Milano due to injury and the secondary may take a step back this season. That leaves plenty of room for points and production from Murray.
QB Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (vs. Jacksonville)
Tagovailoa has averaged more than 20 points in Week 1 under coach Mike McDaniel. The Dolphins have the fastest wide receiver duo in the league again this year and McDaniel should have more early-season wrinkles to challenge opposing defenses.
RB James Cook, Buffalo Bills (vs. Arizona)
Cook had his best weeks in 2023 with Joe Brady as the interim offensive coordinator, a title he holds officially starting in 2024. The Cardinals defense gave up the most fantasy points to running backs in 2023 and didn’t make significant upgrades during the offseason.
RB David Montgomery, Detroit Lions (vs. Los Angeles Rams)
Even with Jahmyr Gibbs as the top fantasy back in Detroit, Montgomery will get plenty of opportunity starting Week 1 against a young Rams defensive front. Aaron Donald and Raheem Morris are gone and, until the Rams’ defense proves stout against the run, Montgomery should be a solid No. 2 RB running behind Detroit’s offensive line.
WR Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Washington)
Either Godwin or Mike Evans should have a strong showing against one of the worst secondaries in the NFL from last season. If Washington’s offense puts up points, the Buccaneers will need to respond in kind.
WR Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (vs. Jacksonville)
Miami’s offense should have a strong week, especially through the air, against the Jaguars’ defense. Top corner Tyson Campbell may be tasked with focusing on Tyreek Hill. That leaves an unproven supporting cast to cover Waddle.
WR Malik Nabers, New York Giants (vs. Minnesota)
Nabers is the Giants’ top playmaker on offense and begins his rookie season against a Vikings defense with aging free agent starters at cornerback. He should get a ton of targets and make the most of them.
TE Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Miami)
Miami has a new defensive coordinator and it may take time to fully get up to speed. Engram averaged 19.3 fantasy points per game in the final six weeks of last season. This could be a shootout in Week 1 and Engram is quarterback Trevor Lawrence‘s top returning target in the passing game.
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Fantasy Football Week 1 sit ’em
QB Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Cleveland)
Dallas’ offense struggled on the road in 2023 while Cleveland’s defense allowed just 13.9 points per game at home. The Browns boast arguably the top secondary in the league and have the personnel to contain Dallas’ passing game.
QB Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets (vs. San Francisco)
Rodgers is back and healthy for Week 1 but starts the year against one of the better pass defenses from 2023. New York may have better luck in the running game behind Breece Hall come Monday night.
RB Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (vs. Chicago)
There’s high hope in Tennessee with a new head coach and upgrades on the offensive line and in the wide receiver corps. But Chicago had a good run defense in 2023 and will likely be strong again this season.
RB Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. New England)
This could backfire but Cincinnati’s backfield hierarchy isn’t set yet and Zack Moss is slated to be the starter. New England’s defense will likely be the strength of the team in 2024.
WR Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans (vs. Chicago)
Tennessee’s offense will be better in 2024 than last season but the Titans face one of the best secondaries in the league in Week 1. He may become quarterback Will Levis‘ top target by the end of the season but it’ll take time.
WR DJ Moore, Chicago Bears (vs. Tennessee)
Tennessee traded for cornerback L’Jarius Sneed this offseason and he’ll likely cover Moore in much of Sunday’s game.
WR Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (vs. Houston)
Pittman Jr. struggled against Houston in 2023; In PPR leagues, he finished 38th and 51st in games against the Texans. With quarterback Anthony Richardson healthy to start year two, Indianapolis may lean on the run game in Week 1 to ease him in.
TE Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans (vs. Indianapolis)
Houston has one of the top pass-catching groups in the league entering the 2024 season but Schultz may end up as the No. 4 target in the passing game. That’s great for Houston’s playoff hopes but not great for his fantasy ceiling, especially against a Colts team that he scored 15.6 total points against in two games last year.