Welcome to FansOnlySportz first annual Fantasy Football Start' Em-Sit 'Em of the Year! Writers Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen have compiled the best list of sure fire starts and forgettable sits for every position on your fantasy team to get that all-important Week 1 win! We will also be giving individual advice for anyone who wants on our twitter @fosportz. Tweet at us and we'll get back to you if your team is Super Bowl worthy or a dud.
While we are a bit late, (The week started two days ago,) we want to get this out before Sunday's games and believe we have gotten some of the best underrated and overrated picks of the week.
Author's Note: We tried to only include NON "automatic" starters in our Start 'Em section because everyone will start their Best WR or Best RB almost every week. Contrastingly, we tried to only pick "automatic" starters in our Sit 'Em section to show which players won't get elite points despite being a Top Pick for your team this year.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Quarterbacks
Start 'Em Sit 'Em
Baker Mayfield vs. WAS Aaron Rodgers vs SF
Baker takes our #1 spot for QB While we expect Aaron Rodgers
Start 'Ems because of his lethal to have another great year, Week 1 vs
connection with Evans and Godwin, the best defense in the NFL may be a
and the Commanders' subpar defense. rocky start or at least an average one.
Kyler Murray vs. BUF Dak Prescott vs. CLE
Kyler Murray is 100% healthy and Players going against the CLE
has a new best friend in Marvin Harrison defense will often be on our Sit 'Ems.
Jr. Match that against a transitioning Dak may have Ceedee Lamb this week,
Buffalo defense; he is a definite Start. but still look for him to under impress.
Jared Goff vs. LAR Joe Burrow vs. NE
With no Aaron Donald and a Though Burrow is primed for a
below-average secondary, Goff should big year in 2024, Tee Higgins is doutful look to sling the ball around early and to play, while Jamar Chase hasn't
often against his former team. practiced for most of the offseason. Expect Burrow to struggle against a good NE secondary
Geno Smith vs. DEN Kirk Cousins vs. PIT
The Bronco's defense could be one This is Cousins' first game on a
of the worst in the league this season, new team, while coming off a torn
with very little talent aside from Patrick achilles. Be cautious this week, as
Surtain II. Smith should have no problem the risk may be too high so early,
getting his weapons the ball on Sunday. even with the big play potential.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Running Backs
Start 'Em Sit 'Em
James Cook vs. ARI Gus Edwards vs. LV
James Cook could be in for The newly acquired Christain an outstanding performance on a Wilkins, along with a solid front seven,
Buffalo team, with new weapons, might make it difficult to make
against a horrible Arizona defense. Edwards a viable Fantasy option. He may be on this side of the picks until
we know his expected volume compared to J.K. Dobbins
Aaron Jones vs. NYG D'Andre Swift vs. TEN
The new Vikings offense The Titans have a very solid
led by Sam Darnold could set up Jones defensive line, which will make it tough
for a big week receiving and rushing for a receiving back like Swift to get
wise. We expect for Jones to be involved anything major going on the ground.
heavily in his first game as a Viking.
Raheem Mostert vs. JAX Javonte Williams vs. SEA
As the leader in rushing TD's Seattle has improved their
last year, Mostert's goalline work defense a lot in the offseason.
for Miami cannot be ignored, despite Expect Williams to struggle with
his expected carry split with Devon getting touches, as we expect
Achane. Denver to play from behind for
most of the game.
Zack Moss vs. NE Joe Mixon vs. IND
Without Christain Baramore The Colt's have a very solid front
to clog up the rushing lanes, the seven, causing Mixon to most likely
Patriots may struggle to stop Cincy's struggle getting touches in what is
rushing attack. Look for Moss to have expected to be a pass-first offense.
more touches than expected with Higgins
most likely out and Chase being limited.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Wide Receivers
Start 'Em Sit 'Em
Mike Evans vs. WAS Calvin Ridley vs. CHI
Evans is a must-start this week, The Titans new offense and
with proven chemistry with Baker Ridley's inconsistent play in 2023 Mayfield and playing a below-average makes him too risky of a start in
Washington defense. week one against a improved Bears
defense.
Davante Adams vs. LAC Dionte Johnson vs. NO
Gardner Minshew had no problem Johnson could have a good year in
getting his weapons the ball in Indy. 2024. However, until we see it, it is to
Expect his Raiders tenure to be no early to risk starting him on Sunday. Sit
differentand for Adam's to get his fair him for the time being.
share of targets.
