As the cooling winds of autumn commence, so does the NFL season, and as such I have returned from a long hiatus to bring you starts and sits once again. Here is a refresher on what you can expect from this article every week:
- Quarterbacks outside the top 12 in FantasyPros Expert Consensus Ranking (ECR) that I have ranked inside the top 12 are labeled as “Starts.” Conversely, QBs inside the top 12 in ECR that I have ranked outside the top 12 are labeled as “Sits.” This will work the same way for tight ends.
- For running backs and wide receivers, the cutoff is the top 24.
- As a result of these rules, sometimes you will get a bunch of players at a certain position and sometimes you may only get one or two.
- Also, there will be a little blurb underneath each start of the week and sit of the week that will presumably be about the player listed. Maybe I’ll go off on a tangent about something else though, you can never be quite sure.
- If there is more than one player in a category, the others will be listed in a separate section.
For a more in-depth look at my ranks, click the button up top or this link here.
In the words of the Black Eyed Peas, “Let’s get it started (hah), let’s get it started (in here).”
QB START OF THE WEEK: Geno Smith, SEA vs. DEN (ECR: 19, my rank: 12)
I’m rolling with Eugene this week and likely multiple more weeks this season. Ryan Grubb replaces Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator for Seattle, bringing with him a scheme that helped Washington reach the national championship game last season. Geno was good last year according to the eye test and the underlying metrics, he simply played in an offense not suited to the strengths of the roster. That should be much less of a problem in 2024. Also, the opponent is Denver, one of the worst squads in the league. Fire up Geno with confidence.
QB SIT OF THE WEEK: Jayden Daniels, WAS @ TB (ECR: 10, my rank: 15)
Who exactly are the top weapons for Daniels outside of Terry McLaurin? Rookie Ben Sinnott? Ancient Zach Ertz? Also ancient Austin Ekeler? Tiny Olamide Zaccheaus? Downright bad Dyami Brown? None of those seem like passable options for a rookie quarterback who wasn’t a good passer in college until his redshirt senior season. I’m out on Daniels until he can prove his rushing upside supersedes his passing struggles.
RB START OF THE WEEK: Najee Harris, PIT @ ATL (ECR: 26, my rank: 21)
ARTHUR SMITH REVENGE NARRATIVE SHALL PROSPER! In all seriousness, Smith loves to pound the rock and the Steelers don’t have much in the way of weapons outside the running backs. Jaylen Warren is coming off a minor injury and while he will play, he may be limited, leaving Harris with a larger-than-normal workload. Najee may not be an every-week starter, but he should be in your RB2 slots on Sunday.
OTHER RB STARTS:
Devin Singletary, NYG vs. MIN (ECR: 27, my rank: 24)
RB SIT OF THE WEEK: Javonte Williams, DEN @ SEA (ECR: 21, my rank: 29)
Two things: Denver is going to be behind in this contest and therefore passing often, and Javonte Williams is not the team’s primary receiving back (that would be Jaleel McLaughlin). Williams has never been a true lead back and I do not foresee him suddenly bucking that trend on an offense that projects to be putrid.
OTHER RB SITS:
D’Andre Swift, CHI vs. TEN (ECR: 24, my rank: 27)
WR START OF THE WEEK: Chris Godwin, TB vs. WAS (ECR: 27, my rank: 21)
As you may be figuring out, I have a very low opinion of the 2024 Washington Commanders. Their defense isn’t any better than the offense, which should lead to many opportunities in the slot for Godwin, one of the league’s most underrated producers.
OTHER WR STARTS:
Brandon Aiyuk, SF vs. NYJ (ECR: 28, my rank: 19)
Tank Dell, HOU @ IND (ECR: 32, my rank: 23)
WR SIT OF THE WEEK: Cooper Kupp, LAR @ DET (ECR: 11, my rank: 26)
Kupp was handled by a shorthanded Lions secondary in the playoffs in January. Detroit has subsequently made a significant investment in their cornerback room, adding Carlton Davis in a trade, Amik Robertson in free agency, and drafting both Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw. I’m of the belief that Puka Nacua is the new #1 receiver for Matthew Stafford, and as a result, Kupp will take a slight back seat. He’s still a good WR2/WR3 option, but he is no longer a set-and-forget starter.
OTHER WR SITS:
Stefon Diggs, HOU @ IND (ECR: 24, my rank: 29)
TE START OF THE WEEK: Taysom Hill, NO vs. CAR (ECR: 17, my rank: 12)
You cannot escape the annoyance. You must embrace the annoyance. Be the one who inflicts Taysom Hill Bullshit on your opponent.
TE SIT OF THE WEEK: Pat Freiermuth, PIT @ ATL (ECR: 14*, my rank: 20)
* Yes, I’m bending the rules already. It’s my article, alright? Be cool.
This pick is so I can deliver a public service announcement: You do not need to start Pat Freiermuth just because he signed a contract extension. That means nothing relative to his on-field involvement. Thank you for your time, and good luck in week one!
