The NFL season kicks off on Thursday, which implies it is virtually time to set your first fantasy soccer lineup for 2024.
Contemplating nearly all fantasy managers are rolling out the beginning lineup they locked in on draft day, there’s little motive to advocate whether or not it is best to begin or sit among the NFL’s most notable names.
With that in thoughts, here is what to do concerning a number of FLEX choices and streaming candidates who it’s possible you’ll be on the fence about plugging into your beginning lineup in Week 1.
Quarterbacks
Begin: Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Commanders at Buccaneers / 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday
Though there’s apparent threat concerned in beginning somebody who’s by no means performed a regular-season snap, Daniels’ speeding upside supplies him with a comparatively protected flooring, together with appreciable upside. To place into perspective the kind of dual-threat expertise Daniels is, the No. 2 general decide is the one quarterback in FBS historical past with at the least 12,000 passing yards and three,000 speeding yards in a profession.
Final season, Tampa Bay, which allowed the ninth-most fantasy factors to opposing quarterbacks, solely gave up 234 speeding yards to the place however did give up six touchdowns, the second-most amongst groups.
Different begins: Jared Goff, Detroit Lions; Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Sit: Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Jets at 49ers / 8:15 p.m. ET Monday
Purdy was one of many greatest steals in fantasy drafts final season, averaging 19.2 fantasy factors per recreation en path to a QB6 general end. Even so, whereas the 49ers boast one of many NFL’s high offenses that includes a star-studded forged of ability place gamers, it would be sensible to bench Purdy you probably have one other viable possibility at quarterback.
The Jets return a majority of final season’s beginning protection, which allowed the fewest fantasy factors per recreation to opposing quarterbacks (12.2) and the third-fewest passing yards within the NFL (3,182). Moreover, there isn’t any telling how the 49ers will carry out, contemplating RB Christian McCaffrey, WR Brandon Aiyuk and LT Trent Williams have barely practiced this offseason.
Different sits: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys; Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
Working backs
Begin: Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
Broncos at Seahawks / 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday
A possible breakout candidate this season, Williams has a good matchup forward towards the Seahawks even though the Broncos offense is not significantly thrilling for fantasy functions.
Seattle’s protection needs to be simpler this season after the staff employed former Ravens DC Mike Macdonald as head coach and drafted DT Byron Murphy II within the first spherical. Nonetheless, the unit nonetheless allowed the second-most fantasy factors per recreation to working backs final season (21.9). Williams ought to make for a top quality FLEX possibility or low-end RB2, particularly since he provides extra pass-catching upside after Denver launched RB Samaje Perine.
Different begins: Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins; Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
Sit: Gus Edwards and J.Okay. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers
Raiders at Chargers / 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday
The Chargers backfield may show to be a worthwhile committee in fantasy soccer, because the staff will lean on a run-first offensive method below HC Jim Harbaugh and OC Greg Roman. Nonetheless, it is best to go away each Edwards and Dobbins on the bench this week just because it is inconceivable to foretell who can be Los Angeles’ lead again. The 2 former Ravens are listed as co-starters on the depth chart, due to this fact you carefully monitor the backfield splits on this contest to assist decide future lineup selections.
Different sits: Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals; Devin Singletary, New York Giants
Vast Receivers
Begin: Tank Dell, Houston Texans
Texans at Colts / 1 p.m. ET Sunday
The 2023 third-round decide is slated to be Houston’s No. 3 wideout, so there’s some threat that comes with inserting him into your FLEX spot. Nonetheless, as a key contributor to an explosive offense who’s enjoying in a recreation with the third-highest projected level whole on this week’s slate (48.5), Dell is definitely worth the gamble. Given his robust rapport with QB C.J. Stroud, Dell ought to obtain loads of targets, and it is potential he may end as a WR1 if he finds the tip zone.
Different begins: Jayden Reed, Inexperienced Bay Packers; Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
Sit: Diontae Johnson, Carolina Panthers
Panthers at Saints / 1 p.m. ET Sunday
There are a lot worse beginning choices than Johnson, QB Bryce Younger’s presumed new No. 1 goal. Nonetheless, seeing as if the lowly Panthers offense has a projected level whole of 18.5, the previous Steeler most likely would not provide week-winning upside towards New Orleans. To not point out that the Saints had been a troublesome matchup for opposing wideouts final season, permitting the ninth-fewest fantasy factors per recreation (19.2) and sixth-fewest receiving touchdowns (12) to the place.
Different sits: George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers; Xavier Worthy, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Tight Ends
Begin: Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
Patriots at Bengals / 1 p.m. ET Sunday
In the event you punted on the tight finish place throughout your draft or are in want of some insurance coverage for Atlanta’s Kyle Pitts, who’s coping with a hamstring harm, Henry is a worthy streaming candidate. Although the Patriots will doubtless have one of many worst offenses within the NFL, Henry figures to be one of many high targets within the passing assault.
In line with FanDuel Sportsbook, New England is an 8.5-point underdog towards the Bengals, which means that the staff can be compelled to throw the ball steadily. Henry may very well be the Patriots pass-catcher who advantages probably the most from such an end result, on condition that Cincinnati allowed the most receptions (107), second-most receiving yards (1,080) and fourth-most fantasy factors (142) to opposing tight ends in 2023.
Different begins: Tyler Conklin, New York Jets; Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
Sit: Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
Raiders at Chargers / 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday
Bowers, the thirteenth general decide on this previous April’s draft, has greater than sufficient expertise to get pleasure from a profitable profession, although he may wrestle to make an affect in his NFL debut.
Not solely is Bowers enjoying in a Gardner Minshew-led offense the place he’ll compete for targets with wideouts Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, however he additionally has an harm concern. Bowers returned to follow on Wednesday after being sidelined with a foot harm he suffered in Las Vegas’ first preseason recreation. HC Antonio Pierce sounded optimistic about Bowers’ Week 1 standing when talking to reporters final week, but it surely would not be shocking if the Raiders restricted the rookie’s workload.
Different sits: Luke Musgrave, Inexperienced Bay Packers; Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans
