Week 1 of the NFL season has finally arrived! Fresh off your fantasy football draft, you likely know which guys are making your lineup in Week 1. That said, there are always tough decisions to make, so let’s break down my start ’em, sit ’em choices for the first slate of the year.
Quarterback
Start ‘Em: Jayden Daniels (Commanders) at Buccaneers
Daniels has been “my guy” at quarterback throughout the entire fantasy draft process, so it’s only right that I’m rolling with him in Week 1. As the season progresses, it will become easier to label players are starts or sits due to matchups. Heading into the first slate of the season, there’s only so much weight you can put into that without seeing each squad in action.
That said, the Buccaneers are running back their defensive unit for the most part. Last season, they were strong against the run and quite vulnerable within their secondary. Daniels has flashed serious potential throughout training camp and preseason, and I expect him to hit the ground running — literally — in Tampa Bay. Even if it’s not the strongest passing outing from the rookie, his scrambling ability gives him a strong fantasy floor.
Sit ‘Em: Dak Prescott (Cowboys) at Browns
Dak and the Cowboys boasted one of the NFL’s most prolific passing attacks last season, but there’s reason to doubt their ability to replicate that early on in 2024.
It’s been a tale of contract disputes this offseason for Jerry Jones’ squad. Prescott is still in the midst of negotiations — which don’t sound particularly close between both parties — while superstar wideout CeeDee Lamb recently landed one of the largest contracts in NFL history at his position.
While it’s great that Lamb is back in action, he and Dak missed out on significant reps this offseason and will be playing catch-up to reestablish their rapport. Most importantly, Dallas is facing an incredibly tough Browns defense. Cleveland racked up the third-most interceptions and sixth-most sacks last year, boasting one of the best players on that side of the ball in Myles Garrett. Prescott will eventually find his rhythm, but this isn’t an enticing Week 1 matchup.
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Running Back
Start ‘Em: Aaron Jones (Vikings) at Giants
First of all, after years of writing about Aaron Jones it’s a little jarring to see “Vikings” appear next to his name.
That said, I expect the former Packer to pick up where he left off in Green Bay with his new squad. The Giants did add star EDGE rusher Brian Burns this offseason, but their defense still projects to be one of the worst in football against the run. New York allowed the third-most rushing yards to opposing RBs last season, and Minnesota is a team that loves to pound the rock.
With Sam Darnold under center, I expect Kevin O’Connell to ease him into his first regular-season game. That means a lot of handoffs to the veteran back and multiple screens/dump offs, as Jones is still one of the most dynamic playmakers in the league.
Sit ‘Em: Devin Singletary (Giants) vs. Vikings
Surprise, surprise. We’re going with the opposing running back in this Vikings-Giants matchup.
For what it’s worth, I actually love Singletary as a player. As one of the hardest runners in the league, it was nice to see that effort get rewarded with a solid contract this offseason. Unfortunately for the veteran back, he’s not exactly in the best situation.
Saquon Barkley struggled to find room behind New York’s offensive line at times last year. With all due respect to Singletary, if Barkley was having trouble, he’s going to have a really hard time. The Giants’ offensive line is already banged up entering Week 1 and the Vikings boast one of the better run defenses in the league. I need to see consistent production from Singletary before trusting him.
Wide Receiver
Start ‘Em: Chris Godwin (Buccaneers) vs. Commanders
Godwin floated in no man’s land of fantasy relevance for virtually all of last season. The talent was obviously there and the production looked solid on paper — 83 receptions for 1,024 yards — but consistency was an issue.
Quite frankly, I put a lot of that on the scheme Dave Canales employed as Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator last year. With Canales now in Carolina and the addition of rookie Jalen McMillan, Godwin will head back to the slot full-time, where he excelled from 2020-22.
While the Commanders are hopeful to improve drastically on offense, the same can’t be said for their defensive unit. Washington ranked dead last in passing yards allowed last year, and Godwin should see plenty of space to operate in with Mike Evans being Dan Quinn’s top priority. Add in the potential of this being a shootout with Jayden Daniels manning Washington’s offense, and things are shaping up very nicely for the veteran receiver in Week 1.
Sit ‘Em: Calvin Ridley (Titans) at Bears
A few weeks down the line, I believe things could really click between Calvin Ridley and Will Levis.
Just not on Sunday.
Tennessee’s offseason signing is an enticing option on paper with DeAndre Hopkins’ health up in the air, but I expect Ridley’s rapport with his new — and relatively inexperienced — quarterback to take some time to develop.
From a matchup perspective, Chicago’s defense looks greatly improved after finishing 2023 on a high note. Jaylon Johnson has emerged as one of the best corners in the game, and Ridley should see plenty of the young DB this week with Hopkins banged up. If you have the depth to afford sitting him, let Ridley and Levis prove their connection before starting the veteran receiver.
Tight End
Start ‘Em: Jake Ferguson (Cowboys) at Browns
I know what you’re thinking. Didn’t I just choose Dak as a “sit ’em” at quarterback?
Yes, but I think there’s a fine line Dallas could walk that results in a subpar performance for Prescott but a solid outing for Ferguson. The 25-year-old was my favorite tight end target in fantasy drafts this year with a seventh-round PPR ADP. Ferguson burst onto the scene last season with 71 receptions for 761 yards and five touchdowns, finishing as TE9.
The Browns were solid against opposing tight ends in 2023, but they did routinely let them find the end zone. With CeeDee Lamb likely a little rusty after holding out and Dallas’ backfield in tough shape, Dak should look to Ferguson as his safety valve early and often in Sunday’s game.
Sit ‘Em: Dalton Schultz (Texans) at Colts
This has nothing to do with Schultz’s talent, as I’m a huge fan of his game.
However, the Texans are looking at the possibility of a “too many mouths to feed” situation. From a real-life standpoint, that’s a good problem to have. In fantasy, it’s not particularly ideal for any of their offensive weapons.
Schultz saw regular volume from C.J. Stroud last year, but the arrival of Stefon Diggs gives the Texans three legitimate stud receivers in the veteran, Nico Collins and Tank Dell. Joe Mixon is also set to lead Houston’s backfield, and he’s caught at least 52 balls in back-to-back years.
I hope Schultz carves out a consistent role in Houston’s offense, but I fear he’ll be an afterthought in Week 1 against Indy.
Those are my start ’em, sit ’em Week 1 fantasy football picks! Stay tuned for more fantasy advice next week.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
