Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 1 Matchups to Consider (2024)

We FINALLY made it to FOOTBALL TIME! The day that all fantasy managers’ preparation over the last several months finally gets to be put to the test is here at last! Getting an opening week lineup just right is the most important way to start your season off on the right foot! Every week throughout the 2024 season I’ll be here to walk through players at each position looking to help set the optimal lineup for fantasy success!

Always make sure to reference Andy, Mike, and Jason’s weekly rankings for extra insight as to where they stand from week to week!

Quarterbacks

Anthony Richardson (IND) vs Houston

One of the hottest debates of the offseason for the fantasy community has revolved around Anthony Richardson and where he fits in the fantasy landscape this season. Richardson gave the fantasy community a very small taste of what he can bring to the table in 2023 only appearing in four games and only finishing two full games. Even though the sample was small, when Richardson played he was fantastic for fantasy purposes finishing as the QB4 and QB2 on the week. What’s more exciting for fantasy managers is Richardson’s rushing in the full games he played, seeing 20 rushing attempts for 96 yards and two TDs. If this was any taste of what fantasy managers can expect with Richardson under center, then it could mean fantasy gold!

The biggest turnaround in the league from 2023 came in Houston where the offense got a lot of attention, but the defense took a huge step forward as well. The Texans’ defense finished 2023 as PFF’s 11th-best defense, a huge improvement from their 31st finish in 2022. When it comes to fantasy, Houston’s numbers stack up well against QBs, only giving up 20+ points to opposing fantasy QBs seven times last season. If we’re looking at history though, Richardson’s one matchup against the Texans last season saw him finish with 17.7 fantasy points despite only playing 32% of snaps. Fantasy managers should look for AR15 to come out firing to start the year for their rosters.

Kurt would play Richardson over: QB5 – C.J. Stroud at Indianapolis

Caleb Williams (CHI) vs Tennessee

All eyes will be on Chicago’s fresh new franchise QB Caleb Williams in his debut against the Titans this Sunday. Williams is one of the highest-rated QBs in recent draft history and enters the season with one of the best-supporting casts that the league has seen a top pick start their career with possibly ever. There will still be plenty of questions for Williams to answer especially when it comes to fantasy rosters. The biggest grip with rookie QBs in fantasy – especially those who don’t run the ball very much – is the lack of TDs. Since 2000, there have only been 15 rookie QBs to throw 20 or more TD passes and just three of those players threw more than 25 TDs. It’s easy to be excited about the real NFL product that Williams will bring to the table, but he could be capped as a rookie for fantasy purposes.

If there’s an opportunity for Williams to come out firing for fantasy managers though, matching up against the Titans in his debut is a perfect opportunity. There have been plenty of changes in Tennessee since the end of the 2023 season, but there haven’t been quite enough adjustments made to their defense to make them a matchup fantasy managers shouldn’t be targeting again in 2024. The Titans’ defense was one of the worst in the league against the pass last season, finishing with the sixth-worst coverage rating according to PFF last season. Still, it’s a tough bet for fantasy managers to risk putting Williams in their lineups to start the season.

Kurt would prefer to play: QB19 – Matthew Stafford @ Detroit

Running Backs

Josh Jacobs (GB) at Philadelphia

One of the more debated RBs of the offseason has been Josh Jacobs after his move from Las Vegas to Green Bay in free agency. There was plenty of talk about what workload Jacobs would see for the Packers after the team drafted rookie Marshawn Lloyd in the third round of the NFL draft this spring. As we’ve headed towards the season though, Jacobs seems to be the last man standing in Green Bay’s RB room which could set him up for a huge workload to start the season and reward fantasy managers who invested in him early in drafts.

After a very hot start to the season in 2023, the Eagles’ run defense wasn’t the force fantasy managers were avoiding down the stretch of the season. Philadelphia’s defense held opposing teams’ RBs under 10 total fantasy points in five of their first nine games last season but gave up 20+ points to the position in six of their last eight games. While it’s difficult to tell which Eagles defense will show up to start the season, the team’s addition of Vic Fangio as the defensive coordinator is worth noting. Since 2011, Fangio has been a DC in 10 seasons in the NFL and those teams have finished inside the top 10 in rushing yardage seven times. Despite a potentially large workload, Jacobs may have a tough time producing for fantasy without getting into the end zone in Brazil.

