Week 1 is officially here! Stuck between two players and don’t know who to start? In these weekly articles, I will review and help you decide what WRs and TE to start and sit every week based on matchup, weather conditions, injuries, and more. You’ll never see studs like Christian McCaffrey or CeeDee Lamb on this list, but this is more-so advice to help you decide between those two players that will help you set your weekly lineup. For any additional gameday questions, be sure to follow me on X at @Lobosffden.
Week 1 Start and Sit: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Start ‘Em Wide Receivers
DK Metcalf vs. Denver Broncos: There is a lot of excitement in Seattle with new Offensive Coordinator, Ryan Grubb. Many believe that the addition of Grubb will light that Seattle offense in 2024, and I believe the hype going into Week 1. In 2022 and 2023, Grubb’s offense in Washington averaged 356.7 yards per game, and while I don’t believe Geno Smith will average as such, I do believe we see a much larger number than the 240 we saw last season. Metcalf has shown what he’s capable of in his five-year career, finishing as high as WR7 in 2020. I believe under Grubb, Metcalf has another top 12 season and he starts off hot in week 1. Start him with no hesitation.
Chris Godwin vs. Washington Commanders: Chris Godwin is going back to the slot in 2024, and that should excite you. Why? Chris Godwin has finished with no less than 15ppg in his last four seasons when he’s primarily in the slot. New Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen has mentioned he’s going to be in that “Cooper Kupp” role, and we get to see this new offensive scheme against a defense in Washington that allowed 35.4ppg (2nd worst) to WRs in 2023. Start Godwin and don’t look back.
Jayden Reed vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Though we don’t truly know who the Packers to trust in Green Bay are, I’m putting my money on Jayden Reed. He became Jordan Love’s most trusted WR down the stretch, averaging 17.1ppg from Weeks 11-17, and faces the Eagles secondary who gave up the most points to WRs last season. Jordan Love averaged 34 passing attempts her game last season, and that offense should not change much in 2024. In what should be a shootout game, start the GB WR who I anticipate to be the WR1 in Green Bay.
Sit ‘Em Wide Receivers
Brandon Aiyuk vs. New York Jets: Off his freshly signed contract, Brandon Aiyuk starts off against a tough Jets defense, who ranked 1st vs. WRs in 2023, only allowing 17.4ppg. Aiyuk didn’t get many reps in camp, so I anticipate he starts off a bit slow in Week 1. Aiyuk had three weeks in 2023 where he put up single-digit scoring in PPR, and I believe he will start his 2024 campaign with single-digit production.
Rome Odunze vs. Tennessee Titans: Rookie fever, I know. While there is a lot to be excited about in Odunze’s game, I believe we see a slow start to the season. A healthy DJ Moore and Keenan Allen duo will be the primary targets, with D’Andre Swift Cole Kmet, and Gerald Everett in the mix for some target share as well. Throw in that it will be Caleb Williams’s first NFL game, and it might be a slow one for Odunze. As the season transpires, I truly believe he will take over that WR2 role, the talent won’t let him sit behind for too long. For now, I’d sit Odunze out in Week 1.
DeAndre Hopkins vs. Chicago Bears: To be clear, I’m actually in on the Tennessee offense in 2024. They’re going to shock some people, behind new head coach Brian Callahan. What I’m not in on for Week 1, is DeAndre Hopkins coming off of a knee injury against a tough Chicago defense. Hopkins had nine games in 2023 where he saw fewer than 7 targets, and with the addition of Calvin Ridley and Tony Pollard, they might ease Hopkins into that offense. I would look to ease him into your starting fantasy football lineup as well.
Week 1 Start ‘Em Tight Ends
Jake Ferguson vs. Cleveland Browns: Jake Ferguson is someone who you hopefully drafted a lot of in 2024. After a great 2023 campaign, Ferguson put up some great numbers, ending with 102 targets (7th), along with 24 Redzone Targets (1st), and should see similar success in 2024. With a murky ground game in Dallas, I expect Ferguson to be the #2 target to Dak Prescott, behind CeeDee Lamb. Start Fergie in Week 1, and start Fergie most of the 2024 season for that matter.
Dallas Goedart vs. Green Bay Packers: This Friday night game should be a fun one. International, Friday night lights, and two high-powered offenses. New OC, Kellen Moore, loves to air it out and I anticipate that is what the Eagles will have to do in this game if they want to keep pace with the Packers. Goedart truly is a boom-or-bust play for 2024, but I expect a nice outing in Week 1 in Brazil.
Pat Freiermuth vs. Atlanta Falcons: The Muuuuuuth didn’t follow up his TE8, 2022 season with much sparkle, as he took a step back on all aspects and faced some injuries in 2023. Pittsburgh’s WR room changed to favor Muth as potentially being the #2 target in that offense after they traded WR Diontae Johnson, leaving George Pickens with Van Jefferson to lead that WR room. They did draft Roman Wilson in the 3rd round of the draft, but I wouldn’t anticipate he plays a role in that offense. Freiermuth should be a solid TE, with another top-12 season potentially on the horizon.
Sit ‘Em Tight Ends
Brock Bowers vs. Los Angeles Chargers: Another rookie who we’re all dying to see on the NFL field, in a non-preseason game, but I’d pause the breaks on putting Brock Bowers in your starting lineup. In what might be a low-scoring game, with two offenses with big question marks surrounding them, I want to see how they utilize Bowers in this offense in Las Vegas before inserting him into my lineup. There’s no doubt about it, he’s a stud, but even Sam LaPorta’s incredible rookie season last year started off with low production (5 targets, 5 receptions, for 39 yards). Bowers will eventually be a “set it and forget it” TE, but for now, leave him on your bench.
Dalton Schultz vs. Indianapolis Colts: Though Schultz is coming back from four consecutive seasons of 85+ targets, and two consecutive top-12 TE finishes, he takes a backseat to a crowded and talented WR group in Houston. With the addition of Joe Mixon, a back who is more than capable of reeling in some targets, I expect Schultz to be the #4 option in Houston. Sit in the back seat with Schultz in Week 1, and see how it plays out. Sit him in Week 1.
Cole Kmet vs. Tennessee Titans: Similar to Schultz, Chicago now has one of the best WR rooms in the NFL. With the addition of Keenan Allen, and first-round rookie Rome Odunze, Kmet falls on the list of weapons for Caleb Williams. Throw in the addition of receiving back D’Andre Swift, who will also earn some targets in that offense, and a talented TE in Gerald Everett, and Kmet might not be anything more than a bye week filler or desperation throw at the TE position in 2024.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 1 Fantasy Football Rankings and analysis!