Sit/Start 2024 Week 1: Reviewing All Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, September 8th, 2024, 1:00 PM ET

Location: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Network: CBS

Arizona Cardinals

Quarterback

Kyler Murray: Start, QB1

Murray returns fully healthy to an offense that should be massively improved. Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison Jr. both provide elite options for Murray and while the offensive line could be better, some young players could give the team a step forward. Murray falls outside the elite tier of quarterbacks but has that well within his range of outcomes by season’s end. In week one, he gets a Bills defense that has questions of its own. You can confidently roll Murray out for Week 1 and expect the top half of your league production.

Running Back

James Conner: Start, RB2
Trey Benson: Sit, RB4

Conner is perpetually underrated, and with the addition of Benson, that has been magnified this year. Conner should be the primary running back for the Cardinals, especially in the early parts of the season. In Week 1, he finds himself as my RB20. There may be a limited ceiling with the Cardinals having to throw the ball early and often, but he can impact the game to some degree as a pass catcher as well. He has some risk with the unknown of Benson, but I am confident rolling him out as an RB2 or FLEX if you went running back heavily in your drafts.

Benson is an athletic player, his calling card is his speed and strength. He could end up being a mid-season darling for fantasy managers, but he was raw as a prospect, often relying on his athleticism, which may not always work on Sundays. Keep Benson on your bench this week, the wait may be worth it come October.

Wide Receiver

Marvin Harrison Jr.: Start, WR1

Before we jump to Harrison Jr., I should mention Greg Dortch is a viable option in deep leagues (14 teams or more), but he is too risky of a play in Week 1 otherwise since you have nearly all of your drafted players at your disposal. Now for Harrison Jr. The presumed top target in the offense, I would not be surprised to see Harrison Jr. eclipse 100 yards in his very first week in the NFL. This is one of the more exciting games on the Week 1 slate, and I expect to see a lot of offense.

Tight End

Trey McBride: Start, TE1

McBride posted one of the more impressive late-season runs we have seen from a young tight end in a while. He returns to a team that added an elite pass catcher in Harrison Jr., and while this could impact his overall volume, they populate different areas of the field. You can expect McBride to be one of the best three players at tight end this week. He is as close to set it and forget it as you can get.

Buffalo Bills

Quarterback

Josh Allen: Start, QB1

Allen may have some growing pains with the losses of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, but for fantasy football, we can expect very little change in what Allen brings to your lineups. One of the most reliable and consistent fantasy options at quarterback should once again bring the high-floor, high-ceiling play to week one. He is my overall QB1 on the week.

Running Back

James Cook: Start, RB2

Cook cracked the RB1 list last season, but he was only a top-12 running back in seven games. I would not be surprised to see both Allen and Ray Davis eat into Cook’s early-season work. That being said, the Cardinals are near the bottom of the league when it comes to run defense, and Cook should be the favorite to see touches early. He is near the top of the RB2 range for me, and in full PPR leagues, he provides a safe floor.

Wide Receiver

Khalil Shakir: Sit, FLEX
Curtis Samuel: Sit, FLEX
Keon Coleman: Sit, FLEX
Mack Hollins: Sit, FLEX

There is a lot of ambiguity when it comes to which wide receivers will establish themselves in the Bills offense. That does provide an opportunity for managers to capitalize on their rosters, but for Week 1, you shouldn’t be putting any of them in your lineup. We will get to who the top target earner is expected to be in Week 1 shortly, but this is a wait-and-see position for the Bills. You can look to them during bye weeks to help you get over the hump.

Tight End

Dalton Kincaid: Start, TE1

Kincaid starts the season as my number-one tight end overall for the week. In a matchup that is as soft as they come, Kincaid should be Allen’s go-to option. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kincaid sees 8+ targets in this one, and that is the kind of volume that wins you weeks at the tight-end position.