The time has finally arrived. All the preparation, hype videos of players, endless drafts, and now, the fantasy community’s time has arrived. A starting lineup is all but solidified when a fantasy draft ends. Welcome to the 2023 fantasy football season and my Week 1 Starts and Sits.
Those starters can become bench players to becoming dropped in a flash. A bench can carry a fantasy team with the correct starts and sits every week. The bench cannot be ignored as players out there stop caring after their lineup is filled. When it comes to starts and sits, these decisions can make Sundays a fun day or a very, sad, gloomy Sunday.
I, along with Fantrax Senior Writer, Michael Quintero, will deliver the best possible starts and sits to dominate your weeks and have league-mates stressed from the best lineups set every week.
Week 1 Starts and Sits
Quarterback Sits
Jimmy Garoppolo @ Denver Broncos (@BrandonBlancoFF)
The starts and sits began with a new age for the Las Vegas Raiders as they moved on from nine-year starter, Derek Carr. Jimmy Garoppolo is set to start fresh after the mess that occurred in San Francisco. Garoppolo is the product of being a part of a phenomenal system
In his best season, Garoppolo had over 3800 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and just a QB15 finish in ppg and now is in a less potent offense. To begin with, the Raiders kick off the 2023 season at the Denver Broncos. A defense that allowed just 14ppg to Quarterbacks and the 12th fewest yards per game. Look for the Raiders to lean on Josh Jacobs as a Denver secondary will make it tough in Garoppolo’s debut.
Aaron Rodgers vs. Buffalo Bills (@BrandonBlancoFF)
The Aaron Rodgers era in New York starts with a divisional rival in the Buffalo Bills and it won’t be an easy one. As a Green Bay Packer fan, I want Aaron Rodgers to succeed. I truly mean that, but the Bills are not a fun matchup for Quarterbacks. This defense gave up the seventh least ppg to QBs and just 0.9 points seperated them and the number one defense.
All in all, a QB21 finish in ppg, the worst in his career for the four time MVP has fantasy managers everywhere concerned. Is Rodgers declining? Is it happening? Garrett Wilson will help Rodgers as much as he can next Monday, but Rodgers makes the starts and sits article in his debut for the New York Jets vs a stifling Bills defense.
Matthew Stafford @ Seattle Seahawks (@weekendmike)
Stafford just doesn’t have any weapons this week and is on the road against the Seahawks too. The Rams offensive line is not good either. Stafford is a must-sit this week. There are so many better options this week that are still on the waivers. The Seahawks only gave up 16.7 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks last season. Until Kupp is back, don’t start Stafford.
Running Back Sits
Dameon Pierce @ Baltimore Ravens (@BrandonBlancoFF)
Since I started to watch football, there is one thing I am certain about. The Baltimore Ravens defense is always ready to perform and there are playmakers everywhere. It does not change in 2023 for a team that gave up just the fourth least rushing yards per game.
Fellow rookie quarterback, CJ Stroud will be under center this Sunday as well. This has all the gatherings of a blowout by the Ravens in Todd Monken’s first game as offensive coordinator. The display of this new pass first offense will have the Texans fighting and clawing back the entire game.
Dameon Pierce can be the Houston Texans RB1, but with numbers such as 4.4 yards per carry (47th in 2023), 2.87 yards created per touch (23rd), Pierce is a sit in week 1. The Ravens also allowed the third fewest rushing yards in total amongst all defenses.
Expect a big blowout with garbage time being the only time Pierce can possibly put up points.
Isiah Pacheco vs. Detroit Lions (@weekendmike)
Isiah Pacheco looks appealing this week if Travis Kelce misses Week 1. But, Pacheco is not going to see the field as much as Jerrick McKinnon. The Lions also were one of the better defenses against the run game last season only giving up 18.7 fantasy points per game.
Even in full PPR, Pacheco only went over 15 fantasy points twice last season. While McKinnon had three over 15 fantasy points and two of those performances went for 30 plus. Sit Pacheco this week.
Jamaal Williams vs. Tennessee Titans (@BrandonBlancoFF)
So, the Ravens allowed the third-fewest rushing yards in total in 2023? The Tennessee Titans were number ONE. Jamaal Williams is a phenomenal person and one of the best players to be around in the NFL. His 2022-2023 season went well, but there was a slight problem.
