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

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, September 10th, 8:20 PM ET

Location: Met Life Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

Betting Odds: NYG +3.5, 46.5 total via PFF.com

Network: NBC

Writer: Chuck Steele (@ChuckSteele on Twitter/X)

New York Giants

Quarterback

Daniel Jones (Sit, QB2)

Some say the verdict is still out on Daniel Jones as both a franchise and a fantasy quarterback. After signing a four-year, $160 million extension in March, Danny Dimes is ready to make believers of Giants and NFL fans alike. It just might have to wait until next week as Jones and company take on the dangerous defense of the Dallas Cowboys. The Giants gave Jones his best weapon yet this offseason by trading a 3rd round pick for tight end Darren Waller, who should provide a nice safety blanket for Jones with big play potential. Behind Waller, the receiving core has no standouts, so the hope is for a wideout to emerge as another key option for Jones, who offers potential as a QB2. Jones is no stranger to using his legs as a weapon and will vulture the occasional goal-line touchdown away from Barkley on designed options. However, I’d prefer to keep him on the bench against a sack-happy defense led by Micah Parsons and two ball-hawking cornerbacks: Travon Diggs and newly acquired Stephon Gilmore. Jones has never scored more than 14.86 fantasy points against his division rival, and that was back in 2020.

Running Backs

Saquon Barkley (Start, RB1), Matt Breida (Sit)

If there is a New York Giants player who is a must-start on any team, in any situation, it’s running back Saquon Barkley, who is back in New York on a franchise tag and looking for a big season to maximize his market value. As the workhorse to the Giants offense, Barkley comes packed with big play, take-it-to the house potential. Even against a tough defense this week, Barkley should see enough volume to bully his way into not just a RB1, but the RB1 on any week. All running backs behind Barkley on the depth chart should be sat unless an injury takes Barkley out and creates opportunity.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Isaiah Hodgins (Flex), Parris Campbell (Sit), Jalin Hyatt (Sit), Darren Waller (Start TE1)

If you enjoy playing a good ol’ game of craps, or even Yahtzee!, then draft a Giants wideout because it’s nothing but a dice roll as to who will emerge as the Giants’ top receiver. I’d have no issue considering Isaiah Hodgins as a flex option, who came to New York via trade from the Buffalo Bills. Hodgins was settling nicely in New York last season, building chemistry with Daniel Jones and scoring in four of five games. This yielded two Top 25, one Top 20, and even a Top 10 weekly finish among wide receivers. Hodgins was also locked in for the Giants’ wildcard match-up against the Vikings, posting a stat line of 8-105-1. Wideouts after Hodgins should remain on your bench or waivers until a third threat emerges. No, that was not a typo: the Giants already have a big play threat in newly acquired Darren Waller, a target hog on the Raiders who brings his big 6’6 frame to the Big Apple. Waller is in a similar setup as he had with the Raiders: he’s a safety blanket for Danny Dimes with an even cloudier wideout corps than the one that surrounded him in Las Vegas. Waller, who should see weekly volume and multiple TE1 finishes as a New York Giant, is a must-start.

Dallas Cowboys

Quarterbacks

Dak Prescott (Start, QB2)

Last year was riddled with injuries, interceptions, and yet another playoff loss for Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Dak Prescott. Dak is coming into the 2023 season healthy and is looking to bring down his interceptions from last year. As a fantasy option, Dak is a safe start, but he’ll flip-flop from QB1 to QB2. With threats at wideout and a running back who can take a screen downfield, Dak will finish more weeks than not over 250 yards, and a touchdown or two. However, his interceptions are a difference maker. If the Giants’ defense can pluck a pass or two out of the air, Dak will finish as QB2. If he hones in on his mistakes, shows improvement, and increases his passing volume, you’ll happily ride Dak as a QB1.

Running Backs

Tony Pollard (Start, RB1), Deuce Vaughn (Sit), Rico  Dowdle (Sit)

Goodbye Zeke, Hello Pollard! Dallas cut ties with star running back and Dak Prescott’s best friend, Ezekiel Elliot, and have passed the reins to flashy Tony Pollard, the new starter. Pollard should be inserted into all lineups just like Barkley as a set-it-and-forget-it player. In games without Zeke, Pollard  finished as a Top 5 running back every time thanks to his speed and vision, which allow him to take it to the house either on a screen from the backfield at any given moment. Dallas has stated that they are looking to run the ball more and eat up more clock, so with no formidable backup, Pollard should see the bulk of the action. The back-up rotation between rookie Deuce Vaughn and Rico Dowdle offers promise, but should be left unrostered for now.

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends

Ceedee Lamb (Start, WR1), Brandin Cooks (Start Flex), Micheal Gallup (Sit), Jake Ferguson (Sit), 

Ceedee Lamb is coming into this season looking to cash in on a new contract. Last year, the WR5 played four games without Dak Prescott and his performance improved when his quarterback returned. Lamb will be a weekly WR1 taking most of the target share in Dallas, who also added to their offense by acquiring the speedy and steady Brandin Cooks. The veteran has been underappreciated every offense he’s played in and that seems to be the case in Dallas, as well. Don’t expect big numbers from him weekly, but he offers upside as a flex option with big play potential. Michael Gallup comes into the season on a healthy note after returning from injury, but until he shows more consistency, he should be left on your bench. Dalton Schultz departed for Houston so now Jake Ferguson leads the tight end room. Ferguson flashed last year as a rookie, and even though Dak does love his tight ends, he’s best left benched. Dallas has also added to the tight end room via an early 2nd round pick Luke Schoonmaker, who shouldn’t be a fantasy factor anytime soon.

-Chuck Steele (@ChuckSteele on Twitter/X)