Week 1 NFL Start Em Sit Em – Fantasy Football 2024
The 2024 fantasy football season is officially here. Welcome to this week’s NFL Start Em Sit Em column. In this article, we will be bringing you our favorite starts and sits of the week. Our writers and experts from The FF Faceoff Podcast will be working together to make this happen every week.
These players will not always be the most obvious start or sit candidates. No one needs to tell you to start CeeDee Lamb every week. However, these players will likely be your Flex options or players you’re potentially on the fence about.
NFL Start Em Sit Em Week 1
Week 1 NFL start em sit em decisions are crucial for kicking off your fantasy football season with a win. As the season begins, it’s vital to analyze matchups and determine which players are poised for big performances and which ones might struggle. Whether you’re eyeing a breakout candidate or wary of a tough defensive opponent, making smart choices in your Week 1 NFL start ’em sit ’em lineup can set the stage for a successful fantasy football season.
NFL Start Em Sit Em Week 1 Quarterbacks
START – Kyler Murray QB Arizona Cardinals
This may seem obvious but, Kyler Murray is the quarterback to play this week. The Cardinals signal-caller is playing in one of the higher over/under games of the week and is going up against Josh Allen.
In eight games last season, Murray averaged 18.3 points per game. With rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. in the fold, that trend will continue.
Finally, you will hear this often this season but the Cardinals’ defense is atrocious. Expect Murray to be in a shootout in Buffalo this weekend. – Michael Hauff @TheFFRealist
SIT – Aaron Rodgers QB New York Jets
Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season will close out with the Jets visiting the 49ers. While Aaron Rodgers is the lightning rod with all the potential in the world, he should be on your bench.
While the 49ers offense has been in contract hell with players like Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams, the defense, except for Dre Greenlaw, has been steady and ready.
Notably, the Super Bowl runner-up 49ers were in the top 10 in fewest points allowed to quarterbacks on a per-game basis last season with 15.7. In his last two meetings against the 49ers, Rodgers has averaged 12 fantasy points per game. Just too sour of a taste to end your Week 1 fantasy matchup. – Michael Hauff
NFL Start Em Sit Em Week 1 Running Backs
START – Zack Moss RB Cincinnati Bengals
During his first four games played last, Zack Moss turned in some of the best fantasy performances of his career. Expect something similar this weekend when the Bengals take on the Patriots.
There is a game script that is described as running the ball to run out the clock while you are ahead, that is precisely how this Week 1 matchup will unfold.
There is no denying that there is a potential for Chase Brown to eat into Moss’s workload. While we wait to see how that will materialize this season, I have preferred Moss over Brown all offseason and I feel just as strong in Week 1.
START – Najee Harris RB Pittsburgh Steelers
After a big off-season debate of Najee Harris versus Jaylen Warren, Harris is already looking like the correct answer. Unfortunately, this is largely due to an early hamstring injury. While Warren is trending toward playing, I expect he’ll be eased into a role and Harris will receive his typical usage.
Despite the split backfield, Harris still saw 14 or more carries in 11 games last year. Additionally, he had his best games when things mattered most, at the end of last season. In the final three games, he saw 19, 27, and 26 carries. On top of that, he had four touchdowns in that span and finished as the RB19, RB7, and RB6.
Regardless of the upside that Warren might bring, Harris isn’t going anywhere. As long as he’s healthy, he’s going to receive the bulk of the carries and be on the field quite often. – Aaron Schill @aaron_schill
START – David Montgomery RB Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions take on the Los Angeles Rams in a matchup that has the highest implied point total of the week at 51 points per CBS Sports. David Montgomery should see the lion’s share of the backfield touches including goal-line work with teammate Jahmyr Gibbs working his way back from a hamstring injury.
The Rams’ defense ranked 13th in rushing yards per game allowed last season. However, they have since lost former Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald. As well as last season’s leading tackler Ernest Jones from the middle of the defense. Overall, I like Montgomery behind a strong offensive line in a game that the Lions are favored to win. – Daman Zimbelman @DamanZimbelman
SIT – Kyren Williams RB Los Angeles Rams
I get it, you spent high draft capital on Kyren Williams and you’re looking forward to starting him. You will likely start him in Week 1, temper expectations, and prepare for disappointment against the Lions.
While the Lions allowed the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers last season, they allowed the fewest points to opposing running backs.