Williams led the NFL with 17 total touchdowns but was just 50th in yards per touch (4.2), and 40th in yards created (386). The touchdowns gave Williams boom weeks last season, but with the front seven of the Titans, a rough outing is in store. The Titans gave up a league-best 3.4 yards per carry and just 62.8 yards per game to the position, second-best for both.
Najee Harris vs. San Fransisco 49ers (@weekendmike)
I want Najee to be effective, but the Steelers aren’t going to do anything against the 49ers this week. The 49ers gave up the least amount of fantasy points to running backs last season at 13.7 per game. So, tough defense and an ineffective running back in Harris doesn’t make sense.
Harris is a must-sit this week and for the rest of the season, as he could lose touches to Jaylen Warren.
James Conner @ Washington Commanders (@BrandonBlancoFF)
First things first, the consensus was that James Conner was a smash because of what he did without Kyler Murray and with Colt McCoy. Now, Colt McCoy is no longer an Arizona Cardinal, and Kyler Murray is still recovering from his ACL tear. This team reeks of the most epic tank job in NFL history.
With Caleb Williams in sight, what is the point of starting a Cardinals player? Especially in a week 1 matchup at the Washington Commanders. A team that now has Eric Bieniemy as their offensive coordinator. Points will be put up by the Commanders and frankly so, the Cardinals will have no type of movement on offense.
The Commanders gave up the fifth least yards per game and were tied second for the fewest ppg allowed to the position. With Joshua Dobbs or Clayton Tune getting the week 1 start, everyone in a Cardinals jersey makes the starts and sits list.
Breece Hall vs. Buffalo Bills (@weekendmike)
This one is based on injury. Breece Hall will be on a snap count and share with Davlin Cook. Do I think Hall is better than Cook? Slightly, but I think the Jets bringing in Cook is to ease Hall back in.
They have the Bills this week who are very good against the run and only gave up 17.5 fantasy points to running backs per game. I need to wait and see how Hall plays this week before he is a start in my lineup.
Wide Receivers Sits
DeAndre Hopkins @ New Orleans Saints (@BrandonBlancoFF)
This is not a shot at DeAndre Hopkins. The Titans are a run-first team and it has been like that for the past five seasons with King Derrick Henry at running back. Hopkins is now set to be the team’s WR1 but the debut does not get easy with the New Orleans Saints.
With the 10th-fewest ppg given to the receiver position, the Saints will look to make a statement in a weak division and weak NFC. A dominating victory is in their sights and Ryan Tannehill will not be able to support his defense, which gave up the most ppg to receivers last season.
A few players in debuts have made the starts and sits article, but with matchups like these and systems like the Titans, Hopkins is a hard sit in week 1.
Terry McLaurin vs. Arizona Cardinals (@weekendmike)
Terry McLaurin just isn’t going to be explosive and there is a chance he isn’t on the field a whole lot this week. Jahan Dotson has the higher ceiling this week. McLaurin is still dealing with turf toe and I don’t see him being 100% this week. Hence him not producing this week.
I wouldn’t chance it with McLaurin and would much rather start a Tyler Lockett or even Skyy Moore over McLaurin this week.
Marquise Brown @ Washington Commanders (@BrandonBlancoFF)
As stated with my James Conner sit decision, every Cardinal is a sit. With the uncertainty that surrounds the Cardinals, it is tough to start Brown with confidence he can perform like at the start of last season. The Commanders were a top half team in least ppg allowed to the position.
Not to repeat the same information as above, but the Commanders will be all over the Cardinals. Even in a blowout, I cannot see Tune or Dobbs getting the offense moving for the Cardinals. In which this makes Brown a sit in week 1 for me. With a new head coach, it is safe to sit it out and view from a distance what this offense will look like to start the season.
Gabe Davis @ New York Jets (@weekendmike)
The Jets have incredible corners and even if they double-team Stefon Diggs, I don’t see Gabe Davis getting free. Davis is basically a boom-or-bust type of receiver. He is either going to get you two touchdowns on 171 yards or three catches for 37 yards.
I would sit Davis against the Jets this week without a doubt.