Tank Dell vs. IND Garrett Wilson vs. SF
As one of C.J. Stroud's favorite It would be a bold move to sit
targets, look for the deep threat in Dell a player as talented as Wilson right
to have a couple big plays against the away, but he may struggle against an
Colts. elite 49ers defense.
Michael Pittman Jr. vs. HOU Ja'Marr Chase vs. NE
Anthony Richardson is back, and Chase has not practiced with the
he liked to target Pittman a lot last year. team basically all offseason, with he
Expect the second-year QB to do the himself saying that he will be limited
same against the Texans this Sunday. IF he plays. Do not expect much from
Chase this week.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Tight Ends
Start 'Em Sit 'Em
Evan Engram vs. MIA Jake Ferguson vs. CLE
Coming off of a career year in Cleveland's front seven may be
2023, look for Engram to remain one of the best in the league, resulting
Trevor Lawerence's favorite target in a Tight End like Ferguson to struggle
this week against Miami. getting open.
David Njoku vs. DAL Cole Kmet vs. TEN
With Leighton Vander Esch retiring, Kmet may be a casualty when it
Dallas is still figuring out how to play their comes to targets within the new Bears
front seven. This could set up Njoku (who is offense. Sit him until he has shown to
coming off a great year) for a big week this be a consistent option for the Bears
Sunday.
Dalton Kincaid vs. ARI Hunter Henry vs. CIN
Kincaid is one of the few familiar With the Patriots still figuring
faces left for QB Josh Allen this season. out their identity as a team, Henry
His talent with the ball in his hands could is too risky of a start until the offense
make him a focal point in this new-look figures things out.
Bills offense.
Brock Bowers vs. LAC George Kittle vs. NYJ
Bowers should be a very nice Kittle has always been known to
saftey blanket for QB Gardner minshew, be unreliable in Fantasy Football, and
making him a safe play in week one against we expect for him to block more than
a bad Chargers defense. catch against an elite Jets defense.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Kickers
Start 'Em Sit 'Em
Dustin Hopkins vs. DAL Cam Little vs. MIA
Hopkins could be a great start As a rookie kicker, it is too
this week, as the Browns may struggle risky to start little over other proven,
to find the endzone against the more consistent options.
Cowboys.
Joey Slye vs. CIN Jake Moody vs. NYJ
On a Patriots team with no elite Jake Moody may get chances this
weapons, look for Slye to have plenty week, but was far from perfect last
of opportunities to get your team points season. Do not expect him to have
many easy looks this week.
Chris Boswell vs. ATL Evan McPherson vs. NE
Pittsburg is going into the season The Bengals may struggle to
with many question marks, and the get down the field consistently
possibility of multiple stalled drives against a very solid Patriots defense.
may give Boswell multiple opportunities this makes it difficult to see McPherson
in week one. as a safe option this week.
Ka'imi Fairbairn vs. IND Cameron Dicker vs. LV
Fairbairn has been consistent There are many other safe options
his whole career for the Texans, so than Dicker at kicker this weekend. He
expect him to capitalize on the may not get many clean opportunites
opportunities he is given this week. at points this week.
Defense/Special Teams
Start 'Em Sit 'Em
Saints vs. CAR Colts vs. HOU
Until the Panthers prove themself Houston's high-powered offense
to be a solid offense, start anyone who will prove too much for the Colts
plays Carolina. defnese to handle. Do not even think
think about starting them week one.
Seahawks vs. DEN Rams vs. DET
With rookie Bo Nix getting Detriot's weapons on offense and
the starting nod this Sunday, expect LA's lack there of on defense will make
the improved Seattle defense to feast it very difficult to trust the Rams
on this below-average Denver offense defense
Raiders vs. LAC Jets vs. SF
The Chargers hit the reset Playing the defending NFC button this year, with much to figure champs make, though elite on paper, out on the offensive end. Look for Las difficult to risk starting this week.
Vegas to have a good week with plenty
of opportunities to score your team points.
Bears vs. TEN Steelers vs. ATL
With a new defensive coordinator With Atlanta's potential to take
and a solid group of talent, expect the the top off a defense, the risk is too
Bears defense to thrive against a new-look to start the Steeler's defense week one.
Titans squad.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Next week our Start 'Em-Sit 'Em article will be released Wednesday at 5 pm before TNF so make sure to stay tuned.
Give us a follow at @fosportz for more content on NFL and Fantasy Football as a whole
Check out fansonlysportz.com for more sports media content posted daily.
Make sure to stay tuned in as we continue coverage of the NFL throughout the 2024-25 season.
-Z.D. and Matt Hylen
Comments