Starts/Sits For Fantasy Football In Week 1

The NFL season is back, which means fantasy football is back. Here is my list of starts/sits for week 1.

Fantasy Football Starts/Sits Week 1

A quick note before we begin. I will not be featuring players that are obvious starts. It doesn’t matter what the matchup is; you are starting Patrick Mahomes. You don’t need me to tell you that. This list will be players that you may have to make a decision on, or maybe even in Week 1, you are looking for a better matchup than the one you currently have. Okay, onto the list!

Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (31) – Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Start: RB Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins (at Chargers)

I love Mostert this week and I am shoehorning him into many of my lineups. Let’s start with the matchup. The Chargers have been weak against the run for the past couple of years. While they are touting this offseason that things will be different, I’ll believe it when I see it. What I love most about Mostert this week is opportunity. Jeff Wilson will start the season on IR and rookie De’Von Achane is dealing with a shoulder injury. Expect a majority of carries to go to Mostert.

Steelers RB Najee Harris (22) – Joe Sargent/Getty Images

Sit: RB Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. 49ers)

Overall I’m low on Harris this year but in the opening week, it is a brutal matchup. The 49ers ranked second in rushing yards allowed and yards per carry allowed in 2022. Harris was ranked 36th in yards per rush at 3.9 last season. For context, Latavius Murray and Kenyan Drake had a greater yards per rush than Harris. Even without Nick Bosa, it is going to be tough sledding in the running game. Avoid Harris and frankly, all Steelers running backs in the first week.

Rams TE Tyler Higbee (89) – Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

Start: TE Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams (at Seahawks)

Maybe you waited on a tight end. Or maybe you had Travis Kelce, and you are scrambling for an alternative last minute. Higbee is a great option for this week. It’s really simple. Chances are that Cooper Kupp doesn’t play. Matthew Stafford tends to rely on veterans. Higbee is one of the few pass-catchers who will be on the field and be a veteran. I’m going with the old “someone has to catch passes” strategy. There are some numbers to support this. In the last four seasons, when Higbee has seen double-digit targets, he has averaged nearly 14 points per game in half-PPR formats. I feel good about starting Higbee and seeing some action.

Jaguars TE Evan Engram (17) – Mike Carlson/Getty Images

Sit: TE Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (at Colts)

If you picked up Engram late in the draft, you are likely thinking you got a steal. As with most tight ends, it was feast or famine with Engram last year and this week should be famine. First, Calvin Ridley is now here to steal targets away from the existing group of pass-catchers. It makes me lower on Zay Jones and Christian Kirk as well. Then there is the matchup. The Colts only allowed 7.8 points to the position in 2022. Pair this with Anthony Richardson in his first start, and Trevor Lawrence and the offense may not need to do much.

Commanders RB Antonio Gibson (24) – Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

Start: Washington Commanders Running Backs (vs. Arizona)

This year, anyone who is playing Arizona is likely a start. However, I especially love Antonio Gibson and Brian Robinson in week 1. Last year, the Cardinals allowed over 22 fantasy points per game to running backs. They haven’t added any pieces. In fact, they have gotten rid of some pieces with Isaiah Simmons being traded scraps. There is a great chance that the Commanders are up big and need to run out the clock giving a lot of work for Gibson and Robinson.

Vikings RB Alexander Mattison (25) – Rey Del Rio/Getty Images

Sit: RB Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Buccaneers)

Mattison is now the featured back in Minnesota, which is great for fantasy football. No longer does he have to split carries with Dalvin Cook. However, the matchup could not be worse in the opening weekend. While the Buccaneers are not slated to be any good, they have been stout against the run. I expect most of the yards to be gotten through the air, seeing as Justin Jefferson is on the team, as well as rookie Jordan Addison. There is a chance Minnesota is up big and wants to run more, but I would find another back to start besides Mattison.

That is my list of starts/sits for fantasy football in week 1. Good luck to all as the season begins!