Week 1 of the NFL season is finally here, which means it’s time to make some hard start and sit decisions for fantasy football. In many ways, this is the hardest week to set a lineup, as nobody can say with complete certainty how teams will use their players. Are injured veterans like Michael Thomas worth the risk, and will players with new homes like Miles Sanders hit the ground running?
Before we get started, a quick disclaimer: this should go without saying, but if you have Justin Jefferson or Travis Kelce, you’re going to start them. This article is strictly for flex-caliber players that are not auto-starts on a weekly basis.
Read More: Week 1 Running Back Rankings | Wide Receiver Rankings
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Fantasy Football Week 1 Start/Sits
Quarterbacks
Start: Tua Tagovailoa
Injuries are always going to be a concern whenever you’re dealing with a player with a concussion history. However, as long as Tua Tagovailoa is on the field, he’s a safe bet to give you a mid- to low-end QB1 performance. On top of that, he has a favorable matchup against a strong Los Angeles Chargers team. Herbert and Tagovailoa should turn this game into a shootout, which means more yardage and fantasy football points for your team – if you have him, start him.
Sit: Anthony Richardson
Anthony Richardson is a freak athlete with the potential to be a game-breaking, league-winning force. However, for the time being, he’s far too risky to be a start for your fantasy football team. Even though he earned the Week 1 starting job, Richardson is a very raw prospect who will need some time to develop before he reaches his ceiling. Additionally, the Indianapolis Colts are not a good team and lack the talent required to carry a gifted but raw player like Richardson. Michael Pittman is the only proven receiver on the roster, the offensive line isn’t anything special, and this is one of the youngest rosters in the league. Richardson could be a great player in the second half of the year, but for now, you’re better off leaving him on the bench.
Running Backs
Start: James Conner
Having an Arizona Cardinals player start in your fantasy football lineup admittedly doesn’t feel good, but it’s something you have to do if you roster James Conner. Volume is king in fantasy football, and Conner has a clear path to a massive workload. Additionally, while Kyler Murray’s absence might be a bad thing for the real-life Arizona Cardinals, historically speaking, it’s a good thing for James Conner. The running back has been more efficient without Murray in the lineup to steal rushing opportunities. While the touchdowns might be few and far between, Conner will get enough carries and targets to justify a starting spot in your lineup.
Sit: Breece Hall
There was a brief period of time last year when Breece Hall was the RB1 overall on KeepTradeCut. While he still has the potential to get there, the fact of the matter is that his workload is too unreliable to trust. Hall is coming off a serious knee injury, and there is a very real chance that he begins the year playing second fiddle to Dalvin Cook. Hall will likely be a weekly start in fantasy football by the end of the year, but for now, you should leave him on your bench.
Start: Isiah Pacheco
After months of rumors regarding a new running back, the Kansas City Chiefs have decided to stand pat with Isiah Pacheco as their starting running back. The former seventh-round pick lacks the receiving upside to be a week-in, week-out start in fantasy football, but he’s a smart choice in the right matchup. Week 1 should provide Pacheco with plenty of scoring opportunities as the Chiefs face off against a strong Detroit Lions offense that (probably) won’t have to worry about Chris Jones. Look for Pacheco to find the endzone at least once during Thursday night’s contest.
Isiah Pacheco breakout season 🔜 pic.twitter.com/zSQzzCp4pA
— John Baione (@OJSIMPS0NBURNER) August 28, 2023
Sit: Miles Sanders
The Carolina Panthers offense looked like hot garbage throughout the preseason, and while you never want to put too much stock into August football, it’s definitely something to monitor. Miles Sanders was never the most impressive running back in the world, and his efficiency on the ground is going to take a serious step back without Jalen Hurts and Philadelphia’s elite offensive line. The Panthers want Sanders to play a bigger role in the passing game, but his league-worst 35.4 PFF receiving grade last year implies that he’s simply not up for that task. All signs point towards Sanders being one of the biggest busts in fantasy football and you should stay away from him in all formats.
Wide Receivers
Start: Michael Thomas
If Michael Thomas is healthy, you start him in fantasy football. Injuries limited Thomas to just three games last season, but he still found a way to have two fantasy-relevant weeks during his minimal action. Now with Derek Carr under center, he should have another good week as long as he can stay on his feet.
“I love this organization, I love these teammates, I love my team.” @ShannonSpake caught up with Michael Thomas and Jameis Winston after the @Saints 27-26 Week 1 comeback win ‼️@Cantguardmike x @Jaboowins pic.twitter.com/wF88Cq7RAv
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 11, 2022
Sit: Michael Pittman
See Richardson, Anthony. Michael Pittman is a great player, but he’s not an elite fantasy football weapon that justifies a start regardless of surroundings. Richardson is going to run the ball early and often, and even when he does drop back to throw, he’ll probably miss a few easy reads. For the time being, you’ll have to assume that Pittman is going to be a high-risk, high-reward player who will bust just as often as he will hit. In Week 1, you want a more reliable option than that.
Start: Diontae Johnson
Dionate Johnson finished the 2022 season with 147 targets. In a game where volume is everything, this makes Johnson one of the most underrated players in the league. This was his third straight season with over 140 looks, and his efficiency should only improve with a more experienced Kenny Pickett. Johnson’s biggest issue last year was his inability to find the endzone, but touchdown numbers aren’t particularly stable from year to year. The targets will be there, and the results should follow.
Sit: Zay Flowers
Zay Flowers has impressed teammates and coaches alike during training camp and the preseason, but we’ll need to see it on the field before he’s a fantasy football start. Lamar Jackson is coming off a season-ending injury, there’s a new offensive coordinator in town, and we don’t know if Beckham, Bateman, or Flowers will be the primary option in the passing attack.
Tight Ends
Start: Kyle Pitts
Kyle Pitts had a season to forget last year but still finished with the second-best target rate and best air yard share of any tight end in the league. The 2022 version of Marcus Mariota simply wasn’t an NFL-caliber quarterback last year, and if Desmond Ridder can hit the broad side of a barn, then Kyle Pitts should be a vaiable start in fantasy football.
Sit: Dalton Kincaid
Dalton Kincaid is going to be a very good fantasy football start one day. However, today is not that day. Adjusting to life in the NFL is hard for just about every position, but it’s especially hard for tight ends. You can count the number of fantasy-relevant rookie tight ends from the past decade on one hand, and even those guys weren’t making too big of an impact in Week 1. Betting on Dalton Kincaid to do anything of note in Year 1 is strongly betting against history, and that’s never a bet you want to make. Hold on tight to him in dynasty, but in redraft, you should keep your expectations in check.
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