On a per-game basis last season, the Lions allowed 15.7 points per game to the position. Just further perspective, that is point-per-reception scoring. Ultimately, Williams has several tantalizing matchups in the early part of the season, but Week 1 is not one of them. – Michael Hauff
SIT – Javonte Williams RB Denver Broncos
In the limited time we’ve seen him on the field, Javonte Williams has been slow to start. In the month of September (nine games), he averaged 4.04 yards per carry with one total touchdown. On top of that, we don’t know how the scheme of the Denver running back room and it could be split between three guys and they’re coming out with rookie Bo Nix under center.
2024 could be a really long season for the Broncos. Ultimately, it’s best that we see how things play out before we throw our chips in. – Benjamin Ditlevson @FFRabbitDad
NFL Start Em Sit Em Week 1 Wide Receivers
START – Khalil Shakir WR Buffalo Bills
All offseason, I have beaten the drum for Khalil Shakir. I will continue to do that in Week 1 when the Bills welcome the Cardinals into Buffalo.
The departure of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis has left an astounding 241 vacated targets. Out of the gates, Khalil Shakir has the most experience in working with Josh Allen. In the early parts of the season, I expect Shakir to benefit the most from that.
As previously referenced when discussing Kyler Murray, this Cardinals defense is expected to be in trouble early and often. This is one of my most confident calls of the week. – Michael Hauff
START – Christian Watson WR Green Bay Packers
The Philadelphia Eagles conceded the second most FPPG to enemy pass-catchers last season. And while they should improve with offseason additions that include DC Vic Fangio, DB Cooper DeJean, Quinyon Mitchell, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, it could take a few weeks for it all to gel. Jordan Love and the passing attack of the Green Bay Packers in the season opener will test them.
The Packers have a loaded group of pass-catchers, Christian Watson is the big play threat I am going all in on. In his only other appearance against the Eagles back in 2022, Watson popped with a 4/110/1 stat line. He’s also the most electric wideout in Green Bay. In 23 career games, Watson has scored 10+ PPR points nine times while hitting 20+ PPR points in six of those outings. – Anthony Cervino @TheRealNFLGuru
START – Chris Godwin WR Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Washington Commanders should be an improved defense in 2024 under new HC Dan Quinn, but that is going to take time, especially taking into consideration a lack of overall talent to work with compared to what Quinn had in Dallas.
Taking Chris Godwin to explicit a secondary that allowed the most PPR points to opposing pass-catchers last year should be an easy decision, but some may be wary.
Godwin is coming off his worst fantasy season since 2018, but I consider this setback an outlier. From 2019-2022, Godwin was a Top 15 wideout in FPPG who brings a high floor and the ability to pop for big games.
Furthermore, with new OC Liam Coen suggesting that Godwin will once again emerge as the team’s primary slot reiver, a bounce-back year is expected and it begins in Week 1. – Anthony Cervino
START – Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR Seattle Seahawks
The Denver Broncos Defense should be better this season in the trenches. The secondary still has its concerns after losing Justin Simmons their All-Pro Safety and Kareem Jackson. Additionally, the team brought in Brandon Jones who has missed all of camp and is relying on inexperienced players in the secondary. Patrick Surtain will most likely shadow DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett may not play.
New OC Ryan Grubb should have Seattle throwing the football more than we have seen in the last few years. I believe they will try to feature Smith-Njigba in Week 1. – Pete Nova @superrnova38
SIT – DK Metcalf WR Seattle Seahawks
The last time Dk Metcalf played the Denver Broncos was in 2022. Patrick Surtain shadowed him the entire game. Meanwhile, Metcalf was heavily targeted 7 times in the game. In the end, he caught all 7 targets for just 36 yards netting him 8.6 fantasy points.
While I believe Metcalf will get his in this matchup, I think there are better options out there to start this week. Consider a player like Rashee Rice or Christian Watson if you have either. – Pete Nova
SIT – Calvin Ridley WR Tennessee Titans
Calvin Ridley enters his first game as a Tennessee Titans facing off against the Chicago Bears and Jaylon Johnson. Johnson flashed elite shutdown ability last season by finishing with the highest coverage at CB, per PFF.
With Ridley still building chemistry with Will Levis and the Titans going on the road for this Week 1 matchup, I’d fade Ridley if you have other options. – Daman Zimbelman
SIT – Brandon Aiyuk WR San Francisco 49ers
The long and winding road mercifully reached its dead end. Brandon Aiyuk has signed his extension with the 49ers.
While staying in the bay was the best fantasy destination for Aiyuk, that will not translate to Week 1 against the Jets.
