Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for. The start of the 2023 football season is upon us at last! For our new subscribers to DFF, let’s get the year started right with a leg up on the competition. I appreciate your stopping by as we review my Week 1 start/sit candidates. May the odds be ever in your favor.
WEEK 1 starts: Quarterbacks
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The Dolphins drew the Chargers in Week 1. Both are high-powered offenses, which should make for an exciting matchup. I’ve got it projected as the highest-scoring matchup of the week. Miami will likely have trouble establishing the run game with rookie Devon Achane and 31-year-old Raheem Mostert leading the backfield. For these reasons, Tua is my number 1 start of the week.
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders
Vs. Arizona Cardinals
If you aren’t on the Sam Howell hype train, you will be after his Week 1 matchup. The Arizona Cardinals look to be packing it in before the season even starts. New Offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy will look to make a name for himself away from Mahomes. All signs point to fireworks from Howell and the Washington offense starting the season.
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Going up against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, the Lions will have to put up points in this game. With new weapons, Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta, Goff will have plenty of targets. Keep in mind Goff is also in a contract year, so look for him to make the start list quite a few times this year.
WEEK 1 Sits: Quarterbacks
Daniel Jones, New York Giants
Vs. Dallas Cowboys
I consider Daniel Jones to be a boom-or-bust option this week. The rushing upside is intriguing, but Jones faces a stout Dallas defense. Without many offensive weapons, there are certainly better options available. He finds himself slotted in as a low-end QB2 in my rankings.
Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets
Vs. Buffalo Bills
Rodgers will be a solid option as the year goes on. However, I’m avoiding him to start the season. The Bills have finished as a top 5 fantasy defense in the last two years. It’s an obvious focal point for head coach Sean McDermott. It could take some time for Rodgers to gel with his new teammates. I’d look elsewhere at the position this week.
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
Vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Richardson will have his first real taste of the NFL on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The hype has gotten too much for my taste. He’s still a project and will struggle through the air. He can make up for it on the ground, but I wouldn’t count on it with Jonathan Taylor unavailable. The Jaguars defense will likely make it a point to contain his running ability. Let’s see what the kid can do in the big leagues before we hail him as the next Cam Newton.
WEEK 1 starts: Running backs
Miles Sanders, Carolina Panthers
Vs. Atlanta Falcons
I’ve been higher than consensus on Sanders all off-season. He’s got the pass-catching chops, and his only competition for touches is Chuba Hubbard. Going up against Atlanta, this one could be a battle of the Running Backs. Bryce Young makes his highly anticipated debut, but Sanders will be the featured piece of this Carolina offense.
Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
Vs. Detroit Lions
Kansas City could be without Travis Kelce this week, removing their primary red-zone target. Pacheco runs the ball like a man on a mission and slots in as the ground-and-pound option in Kansas City. In a high-scoring matchup, Pacheco could see many goal-line looks this week.
Jerick McKinnon, Kansas City Chiefs
Vs. Detroit Lions
That’s right, I’m starting Both of the Kansas City running backs this week. McKinnon was already going to play a role in the passing game, and now he could have a feature role. Mahomes loves to spread the ball around, and McKinnon could be his most reliable target on the field. If Kelce sits, lock and load the KC backfield.
WEEK 1 Sits: Running backs
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
Vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Sure, it’s a bit of a low-hanging fruit, but somebody out there needs this. It’s been a long off-season, and people forget Javonte Williams tore his ACL, LCL, and PLC. These things take time to come back from. Samaje Perine should see the bulk of the touches in that backfield. If you want to win, I’d leave Williams out of your lineups.
James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Vs. Washington Commanders
I love James Conner throughout the season. I’m not too fond of his week one matchup with the Washington Commanders. Washington enters the year with arguably the best front four in the league. Outside of the pass-catching, there isn’t much upside for James Conner this week. Look elsewhere.
Indianapolis Colts RBs
Vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
I’m not sure if it shows in this article, but I’m not high on the Colts this season. So much is unknown with Jonathan Taylor out. It’s impossible to tell who the running back to play is. Until that situation sorts itself out, I’m sitting all of them.
WEEK 1 Starts: Wide Receivers
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
Vs. Chicago Bears
Watson flashed significant upside last season. If Watson is going to be the go-to for new QB Jordan Love, look for head coach Mike LaFleur to get them connected early and often in this matchup. It’s a prime opportunity to build chemistry against a middling Chicago secondary.
Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders
Vs. Arizona Cardinals
I have a feeling I will have one of the Washington wide receivers on my list every week. I love this duo. Unfortunately, Terry McLaurin is dealing with turf toe. So, in this matchup against arguably the worst team in the league on both sides of the ball, Jahan Dotson will likely be the primary target. Look for Sam Howell to have a big day as he makes the case for him to be the starter in Washington for the future.
Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vs. Minnesota Vikings
Many people are concerned with new QB Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay, and rightfully so. However, I believe Godwin’s skillset meshes very well with Mayfield. That theory will be put to action this week against a Minnesota team that finished with the third most pass attempts per game last season.
WEEK 1 Sits: Wide Receivers
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vs. Minnesota Vikings
It’s a no-go for Mike Evans this week. He can be a reliable target for Tampa Bay, but I don’t believe Baker Mayfield can support multiple WRs in fantasy. Godwin is my guy this week as they try to establish chemistry on that offense.
Treylon Burks, Tennesse Titans
Vs. New Orleans Saints
Burks will likely struggle as a second option on a low-volume passing offense, facing one of the best defenses in the NFC. Not to mention, he’s working his way back from an LCL sprain earlier this month. Free Agent addition DeAndre Hopkins profiles as the only viable pass catcher from the Titans.
George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
Vs. San Francisco 49ers
It’s a tough draw for Pickens and the Steelers to start the season. SF looks to be one of the best all-around defenses in the league again. I’m expecting a small sophomore leap from QB Kenny Pickett, but Diontae Johnson is the target hog in Pittsburgh. Don’t expect much upside from Pickens outside of a spectacular play or two.
WEEK 1 Starts: Tight Ends
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
Vs. Carolina Panthers
If you drafted him, this is the matchup to start him, don’t overthink it. This Panthers’ defense will be average at best this season. With his ADP this off-season, Kyle Pitts has the potential to be a league winner. Let’s pray that Head Coach Arthur Smith learned his lesson last year.
Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos
Vs. Las Vegas Raiders
The Broncos were terrible last season, but I’m betting on some positive regression. Sean Payton knows to involve good TEs, and last I checked, Dulcich was pretty good. The Raiders are not. There’s a possibility that Jerry Jeudy won’t be ready to go. Which makes Greg Dulcich a solid streaming option to start the year.
Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears
Vs. Green Bay Packers
It’s a make-or-break year for Cole Kmet in fantasy. He’s got a decent matchup against the Packers, who project to be average on defense. After signing a 4-year $50M contract extension this off-season, the Bears have to try and get Kmet more involved this season.
WEEK 1 Sits: Tight Ends
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
Vs. San Francisco 49ers
Friermuth should be a reliable option this season. Unfortunately, it will likely be a hard-fought, low-scoring game against the 49ers. I would avoid most pass-catchers in Pittsburgh this week.
Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills
Vs. New York Jets
Rookie TE’s don’t trust them. I’m optimistic he’ll be more involved as the season goes on. However, I don’t imagine the Bills will immediately throw him into the fire while they still have Dawson Knox. The Jets’ Defense also projects to be pretty good. Kincaid is a big avoid for me this week.
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans
Vs. New Orleans Saints
This guy will have his fair share of fantasy-relevant weeks. Making him a sit is purely a matchup-based decision. The Saints will be a tough matchup for tight ends this season. Look for Derrick Henry to get the lion’s share of touches in this offense yet again.
WEEK 1 Start: DST
Minnesota DST
Vs. Tampa Bay BuccaneersÂ
I don’t trust Baker Mayfield, plain and simple. This Minnesota defense is probably average this year, but Tampa Bay will have difficulty keeping up with the Minnesota offense. There should be ample opportunities for the defense to force turnovers. Give me Minnesota in a blowout.
Jacksonville DST
Vs. Indianapolis Colts
This Jacksonville DST that finished 6th last year matches up with the Indianapolis Colts. Anthony Richardson is on my sit list for a good reason. Richardson will have to throw the ball for the Colts to stay in the game. That’s not where Richardson excels. Jacksonville should have a field day against the Colts without Jonathan Taylor.
Washington DST
Vs. Arizona Cardinals
Long story short. Washington’s defense is good, and Arizona’s offense is bad. Real bad. Set it and forget it.
WEEK 1 Sit: DST
Kansas City DST
Vs. Detroit Lions
I’ll be quick with this one. No Chris Jones for the Chiefs means they could have trouble getting to the QB. This one is shaping up to be a high-scoring affair.
New York Giants DST
Vs. Dallas Cowboys
This rivalry game is always somewhat of a mystery with how it will turn out. The Cowboys added Brandin Cooks this off-season to an already good offense. I’m afraid they will prove too much for a Giants Defense I would classify as slightly above-average.
Los Angeles Chargers
Vs. Miami Dolphins
I only put one team on here, but I’m sitting both. It’s a matchup packed with fireworks on both sides. Just avoid both defenses and enjoy the show.
Thank you all for reading. That’s all I got for this week. Best of luck to you all in your fantasy football endeavors. Be sure to stop by again next week for the weekly dose of starts and sits to help you dominate your leagues.
I find true enjoyment in sharing my experience and helping others. So, I’m always more than willing to answer any fantasy football questions via Twitter @FF_Reez. Thanks for reading! #DFFArmy #AlwaysBeBuilding
