Each week there are some obvious starts and sits in fantasy football. Other decisions are not quite so simple. Here are some of my picks for Week 1 in the latest edition of Studs, Duds & Sleepers.
STUDS
QB: Kyler Murray (ARI at BUF): After missing out of the action to start the season last year, Murray is poised for a fast start in 2024. The Bills’ defense is not as good as it used to be, especially in the secondary. Murray’s rushing line gives him a nice floor and his ceiling is fairly high, especially if Arizona is playing from behind as the 6.5 point spread would indicate.
RB: Rachaad White (TB vs. WAS): White was one of my most frequently drafted running backs during the last month so it comes as little surprise he cracks my top 10 at running back in Week 1 with the Commanders visiting. Washington cleaned house on its coaching staff, but no team ceded more fantasy points to running backs (34.5 PPR points per game) than Washington did over the last five weeks of the season in 2023.
WR: Cooper Kupp (LAR at DET): Both Rams wideouts are inside my top 12 at the position for the opening weekend. Nucua has been drafted in that range all summer, but Kupp’s ADP surge came after a stellar training camp and preseason effort. Now healthy, the veteran appears to be poised to put some huge numbers in 2024. It should start here as Matthew Stafford returns to Detroit (again) for a contest that has the only total breaking 50 points on this week’s slate.
TE: Taysom Hill (NO vs. CAR): The Saints lack many weapons in its offense, but the team has made it clear they plan to incorporate Taysom Hill in a variety of ways. Now that most platforms have adjusted his position eligibility, Hill finds himself already landing as a fringe TE1 on my board right out of the gate.
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Get ready for kickoff to Week 1’s action w/Dan Clasgens & James Adams on the Fantistics Insider Football Podcast…
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DUDS
QB: Dak Prescott (DAL at CLE): I am on board with Dak still being a solid fantasy QB1, but this week’s matchup to start the season vs. the Browns on the road is less than ideal. Having new starters at LT and C will not help keep Myles Garrett and company at bay and with a weak running game behind him it could be tough sledding for the Cowboys’ signal caller. He currently checks in outside of my top 20 for Week 1 at quarterback.
RB: Gus Edwards (LAC vs. LV): Fantasy managers spent a good part of the summer trying to figure out which Chargers’ running back to draft first and Edwards mostly per ADP was the top choice. However, Dobbins is going to be involved and I’m not very optimistic the Chargers’ offense will move the ball much vs. an underrated Raiders’ defense. While both LA backs are likely worth roster spots neither of them should be in any fantasy lineups for Week 1.
WR: Bradon Aiyuk (SF vs. NYJ): After a lengthy absence from the team with his contract issues, Aiyuk finally signed last week and now his fantasy managers could relax a bit as he settles back in as a reliable fantasy WR2. However, temper your expectations in Week 1 with him likely still shaking off some rust and the stingy Jets’ secondary on tap.
TE: Cole Kmet (CHI vs. TEN): Kmet had a number of red flags pop up this summer, leaving big questions around what type of usage we can expect in terms of targets shares, snaps and routes run. After getting some exposure to him during the best ball season, I backed off during my stretch of season-long drafts. The Titans’ secondary is also much improved which only adds to my concerns using Kmet.
SLEEPERS
QB: Geno Smith (SEA vs. DEN): Pete Carroll is no longer on the Seattle sidelines Ryan Grubb’s new offense should bring the Seahawks into the 21st century. The Broncos’ D is average at best and Smith makes for a sneaky top 20 option in the opening weekend of action.
RB: Zack Moss (CIN vs. NE): No team is favored by more than the Bengals (-8) are in Week 1 as they host New England. That should spell plenty of rushing opportunities for both Moss and Chase Brown, who both are worthy lineup considerations in this matchup. I favor Moss slightly given the fact I expect him to start and get the bulk of the goal line work out of the gate.
WR: Courtland Sutton (DEN at SEA): It will be tough sledding for rookie Bo Nix to make his first-ever NFL start in a raucous environment with Seattle’s 12th man. Still, Sutton is easily the top target in this passing attack and with the Broncos likely playing from behind that should lead to a fair amount of targets heading Sutton’s way.
TE: Zach Ertz (WAS vs. TB): Though I expect rookie Ben Sinnot to see his role increase as the season goes on, expect Ertz to be the main option at tight end for the Commanders out of the gate. With rookie Jayden Daniels making his first NFL start I expect him to lean on the veteran as a safety valve early and often.
