The 2024 NFL regular season is upon us, and it’s time to start finalizing those lineups. Hope springs eternal as all fantasy managers have championship aspirations, and Week 1 gives us a chance to really see how our draft worked out.
Doing start/sit articles can be a little challenging. The players featured on the list below should not be taken as “must starts” or “must sits.” Instead, these are more suggestions on what we believe managers should do with fringe players heading into the weekend. The choice is ultimately up to the manager.
Just because a player is listed as a “start” doesn’t mean he should be put in the lineup over the secure, bona fide studs. Vice versa for the “sits.” If there’s no better option on the waiver wire or the bench, a manager shouldn’t automatically sit the player. That’s why these can be tricky waters to navigate.
Feel free to ask any specific start/sit questions via X, formerly Twitter, (@danieledobish), or check out our start/bench list for Week 1:
Quarterbacks
Start ‘Em
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals at Buffalo Bills: Many fantasy managers might be scared off by the fact the Cardinals are the second-largest underdog on the Week 1 slate. Some fear that Arizona is going to be overmatched, especially against a Bills pass defense which allowed just 3,676 yards, and the second-fewest passing touchdowns (18) in the NFL in 2023. However, all indications are that Murray is officially back at his preinjury speed, making him a legit QB1 in all fantasy formats, regardless of the matchup.
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions: While some personnel has changed since January, on both sides, Stafford will be playing his second consecutive game in Detroit, his old stomping grounds. In the NFC Wild Card game, Staff completed 25-of-36 passes for 367 yards, two TDs and no INTs. He was hyped for the return, and he should be amped for the rematch after the narrow 24-23 bouncing from the postseason. He also has all-everything RB Kyren Williams healthy in the backfield, with rookie RB Blake Corum as a change-of-pace guy. WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua also are at his disposal. The former Lions signal caller should put up gaudy numbers in Week 1 to outpace projections.
Sit ‘Em
Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers: In Week 1 last season, on a Monday night, Rodgers lasted just four snaps before rupturing his Achilles tendon. It was a tough start, as all the Jets’ plans around the future Hall of Famer were put on ice. It’s been a tough 12 months, but Gang Green fans and fantasy managers are ready to see what the 40-year-old can do. But, facing a tough 49ers defense on the road in an opener is a tall order. San Francisco’s pass D tied for an NFL high with 22 INTs a season ago.
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears vs. Tennessee Titans: The Bears drafted Williams No. 1 overall, and they are ready to see what the shiny new toy can do in his first meaningful game. Fantasy managers shouldn’t be as optimistic, as the fringe QB1 has a difficult matchup to start. The Titans recorded an NFL-low six INTs in 2023, so that’s good news. But, they also allowed just 20 passing scores, which was tied for the fourth-lowest mark in the NFL and upgraded the secondary. Where Williams could flash is in the running game, as Tennessee had difficulty in that department a season ago.
Running Backs
Start ‘Em
Joe Mixon, Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts: Mixon landed in the Space City thanks to a trade, and then a three-year contract extension followed. Mixon went over 1,000 yards last season in Cincinnati, his fourth such campaign in the past six seasons. He had nine rushing scores, and 12 TDs total. The Colts allowed 22 rushing TDs in 2023, which was among the worst in the league, and 4.1 yards per attempt — ironically the exact same figure for Mixon’s career.
Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers: This should be a closer game at SoFi Stadium, as these rivals kick off their season. White replaces Josh Jacobs, who is now plying his trade in Green Bay. It’s White’s gig, and when Jacobs was on the shelf last season, White averaged 21.5 carries per game, while rolling for 69 or more yards in each contest, including two 100-yard performances. And his only TD run last season came against … you guessed it … the Bolts.
Sit ‘Em
Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons’ rush defense was a stingy bunch in 2023, allowing just 4.0 yards per carry, while yielding only 11 scores on the ground. Harris has traditionally been slow to start, with September easily his worst month before he gets cranked up as we get into the fall and winter months. Facing a sturdy Atlanta defense won’t help him get off to a quick start.
Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans at Chicago Bears: Pollard has some giant shoes to fill, replacing legend Derrick Henry. And, to make matters worse, fans in Nashville, and fantasy managers, might have some unreal expectations. It could be a slow start for Pollard, as he acclimates to his new team. It also doesn’t help that he has to negotiate the Bears defense, which allowing just 3.8 rushing yards per tote in 2023, while allowing an NFC-best eight rushing scores. It was a good opportunity for RB receiving work, though.
Wide Receivers
Start ‘Em
Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns vs. Dallas Cowboys: Ooh, it’s the Amari Cooper revenge game! It seems like with all of the Week 1 headlines and stories, this one has flown a little under the radar. In March 2022, the Cowboys didn’t want to pay Coop $20 million per season, which is a bargain at 2024’s exorbitant prices. Now, he gets his first crack at his old employer. And, for what it’s worth, four of his past six 100-yard games have come against NFC foes. Dallas has a new DC, is missing its big-play corner DaRon Bland, and has Trevon Diggs returning from an ACL tear.
Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions: OK, this is a bit of a layup, but Kupp is 100 percent healthy entering Week 1 this season, unlike 2023. Plus, this is a the “Cooper” portion of the article. The 31-year-old remains a high-volume pass catcher for PPR managers especially, and he will be facing a Lions pass defense that was rather leaky in 2023. Detroit allowed 30 pass plays of 20 more yards, so he could hit the ground running.
Sit ‘Em
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Jets: OK, hopefully you have some receiver depth. Aiyuk missed training and the preseason due to a holdout, before finally receiving an extension last week. The good news is that he is back, but the bad news is that it might take a while to get going. Facing a lockdown Jets defense, especially with Sauce Gardner likely draped all over him, won’t help. Rust, and a tough matchup, might make for a mediocre stat line.
Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills vs. Arizona Cardinals: Coleman isn’t really a must-start fantasy option just yet, but he has the potential to be a WR1 with Stefon Diggs moved to Houston. Coleman and Khalil Shakir are expected to see a lion’s share of the wideout targets, with veteran Curtis Samuel also factoring in. Coleman doesn’t have blazing speed but is a capable vertical threat as well as dangerous weapon in the red zone. He likely has the highest ceiling, but Arizona was surprisingly effective against the pass and presents a challenge out of the gates.
Tight Ends
Start ‘Em
Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers: The Raiders rookie knows a thing about big performances, starring at the University of Georgia. Now, the Raiders hope they hit the jackpot drafting the dynamic tight end. Bowers was limited in practice with a foot injury but avoided a designation. He’ll face a pass defense that was rather shoddy last season, so he could get off to a nice start. He has low-end TE1 upside, but be sure to check on Bowers’ pregame status to guard against a potential setback.
Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins: Engram is clearly in the middle of the pack among TE1, but fantasy managers might perceive this as a tough matchup. It’s not. For all of the things the Dolphins did right in 2023, pass defense wasn’t one of them, and now a new coordinator is in town. This team allowed 4,698 yards through the air, most in the AFC, including 30 plays of 20 or more yards and the ninth-most PPR points to TEs. Engram should start out with a big fantasy stat line.
Sit ‘Em
Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns: Ferguson was drafted as a low-end TE1 in most fantasy formats, but he could find it difficult getting off on the right foot. First off, the Cleveland defense is a tough one, and the sledding might be a little tough. Secondly, there will be winds blowing 13-16 mph off of Lake Erie, which could wreak havoc with the passing games for both sides.
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Pitts was drafted with the potential to be the next great tight end. And, in 2021, he was pretty amazing, going over 1,000 yards. However, he averaged just over three receptions last season and has found the end zone six times in 44 NFL games — that TD number isn’t expected to grow against a capable Steelers defense in Pitts’ first contest with Kirk Cousins under center.
