Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 1: Examining Fringe Fantasy Football Flex Starters
It can always be challenging to set a lineup in fantasy football. It can be even more challenging for Week 1 of a new season.
The 2024 NFL campaign gets underway this week, and with it comes another year of fantasy football. Many leagues have already held their drafts, so that means all that needs to be done before the games begin is for managers to make some lineup decisions.
There isn't a ton of data to go off of at this point. And while 2023 information can be useful, a lot has changed across the league since the last time any NFL team has taken the field for a game during the fantasy season.
With that in mind, here's flex start/sit advice for Week 1 of the 2024 season.
Start 'Em: Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins
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There's been a lot of hype surrounding Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane heading into the season, and deservedly so. The 22-year-old has the potential for a massive breakout in his sophomore campaign.
But don't forget about Raheem Mostert, who should still be quite a factor out of Miami's backfield. After all, he scored 21 total touchdowns last season, with 18 of those coming as rushing scores.
The 32-year-old Mostert showed he still has plenty left in the tank, and there are plenty of opportunities to go around in the Dolphins' offense. They should thrive during a Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars that could turn into a high-scoring affair.
Sit 'Em: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys
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Ezekiel Elliott may be back in Dallas, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's going to return to the form he showed during his previous stint with the Cowboys from 2016-22. The 29-year-old has slowed down a bit in recent years, especially during his lone season with the New England Patriots in 2023.
Last year, Elliott averaged a career-low 3.5 yards per carry (642 yards on 184 attempts) and scored only five touchdowns in 17 games. Although Dallas has a better offense, Elliott doesn't exactly seem like a prime bounce-back candidate, especially with fellow RB Rico Dowdle poised for a bigger role in the Cowboys' offense.
It's hard to envision a big Week 1 performance from Elliott, especially in a challenging road matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Leave him out of fantasy lineups until he proves he could be any kind of factor this season.
Start 'Em: Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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From a fantasy standpoint, Chris Godwin was a bit disappointing in 2023. Although the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver recorded 83 catches for 1,024 yards (his fourth season with 1,000-plus receiving yards in five years), he scored only three total touchdowns.
The 28-year-old Godwin remains one of the top playmakers in Tampa Bay's offense, and it seems likely he'll find the end zone a bit more often in 2024. That could happen as soon as Week 1, when the Bucs' passing attack has a favorable matchup vs. the Washington Commanders.
Washington's secondary appears to be beatable again this year, and Godwin could thrive in the season opener. Make sure he's in your fantasy lineup, especially in deeper leagues.
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Sit 'Em: Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
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There will be a time this year when Ladd McConkey could become a breakout fantasy player. However, that doesn't seem likely to be Week 1, when he'll be making his NFL debut in the Los Angeles Chargers' season opener vs. the Las Vegas Raiders.
The 22-year-old McConkey should be one of the Chargers' top pass-catchers this season. But Los Angeles' new offense may not pass too much, either. And it will likely take time for the rookie to adjust to the league.
McConkey has potential, but he's not an intriguing Week 1 fantasy candidate. Leave him on the bench until it's time to unleash him later in the season.
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