We’re back, baby! Woo-oo! The fantasy football season is here, and that means Week 1 rankings. Of course, sleepers, fun ranks (and more) are back too. I’ve tried to listen to the wants and needs over the years, so a bit of “here’s what to expect” … especially if you’re new.
- Fantasy football rankings! — obviously
- Sleepers — will aim to give at least one per team
- Notes — aka, breakdowns, game previews, what have you — important things
- Fun ranks! This can be anything from cartoons to players from the 80s to things not to do when you’re over 30 — feel free to suggest yours
- Answering questions in the comments — I try to answer as many as I humanly can!
#CheckTheLink-age
Week 1 SOS Ranks
Fantasy Football 101 (weather, lineups, trading, more)
All in Fantasy Podcast
WEEK 1 FANTASY FOOTBALL SLEEPERS AND GAME PREVIEWS
Ravens at Chiefs, Thursday, 8 p.m.
- SLEEPERS
- Xavier Worthy, WR, KC — With Marquise Brown sidelined, the big-play upside falls to Worthy and his blazing speed.
- Isaiah Likely, TE, BAL — Streaming upside, though I’m doubtful Likely has consistent value while Mark Andrews is healthy. We haven’t seen teammates finish inside the Top 10 tight ends since Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. And that’s the entire list in the history of fantasy football.
NOTES: Pick up Samaje Perine before it’s too late (see Week 1 waivers). Both teams ramped up blitzes when facing each other in the pass, affecting Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson as passers, which could lead to more offensive struggles than expected.
Packers at Eagles, Friday, 8 p.m. (neutral site)
- SLEEPERS
- All Packers WRs — Per reports and usage, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs were the No. 1 and 2 options this preseason, but everyone is talented, Dontayvion Wicks arguably has the highest ceiling, and at least one should have a good game… if not two or three.
- Dallas Goedert, TE, PHI — At least until Jahan Dotson is acclimated as the No. 3, as Kellen Moore will utilize more pre-snap motion, with the third option often being the wideout.
NOTES: Check out the article on pre-snap motion effect for why it matters a great deal. The Eagles defense is Top 5 in APA (Adjusted Points Allowed) at QB, WR and TE. They also allowed the second-highest Points Per Drive and third-highest TD% last year.
Steelers at Falcons, Sunday, 1 p.m.
- SLEEPERS
- Van Jefferson, WR, PIT — You have to be pretty deep (or desperate), but Jefferson plays pretty deep, and he’s currently the No. 2 wideout for the Steelers.
- Darnell Mooney, WR, ATL — As I’ve said all preseason, “If you like Drake London and Kyle Pitts for what Kirk Cousins will do, you should like Mooney as well.” He’s a boom/bust WR4, but that’s more respect than his draft ADP showed.
NOTES: The Steelers rate out as a tough matchup for opponents’ No. 1 and 2 wideouts, but they are favorable for the No. 3. Back to Mooney, this could help his cause if Pitts gets No. 2 treatment. Kirk Cousins is third behind Geno Smith and Joe Burrow for lowest OFFTGT% over the past five years (as far as PFF data goes — min. 500+ attempts). Desmond Ridder was mid-pack, and Taylor Heinicke was one of the worst last year.
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Cardinals at Bills, Sunday, 1 p.m.
- SLEEPERS
- Greg Dortch, WR, ARI — As mentioned in waivers, I prefer Michael Wilson’s talent, but Dortch has Kyler Murray’s attention, and use, as of now.
- Any Bills WR — My hope lies with Khalil Shakir, but rookie Keon Coleman has the makings of a No. 1 option, and Curtis Samuel had his best season under Joe Brady with the Panthers.
NOTES: The Bills showed heavier 12-set use in the preseason, which included Shakir coming off the field frequently when only two wideouts were used, sometimes for Mack Hollins. Despite Bills wideouts being sleepers, it might be best to wait to see how this develops… where you can.
Titans at Bears, Sunday, 1 p.m.
- SLEEPERS
- Will Levis, QB, TEN — Not the best matchup, but Levis has some of the best weapons and Brian Callahan now running things — he helped Jake Browning barely miss a beat in replacing Joe Burrow.
- Keenan Allen, WR, CHI — Relative to perception. Rome Odunze’s ADP was rounds (plural) ahead of Allen’s, and a healthy Allen is a dangerous weapon.
NOTES: Speaking of Odunze, he sat in the 60-70% range of running routes with the first team offense on dropbacks. As with Jaxon Smith-Njigba last year, the excitement could be a year too early… though, I have more hope for Odunze than I did for JSN last year.
Patriots at Bengals, Sunday, 1 p.m.
