Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR rating system in fantasy football. This column isn’t about elite wide receivers like Justin Jefferson or CeeDee Lamb. Instead, I’ll be looking at the players you have questions about who could or might not meet expectations.
To make your final lineup decision, be sure to check out my weekly fantasy player rankings, updated daily.
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1. Tyreek Hill vs Jaguars
2. Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. Rams
3. CeeDee Lamb at Browns
4. Justin Jefferson at the Giants
5. Ja’Marr Chase vs Patriots
6. AJ Brown vs. Packers (Fr.)
7. Puka Nacua at Lions
8. Cooper Kupp at Lions
9. Mike Evans vs Commanders
10. Garrett Wilson at the 49ers (Monday)
The complete Week 1 wide receiver rankings can be found here.
Be sure to also review the selection of starting and sitting players for other positions: Quarterback | Running Back | Tight End | Kicker & Defense
Start of the week
Nico Collins at Colts (1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Collins has more competition for targets in 2024 since the Texans added Stefon Diggs to the passing attack. Still, his success against this week’s opponent, the Colts, is hard to overlook. Last season, he beat them by 341 yards and 62.1 total points. Indianapolis also allowed the third-most points to perimeter receivers among home defenses last year, so Collins and Diggs have good matchups.
Start it
Drake London vs. Steelers (1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): London is one of the biggest candidates to breakout at wide receiver this season, so he’ll be active in most leagues. He also has a good matchup, as the Steelers allowed the third-most receiving yards to perimeter wide receivers among visiting defenses last season. That includes three games in which that unit gave up at least 23.4 points and as many as 42.2 points to a perimeter player.
Malik Nabers vs. Vikings (1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): Nabers was the second most valuable rookie in most redrafts and has a good chance to be successful in Week 1. That’s due to a matchup against the Vikings, who gave up 17 touchdowns and the fourth-most points to wideouts last year. Nabers, who should get a lot of targeting from Daniel Jones, is a viable WR2/flex starter.
Christian Kirk at the Dolphins (1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Kirk is dealing with a calf injury, but he should be fit this week. Barring any setbacks, he will be a good flex option in the game against the Dolphins, which could produce a lot of points. Last season, their defense allowed the third-most points to slot receivers among home defenses. In total, Miami allowed 13 opposing wide receivers to score more than 15 points against them last season.
Chris Godwin vs. Commanders (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Godwin was difficult to trust at times last season, but he has a good opponent heading into the first week of the new season. The Commanders were bad against receivers last season, allowing 29 touchdowns and the second-most points to the position. Washington was also bad on the road, allowing the third-most receiving yards among visiting defenses. That’s good news for Godwin.
WRs with good matchups
Sit of the week
Brandon Aiyuk vs. Jets (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Aiyuk is coming off a high-profile strike that kept him out of preseason and training camp. Could that affect his snap count? Maybe, but I’m more concerned about the matchup against CB Sauce Gardner and the Jets. Last season, no visiting defense in the league allowed fewer fantasy points to perimeter receivers than the Men in Green. Aiyuk brings a lot of risk.
sit down
George Pickens at Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Pickens should reach a career-high in targets in 2024 as the Steelers’ alpha wideout, but I’m not excited about him in Week 1. He’s in a tough spot against the Falcons, who allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to perimeter receivers among home defenses last year, so if he’s unable to force a big play against Atlanta’s defensive backfield, Pickens could face a difficult return to Georgia.
Diontae Johnson at Saints (1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): Johnson is the Panthers’ new alpha wideout after an offseason transfer, but there are concerns about their quarterback, Bryce Young, and a matchup against the Saints. Last season, their defense allowed the fifth-fewest points to perimeter receivers among home defenses. They also allowed just one touchdown. So while Johnson is a volume-based flex option, his matchup is tough.
Tyler Lockett vs. Broncos (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Lockett has been a player I’ve avoided in drafts simply because I want to see Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the second-best fantasy wideout on the roster behind DK Metcalf. The veteran also has a tough opponent this week as the Broncos visit Lumen Field for an interconference game. Last season, Denver’s defense allowed just 13 touchdowns to wideouts. Lockett should be on the fantasy bench.
Ladd McConkey vs. Raiders (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): I was excited about McConkey in the draft and think he’ll be a top-two prospect in the Chargers offense in terms of targets. That said, I’m not sure he’ll come into the Raiders with a great stat line. Last season, that unit was tough on slot wideouts, allowing just 38.6 yards per game in the slot as a visiting defense. For that reason, I’d keep the rookie on the bench this weekend.
WRs with bad matchups
Don’t forget to check out the top starters and sit-em picks for other positions as you make your Week 1 fantasy football lineup decisions! Quarterback | Running Back | Tight End | Kicker & Defense
