Key Starters and Tough Calls - Week 1 Lineup Spotlights for Fantasy Football Include D'Andre Swift, Jameson Williams, Justin Fields

September 8, 2024

Scott breaks down his fantasy football lineup starts/sits for Week 1 (2024). He spotlights key NFL players to start, and tougher lineup start/sit decisions.

My weekly Lineup Spotlights are back for the 2024 fantasy football season. Every week, I feature preferred players to go with when dealing with challenging lineup decisions and guys who may outperform expectations.

These lineup picks are based on my Premium Weekly Lineup Rankings, available as part of the RotoBaller NFL Premium Pass. Enter the promo code KING at checkout for an additional discount and gain access to my ranks in all formats, plus a deluxe suite of tools and analysis for in-season use.

When considering these players for weekly lineups, also consult our fantasy football rankings to see if they are ranked higher or lower than your other lineup choices. The skill position analysis is tied to my PPR rankings.

Running Backs – Fantasy Football Week 1

Javonte Williams, Broncos

The third-year Denver RB might be on the verge of a true breakthrough season. The Denver Post reported he lost 12 pounds during the offseason with an eye on displaying his best form. Last year was a season of ramping back up for Javonte Williams, and he is now nearly two years recovered from a major knee injury.

Starting in Week 1 at Seattle, the Broncos’ 2021 second-round pick should take on a crucial role in the offense. His job will be to ease pressure on rookie QB Bo Nix, and against the Seahawks, it will be essential for him to help the team control the ball as much as possible. Expect a healthy workload for Javonte Williams in the opener, and he will fight hard for yardage.

Expect at least adequate fantasy production from Javonte Williams in Week 1, and if Nix delivers on some of the promise he showed in the preseason, a TD run is possible, too. Start him as an RB2 or flex if you drafted Javonte Williams, as the statistical floor should be sufficient.

Kyren Williams, Rams

The Rams’ lead RB was a lightning rod of fantasy football frustration for those drafted before August's final week. When Sean McVay announced that Kyren Williams would return punts, fantasy leaguers who drafted him as a top 10 RB reacted with confusion and exasperation. Entering Week 1, it remains uncertain what his workload may be.

Rookie Blake Corum, who should be the quality complement that Kyren Williams lacked last season, will surely cut into the latter’s amount of touches. Yet the 2023 second-team All-Pro should still function as Los Angeles’ clear lead RB and can be viewed as more of a mid-range fantasy RB2 until we get a better picture of the split between the two RBs.

The matchup against Detroit is daunting, though, as the Rams’ offensive line may be overmatched, and game script could force Los Angeles out of running the ball frequently enough. I would not bench Kyren Williams for a less proven RB such as Zamir White or Rico Dowdle yet, but you have to temper expectations with trimmed rushing duties in a tough matchup.

D'Andre Swift, Bears

We didn’t see much of the former Lion and Eagle during the preseason, and much of the buzz surrounding the Bears was centered on rookies Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze. Swift fell to the sixth round of some drafts, as it was obvious that he still elicited some fantasy skepticism.

#Bears HC Matt Eberflus on why they targeted D’Andre Swift in free agency:

“We wanted a home run threat in there, we wanted to have a weapon back back there that can do a lot of things”

on whether the Bears are shifting away from RBBC:

“Yeah, I think you have to shift a little… pic.twitter.com/EIRdV19V4s

— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) September 6, 2024

He only registered two touches in exhibition play, yet the one reception was a 42-yarder. The fact that Swift was kept under wraps could point to a larger role than some expect. Chicago signed him to stabilize their RB situation and he will operate as an important backfield partner for Caleb Williams as a runner and receiver.

Pro Football Focus ranked the Bears’ offensive line fourth best in run blocking for the 2024 season. Chicago may also move out to a good lead against Tennessee, so Swift should be utilized often in the season opener. Start him confidently as an RB2 or flex option.

Zack Moss and Chase Brown, Bengals

How the touches will be divided between Cincinnati’s top RBs may be decided through a “hot hand” approach, game flow, matchup, or a combination of those factors in any given week. It seems apparent, though, that Moss will likely be the main inside runner and Brown is more of a potential big-play type.

Against New England, Moss should have the safer statistical floor as a goal-line finisher, but Brown is more of an upside type who can challenge the defense as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Both Bengals RBs are viable flex plays who might play key offensive toles because of the team’s WR concerns.

