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

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, September 10th, 1:00 PM ET

Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA

Betting Odds: PITT +2.5, 41 total via PFF.com

Network: FOX

Writer: Chris Sanzo (@Doombot12_FF on Twitter/X)

San Francisco 49ers

Quarterback

Brock Purdy (Sit QB3)

This was a truly crazy offseason for Brock Purdy. Despite that, he’ll enter his 2nd NFL season as the unquestioned QB1 to Kyle Shanahan‘s offense. While normally this would mean you’re getting a QB with a safe floor and a mediocre ceiling, that’s also when the QB is healthy and all his weapons are present and accounted for. This is definitely not the case in San Francisco. Purdy is still working back from the UCL tear he suffered in last year’s NFC Championship game loss and doesn’t seem anywhere near 100%. It won’t be impossible to work around as Purdy is generally not asked to work the ball downfield, but it’s yet to be seen if he can maintain the same level of success the team had in his starts last year. Until he and the rest of the 49ers playmakers get healthy, sitting Brock is recommended.

Running Backs

Christian McCaffrey  (Start, RB1), Elijah Mitchell (Start, Flex)

Brock Purdy’s real WR1 is Christian McCaffrey. His ADP is in the top 3 picks. You did not acquire him to play guessing games. Start him and prosper. Always.

Now, for the Elijah Mitchell managers out there, this is a great spot. The 49ers’ zone run attack is led by CMC, but it’s Mitchell who has seen his carry splits become even between gap and zone carries. Assuming his usage when both were in San Francisco and healthy continues at a similar pace, it’s possible Mitchell could see 10-12 opportunities per game and in high-leverage spots. ZeroRB drafters should be looking to get him in this week as their RB2 and balanced drafters that need a Flex replacement amid all the injuries might get lucky if Mitchell can convert on some of the red zone work he was receiving.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Deebo Samuel (Start, WR1), Brandon Aiyuk (Start, Flex), George Kittle (Sit, TE1) 

Yes, I am painfully aware that I have George Kittle listed as both TE1 AND sit. As is tradition, Kittle looks to miss the start of the season, but the matchup is too good to ignore completely. If Kittle is a go, you play him. Opportunity and cost are going to get him in your lineup when he can go, but it looks like that’s a long shot. Pittsburgh is a middle-of-the-road team at defending the TE position and Purdy has shown that Kittle is his go-to guy in the red zone. Thankfully, the game is in Pittsburgh so a game-time decision isn’t the worst thing in the world.

Deebo Samuel looks to be in line to be the recipient of Kittle’s absence as his red zone usage has never really waned. If Shanny doesn’t dial up at least a couple of quick outs to the front corner of the endzone (with a pick or two) I will be shocked. That play has been money over the last couple of seasons and attacking the Steelers’ patchwork secondary should be a priority. This is likely to be one of the best spots Deebo will be in all without Kittle and coming off Shanahan stating that they want to limit McCaffrey’s touches so as not to wear him down. Return of the “Wide Back” seems like a priority for the 49ers as his 2024 payout which accounts for 11% of their cap became fully guaranteed this offseason.

Brandon Aiyuk, for now, seems the odd man out. He is their ace in the hole for exploiting teams intermediary defense, but he won’t play as close to the line, or behind it, to a level anywhere near Deebo. He’s also likely the 3rd or 4th option in the red zone, regardless of Kittle’s health. Asking Purdy to support so many targets, and do so to a downfield receiver he may not be able to reach, is just asking too much. As the season plays on, I’m certain Aiyuk will move up the rankings.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarterbacks

Kenny Pickett (Sit, QB2)

This is just not the game you want to see on the slate if you’re looking for a QB spot start. Kenny Pickett isn’t even a QB2 I would feel comfortable starting in a SuperFlex league but he’s still on the cusp of top 24 QB. The 49ers are one of the stingiest defenses in the league to almost every fantasy position, and QB follows suit. The passing work may be difficult to come by, but in his rookie season he did flash some mobility and that is something the 49ers have struggled with for years now. If Pickett can avoid turnovers, get something in the end zone, and knock out a few decent runs, he could get close to the 14-point average he consistently hovered around in the 2nd half of 2022.

Running Backs

Najee Harris (Start, RB2), Jaylen Warren (Sit, Flex)

Once again, this is going to be a tough matchup for Najee Harris, but he’s likely your best option, and a top-24 RB this week. The 49ers are as hard as it gets for RBs, but if Najee can catch a few passes and maybe even fall in for a score, he can salvage game one after you drafted him in the 3rd round to be your starter. I wouldn’t be looking to wedge him into any DFS lineups, but again, no need to galaxy-brain your obvious starters.

The hype around Jaylen Warren has been warranted. Arguably, he has seen the lanes better than Najee, but it has not led to any consistency. Last season, he ranged from 1.0 to 8.3 ypa, ending on 4.9 ypa on 77 carries in a complimentary role. If Najee has little chance to make a big difference this week, Warren is closer to none at all. He’ll remain a stash on your bench for the time being, but I seriously hope you have better options this week.

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends

Diontae Johnson (Start, Flex), George Pickens (Sit, Flex), Pat Freiermuth (Start, TE1)

Diontae Johnson has been a target hog in Pittsburgh and his game is a weakness for San Francisco. He can take the quick hitters for big YAC gains and he’s dependable at the sideline. Going off recent history, it’s safe to say he won’t be getting in the end zone this week, but double-digit targets, and fantasy points, would not be unheard of either. DJ is the best separator Pittsburgh has, and if they hope to upset the 49ers, he’s going to have to carry the passing game on his shoulders.

The physical presence that George Pickens brings to the table is less effective against San Francisco as they’re happy to play to that level. Pretty much everyone in the SF secondary is looking to knock you around, so his inability to separate as the antithesis to Diontae looks to be more bane than boon. Pickens has been the upgraded version of guys like Van Jefferson in that occasional long catch-and-fall-down game. It’s hard sledding in fantasy if you’re just looking for one or two highlight-reel catches 40 yards downfield. I would feel less than stellar about him being in my flex spot this week, but again, cost and opportunity may force your hand, understandably.

Pat Freiermuth is stepping into a sneaky good situation this week. The middle of the defense is still shifting into place with only a few days left before the season, and the biggest reason may be the departure of LB Azeez Al-Shaair. Al-Shaair was solid in coverage which made him a perfect counterpart to LB Dre Greenlaw. Though Oren Burks is a converted Safety, it doesn’t mean he has the same level of play that the 49ers saw from Al-Shaair. If Pickett and the Steelers are successful at moving the formation around, Freiermuth has a chance to be their leading receiver and red-zone target. He is the one Steelers player I would be looking forward to starting.

-Chris Sanzo (Doombot12_FF on Twitter)