Game Info
Kickoff: Monday, September 9th, 2024, 8:20 PM ET
Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, C
Network: ESPN/ABC
New York Jets
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers: Sit, QB2
Rodgers makes his return from a torn Achilles, and unfortunately, he returns to face the San Francisco 49ers. He has some elite weapons and an improved offensive line that should bode well for his season-long production, but for Week 1, there are better options.
Running Back
Breece Hall: Start, RB1
Hall looks to be primed for another incredible season. Even in a tough matchup, his work in the passing game should help him eclipse all of the thresholds that make running backs great for fantasy football. Not that you needed convincing, but Hall is a set-and-forget RB1.
Wide Receiver
Garrett Wilson: Start, WR1
Wilson settles in as my WR7 for Week 1. The matchup could hinder him from seeing a breakout performance, but he should be Rodgers’ top target. He has the playmaking skills to take any reception to the house. Outside of Wilson, you can leave the remaining Jets wide receivers off your roster in redraft leagues.
Tight End
Tyler Conklin: Sit
Conklin can aid fantasy managers throughout the season as a viable bye week or injury fill-in at tight end, but that is not for Week 1. He should stay out of lineups and most likely be on waivers.
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Brock Purdy: Sit, QB2
Purdy has answers at left tackle and wide receiver, which is a massive win for his 2024 production. That being said, he is due for some regression, and that may hit hard in a tough Week 1 matchup against Sauce Gardner and Co. Let Purdy sit on your bench and look to better days ahead.
Running Back
Christian McCaffrey: Start, RB1
We can keep this brief. McCaffrey is one of the best fantasy football players of all time. He should be ready for Week 1, and he will not have to face Sauce Gardner. He wins across the board, and that is the reason why he lands as my RB1 this week.
Wide Receiver
Brandon Aiyuk: Start, WR2
Deebo Samuel: Start, WR2
Both Niners wide receivers should have solid performances even in a tough matchup, but they may have to rely more on their receptions than they do in their typical matchups. When healthy, they are some of the more efficient players in the NFL, and for your fantasy rosters, they should be WR2s with elite upside if they can break a couple of big plays.
Tight End
George Kittle: Start, TE1
Kittle should be a locked and loaded TE1 this week. He will benefit from donating to the middle of the field and never being the primary target for an opposing defense. He quietly had one of the best seasons of his career in 2023, and he has a chance to build on that campaign early in 2024.
Will Dustin be back to this column this season? I love his creative ways of insulting poor performances.