Russell Wilson (calf) could be out for Week 1 at Atlanta, which would put Justin Fields in a great spot as the starter for the Steelers. Fields would be one of the best sleepers for this week.
We know the upside for Fields, who averaged 21.1 Fantasy points per game in 2022 and 18.9 points in 2023 with the Bears. Over that span of 28 games, Fields also had 12 outings with at least 22 Fantasy points, and he's among the best running quarterbacks in the NFL.
Pittsburgh has concerns with the offensive line with guard Isaac Seumalo (pectoral) out, and the Falcons defense should be improved this season. But Fields still has the ability to be a top-10 Fantasy quarterback in all leagues, and he's worth using as a streamer if needed. I'll rank Fields as a top-15 quarterback for Week 1.
Even if you don't need Fields, he's worth stashing if you have an open roster spot. He's rostered in just 17 percent of leagues on CBS Sports, so add him now before he potentially goes off against Atlanta.
You can always drop him prior to Week 2, especially if Wilson gets the starting job back. But we want difference-makers on our roster, and Fields could be one of the best Fantasy quarterbacks in all leagues.
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Week 1 Sleepers
Week 1 Preview
Sleepers
Sleeper QBs
I don't love that Stafford could be without his starting tackles in Alaric Jackson (suspended) and Rob Havenstein (ankle), but I still plan to use Stafford as a low-end starter in this revenge game against the Lions. Detroit knocked Stafford and the Rams out of the playoffs last year in the wild-card round, but Stafford still had 367 passing yards and two touchdowns. And he played the Lions in Los Angeles in 2021 and scored 33.2 Fantasy points, so clearly he likes facing his former team. Stafford scored at least 22.5 Fantasy points in five of his final six games in the regular season last year.
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We'll see how quickly Dan Quinn can fix the Commanders defense, but last year Washington was No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Mayfield was also great to close 2023 with at least 20.3 Fantasy points in four of his final five outings, and Mayfield is a great starter in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues for Week 1 given the matchup.
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I'm excited to see Smith in Ryan Grubb's offense, and Smith should do well in Week 1 against the Broncos. Last year, Denver was No. 8 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, and Smith ended 2023 with at least 21.3 Fantasy points in three of his final four games. The Seahawks are expected to run more plays under Grubb and open up the passing game, and Smith should benefit, starting this week at home.
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Darnold could be a good option in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues this week against the Giants, who should be vulnerable in the secondary this season. We know Darnold should pepper Justin Jefferson with targets, and Jordan Addison and Aaron Jones out of the backfield will make plays as well. I like Darnold as a DFS play this week, but in Superflex and two-quarterback formats, he could be a nice surprise given the matchup.
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Sleeper RBs
Ford will be the lead running back for the Browns with Nick Chubb (knee) out, and he performed at a high level in this role in 2023. From Week 2 when Chubb got hurt, Ford scored at least 11.1 PPR points in 11 of his next 15 games, including five outings with at least 14.2 PPR points. Dallas has a tough run defense, but four running backs in a row scored at least 12 PPR points against the Cowboys to end the regular season. Ford is worth using as a flex in all leagues in Week 1.
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I like Moss and Chase Brown as flex options this week against the Patriots. Both running backs should get plenty of opportunities to touch the ball in a game the Bengals are favored to win by eight points. I would give a slight lean toward Moss over Brown this week since the veteran will probably get more touches, but both could perform well against a New England defense missing Christian Barmore (illness) and Matthew Judon from last year.
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Tony Pollard is worth using as a No. 2 running back this week, but Spears can also be a flex. We don't know exactly how the Titans plan to split touches for Pollard and Spears, but it could be an even split. And I wouldn't be surprised if Spears gets more work in the passing game. Last year, the Bears were No. 8 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs and No. 2 in most receptions allowed to the position, which could help Spears as a receiver out of the backfield.
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You don't need anyone to tell you to start James Cook this week as he's taking on a Cardinals defense that allowed the most Fantasy points to opposing running backs last year and should struggle again in 2024. But there's a chance Davis could be used at the goal line, which makes him a sleeper in deeper leagues. He'll likely need a touchdown to help Fantasy managers, but I'd gamble on him if you need a flier. Last season, the combination of Latavius Murray and Damien Harris scored five rushing touchdowns while Cook only had two.
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Singletary should dominate touches for the Giants, especially in Week 1 against the Vikings, and he's worth using as a flex. Brian Daboll is excited about Singletary being the replacement for Saquon Barkley this year. "He's just a good running back," Daboll said. "You can use him on all three downs. ... So, I'd say he's an all-purpose back for us. I've known him quite some time in this league, and he's consistent." The Vikings allowed four running backs in their final four games last season to score at least 14 PPR points, and hopefully, Singletary can at least match that level of production in Week 1.
