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

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, September 8th, 2024, 4:05 PM ET

Location: Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington

Network: CBS

Denver Broncos

Quarterback

Bo Nix: Sit, QB3

It’s Week 1 of the NFL season, and you have every player at your disposal. Don’t try to get cute. Leave Nix on the waivers or bench for his first career NFL start.

Running Back

Javonte Williams: Start, RB2
Jaleel McLaughlin: FLEX Option

Williams looks to be the lead back for Sean Payton and the Broncos in Week 1. Williams will get an up-close look at the new Seahawks defense, and while it is on the rise, it is not enough to scare me off of Williams.  McLaughlin could also find himself in a good matchup in Week 1 if he steps into the lion’s share of the passing down work. Both running backs can fill their roles well and should see plenty of volume while Courtland Sutton battles Devon Witherspoon.

Wide Receiver

Courtland Sutton: FLEX Option

Sutton is the only wide receiver who should be anywhere near starting lineups in Week 1, and he has one of the tougher matchups of the week, going against Witherspoon. Sutton has some FLEX utility in full PPR leagues, but the ceiling is capped in a Nix-led offense.

Tight End

Greg Dulcich: Sit

Technically, Greg Dulcich can be listed here as a tight end option, but he has not been able to put together a healthy season, and even in Week 1 in an okay matchup, don’t tempt fate.

Seattle Seahawks

Quarterback

Geno Smith: Sit, QB2

Smith is a strong option in two-quarterback leagues with this week’s matchup, but in standard formats, he falls short of a Week 1 starting spot.

Running Back

Kenneth Walker: Start, RB2

Walker has probably the highest ceiling of any RB2 in Week 1. The Broncos are not a scary opponent, but Walker’s added benefit is that Zach Charbonnet has been banged up for most of camp, and Walker could be used in an actual workhorse role. If that does come to fruition, my RB18 ranking may be laughably low. Speaking of Charbonnet, he isn’t listed above because of the time off the field during the preseason. He may join Walker more in the coming weeks, but in Week 1, he is firmly off the radar.

Wide Receiver

DK Metcalf: Start, WR2
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: Start, WR3/FLEX
Tyler Lockett: Sit

Metcalf and Smith-Njigba are one of my favorite wide receiver duos in the entire NFL. The only reason they aren’t both higher is the existence of  Lockett. All three players should see volume, which limits their ultimate ceiling but doesn’t necessarily make either of the top two options a bad play.  Metcalf will have to deal with Patrick Surtain for most of the game, which is not going to be easy sledding. His physical abilities and his usage in the red zone keep him just inside the WR2 range, though. Smith-Njigba falls to my WR27, but similar to Kenneth Walker, his range of outcomes is wider, and he could flirt with WR1 production if Metcalf does struggle against Surtain. Smith-Njigba is expected to see more downfield targets, and outside of Surtain, the Broncos’ secondary doesn’t have too many options to keep up with the likes of Smith-Njigba.

Tight End

Noah Fant: Sit

For tight ends, Noah Fant has all the physical gifts, but he has not been able to be a reliable option since getting to Seattle. He is not a rosterable player in 12-person leagues.