Along with the Jets allowing the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers last season, the newly extended 49ers have barely practiced and could come out of the gates slow. Expect George Kittle to reap the benefits of this on Monday Night. – Michael Hauff
NFL Start Em Sit Em Week 1 Tight Ends
START – Taysom Hill TE New Orleans Saints
If you are someone who left your fantasy football drafts without a top-tier tight end, I present to you, Taysom Hill. If the preseason taught us anything, the Saints’ long-time gadget player will be utilized in the offense.
Dennis Allen’s apparent disdain for injured Kendre Miller only heightens the expected Hill usage.
Hill and the Saints will kick off their season at home against the Carolina Panthers. In 11 games against his division rival, Hill has scored four touchdowns and has accumulated 522 yards of total offense.
Will Hill hit every week? Of course not. Will he do it in Week 1? I believe so. – Michael Hauff
START – Colby Parkinson TE Los Angeles Rams
Looking for another tight end option to get your year started? Grab yourself a player in a perceived shootout. Colby Parkinson will be the Rams’ starting tight end on day one. He signed a three-year, $22.5 million contract to do more than look pretty in blue and gold.
Now, Parkinson is finally in a situation where he’s not splitting time with two other talented tight ends. Additionally, he has the ability to be a solid, short-range option in the passing game. Then there’s the 51.5 point over/under for the game against Detroit which tells us to expect a lot of scoring.
Not only can you pluck Parkinson from the waiver wire, but you can happily start him too. – Benjamin Ditlevson
START – Evan Engram TE Jacksonville Jaguars
Engram seems to be an afterthought in the fantasy football community. He’s not as popular as Andrews and Kelce; not as favorable as last year’s rookie darlings in LaPorta and Kincaid. Well, I see you Engram. I took notice of what you did last year. You led all tight ends in targets, receptions, and receiving yards, finishing as the TE4.
During the Jaguars’ last preseason game, Engram caught four passes for 28 yards and two touchdowns. Look for Engram to carry over his play into this week’s game against the Dolphins. The game has the second-highest over/under for the week and looks to be a shootout. – Joe Simonetti @FF_AuctionJoe
SIT David Njoku TE Cleveland Browns
While the pomp and circumstance in this matchup surrounds Tom Brady calling his first NFL game, the Browns matchup against the Cowboys could spell trouble for those who start David Njoku.
The veteran tight end will go up against a Cowboys defense that allowed the fewest receptions and fantasy points to the position last season. This an ugly trend for Njoku as the Cowboys allowed the second-fewest points in the season before that.
In the six games Deshaun Watson started last season, Njoku averaged 5.8 targets per game. Outside of that, Njoku averaged 8.8 targets. The controversial quarterback is not known for targeting his tight ends. – Michael Hauff
Streaming DSTs
START – Cincinnati Bengals DST vs. New England Patriots
Picking against the Patriots offense will be a recurring theme for streaming defenses. I will unapologetically grab that low-hanging fruit and tell you to start the Bengals defense in Week 1.
If you paid attention to an ounce of the Patriots offseason, it is evident that the offensive line will be a liability.
It is always give and take when incorporating last season’s statistics into a new season but the Patriots were in the top 10 last year in sacks allowed on a per-game basis (2.8). Unfortunately for Jacoby Brissett and eventually Drake Maye, that number will be on the rise in 2024. – Michael Hauff
START – Falcons DST vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Falcons are just 8% owned. Only 4 games in the slate have a lower point total per DraftKings odds. Steelers are projected to score 19 points which is below the league average in 2023.
Russell Wilson was sacked 3 times per game in 2023. I do expect that trend to stay the same given his track record. This is a defense that added Justin Simmons and Matt Judon along with other nice moves this offseason. Lastly, they are at home which plays into their favor. – Pete Nova
SIT – Philadelphia Eagles DST vs. Green Bay Packers
In a rare move, the NFL will play a regular season game on a Friday. The expectation is that Vic Fangio can be the defensive coordinator who fixes the Eagles defensive woes but that will not show itself in Week 1.
The Eagles are going up against a Packers offense that looks to be one of the better units in football. Last season, 57.3% of Jordan Love’s touchdown passes came in road games. – Michael Hauff
SIT – New York Jets DST @ San Francisco 49ers
The Jets defense will be one of the best in fantasy this season. Their schedule is extremely favorable. Week 1 is a tough matchup that I would avoid against the 49ers who is considered to be one of the best offenses in the league.
Jets are without Hassan Reddick as he continues to hold out. They also lost Bryce Huff and John Franklin-Myers this offseason. This game will be played in San Francisco which doesn’t favor the Jets as well. – Pete Nova
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