- SLEEPERS
- Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, NE — I don’t like much of the Patriots offense, but if I’m taking shots, it will be on the big-play wideout. Though Jacoby Brissett could just pepper Hunter Henry.
- Andrei Iosivas, WR, CIN — The new No. 3 and who the coaching staff talked up a few times this preseason.
NOTES: Zack Moss has produced when healthy (he is currently), and some reports said Chase Brown was struggling a bit in pass protection and efficiency this preseason. The Brown-usurping-Moss talk might be a bit premature.
Texans at Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m.
- SLEEPERS
- None for the Texans? You’re starting them all, but…
- Adonai Mitchell, WR, IND — In Josh Downs’ vacated role, and Mitchell moves outside in two-wideout sets. Mitchell has the ability to be the No. 2 and steal Downs’ role while he’s sidelined.
NOTES: Anthony Richardson ran 10 times in each of his two full games. He totaled 40/1 and 56/1 rushing, respectively, and had two Goal-to-Go attempts and two Goal-Line rushes. Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss totaled 22 and 18 in the other games. The share between Richardson’s attempts and Taylor’s — when close — bears watching.
Jaguars at Dolphins, Sunday, 1 p.m.
- SLEEPERS
- Brian Thomas, WR, JAX — Not a sleeper if you’ve been following this preseason, but some might not think to start Thomas out of the gate. I will in a potential shootout.
- Malik Washington, WR, MIA — Going deep here, but Washington appears to have locked in the No. 3 role, and it’s the Dolphins offense.
NOTES: I’d consider Jonnu Smith a Hail Mary tight end sleeper, as it’s a favorable matchup, despite the Dolphins listing Smith down the depth chart.
Panthers at Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m.
- SLEEPERS
- Adam Thielen, WR, CAR — He looked cooked the second half of last year, but he’s a top-two wideout for Bryce Young — for now — and is fresh… for now.
- Rashid Shaheed, WR, NO — Because…
NOTES: The Panthers were the weakest defense against slot receivers — Shaheed worked the slot nearly half the time at 45.5%. Of wideouts who were targeted at 23% or more of their routes, no one had a higher OFFTGT% mark on his targets than Diontae Johnson at 20.7%. Unfortunately, Bryce Young threw 15.2% of his passes off target (fifth-worst).
Vikings at Giants, Sunday, 1 p.m.
- SLEEPERS
- Jordan Addison, WR, MIN — Apparently no one wants Addison with Sam Darnold, falling into the 40s among wideouts. I’d start him as a WR4/Flex in most leagues given the matchup.
- Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, NYG — If the Giants defense struggles, Daniel Jones will be passing more than they want, but it would also mean target potential for Robinson, who’s likely to see more space with Malik Nabers as the No. 1 option.
NOTES: Justin Jefferson barely changes his effectiveness without Kirk Cousins, and his YPRR actually increases from 2.87 to 2.96. No concern here with Sam Darnold. The Giants are the fourth-most favorable matchup for No. 2 wideouts, and that’s in large part for having corners who should be a step down (Deonte Banks is better as a No. 2, etc.).
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Raiders at Chargers, Sunday, 4 p.m.
- SLEEPERS
- Jakobi Meyers, WR, LV — Like Thielen, another, “Guess I have to mention him.” I’m excited as much as the next person for Brock Bowers, but Meyers was WR24 overall and WR26 in FPPG without Gardner Minshew last year. He should not have fallen outside the Top 140 picks in drafts.
- Joshua Palmer, WR, LAC — See: waiver wire. He’s the No. 1.
NOTES: Palmer with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams — 9.9 TmTGT%, 1.22 YPRR, 4.3 TD% and 13.2 TmAirYD% … and without either one of them — 15.9%, 1.67, 5.1% and 21.1%.
Broncos at Seahawks, Sunday, 4 p.m.
- SLEEPERS
- Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, DEN — The Broncos could ease Javonte Williams into a big workload, Sean Payton loves passing plays to running backs, Bo Nix is a dump-off machine, and the Seahawks defense struggled to stop running backs in the passing game.
- Tyler Lockett, WR, SEA — If he’s good to go, I’m not writing off Lockett’s career just yet.
NOTES: Last year was the first time since 2017 that Lockett didn’t finish higher at wide receiver than his ADP cost. The Seahawks had the fifth-highest pass percentage last year (61.6%), and some believe Ryan Grubb could push that higher, including using three-wide more (15th on dropbacks last year).
Cowboys at Browns, Sunday, 4 p.m.
- SLEEPERS
- Rico Dowdle, RB, DAL — The Browns defense could force this into a slower, grind-it-out game, and Dowdle was more effective per touch than Tony Pollard last year. The Dalvin Cook signing could be more about Ezekiel Elliott than Dowdle.
