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

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, September 10th, 4:25 PM ET

Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

Betting Odds: DEN -3.5, 44 total via PFF.com

Network: CBS

Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ on Twitter/X)

Las Vegas Raiders

Quarterback

Jimmy Garoppolo (Sit)

Availability is the best ability, and Jimmy Garoppolo has had a hard time staying on the field in recent years with the 49ers. When he has played, he’s been a middle-of-the-pack option, and couldn’t hold down the starting gig. Garoppolo is now in Vegas, back with his former Patriots OC and current HC Josh McDaniels. The situation on paper is presenting itself for Garoppolo to revive his career, but the matchup in Week 1 is not all that favorable. The Denver defense was a very strong fantasy and IRL unit last season, allowing just 14.66 fantasy points to opposing QBs last season, according to Yahoo Fantasy Sports.

Running Backs

Josh Jacobs (Start, RB2), Zamir White (Sit)

It took until August 26th, but Josh Jacobs will remain in Vegas for at least one more season, having inked a $12M agreement after a summer holdout. Jacobs was clear that he wanted to be paid, and exercised that standstill by not reporting to the team in the offseason and training camp. Last Wednesday was his first appearance at practice, and the Raiders are certainly happy to have him back in the mix. The depth behind him is not threatening; second-year Zamir White and veterans Ameer Abdullah and Brandon Bolden. This is Jacobs’ backfield, and he’s primed for another heavy-usage season ahead.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Davante Adams (Start, WR1), Jakobi Meyers (Start, FLEX), Hunter Renfrow (Sit), Austin Hooper (Sit)

Davante Adams is arguably the best WR Jimmy G will have played with in his career, and is coming off a strong first season with Las Vegas last season; although his QB was Derek Carr. Time will tell how he fairs with Garoppolo – and if he is even with the team for the entirety of the season – but he’s still one of the league’s best, and will surely be a target hog.

Former Patriot, free agent signing Jakobi Meyers will eat into Adams’ targets, and be a respectable FLEX option. He may not find the end zone as often as you’d like but is a better option in the slot than subject-to-trade-rumors Hunter Renfrow.

Darren Waller was traded to the Giants, opening the door for Austin Hooper to take on TE1 duties for Las Vegas. That being said, it doesn’t make him fantasy-relevant this week.

Denver Broncos

Quarterbacks

Russel Wilson (Sit)

Last season was an absolute nightmare for Russel Wilson and the Broncos. We shall see if it was truly the fault of former HC’s Nathaniel Hackett, or if Wilson was traded to Denver and entered the twilight of his career. He played in 15 games, and only averaged 15.0 fantasy points per game. One would hope he’s ready to bounce back, but until he shows it, he’s not worth a start in 1-QB leagues.

Running Backs

Javonte Williams (Start, FLEX), Samaje Perine (Sit)

Javonte Williams, the ‘back all fantasy players fell in love with in 2021, is coming off of a 2022 season where he only played in four games because of a torn ACL, MCL & PCL. With an aggressive rehab, he beat the recovery timeline and even played in a preseason against the 49ers. It’s worth assuming he will be eased back into the mix early on, which is why it’s safe to peg him as a FLEX option until further notice.

Samaje Perine, the former Bengal RB who has produced decently in the past when Joe Mixon was forced to miss time, signed with Denver in free agency. He’s coming off a season in which he turned 133 touches into 681 yards and six touchdowns, but really only carries fantasy relevancy in the event that Williams were to be sidelined.

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends

Jerry Jeudy (Start if he plays, WR3), Courtland Sutton (Start, FLEX), Marvin Mims Jr. (Sit), Adam Trautman (Sit)

Even with Wilson having a down year under center, Jerry Jeudy set career highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. It’s the type of year the fantasy community wanted for Jeudy in his rookie campaign the season prior, but patience is a virtue. It needs reminding that he suffered a hamstring injury a few weeks ago, but did some conditioning work on the sideline earlier this week. At the time of writing, it’s unclear if he is going to suit up against the Raiders, but if he does, consider him a WR3 as he continues to ease the hammy.

Courtland Sutton has been in Denver since 2018 but is coming off a 2022 season where he had 64 receptions for 829 yards and just two touchdowns. Again, the Broncos’ offense was a mess (for lack of a better word), and so Sutton holds FLEX appeal for the time being. Rookie Marvin Mims Jr. should see involvement this season but is not fantasy-relevant out the gate.

Tight end Greg Dulcich was a hot commodity for a moment in time last season, but entering Week 1, it’s Adam Trautman who is listed as the TE1 on the Broncos depth chart. Expect both to be featured, but I wouldn’t be pressed to start either of them; even in a weak fantasy position such as TE.

-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ on Twitter & Reddit)