You have lineup questions, we have lineup answers -- at least we hope so. Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is here to help fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. And you know what is a good move? Starting Christian McCaffrey. But that's too obvious, so you won't see such simple analysis here. Instead, we're exploring more debatable situations. And if you can't find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest NFL Fantasy lineup rankings.
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Half of you are probably thinking, yeah, I drafted Richardson as the QB5, and the other half are worried after his preseason showing. Don’t overlook the fact that he only ran the ball twice in the preseason (both on scrambles). He will run it a lot more in the regular season and once he does, you will want to start him in fantasy football. He averaged over 25 fantasy PPG in his two full games last season. In his four games (two he left early) he threw three touchdowns and ran for four. The Texans should put up points, meaning the QB who led the NFL in fantasy points per drop back (0.76) last season will likely have to drop back a good amount. Plus, Houston allowed a league-high seven rushing TDs to QBs last year. Richardson is a must-start fantasy QB.
Goff is as straight forward as they come. If he is indoors, especially at home, you can play him in fantasy football. Last season he averaged 20.6 fantasy PPG at home. The Lions are bringing back the same staff offensively and still have all of their big weapons in place. The Rams have rebuilt their secondary in the offseason, but it will be their first game together. Last season they allowed the fourth-most fantasy PPG to QBs. With two high-powered offenses facing off in this one, Goff is certainly in play as a QB1.
Did I mention this game features two high-powered offenses? Stafford was the QB5 last season after returning from his thumb injury. The Rams offense looked like a juggernaut late in the season with Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams all healthy. In fact, Stafford averaged 19.7 fantasy PPG when Kupp played, per RotoViz. Detroit allowed the third-most fantasy PPG and fourth-most passing yards to QBs last season and their biggest addition to the secondary is a rookie who will be playing in his first NFL game. With the offenses in this one, and the game being indoors, Stafford is in play as a QB1.
Trusting a rookie QB in his first NFL game? It may seem risky, but when the player can run, it’s worth taking the chance. And Daniels can certainly run. He ran for 2,000-plus yards and 21 touchdowns in his final two college seasons. Last season the Bucs allowed the third-most passing yards and seventh-most fantasy PPG to QBs. That includes the second-most rushing TDs to the position, as well. Daniels is my most-drafted QB and I plan on starting him in a good amount of lineups this week.
Sit 'Em
Purdy was awesome for fantasy purposes last year. He finished as the QB7 in fantasy PPG. He’s a regression candidate, though, as he had the most fantasy PPG over expected among QBs, and he also had by far the highest rate of end-zone passes turned to touchdowns. There will still be plenty of weeks to start him, but Week 1 is not one of them. The Jets allowed the third-fewest passing yards, tied for fourth-fewest passing TDs allowed and only Baltimore allowed fewer fantasy PPG to QBs in 2023. The Jets defense projects to be one of the best in the NFL once again. I would opt to go in another direction this week.
Herbert will be playing his first game with Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman at the helm of the Chargers offense. Both have a long history of overseeing run-heavy offenses. In addition, Herbert will no longer have his usual weapons. He will be relying on a much more unproven group this year. And to make matters worse, he missed a lot of practice time this summer dealing with a plantar fascia injury, which can linger. Given that, and the matchup against the Raiders, who made life very tough on QBs after Antonio Pierce took over last year, I would look to go in another direction in the opening week.
Rodgers renews his rivalry against the 49ers on Monday Night Football to close out Week 1. The world will be watching, but it's best to leave him on your bench in fantasy football. The 40-year-old Rodgers will be playing his first game since he tore his Achilles in Week 1 last year. We have yet to see him play in a game since. It’s a tough matchup, as the 49ers allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy PPG to QBs and are bringing back much of their defense. I recommend playing it safe. Take a wait-and-see approach with him.
Just like in Rodgers’ case, I want to practice patience with an older QB coming off a severe injury. Cousins tore his Achilles in Week 8, so he has had significantly less recovery time than Rodgers has had. Having to avoid T.J. Watt and the Steelers defense is not an ideal welcome back to the NFL either. Given the circumstances, the matchup and the fact that Cousins is being drafted more as a QB2, play it safe and go in another direction this week.