Deebo Samuel @ Pittsburgh Steelers (@BrandonBlancoFF) (@weekendmike)
Deebo Samuel’s season of two years ago looks more and more like an anomaly as time passes. With just 13 games played in last year, Samuel lost the WR1 crown to Brandon Aiyuk and 2023-2024 will show it even more.
In this week 1 match against the Pittsburgh Steelers, rookie Joey Porter Jr might be assigned to Samuel. In what should be a very tough game for the Niners, being in Pittsburgh, Samuel will look to start off the season strong. The Steelers are an average team in terms of ppg allowed to the position. The Steelers have also made some improvements in the secondary, adding Patrick Peterson as a third corner.
Personally, Deebo is a borderline WR2 and should be a sit-in what will be a Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk game. Expect the 49ers to get up to a big lead and then just run the ball.
Tight End Sits
Dalton Schultz @ Baltimore Ravens (@BrandonBlancoFF)
Dalton Schultz can very well do his best Austin Hooper impersonation this upcoming NFL season. Schultz had back-to-back WR1 seasons in ppg and got himself a nice contract from the Houston Texans this off-season.
The same can be said for Austin Hooper. Hooper had back-to-back WR1 seasons before leaving the Atlanta Falcons and signing with the Cleveland Browns. Hooper since then has had TE19, TE25, and TE30 finishes. Be wary of Dalton Schultz. He is set to go up against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Ravens gave up the eighth fewest ppg to the position last season.
Cole Kmet vs. Green Bay Packers (@weekendmike)
Cole Kmet has only scored in double digits against the Packers once in his career. I just don’t see the value here. Juwan Johnson, Greg Dulcich and Hayden Hurst all have much better matchups this week and a better throwing quarterback.
Kmet is a red zone or bust type of player and I expect Justin Fields and Khalil Herbert to take those touches and targets away from Kmet. Don’t risk getting another goose egg from Kmet.
Chigoziem Okonkwo @ New Orleans Saints (@BrandonBlancoFF)
Does anyone know the number one defense in defending the tight end position last season? The New Orleans Saints is the correct choice. The Saints gave up just 7.4 ppg to the position and just 30.8 yards per game last season. Both were respectively number one overall.
Before Hopkins, the community was all over Okonkwo. Now, with Hopkins in the picture, Okonkwo hopefuls are in doubt. With a matchup vs. the best defense against the position, DeAndre Hopkins, and a run-first offense, this is a bad mixture for Okonkwo in week 1.
Week 1 Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings
Quarterback Starts
Anthony Richardson vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (@BrandonBlancoFF)
A rookie in the start section or starts or sits?! This former Florida Gator is arguably the greatest prospect at the quarterback position. Anthony Richardson deserves the start in your lineups if you drafted him. Facing a Jaguars team that gave up the eighth most ppg to opposing QBs last season.
With no Jonathan Taylor for the first month of the season, the Colts say there will be a committee in their backfield. I say Anthony Richardson is going to establish himself as a QB1 in redraft and a top-seven dynasty QB after his week 1 performance.
Start Richardson with confidence as people started Justin Fields last year. The passing yards might slowly accumulate, but what Richardson will do on the ground, will make him a QB1 start every single week.
Derek Carr vs. Tennessee Titans (@weekendmike)
People may have forgotten, but Derek Carr was an MVP runner-up a few years ago, and I think he will be back to that form this year. This will be Carr’s best offensive line since that MVP run. He also has a talented receiver in Chris Olave. He also still has Michael Thomas and Juwan Johnson. Carr is going to spread the ball around this game and will end up with at least two touchdowns.
This week he has the Titans, who gave up the fourth most fantasy points to quarterbacks last season in 20.5. I can easily see Carr putting up 25 fantasy points this week. Thomas will be a huge red zone target for him and Olave will be the big play guy for Carr. Last season when the Raiders played the Titans in Week 3, Carr put up 20.8 fantasy points with two touchdowns on 303 yards. Expect more this year, with an improved line.
Sam Howell vs. Arizona Cardinals (@BrandonBlancoFF) (weekendmike)
This will be Sam Howell’s first year as the full-time starter in Washington. With Eric Bieniemy now the offensive coordinator, everyone should be eager and excited to see this offense. It starts off easy in Week 1 as the Arizona Cardinals come into town.