Kurt would prefer to play: RB16 – Alvin Kamara vs Carolina

Javonte Williams (DEN) at Seattle

It’s been quite the ride with Javonte Williams over the offseason with the Broncos. Depending on who you ask, Williams was either the favorite RB for the Broncos or a potential cut candidate who might not make the roster. As it turns out, Williams is at the top of the depth chart for the Broncos to start the season in what could be a more dynamic offense with rookie QB Bo Nix under center to start the year. If fantasy managers are going to get fantasy production out of Williams he’ll need to return toward the prospect that was so enticing prior to his ACL tear in 2022. Last season Williams had just a 64.9 rushing grade from PFF, ranking 86th among all RBs.

Fantasy managers will get a chance to see what they’ve got with Williams out of the gate with a strong matchup against the Seahawks to start the season. Seattle’s defense allowed 24.2 points per game to opposing fantasy RBs last season while allowing the second-most rushing yards and rushing TDs in the league. Williams has the potential to be a great value for fantasy managers and could get off to a great start with a strong matchup this week.

Kurt would play Williams over: RB23 – Najee Harris at Atlanta

Devin Singletary (NYG) vs Minnesota

After a very slow start to 2023, Devin Singletary turned into one of the best waiver wire adds on the season down the stretch of the year. From Weeks 10-18, Singletary finished as a top 20 RB six times including three top seven RB finishes. Now Singletary finds himself in a new home with a starting job secured to start the season in New York and could provide fantasy managers with a stable RB2 on their roster. The Giants worked to improve one of the worst offensive lines in the league from last season through free agency, so there could be hope that Singletary can feature in an offense that takes steps back toward the one that finished fourth in the league in rushing yards back in 2022.

For Singletary to start off on the right foot for fantasy managers he’s got a pretty tough task going up against the Vikings in Week 1. While the perception in 2023 was that Minnesota was a defense to target for fantasy, that mainly applied to the receiving options. Against the run, the Vikings finished 2023 with PFF’s second-highest grade against the run and allowed just 3.8 yards per carry on the season. There’s still a chance that Singletary can be a strong RB2 option for fantasy managers throughout the season, but it’s a risky bet to make without first seeing what this Giants offense is going to look like heading into the season.

Kurt would prefer to play: RB35 – Gus Edwards vs Las Vegas

Wide Receivers

Zay Flowers (BAL) at Kansas City

After a great end to his rookie season, Zay Flowers has the chance to really take a step forward for fantasy managers in 2024. Flowers hit a lot of marks as a rookie that projects well for him moving forward into his second season, but he’ll need to increase his depth of target to really raise the ceiling for what he can bring to a fantasy roster and not rely on having to make plays after the catch. Of the 54 rookies with at least 50 targets since 2019, Flowers’ 8.4 average depth of target ranks 41st. Adding in a healthy Mark Andrews and a potentially improved running game with the free agency addition of Derrick Henry only complicates the pathway for Flowers to take a big step forward.

There’s no better way to make a statement than to get a chance against the reigning Super Bowl champions in their home stadium to open up the season. The Chiefs’ defense was one of the very best last season against opposing passing attacks, allowing the fourth-fewest yards on the season. It will be interesting to see how this new-look secondary performs for Kansas City though, with star CB L’Jarius Sneed traded to the Titans this offseason. With a 47-point over-under in the league’s season-opener, there could be opportunity for Flowers to make an impact early on.

Kurt would prefer to play: WR33 – Christian Kirk at Miami

Khalil Shakir (BUF) vs Arizona

After an offseason of speculation about who would emerge as the top receiving option in Buffalo after the departure of Stefon Diggs, Khalil Shakir stands as good a chance as any of the players in the Bills’ WR room to do so. Shakir starts 2024 as the only Bills WR who caught a pass in their last game of 2023. While he only finished the year with 611 yards last year, 87% of those yards came from Week 8 to the end of the season, a stretch where Shakir turned in three top-24 WR finishes. There’s plenty of opportunity for Shakir to be the top WR on this new Bills offense despite the many additions the team has made over the summer.

