Need help with your week 1 fantasy lineup? I’m highlighting 5 players to start and 5 players to sit, so you can make confident decisions to kick off the season. Here are Week 1 Sit/Starts
Week 1 Starts
Tet McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers used the 8th overall pick on wide receiver Tet McMillan for a reason. This kid is the real deal. In the flashes we’ve seen from him out of camp and preseason, he’s going to be a stud. He is going to be the focal point of this offense. I was already starting him in week 1 regardless.
With the news that Adam Thielen was traded less than 2 weeks before the first game starts, he’s even higher on my list now. Adam Thielen was his only real competition for targets in this offense, and now that he’s out of the picture, it’s Tet season. When you look at week 1 wide receiver rankings, the trade doesn’t appear to have moved the needle much for Tet. He’s currently being ranked around WR19-WR23, but I’m taking him as a top-12 guy. He doesn’t have competition for targets and is in a very favorable matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tet is a must-start in all formats, and if you don’t have Tet on your team, trade for him now, before he explodes in week 1.
Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts
The Miami Dolphins are starting an entirely new secondary this season than they had last season. They’ve been absolutely depleted by injuries and are projected to be one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL. It doesn’t matter who they face; they should be one of the friendliest matchups every week for opposing receivers in fantasy. This week, my favorite receiving option on the Indianapolis Colts is rookie tight end Tyler Warren. While Josh Downs & Michael Pittman Jr should both still play through their injuries, Warren is fully healthy and won’t be limited in any fashion. During the preseason, Warren was the favorite target with the first team reps. I absolutely love Warren this year, and he’s going to start off the year strong with a top-5 finish in week 1.
James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals face off against the New Orleans Saints this weekend, a team projected to finish with the worst record in the NFL. This is a fantasy gold mine for players on the Arizona Cardinals. One particular player from the group I want to isolate is James Conner. He was drafted as a mid-RB2, but in week 1, I have him as a top-5 RB overall. The New Orleans Saints gave up over 140 rushing yards per game in 2024, which was 2nd-worst in the league. They also gave up the 3rd-worst total yards per game in 2024. This defense did not get any better during the offseason.
On the offensive side, they announced Spencer Rattler will be the starter. In the 7 games that Rattler started last season, the Saints gave up an average of 31 points per game. Their offense was dormant and kept turning the ball over. This is just going to give the Arizona Cardinals offense plenty of opportunities to light up the scoreboard. Inside the 10-yard line last year, James Conner had the 4th highest rush percentage in the league. The goal line opportunities are going to be there, and I’m expecting him to score at least one touchdown. It’s going to be a monster afternoon for James Conner and the Cardinals.
David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns
With the announcement that Joe Flacco is entering the season as the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, the receiving corps is elevated in fantasy. I like the trio of Jerry Jeudy, David Njoku, and even Cedric Tillman as a sleeper option for this week. The one in particular that you need to start is David Njoku. Outside of the top 3 obvious tight ends to start, it’s fair game for the rest of the pack. This is where David Njoku comes along and is a must-start in week 1.
The last time that David Njoku and Joe Flacco played together in 2023, Njoku was the TE1 between weeks 13 through 17, averaging over 18 points per game in PPR leagues. Former teammate Amari Cooper also saw his fair share of volume and production during that time, so it’s not just a single target that Flacco is going to. Flacco is going to throw the ball 35-40 times a game, so there are plenty of opportunities to go around.
What makes week 1 even more appealing for Njoku is it’s against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals might have the best offense in the NFL, but their defense is bottom-three in the league. Flacco is going to be throwing it to his favorite target in Njoku. While we wait to hear whether Quinshon Judkins will play this year, Njoku and the other receivers should all see more targets in his absence.
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
If you’re someone who streams quarterbacks, Trevor Lawrence is an attractive option in week 1. Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars face off against the Carolina Panthers. Thankfully for Trevor Lawrence, the Carolina Panthers defense is bad. They had the worst defense in the NFL in 2024, giving up an average of 404.5 yards per game and 31.4 points per game. The 2nd-worst defense for yards allowed in the NFL last year was the Jacksonville Jaguars. This matchup features two bottom feeder defenses, and that means we’re going to see a shootout between two young offenses. Trevor Lawrence is someone I’m streaming this week with confidence.
Week 1 Sits
Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears
Not often will a top-10 overall pick that’s a positional player be someone that I’d fade in fantasy, but Colston Loveland is off my list in week 1. The Chicago Bears have too many mouths to feed, and there’s a lot of uncertainty in their receiving corps. The only one I’ve been targeting in drafts is Rome Odunze, and even Odunze, I’m shying away from in week 1. There are too many question marks about what the Bears are going to do. I love Ben Johnson and the impact he’s going to bring to this team, but there’s more uncertainty than answers heading into the year. Especially, at the tight end position, if we’re going to see Cole Kmet or Colston Loveland see a higher snap count and target share. For those reasons, Loveland should be stashed on your bench.
Justin Fields & Breece Hall, QB & RB, New York Jets
I am lumping both Justin Fields & Breece Hall of the New York Jets as two players I am avoiding in week 1. Fields, I am not starting at all, and Hall, I’d only start as a low-end flex option. The speculation around the Jets using a running back committee is a bit of a concern. We’ll get more clarity on that situation in week 1. Until then, I want to avoid Breece Hall, especially against the Steelers’ defense of all teams. The Steelers’ defense is also why I am fading Justin Fields. They allowed the 6th fewest rushing yards per game last season. With Justin Fields being a mobile quarterback who gets a lot of his points on the ground, I don’t want to have to start him. There are better streaming options out there, such as Justin Herbert or Jordan Love, that I’d feel more comfortable starting this week.
Calvin Ridley, WR, Tennessee Titans
For the season, Calvin Ridley is one of my favorite wide receivers, and I have been targeting him in all of my drafts. Unfortunately, for week 1, I’m not starting him unless I absolutely have to. He gets a tough draw against the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Patrick Surtain II. In 2024, PSII held opposing receivers to less than 5 fantasy points per game in PPR leagues. That includes some big-name receivers like Mike Evans, Garrett Wilson, and DK Metcalf. Ridley is going to get a lot of targets, but there are only a few wide receivers that I would feel comfortable starting against PSII.
Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions
After likely taking him as your anticipated starting quarterback off the board in most fantasy drafts, it’s understandable that you’d want to start Jared Goff in week 1. Unfortunately, Goff has a tough draw against the division rival Green Bay Packers. The last time these two teams played one another at Lambeau Field, Goff had 145 passing yards and 1 touchdown. The Lions won that game, but the Packers’ defense stopped the deep ball.
The Packers had a sneaky good defense all last year, allowing the 6th fewest points. They actually got better this offseason with the major acquisition of Micah Parsons. They also quietly added a quality corner in Nate Hobbs to their already elite secondary. This game is going to be a battle, but I like the Packers’ defense to hold their own against this high-powered offense. Goff is someone I’m sitting week 1 and just picking up someone off waivers to carry me over into week 2.