Throughout preseason Howell has been connecting on an efficient level. He went for 19 of 25 with 188 yards and two touchdowns in his last preseason game against the Ravens. Even in his first preseason game, he went 9 for 12 with 77 yards and a touchdown
Giving up the 11th most ppg to QBs last season, this Cardinals team as I have stated about three times already, will be very bad. The Commanders are my surprise team for the 2023-2024 season. With new life in the offense, Bieniemy will look to kick off his era in Washington with having Sam Howell look like an absolute stud in week 1.
Running Back Starts
JK Dobbins vs. Houston Texans (@BrandonBlancoFF)
Yes, a new offense is in Baltimore. An offense that should see much more pass volume than years prior. The thing is, the Houstin Texans were horrendous in defending the run last season. Giving up a league high in ppg and rushing yards to opposing RBs, JK Dobbins is the best start amongst running backs in starts and sits this week.
With the passing attack taking over rather quickly in this game, look for Dobbins to get his on the ground against one of the worst teams in all of football. Dobbins will finish as a top 12 RB in week 1 and everyone will be too late to the Dobbins hype party.
Rachaad White @ Minnesota Vikings (@weekendmike)
I love Rachaad White this week. He is going to be a workhorse back this whole season, and he is going to start hot against the Vikings. The Vikings have a terrible defense and I expect White to run all over them. Not only will he run on them, but also be the main pass catcher.
White is going to be a PPR machine this week, just like he was last year. He had 50 receptions and didn’t even touch the field the first three weeks. White has no competition this week and has a defense that gave up 21.4 fantasy points per game to running backs last year. Start White this week.
Cam Akers @ Seattle Seahawks (@BrandonBlancoFF)
Cooper Kupp is likely to be out in the Rams opening matchup against divisional rival, the Seattle Seahawks. The receivers on the Rams do not get me excited, but the starting running back does. Cam Akers ended last season strong with finishes of RB1, RB14, and RB11 in the final three weeks.
He ended the season vs. the Seahawks and now starts the 2023-2024 season vs the same Seahawks team. The same team that gave up the fifth most ppg to RBs and the sixth most rushing ypg (114.8) last season. Akers will be relied on more than ever without the team’s best weapon on offense. Start Akers as an RB2 and do not be surprised if he finishes as a RB1 in week 1.
Aaron Jones @ Chicago Bears (@weekendmike)
Aaron Jones seems to have fallen down the boards since Aaron Rodgers left. But, last season was a fluke as the Packers just didn’t seem right. This is a new year with Rodgers out and Jones can go back to work. He might lose some red zone carries to AJ Dillon, but Jones will be used heavily in the passing game.
They have the Bears this week, which is why Jones is a must-start. The Bears had the second-most rushing defense last year and gave up 25.7 fantasy points per game to running backs. Jordan Love is going to look toward Jones as a safety blanket all game. Jones will be a huge part of this offense.
Raheem Mostert @ Los Angeles Chargers (@BrandonBlancoFF)
Jeff Wilson has landed on the IR, no Jonathan Taylor to Miami and that means Raheem Mostert’s RB1 season is finally underway. Mostert is used to this Mike McDaniel offense from his time in San Francisco. Now, he gets to be the lead back vs. a Chargers team that allowed the highest ypc (yards per carry) to opposing running backs last season.
With an expected high-scoring game, look for Mostert to blow the defense away with his speed and ability to break away from defenses.
James Cook @ New York Jets (@weekendmike)
James Cook is finally going to be able to cook this year. He will be a three-down back and has a decent matchup with the Jets this week. I expect this to be a high-scoring game with two high-powered offenses. I expect Josh Allen to take it a notch in his run game and Cook will capitalize on those red zone carries.
Wide Receiver Starts
Michael Thomas vs. Tennessee Titans (@BrandonBlancoFF)
Yes, Michael Thomas has not produced anything remotely good since his 2019 historic season. He did have back-to-back good games to start last season, but then got injured and never returned.
Now, with a new quarterback and healthy, Thomas will look to bounce back and it could start positively with a matchup against one of the worst secondary’s in all of football from a fantasy standpoint. The Titans’ defense gave up a league-high 40.4 ppg to opposing WRs.
