Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 8th, 2024, 1:00 PM ET
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Network: FOX
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
Sam Darnold: Sit, QB3
Kevin O’Connell may make Darnold okay for Justin Jefferson, but he cannot make Darnold fantasy relevant. Even in two Quarterback leagues, he is not a viable option in Week 1.
Running Back
Aaron Jones: Start, RB2
Jones may share some of the backfield work with Ty Chandler, but his work in the passing game makes him a strong RB2 player in Week 1. The Giants’ defense continues to improve, but Jones is more of a volume play as he enters his age 29 season anyway.
Wide Receiver
Justin Jefferson: Start, WR1
Jordan Addison: FLEX Option
Jefferson may have lost Kirk Cousins and his promising Quarterback of the future in JJ McCarthy, but it should not scare fantasy managers away from him as an elite wide receiver in Week 1. He still comes in as my WR1 overall this week. Jefferson should see double-digit targets in this one, and Addison has been in and out all preseason and could be due for some regression. Speaking of Addison, he may not repeat his touchdown efficiency from last season, but he is a decent FLEX option in two FLEX leagues.
Tight End
Sit All
Without TJ Hockenson, there is no viable option for the Vikings at Tight End. He should return later this season, but will still take some time to ramp up before getting back to his normal self.
New York Giants
Quarterback
Daniel Jones: Sit, QB3
Jones was an ugly option that could help you win for fantasy football before he tore his ACL. In his return, we are likely to see less rushing, and he loses most of his value. Even with the bump of Malik Nabers, Jones falls well short of a viable starting Quarterback.
Running Back
Devin Singletary: FLEX Option
Singletary may be a low-ceiling FLEX option in Week 1. The Vikings’ defense should be able to slow him down, but I doubt we’ll see either Eric Gray or Tyrone Tracy eat enough into his workload that he falls outside of the RB3 range.
Wide Receiver
Malik Nabers: Start, WR2
Wan’Dale Robinson: Sit
Nabers is in a decent matchup and set to be the Giants’ top target earner. The only thing in his way is Daniel Jones. Luckily, we’re talking full PPR, which means his projected 8+ targets should float him into the WR2 conversation without much effort or YAC ability. The good news for Nabers is that he is dynamic after the catch, which is why he is a high-end WR2 for Week 1. Robinson is more of a wait-and-see option, but if health is on his side, he could provide some FLEX appeal after Week 1 in full PPR leagues.
Tight End
Daniel Bellinger and Theo Johnson: Sit
The Giants are more than likely going to rotate between Daniel Bellinger and Theo Johnson at tight end. The shared job makes both borderline unusable in redraft leagues. In addition, Jones is the one throwing them the football, meaning they belong on waivers.
Will Dustin be back to this column this season? I love his creative ways of insulting poor performances.