If there’s a defense that teams want to play to figure out their new passing attack to start the season, the Cardinals should be near the top of the list. Arizona gave up the third-most passing TDs in 2023 while posting a 66 on PFF’s coverage grade for the season. Despite the Bills potentially continuing their trend of throwing the ball less this season as they did down the stretch of 2023, fantasy managers could do worse than using Shakir as a dart throw in a flex spot to start the season.

Kurt would play Shakir over: WR45 – Rome Odunze vs Tennessee

Ladd McConkey (LAC) vs Las Vegas

It’s been a quiet offseason around Chargers rookie WR Ladd McConkey, but we’re finally going to see how Jim Harbaugh will use him in L.A. McConkey was the ninth WR taken in the 2024 NFL Draft, but profiles as one of the best route runners in the class which could allow him to have an instant impact on a WR-needy team. The biggest question for McConkey is how much the Chargers will be throwing the ball to allow him to help fantasy rosters early in the season. L.A.’s coaching staff has made it clear they’re going to want to run the ball, so even though McConkey will be on the field, it may take time for him to have much of an impact.

For McConkey to get rolling in his debut, he may be tasked with a tough job. The Raiders’ defense was much improved down the stretch of the season in 2023 under Antonio Pierce, only allowing more than 20 points three times in Pierce’s nine games as interim. If McConkey gets worked into the slot as expected, he will have his hands full against Nate Hobbs in the Las Vegas secondary. In 2022, Hobbs allowed a reception on just 14% of snaps he played in slot coverage last season. While it may be exciting for fantasy managers to see McConkey get rolling, it may be worth sitting and waiting for a week before putting him into lineups.

Kurt would prefer to play: WR48 – Jameson Williams vs LA Rams

Tight Ends

Kyle Pitts (ATL) vs Pittsburgh

Well, it may be repeating the past, but it feels like the fantasy community may be all in on Kyle Pitts finally making his breakout season in 2024. To be fair, the situation in Atlanta is drastically different for Pitts and the Falcons’ offense than it was last season with a new offensive scheme coming from Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson and new QB Kirk Cousins under center. If there’s a time for Pitts to take the big fantasy step forward that we’re wanting to see, this feels like the best chance that he’s had.

If there’s poetic justice for the Falcons making mass changes to their offense outlook, it would be fitting for Pitts to have a huge debut against former Head Coach Arthur Smith’s new team in Pittsburgh. The Steelers finished 2023 as the ninth-best matchup for fantasy TEs, allowing 10+ points to the position in six of their last seven games of the year. With any luck, Pitts’ ankle issue that kept him out of practice late this week is purely precautionary and the fantasy community will get a chance to see him worked into an actual passing offense that suits his skillset.

Kurt would play Pitts over: TE7 – George Kittle vs NY Jets

Pat Freiermuth (PIT) at Atlanta

What good is having the Arthur Smith Bowl to start the season if we can’t talk about both team’s TEs? One of the biggest – and sneakiest – winners of Smith being hired as the Steelers’ new offensive coordinator has to be Pat Freiermuth. The Muth had a disappointing 2023, missing five games on the year and finishing the season as the TE28, but he still managed three weeks as a top-10 TE option so we know the talent is still there for him to produce for fantasy. If we know anything about Arthur Smith-led offenses, it’s that they like to run the ball and feature TEs in the passing game, so Freiermuth stands a chance to return to fantasy relevance throughout the season.

Getting a matchup against the Falcons could be a great opportunity for the Muth to get loose in Week 1. Atlanta averaged giving up 9.8 fantasy points per game to the TE position last season but improved greatly down the stretch not allowing more than 10 fantasy points to the position in six of their last seven games. What’s enticing about playing a TE against the Falcons though is the six games they allowed 13+ fantasy points to the position. This may be a stretch in the first week of the season, but fantasy managers who punted on TE in their drafts could do much worse betting on Freiermuth to start the season.

Kurt would play Freiermuth over: TE13 – Brock Bowers at L.A. Chargers