With defenses worrying about Chris Olave, look for Thomas to get his as well in what will be a blowout statement game from the New Orleans Saints. Derek Carr supports two top 15 wideouts in week 1, Chris Olave and Michael Thomas.
Jahan Dotson @ New York Jets (@weekendmike)
Dotson is a must-start in every league this week. Howell has looked his way all preseason, and McLaurin won’t be 100% coming back from turf toe. This means Dotson will be the more explosive wide receiver and in my opinion, he is the more consistent wide receiver of the group.
Also, they play the Cardinals this week. Don’t make it tough on yourself. They are playing a bad defense and McLaurin is still slightly hurt. Start Dotson.
Skyy Moore vs. Detroit Lions (@BrandonBlancoFF)
Skyy Moore made my sleepers and streamers debut article and he makes the starts or sits one as well. With the news that Travis Kelce hyperextended his knee, Moore and the rest of the Chiefs receiving core must be ready for the moment. This is the time to separate yourself from the rest of the room.
The Lions gave up 190 yards to receivers on a per-game basis last season. Now, with a chance of no Kelce, Mahomes will feed this receiving core, starting with Skyy Moore. Moore is not even a WR3 in any rankings and can sure leap into the top 24 status with a big statement game for the defending Super Bowl champions.
Zay Flowers vs. Houston Texans (@weekendmike)
This is a guy who will make a huge impact on the Ravens. Zay Flowers should be the number two receiver behind Mark Andrews. Andrews has been banged up throughout preseason but still looks like he will be a go in Week 1. But, say Andrews isn’t 100%, then Flowers will shine.
Odell Beckham will not be a threat in this offense and is likely to get hurt throughout the season. This week they have the Texans, who will definitely get blown out this week. Their secondary is bottom end, and they will be so focused on Lamar Jackson running that Flowers will sneak into the secondary wide open. Flowers is a great flex start this week.
Jordan Addison vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@BrandonBlancoFF)
The Buccaneers were one of the worst pass defenses in all of football. They gave up the eighth most fppg to WRs. This Vikings team has only increased the number of passes every single season since drafting Justin Jefferson. It will only increase now with another first-round receiver added and the departure of Dalvin Cook.
Addison, part of the talented rookie WR class should be started as a flex and enjoy the rewards of the high passing Vikings offense and the points that will be put up in week 1. Addison will be sure to be a part of the fantasy onslaught in week 1.
Courtland Sutton vs. Houston Texans (@weekendmike)
I know Courtland Sutton seems like he is a lost cause. But they have Sean Payton now, and I expect Russell Wilson to get back to himself this season. Also, they play the Raiders this week. The Raiders have not made any upgrades to their defense, all the Broncos need to worry about is just the pass rush.
But, Jerry Jeudy will be out a couple of weeks and Tim Patrick is gone as well. Sutton is all that is left. Sutton can still play as well, he just had some injuries, but he is still a deep ball threat and red zone threat. If you have an open flex spot, then Sutton should be in that slot.
Tight End Starts
Tyler Higbee @ Seattle Seahawks (@BrandonBlancoFF)
Just like I said earlier with Cam Akers, it is the same with Tyler Higbee. There is Van Jefferson and some other receivers for the Rams, but Tyler Higbee is the pass catcher that everyone should be looking to add. Higbee had 108 targets last season which was fourth amongst all TEs.
Higbee was also fourth in target share % and ran the third most routes amongst all TEs. Now, with Kupp expected to miss week 1, Higbee will serve as the Rams WR1. I expect a 10-target game vs. a Seahawks team that allowed the most ypg to TEs last season.
Hayden Hurst @ Atlanta Falcons (@BrandonBlancoFF)
The sixth most ppg to TEs is what the Atlanta Falcons gave up to the TE position last season. This has all the writing of a Hayden Hurst TE1 game against his former team. With rookie QB, Bryce Young set to start, I see the QB looking for his TE all game as his security blanket.
The Falcons also allowed the eighth most ypg to the position. I expect Hurst to deliver a four-catch game with one touchdown scored and a TE1 finish in week 1.