As Week 1 of the NFL season kicks off, fantasy managers are already scrambling to set their lineups and make critical decisions. With a new season bringing fresh opportunities and challenges, the stakes are high. In this blog post, we’ll break down some key players to start and sit for the opening week, focusing on those who have the potential to either make or break your fantasy team. From Javonte Williams, who looks poised to capitalize on a weak Seattle defense, to Najee Harris, whose prospects might be more cautious against a revamped Atlanta defense, we’ve got you covered. We’ll also explore the intriguing dynamics of veteran Aaron Rodgers against the 49ers and the potential pitfalls for Justin Herbert and rookie Malik Nabers. Let’s dive into the matchups and make sure you’re making the best decisions for a successful start to your fantasy season.

1.  Javonte Williams - Start

James Cook is a sneaky candidate to be a top fantasy running back in 2024. His reliability as a pass-catcher along with the new-look Denver offense could serve massive benefits for any fantasy manager who rosters him this season, and he’s handed the perfect opportunity against a lackluster Seattle defense in week 1.

Seattle ranked 31st in the league in rushing defense last season, and allowed 24 touchdowns on the ground, which was tied for the second-most by any NFL team. While backup running back Jaleel McLaughlin should steal a few carries, Williams is the unquestionable RB1 in this offense and should have no problem taking advantage of his weak opposition. 

Rookie QB Bo Nix will make his debut on Sunday, and it’s common for NFL coaches to allow their rookies to settle in using play-action passes and runs. Williams, who has been an efficient pass-catcher his entire career, should see plenty of dump-offs and screen passes come his way during this game. Don’t hesitate to plug Javonte in your lineups

2. Najee Harris - Sit

I’ve seen Najee Harris get hyped up for a bounce-back season by many this season, and while it could happen later in the year, don’t expect any major breakout games early in the season. And if it were to happen, it’s not going to happen against Atlanta.

The Falcons have not been excellent these past few seasons, but their defense has improved and they’ve made some big changes over the offseason. Najee has consistently been declining in production these past few seasons, and with the addition of QB Russel Wilson, it looks like this Steelers offense might be more pass-heavy in 2024. 

While Harris is the primary back for the Steelers, he takes a step back in the passing game to teammate Jaylen Warren, and against talented offenses like Atlanta, the Steelers will likely be passing the ball for a good chunk of this game if they fall behind. The receiving production for Harris has dwindled each season and will likely only continue to decline as he gets older. Don’t start him unless you have no other options.

3. Aaron Rodgers - Start

It might seem crazy to start a 40-year old who hasn’t played in a year, but Aaron Rodgers is a crazy player. And he loves to play against San Francisco. 

Aaron Rodgers has been nothing short of superb against the 49ers in his career, with a 10:1 touchdown to interception ratio while averaging nearly 300 yards a game. I don’t care if San Francisco has a top defense, I am willing to bet on Rodgers to deliver us an action-packed Monday night matchup with high scoring for both sides. The 49ers defensive success mostly came from dominating the run game last season, as they were around the middle of the league in passing defense. His ability to thread the needle and work against the game flow should heavily benefit Rodgers, even if the ground game is relatively ineffective.

Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson, two of the offensive weapons in the league, are both at the disposal of Rodgers this season. With the 49ers likely to rack up touchdowns early, this game could turn into somewhat of a shootout, with the former Packers QB leading the charge for New York. Per PFF, the Jets had the 5th best ranked offensive line in 2023, so it’s safe to say that Rodgers has more than enough talent surrounding him to excel. He’s a reliable pick and could easily deliver over 20 points this week. 

4.  Justin Herbert - Sit

Justin Herbert has the talent to be an every-week starter in fantasy football. Unfortunately, his team doesn’t.

The Chargers lost Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams and Keenan Allen this offseason, arguably the three best pass-catchers on the team. This leaves Los Angeles with one of the offensive cores in the NFL. While Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston have been reliable role players in the past, they aren’t good enough to replace the void left by superstar Keenan Allen. Against Las Vegas, Herbert will be facing the 12th best passing defense in 2023. Herbert had only 167 passing yards and a 54% completion percentage in his sole game against the Raiders last year. He faces them again with his offense in a much worse state than Herbert has ever played with. Find a better option for your fantasy matchup.

5. Cooper Kupp - Start

Cooper Kupp has been so ravaged by injuries lately that people forget how he was quite possibly the best player in football in 2021. Now that he’s finally healthy again, I think we can expect some big things from him this upcoming season.

Breakout rookie Puka Nacua seized the WR1 job last season, and it’s looking like it’s gonna stay that way in 2024. However, this doesn’t mean Kupp won’t retain fantasy value. He’s still an effective route runner in an efficient passing offense, and he’s acquired some nice chemistry with quarterback Matthew Stafford in these past few seasons. 

The Lions defense last season was a mixed bag, ranking 2nd against the run allowed but 27th in passing defense. Knowing this, head coach Sean McVay will be sure to target the Lions secondary, who will have their hands full guarding Nacua. Cooper Kupp should receive plenty of volume in what looks to be a high-scoring matchup on Sunday Night. 

6. Malik Nabers - Sit

Nothing about this matchup looks bad on paper for rookie receiver Malik Nabers, but I’m hesitant to trust anyone in this Giants offense as long as Daniel Jones continues to receive the snaps. Let me explain why.

The last time a Giants receiver surpassed 800 yards in a season was back in 2018, when Eli Manning was still playing. I am not sold on Daniel Jones whatsoever. He was handed 40 million dollars a year in March of 2023, and proceeded to average 151 yards a game with 6 interceptions in just 6 games the following season. He was injured for the rest. Jones isn’t capable of being a star passer in this league; most of his strengths come from his talents as a runner. Malik Nabers is extremely talented and could be a superstar, but this is a struggling offense where rookie receivers aren’t exactly set up for success.

The Vikings did not have a strong defense in 2023, ranking close to the bottom of the league against the pass. However, Nabers is only making his debut game, and needs to accumulate some experience and consistency before I trust him to be a fantasy starter. It’s nothing against his ability as a receiver; it’s just the offense he plays in. In addition, the Giants had the 28th-ranked offensive line in 2023. Combine poor pass protection with a struggling QB, and Nabers will have a hard time garnering receptions in week 1. Sit him until he proves you wrong.