Wide Receivers – Fantasy Football Week 1

Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins

Miami’s No. 2 WR is coming off a disappointing season, and Tua Tagovailoa also faltered during the second half of the 2023 campaign. Both guys will be looking to get out of the gate fast and put last year behind them. The Battle of Florida looks to be a fantasy-friendly matchup, as the Over/Under of 49.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook is the highest on the Sunday NFL schedule.

Jacksonville overhauled its secondary during the offseason. Starting the schedule off against the explosive Dolphins passing game is no way for a new-look unit to attempt to mesh together at the start of the season. PFF gives Waddle a 95.8 WR/CB matchup grade against Jaguars CB Tyson Campell, which is considered “Excellent” and he ranks sixth-best among all WRs for Week 1.

Those who drafted Waddle won’t bench him, but if you are among those who roster him, I wanted to further boost the confidence in the Dolphins wideout for Week 1.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks

Fantasy players who drafted Smith-Njigba as a WR4 are simply wondering what his statistical ceiling can look like in Year Two. Tyler Lockett is 32 years old, yet he might not be quite ready to fully fade out just yet, so “JSN” will have to earn more consistent targets while working as part of a top NFC receiving trio.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a route MAGICIAN 🔥

Titans CB’s reportedly “could not guard” JSN for the life of them at practice today.

Njigba has reportedly looked “elite” throughout camp and is poised for a WR2 jump.

The Seahawks have themselves a STUD. pic.twitter.com/lFiBDGk5ua

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) August 15, 2024

For Smith-Njigba, though, spike weeks are certainly in the forecast, and he has the talent to elevate his fantasy production through efficiency, too. JSN can make important catches on key downs and get loose for downfield strikes from Geno Smith. He should be able to show off both skill sets against a vulnerable Denver secondary in Week 1, so start him at a flex spot.

Jameson Williams, Lions

I am anticipating a breakout season from Detroit’s primary deeper threat. He is finally opening an NFL schedule on time after a full preseason and offseason. We saw a preview of the highlights we may see this year from Jameson Williams in last season’s NFC Championship Game. He ran for a 42-yard TD and caught a TD pass against the vaunted 49ers defense.

The Rams’ secondary looks like one of the league’s least formidable groups for the 2024 campaign. Los Angeles will be heavily concerned with Detroit’s other playmakers and I expect Jameson Williams to get his chances for some splash plays. He is another good flex starter for Week 1, and he and Smith-Njigba can also be used in WR3 slots if needed.

Khalil Shakir, Bills

We will have to monitor the Buffalo WRs to see who emerges as the top fantasy producer and the best No. 2 option. In the first game of this season, I will lean toward using Shakir, as he has the most established familiarity with Josh Allen. The matchup is exploitable, as Arizona’s secondary and overall defense might be the worst in the league this year.

Shakir can be considered for flex usage, but his statistical floor may be shakier than some of your other lineup choices. He does have some promise for a quality fantasy outing even though a certain cloud of unpredictability hangs over the Bills WR group.

Quarterback And Tight End – Fantasy Football Week 1

Justin Fields, Steelers

It appears likely that Russell Wilson (calf) will sit out in the Steelers’ season opener against the Falcons. Fantasy players who will quickly recall that the ex-Bear finished as QB6 two seasons ago will be tempted to start him in Week 1.

Once upon a time fantasy streets were chirping “Justin Fields Top 5 QB” if he linked up with Arthur Smith.

I somewhat still believe this. 👀 https://t.co/SnDBipXzlq

— LaQuan Jones (@RealDealFantasy) September 6, 2024

I would not recommend starting Fields in a one-QB league unless you waited very long to draft a starter. He looked uncomfortable in the preseason with his new team, with four fumbles and five sacks taken in three games. In Superflex leagues though, consider starting Fields for the rushing upside if you don’t roster a second top 15 QB as an alternative.

The rushing ceiling will always exist for Fields, though, and if you want to take the shot on him as a risk, I won't be firmly against such a call.

Mike Gesicki, Bengals

Because of the Bengals’ WR issues as Week 1 approaches, Gesicki may draw increased fantasy attention for Week 1. Raising expectations for him can be dangerous, though, as he has never performed as hoped in six NFL seasons.

Gesicki has never played with a QB the caliber of Joe Burrow before, though, so maybe there is still some lingering hope for him fantasy-wise. I would not start the Bengals’ new TE over another proven guy. If you have to stream deeper TEs, however, Gesicki deserves consideration.

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