Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 8th, 2024, 4:25 PM ET
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Network: FOX
Washington Commanders
Quarterback
Jayden Daniels: Sit, QB2
Daniels is more of a floor play than a ceiling one. His rushing can help him remain relevant, but the evidence that he can come out of the gates and impact the game enough as a passer is limited. As a popular late-round Quarterback target, if you roster Daniels, you also likely roster a safer veteran. I would not be afraid to look elsewhere in Week 1 as we wait to see Daniels perform at the NFL level.
Running Back
Austin Ekeler: FLEX Option
Brian Robinson: FLEX Option
Ekeler may be the most slept-on running back this year for fantasy football. In Week 1, we may see flashes of his past self with a clean bill of health. The Buccaneers’ defense could provide Ekeler with an opportunity to be the master of the dump-off passes for the Commanders. Of Course, Robinson should lead the way on the early downs and even get the first crack at the goal line. Both have value in their own right, and both could serve as mid-range FLEX options in full PPR leagues.
Wide Receiver
Terry McLaurin: Start, WR3/FLEX
McLaurin has never quite had the Quarterback to help him succeed. Daniels may be the answer he is looking for, but I would not bet on that in Week 1. He lands as my WR34 with the potential to jump into the WR2 range if Daniels can find chemistry with the former Buckeye early.
Tight End
Zach Ertz and Ben Sinnott: Sit
I like both tight ends for the Commanders. The issue for fantasy football is that I like both tight ends on the Commanders. Zach Ertz and Ben Sinnott aren’t likely to separate from each other enough to provide a ton of week-winning production at the tight end. Let’s see how the first month of the season goes before we add either off of waivers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield: Sit, QB2
Mayfield had a resurgence last season, but he also lost Dave Canales. In Week 1, he has a decent matchup and a fully healthy offense. He is a prime candidate in Superflex or two-quarterback leagues but should remain out of standard lineups in Week 1.
Running Back
Rachaad White: Start, RB1
White may not be the most efficient rusher, but he should continue to dominate on passing downs, and that alone should keep him in the high-end RB2 low-end RB1 conversation. Expect White to be leaned on heavily in Week 1. Bucky Irving, meanwhile, is an enticing end-of-bench stash, but he shouldn’t be anywhere near your starting lineups in his first career NFL game.
Wide Receiver
Mike Evans: Start, WR1
Chris Godwin: Start, WR3/FLEX
Evans should continue to lead the Bucs in targets and is the better red zone threat of any other pass catcher on the offense. The future Hall of Famer should not see many issues handling the Commander’s secondary. Godwin has some post-hype sleeper value this season. In Week 1, he should see mid-range WR3 production, and while everyone is talking about Jalen McMillan, he is far behind the top two weapons in that wide receiver room.
Tight End
Cade Otton: Sit
Cade Otton is a player I like rostering in tight-end premium leagues, but in non-premium formats, Otton is far off the radar for Week 1. There are just too many good players in the position to consider players like Otton.
Will Dustin be back to this column this season? I love his creative ways of insulting poor performances.