- Deshaun Watson, QB, CLE — Mostly bad matchups across the board for the Browns, but Watson will at least run, with an average of 5.2 carries in five games last year.
NOTES: The Browns ran 46.4% of the time before Joe Flacco and then just 38.1% (sixth-lowest) with him. Additionally, David Njoku had 27.8 TGT%, 2.41 YPPR and 15.2 FPPG with Flacco compared to 21.8%, 1.38 and 5.3 without him — 47.3% of his fantasy points were with Flacco.
Commanders at Buccaneers, Sunday, 4 p.m.
- SLEEPERS
- Dyami Brown, WR, WSH — Treated as the No. 2 all preseason, even before the Dotson trade. This is a major boom/bust play, but Brown has nice big-play ability. Jayden Daniels is a great downfield passer, and the Buccaneers pass defense is weak.
- Jalen McMillan, WR, TB — You’re starting most of the drafted names, so if this turns into a shootout, look for McMillan to make his mark, especially with his ability to find and exploit gaps in the defense.
NOTES: The Commanders look to be somewhat improved on defense, but it’s going to take a lot to make an impact, as they were a Top 3 favorable matchup for QB and WR last year and Top 10 for RB. While the Buccaneers pass defense is weak, their run defense should remain somewhat concerning after having the fourth-toughest APA mark.
Rams at Lions, Sunday, 8 p.m.
- SLEEPERS
- Blake Corum, RB, LAR — As a reminder, I’m not worried about the news of Kyren Williams returning punts. I’m worried Corum might steal goal line work and/or siphon touches. Colby Parkinson is a desperation tight end Hail Mary in deep leagues.
- Jameson Williams, WR, DET — It’s a make-or-break season, Williams reportedly looks good, and the Rams gave up the eighth-most receptions of 20+ yards last year.
NOTES: The Lions had the third-lowest 3-and-Out% (27.3) with the Rams fifth-lowest (28.1%), and the Lions games hit the over 11 times — tied for most with the Colts.
Jets at 49ers, Monday, 8 p.m.
- SLEEPERS
- Mike Williams, WR, NYJ — Even if he’s just 90%, Williams has put up 11.2-13.6 FPPG over the past three seasons. When healthy, he’s a WR2.
- It’s the 49ers, no one is a sleeper, as you play them all.
NOTES: The Jets and Ravens are the two most concerning matchups for quarterbacks — several stats, including DVOA. The Jets are also the toughest DVOA for wideouts but the seventh-easiest for running backs and eighth-easiest for tight ends. The 49ers allowed the lowest YPR last year at 9.6 and eighth-fewest receptions of 20+ yards.
FUN WITH RANKS
Top Movies and Shows I’ve Watched since last NFL season
These are movies and shows that released in 2024. I didn’t see everything, so if you have a recommendation in addition to my “Honorable Mention” list, have at it.
- Deadpool & Wolverine
- X-Men ’97
- Shogun
- Batman: Caped Crusader
- Blue Eye Samurai
- Mayor of Kingstown: S3
- Fallout
- Terminator Zero
- Twisters
- The Gentlemen
- Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- 3 Body Problem
- Longlegs
- Inside Out 2
- Knuckles
Super Special: The Last Kingdom — Didn’t debut in 2024, but we never watched it, and started it this summer. It’s better than Game of Thrones. I said it.
Honorable Mention/Still Watching/Plan to Watch: Bad Monkey, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Alien: Romulus, The Boys: S4… maybe
WEEK 1 FANTASY FOOTBALL PROJECTIONS
🚨 HEADS UP 🚨 These can differ from my rankings, and MY RANKS are the order I’d start players outside of added context, such as, “Need highest upside, even if risky.” Also, based on 4-point TDs for QB, 6-point rest, and Half-PPR
WEEK 1 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS
🚨 HEADS UP 🚨
- There is no perfect widget out there, sadly, still. I know many view this on your phone, but 1) use the rankings widget on a PC/laptop/etc. if possible or 2) open in your phone’s browser, especially for Android users, to get the scrolling to properly work.
- ECR = “Expert” Consensus Ranking (which isn’t updated by everyone consistently, so take with a grain of salt).
- Updated regularly, so check up to lineups locking.
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Jake Ciely is rankings: Fantasy Football, Fantasy Baseball, candy, movies, video games, cereal... anything! Truly, Jake is a ranking prodigy. Oh, he's also the senior fantasy writer for The Athletic, an award-winning analyst and loves DuckTales. Make sure you #CheckTheLink and #BanKickers ... woo-oo! Follow Jake on Twitter @allinkid