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Sleeper WRs
I'm hopeful that all of the buzz about Williams stepping up this season pays off because it could be a big third year given his expanded role in the offense. He's locked in as a starter opposite Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Williams could develop into a quality Fantasy option, starting this week. The Rams defense is going through a major transition with Raheem Morris, Aaron Donald, and Ernest Jones all gone, and the Lions should take advantage of the changes in this matchup at home. Williams is worth using as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues.
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We'll finally get to see what Buffalo does with its revamped receiving corps for a full game since Curtis Samuel (toe) will be active, and this will be rookie Keon Coleman's NFL debut. I expect Shakir to have a prominent role, and he's worth starting as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in this matchup with the Cardinals. I would also use Coleman as a No. 3 receiver, and Samuel is a solid reserve to stash on your bench for now.
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I still like Smith-Njigba as a potential No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues even though Tyler Lockett (thigh) will play in Week 1 against Denver. Smith-Njigba will likely avoid facing top cornerback Patrick Surtain II for most of the game -- be a little wary of DK Metcalf this week -- so Smith-Njigba should be a go-to option for Geno Smith in Ryan Grubb's new offense. Coach Mike Macdonald said this offseason that Smith-Njigba will be "a massive piece" of the offense, and hopefully that starts in Week 1.
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There's a lot of hype around Palmer this season, and he's become a popular sleeper given his expected role in the Chargers' offense with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams gone. For Week 1, Palmer is worth using as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in deeper leagues, and hopefully, he can have success against the Raiders like he has the past three times he's faced them. Over that span, Palmer has 14 catches for 250 yards and a touchdown on 27 targets, and he scored at least 13 PPR points in two of those outings. In Week 15 last year, Palmer had 21.3 PPR points without Allen and Williams on the field, which is a good sign for this week.
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This game should be a high-scoring affair with an expected point total of 49 points, according to Las Vegas, and the Dolphins defense is missing several key players up front to limit their pass rush. I love the setup for Trevor Lawrence, and Christian Kirk and Evan Engram should be considered starters in all leagues. Thomas is a good option in three-receiver leagues, but he can also be considered a flex in deeper formats. There could be several big plays in Week 1 for this talented rookie.
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Tee Higgins (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Week 1 against the Patriots, and he's not expected to play. Ja'Marr Chase is listed as questionable, and we hope he's out there against New England. Iosivas should take on a bigger role with Higgins out, and he's worth using as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in deeper leagues. He's had a strong training camp to earn the No. 3 receiver role, and hopefully, Joe Burrow leans on Iosivas in Week 1 without Higgins there. Moving forward, it's worth adding Iosivas (7 percent rostered) in case this injury lingers for Higgins.
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Sleeper TEs
Johnson will be the traditional tight end for the Saints, and I'm excited to see what he can do in Klint Kubiak's offense. He missed most of training camp with a foot injury, but Johnson has the chance to be No. 2 in targets for New Orleans behind Chris Olave. Last season, Johnson closed the season on a high note with at least 11.8 PPR points in three of his final four games. Hopefully, that carries over to Week 1 against Carolina.
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We haven't seen much from Freiermuth in the preseason, but I'm hopeful that all of the offseason buzz we got about Freiermuth and Russell Wilson starts to show this week now that Wilson is healthy from the calf injury that sidelined him in training camp. Arthur Smith loves using his tight ends, and Freiermuth should be the primary receiving threat at the position for the Steelers. He's worth using as a streamer against the Falcons, who last year allowed the sixth-most Fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
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Eventually, we should see Ben Sinnott become the primary tight end for the Commanders, but that won't happen early in the year. For this week, Ertz has the chance to be a go-to target for Jayden Daniels, and this is a great matchup to use Ertz as a streamer at Tampa Bay. Last year, the Buccaneers were No. 2 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends and one of five teams to allow at least 100 receptions to the position. Hopefully, Daniels and Ertz can connect several times in their first real game together.
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Fant was removed from the injury report Friday despite dealing with a toe injury, and hopefully, he's ready to go in this revenge game against the Broncos. It's a great matchup since Denver was No. 1 last season in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends, and we just have to see if Fant will get enough targets in a crowded receiving corps with DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. But given the matchup, I would take a chance on Fant as a flier in deeper leagues in Week 1.
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With Tee Higgins (hamstring) not expected to play, we could see Gesicki take on a bigger role for the Bengals, and this is a revenge game for him since he spent 2023 with the Patriots. Hopefully, Ja'Marr Chase will be out there for Cincinnati, but if both Chase and Higgins are absent then that just increases the value for Gesicki even more. He's only worth using as a streamer in deeper leagues, but he could see an increase in targets if the Bengals are without their top two pass catchers in Week 1.
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