Week 1 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Advice on Top Fantasy Football Stars in Opening Games

Football fans have waited nearly seven months for this day: the return of the NFL. On Thursday night, the 2022 season kicks off with a marquee matchup between the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills.

It should be a thrilling way to start a new campaign, and it's only the first of 16 games that will take place over the weekend. Sunday's slate features 14 contests, followed by a Monday night matchup between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks.

The dawn of the new season also marks the return of fantasy football. After participating in drafts over the past few weeks, fantasy managers are ready to outperform their friends over the next few months. And that begins in Week 1, when everybody wants to get off to a strong start.

Here's some start/sit advice heading into the opening week of the NFL season.

Start 'Em: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

AP Photo/Ed Zurga, File

FILE - Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers warms up before the start of an NFL preseason football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers, Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. The Packers’ chances of continuing that uncanny level of success will depend on how fast reigning MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers develops chemistry with his new group of receivers. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga, File)

Starting the two-time defending NFL MVP should be a no-brainer, but some may be worried that Aaron Rodgers won't put up the same numbers without star playmaker Davante Adams.

But this is Rodgers, and he's one of the best quarterbacks in the league (and of all time). And he should elevate a group of wide receivers who may be getting underestimated a bit heading into the 2022 season.

Rodgers will have a mix of veterans (Sammy Watkins and Randall Cobb) and rookies (Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs) to throw to, as well as Allen Lazard, who may be in store for a breakout season.

So, another strong fantasy season should be coming for the 38-year-old, who has thrown for 85 touchdowns and only nine interceptions in 32 games over the past two seasons.

A Week 1 matchup against NFC North rivals the Minnesota Vikings should provide plenty of offense from both sides. That means Rodgers will be going to the air a lot, and he should rack up fantasy points in the process.

Sit 'Em: Cam Akers, RB, Los Angeles Rams

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (3) participates in drills at the NFL football team's practice facility in Irvine, Calif. Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

The Rams are going to use both Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson Jr. out of the backfield this season. But the ceiling is higher for the former, which is why the third-year running back was getting taken much earlier in fantasy drafts than the latter.

Akers hasn't played much so far in his NFL career, missing nearly all of his 2021 sophomore campaign while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. He also dealt with some undisclosed injuries this year in training camp.

Between those ailments and the unknown workload split, the 23-year-old is a risky fantasy play for Week 1. It's possible he could get into the end zone and pick up some decent yardage on the ground, but there's also a chance he'll get contained by a strong Buffalo Bills defense.

At this point, it's better to sit Akers (if you have the depth to do so) and wait this situation out. How will he look health-wise? How involved will Henderson be? Find out those answers and then regroup before deciding what to do with the Florida State product in Week 2.

Start 'Em: Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny runs a drill during NFL football practice Wednesday, June 8, 2022, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

When Rashaad Penny has been healthy throughout his four-year NFL career, he's shown breakout potential. The problem is that he hasn't been healthy enough, having played only 23 games over the past three years.

However, the running back is ready to go for the start of 2022. Not only that, but Chris Carson has retired and rookie Kenneth Walker III may not be available in Week 1 after hernia surgery. That means Penny should be the clear-cut No. 1 back for the Seahawks' season opener versus the Denver Broncos on Monday night.

Seattle may rely on the 26-year-old a lot, given it's entering the year with Geno Smith as its starting quarterback. The Seahawks may want to keep the ball on the ground as much as possible, which should bode well for Penny's fantasy value.

The San Diego State product rushed for 135 or more yards in four of Seattle's final five games in 2021, and he'll carry that momentum into 2022. So feel confident starting him because of his expected high volume, even in a less-than-ideal matchup against Denver.

Sit 'Em: Amari Cooper, WR, Cleveland Browns

Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 27: Amari Cooper #2 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to a preseason game against the Chicago Bears at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

Amari Cooper was known for putting up some big fantasy outputs during his four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.

However, the 28-year-old wide receiver will no longer be catching passes from Dak Prescott, and he'll no longer be surrounded by several other strong playmakers.

This year, the Alabama product will be the top target for Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who will be the starter while Deshaun Watson serves an 11-game suspension. And Cleveland doesn't exactly have a deep receiving corps, as Cooper will be part of a unit that includes Donovan Peoples-Jones, rookie David Bell and others.

What should the Carolina Panthers' defense do on Sunday? Not let Cooper beat them. So don't be surprised if he frequently draws double coverage, as the opposition will force the Browns to throw the ball to their less proven receivers.

Cooper no longer has the fantasy value he had earlier in his career because of this situation, so leave him on the bench to open the season. It's possible he'll stay there for a while, too, unless Cleveland's passing attack proves to be better than expected.

Start 'Em: Marquise Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown reaches out to make a catch as he takes part in drills during the NFL football team's training camp at State Farm Stadium, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

While Cooper is in a worse spot for 2022, Marquise Brown may be in a better one.

The wide receiver is no longer part of a Baltimore Ravens offense that runs the ball a ton following his trade to the Arizona Cardinals during the offseason.

DeAndre Hopkins will be serving a six-game suspension to open the year, so Brown is the clear No. 1 receiver atop the depth chart. But opposing defenses will be trying to stop a plethora of playmakers on Arizona's offense, including Kyler Murray, James Conner, A.J. Green, Rondale Moore and Zach Ertz.

Brown, 25, has a knack for making big plays, and Murray should have no trouble throwing it deep to him. Plus, the Cardinals are poised for a high-scoring matchup in Week 1, as they're set to take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

In his Arizona debut, Brown should get into the end zone and put up a decent yardage total, which will please the fantasy managers who have him in their lineups this week.