Fantasy Football Week 1: Opening Rankings, Projections, Early Waiver-Wire Tips
The 2024 NFL season kicks off Thursday in Kansas City, home of the defending Super Bowl champions, with the Chiefs hosting their AFC Championship Game opponents, the Baltimore Ravens.
The potential for big fantasy numbers exists, especially with star quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and reigning MVP Lamar Jackson manning the offenses, but where do those playmakers rank among the top players on the Week 1 slate?
Who is a must start and what numbers might they potentially rack up, setting the tone for fantasy managers' seasons?
Find out with this preview, including projections for each of the top 20 players and potential waiver wire pickups who may prove the difference between a win and loss.
Week One Schedule
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Thursday, September 5
Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs
Friday, September 6
Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles (São Paulo, Brazil)
Sunday, September 8
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants
New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
Arizona Cardinals at Buffalo Bills
Tennesse Titans at Chicago Bears
Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins
Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers
Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns
Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions
Monday, September 9
New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers
Top 20 Rankings and Projections
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Quarterbacks dominate the top of the rankings in Week 1, with favorable match-ups for several superstars at the position.
- Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills vs. Arizona Cardinals (42 points)
- Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers (38 points)
- Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs (35 points)
- Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (33 points)
- Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kanas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens (33 points)
- CJ Stroud, QB, Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (31 points)
- Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers (29 points)
- Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (28 points)
- Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans (27 points)
- Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals vs. New England Patriots (26 points)
- Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions (25 points)
- Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions (24 points)
- Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Jets (23 points)
- Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers (23 points)
- Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins (20 points)
- Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Rams (18 points)
- Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles (17 points)
- De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (17 points)
- Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens (15 points)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Rams (14 points)
High Scoring in Detroit
The Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions had one of the best playoff games of the 2023 postseason, with the home team narrowly escaping a late-charging Stafford and Co. In that game, emotions ran wild as the former No. 1 pick returned to the team that drafted him way back in 2009.
This time, the two teams kick off the season, each jockeying for position in the NFC, with plenty of playmakers to keep an eye on from a fantasy football perspective.
Managers appear to be sleeping on Cooper Kupp as he slips down the draft board behind flashier, younger wide receivers. Injuries limited him to just 13.7 fantasy points a season ago. The chemistry he has with Stafford is undeniable. Anyone thinking he cannot turn on the jets, take over a game like he did in Super Bowl LVI, and win a Week 1 match-up for them is sadly mistaken.
Especially against a Detroit Lions defense that gave up an average of 26.5 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers.
If it is not Kupp roasting defenders, it may be Puka Nacua or buzzworthy rookie Jordan Whittington who rewards managers with the trust to put them in the lineup.
There will be opportunities for Detroit's wideouts to feast, too. The Rams gave up 23.7 points to opposing wide receivers, meaning Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams are worth keeping an eye on. Do not count out Sam LaPorta, either, as he figures to be one of the most productive tight ends of this season.
Waiver Wire Options
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Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions
There may not be a quarterback more slept on entering the season than Stafford.
The veteran QB threw for 3,965 yards in 2023, with 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in just 15 games. With Kuppy healthier than he was a season ago, and Puka Nacua more experienced and with his first year under his belt, there is reason to be as excited about Stafford's prospects as his first season with the team in 2021.
Throw in rookie Jordan Whittington, who was the buzz of the Rams' preseason, explosive running back Kyren Williams, and rookie Blake Corum, and Stafford has plenty of weapons at his disposal.
That bodes well for him against a Lions team that allowed 367 yards in their playoff game last January and two touchdowns.
Rico Dowdle, RB, Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns
The Cowboys may have re-signed Ezekiel Elliott and brought in Dalvin Cook, but despite their name recognition, the most explosive and valuable back on the roster is Rico Dowdle.
The South Carolina Gamecock had limited touches a season ago, thanks to the presence of then-starter Tony Pollard, but he averaged 4.1 yards per carry and found the endzone twice. While that may not inspire much in the way of excitement from managers, the Cowboys offense is an electric, fast-moving one at its best and the team is simply not going to get that from Zeke and Cook.
Head coach Mike McCarthy likely recognizes that. Do not be surprised if Dowdle gets more looks, carries, and opportunities to find paydirt, making him the more valuable fantasy back, too.
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans
Mitchell is an intriguing player, more for his potential than anything he has had the opportunity to flash on the field as of yet.
The second-round pick in this year's draft only caught three balls for 29 yards and a touchdown in the preseason, but he provided the Colts with a potential third/slot receiver to compliment Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs.
The Colts are already thin at the position, which means there will be plenty of laying time for Mitchell to make an impact. His ability to keep up with scrambling quarterback Anthony Richardson and make big plays out of nothing could be the difference in his fantasy value.
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