Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season is finally here! That means it is time to set your fantasy football lineups for the first time, and we’re here to help.
Luckily, you won’t need much help setting the top of your lineup, as most of the wideouts who had been seeking long-term extensions like Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, and Brandon Aiyuk all got their contracts situated. The last of the holdouts is Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase, but with two years left on his existing contract, it’s really anyone’s guess whether or not his offseason absence will bleed into the regular season… even if it is just days away.
Whether or not you may be in need of an insurance policy as a Chase manager, or you’re just looking for some flex plays with upside, you’ve come to the right place. Ahead of Week 1 kickoff, here is a look at my Week 1 wide receiver rankings in standard-scoring (non-PPR) fantasy football leagues, along with some of my favorite Week 1 flex plays and two sleeper options that could pay dividends to open up the season.
Best Week 1 flex plays
Chris Godwin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Commanders)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were a pleasant surprise on offense just last season, with quarterback Baker Mayfield looking like the guy the Cleveland Browns originally drafted him to be and WR Mike Evans looking like the superstar he always has been.
The forgotten man in that equation was Chris Godwin, having been relegated to a role as a boundary receiver in Dave Canales’ offense — which hasn’t necessarily been the alignment that’s yielded the greatest production through the course of his career. New offensive coordinator Liam Coen is looking to move him back to a full-time slot role, and he’ll get a favorable matchup in Week 1 against one of the most undersized secondaries in the league with the Washington Commanders.
Jordan Addison (Minnesota Vikings vs. Giants)
Addison has had an up-and-down offseason managing some off-the-field issues that could result in an eventual suspension. However, that suspension will not come in Week 1, when the Vikings are set to face the New York Giants. The Giants got some help on the defensive line this offseason with the additions of EDGE Brian Burns and DT Jordan Phillips, but their secondary still has a lot to prove after a fairly disastrous season from 2023 first-round rookie Deonte Banks.
Sam Darnold is understandably a big-time question mark that could limit Addison’s upside on a weekly basis. However, Kevin O’Connell’s brand of offense and two skilled could be just the ticket for him to start the season off strong, resulting in a solid outing for the 2022 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner as the No. 2 receiver absent T.J. Hockenson (ACL).
Week 1 WR sleepers
Rostership percentages in Yahoo! Fantasy leagues are indicated in parentheses.
Dontayvion Wicks (Green Bay Packers vs. Eagles, 29%)
The Packers receiving corps is a bit of a mess to project for fantasy purposes right now, with youth and near-unmatched depth at wide receiver to give second-year starter Jordan Love all of the weapons he could ever need. Though they all played fairly well last year, Wicks had a particularly intriguing profile, ranking in the 70th percentile or higher for wide receivers in receiving grade, open target rate, yards per route run and yards after the catch per reception as a rookie, per PFF.
The Packers will face the Eagles in the league’s first-ever matchup hosted in São Paulo, Brazil on Friday, going up against a crew that has plenty of reinforcements along the defensive line but far fewer options in the secondary. The game script could dictate plenty of play volume in this game given the high-octane efficiency each of these teams play with on offense, which would only be a plus for Wicks, who took his only target of the preseason to the house for a 65-yard score.
Darnell Mooney (Atlanta Falcons vs. Steelers, 17%)
Second-year Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. had a fantastic rookie season showing flashes of true shut-down potential against opponents along the perimeter. The depth beyond Porter, however, leaves a lot to be desired.
The Steelers traded for speedster cornerback Donte Jackson this offseason, coming off the first interception-less outing of his career, and have a UDFA in Beanie Bishop starting in the nickel. Given that throughout the preseason, this was a defense that looked unprepared to tackle opposing wideouts on junior varsity, it could put new Falcons WR Darnell Mooney in an intriguing position for a big outing with Kirk Cousins under center.
Kate Magdziuk is an editor and contributor for Yahoo Fantasy and co-host of the Locked On Dynasty Football podcast. She is also the managing editor for Behind The Steel Curtain, SB Nation’s exclusive Pittsburgh Steelers blog. Her previous bylines include Pro Football Focus, NBC Sports Rotoworld and 4for4 Football, among others.
