We have finally bridged the gap between two NFL seasons. After the Chiefs defeated the 49ers in Super Bowl 58 back in February, the defending champs will square off against the Baltimore Ravens to kick off the 2024 NFL season.
Before the Chiefs and Ravens take the field on Thursday night, it’s in your best interest to do a thorough overview of your lineup to ensure it’s properly set for Week 1. Whether you’re a “set it and forget it” type of manager or a manager who tinkers with his or her lineup, it’s always a good idea to at least consider starting some of the players who may be on your bench. Leveraging optimal matchups and finding other edges to exploit are traits of every strong manager.
With that being said, Sporting News has you covered for potential sleepers who you should consider getting into your lineup this week. If some of your starters have a tough matchup or you just want to see how things shake out in Week 1, these players are all strong alternatives.
WEEK 1 FANTASY PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy QB Sleepers Week 1
O’Hara: Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings – We saw last season that Kevin O’Connell is willing to have his quarterback drop back at one of the highest rates in the league regardless of who’s under center. Unless O’Connell decided the signing of Aaron Jones was enough to initiate a massive philosophical shift, we should once again see a high-volume passing attack from the Vikings. With a matchup against the Giants, one of the worst secondaries in the league, don’t be shocked if Darnold and Jefferson come out of the gates hot.
Iyer: Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders – Don’t be surprised if the much-hyped rookie No. 2 overall pick ends up as the QB1in fantasy scoring in his rookie debut given Kliff Kingsbury’s offense can exploit a lot of new holes in Todd Bowles’ defense. Look for three combined TDs with 250-plus yards passing and 50 yards rushing.
Williams: Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons – This one definitely comes with some risk as Cousins will be making his first start following a season-ending Achilles injury. It will also be his first game on a new team and in a new system. They’ll be playing against a Steelers team with a potent pass rush. But all of that being said, expectations may have been lowered too much for Cousins. He will be behind a top-10 offensive line, and he has weapons like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts to keep the defense honest.
WEEK 1 NFL: Power rankings | ATS picks | SU picks
Fantasy RB Sleepers Week 1
Michael O’Hara: Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers – Head coach Dave Canales has made it clear throughout the offseason that he will look to place significant focus on the run game this season. Until Jonathon Brooks is healthy, the featured back in Carolina will be Hubbard. After usurping Miles Sanders last season, Hubbard consistently delivered RB2 production. Expect more of the same early this year.
Vinnie Iyer: Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns – He’s a volume-based play with Nick Chubb on the shelf and although the Browns should be pass-happier with Ken Dorsey this season, the Cowboys’ defense is strong there and more exploitable up front with the home team’s run-blocking assets.
Ed Williams: Samaje Perine, Kansas City Chiefs – Admittedly, this one is a long shot, but it’s at least something to consider. Without Jerrick McKinnon on the roster, the arrow was pointing way up for Isiah Pacheco as it looked like he’d have a bell cow type role for the Chiefs. But then late last week, the Chiefs brought in Perine after he was cut from the Broncos. One of Perine’s biggest strengths is his passing game chops. And would you really put it past Andy Reid to showcase someone who’s barely figured out how to even find the locker room yet? Of course not!
2024 NFL RANKINGS: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | Defense
Fantasy WR Sleepers Week 1
O’Hara: Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Godwin stretches the definition of a sleeper, but after a disappointing season in 2023, Godwin was not drafted as a starter in 2-WR leagues. Godwin has a chance to begin his bounce-back campaign on the right foot in Week 1. The Commanders ranked 31st in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers last season and didn’t make any significant improvements this offseason. Find a way to work Godwin into your lineup this week with a highly favorable matchup.
Iyer: Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars – Kirk will likely get to avoid the tougher matchups outside vs. Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller who will guard against Trevor Lawrence’s deep shots, but Kirk can once again captain the receiving corps with favorable slot volume.
Williams: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks – While JSN played third fiddle to DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett last year, expect him to move into the WR2 role for Seattle this year. With a new regime in place, expect new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to better tap into Smith-Njigba’s immense talent, which should result in expanded usage.
Fantasy TE Sleepers Week 1
O’Hara: Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams – When looking for a tight end sleeper or streamer, you’re really just looking for a player who will end up in the endzone. Parkinson could realistically be that player in Week 1. He has assumed TE1 duties in Los Angeles while Tyler Higbee is sidelined with an ACL tear, and his 6’7″ frame makes him a prime endzone target. The Rams also feature a 24-point implied team total, the 9th-highest of any team in Week 1. Parkinson isn’t a bad bet to find the endzone in a high-scoring affair against the Lions.
Iyer: Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – The Commanders can be vulnerable everywhere in coverage as they invested more in front-seven pop in free agency with top safety Kamren Curl leaving in free agency. Otton can exploit that as a bigger factor playing off Godwin and Mike Evans.
Williams: Hunter Henry, New England Patriots – Even if Ja’Marr Chase sits for the Benglas, the Patriots are expected to struggle mightily against the Bengals, and really, most of the season. Jacoby Brissett gets the nod in Week 1 for the Pats, and with limited options at wide receiver, Henry could very well end up being his top target. Even bad offenses can support some fantasy starters.
Fantasy Defense Sleepers Week 1
O’Hara: Seattle Seahawks – The Seahawks rank highly in our Week 1 Defense Rankings, but they are largely unowned across fantasy platforms. They have the pleasure of taking on Bo Nix in his first NFL start and should not have much trouble shutting down a trio of suspect WRs.
Iyer: Minnesota Vikings – The Giants can be turnover-prone with Daniel Jones and the Vikings are even better built for sacks and takeaways under Brian Flores this season.
Williams: Atlanta Falcons – I’m not expecting the Falcons to be a set it and forget it option all season long for fantasy managers, but the Week 1 matchup against the Steelers is appetizing. Russell Wilson is under center for Pittsburgh, and while he looked a little better in Denver than he did in his swan song with the Seahawks, it was still less than stellar to put it nicely. Unfortunately, he won’t have a very impressive wide receiver room to try and keep the improvements coming. If Wilson can’t get George Pickens going, it could end up being a very long day for Wilson as Justin Fields watches from the sidelines.