Fantasy Football Week 1 Start ‘Em: Featured Lineup Picks (2024)

Scott Engel is in his 13th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and weekly fantasy football lineup rankings at RotoBaller.com.

As the Seahawks open their 2024 season against the Denver Broncos, fantasy football players will start out on their quest to win a championship. Now that drafting season is over, we will ramp up the intensity for actual head-to-head matchups.

When you are dealing with tough lineup decisions in Week 1, it may be best to lean on more proven and established fantasy performers when you can. New trends among players and teams will emerge over the first few weeks, and we will have to constantly adjust on the run and go with the flow with roster changes, sort of in the same fashion as a draft should have been handled.

To help get your team off to a winning beginning to the season, we spotlight 12 recommended Week 1 starters, with analysis based on Points Per Reception (PPR) formats. The advice can also apply to other scoring systems. Starting in Week 2, Seahawks Fantasy Insider will include both waiver and lineup recommendations. The players featured below are guys you can go with when facing challenging lineup calls

NFL Fantasy Football Week 1: Who Should I Start?

Week 1 Fantasy Football - Running Backs

START Aaron Jones

The longtime Packers standout now lands on the other side of a historic rivalry after signing with the Vikings in the offseason. His first game in a Minnesota uniform will be a road matchup against the Giants. At the end of the regular season and the playoffs, Jones finished with a flourish, as he reeled off five consecutive 100-yard rushing performances, including the postseason. In the NFC Wild Card Game, he rushed for three touchdowns.

At 29 years old, Jones is still capable of providing good fantasy production. He runs with power and can also make defenders miss, while also displaying breakaway ability. As a versatile RB who can catch passes out of the backfield, he should operate as a viable fantasy RB2 for ample production.

In his Vikings debut, expect Jones to see some rushing TD opportunities to finish off drives while also functioning as a flat and short pass receiver out of the backfield for new Minnesota QB Sam Darnold.

START David Montgomery

The high-powered Detroit offense should get off to a good start to the season against the Los Angeles Rams. The Lions actually have the best run-blocking advantage of any offensive line in Week 1, according to Pro Football Focus. Those who drafted electric second-year RB Jahmyr Gibbs will be anticipating healthy fantasy football output, and his backfield partner is a worthy starting option at a flex spot.

Gibbs and Montgomery form a dynamic one-two punch at RB for the Lions, with Gibbs working as the dual threat weapon and Montgomery handling some inside work and goal-line area opportunities. The former Bear rushed for a career-best 13 TDs last season and will get some more scoring chances to open the new campaign as the Lions move the ball well against the Rams.

START Raheem Mostert

Montgomery is a recommended starting option for the proven TD output. Mostert is another outstanding goal-line area ace. Last year, he led the NFL with 18 rushing TDs and earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl. He is a prime drive finisher for one of the most explosive offenses in the league.

De'Von Achane teams up with Mostert to challenge defenses similarly to how Detroit employs their RBs. Achane can rip off a big play any time he touches the ball, and Mostert does his job near the goal line. While the latter Miami RB is 32 years old, he has logged only four seasons of 100-plus carries.

Promising rookie Jaylen Wright has also entered Miami's RB mix, but Mostert should still open the 2024 season as a significant TD threat. The Dolphins-Jaguars matchup may be a fun one that produces a lot of offense, and such a scenario will certainly lead to TD opportunities for the 10^th-year TD machine.

START Brian Robinson Jr.

The Washington RB now enters an intriguing situation with rookie Jayden Daniels taking over at QB. The new signal-caller is a dangerous and sensational runner, and his presence opens up more running room for the Commanders' RBs. Robinson is another half of an RB duo that we spotlight for Week 1, as he will share backfield touches with ex-Chargers superstar Austin Ekeler.

Robinson should take on much of the inside running duties, and his presence becomes very important in Daniels' pro debut against Tampa Bay. He will play an essential role, to ease some pressure on the rookie QB, and also to help Washington control the ball as much as possible. Robinson can be started at a flex spot or as an RB in larger leagues by those who need a respectable starter to round out a lineup.

Week 1 Fantasy Football - Wide Receivers

START Malik Nabers

In 2024 fantasy football drafts, participants had their eyes on two prominent rookie WRs, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Nabers. Both have the potential to be impactful rookies right away. Nabers fills a WR need for the Giants, who pinpointed him with the sixth overall pick in this year's NFL Draft.

The former LSU Unanimous All-American can be utilized as a regular fantasy football starter right away. He has a knack for making tough catches and his speed presents a major and immediate challenge for NFL defenders. Giants QB Daniel Jones will likely look to his new WR as a frequent top target beginning in Week 1. Nabers gets his initial NFL draw against what may be a vulnerable Minnesota pass defense, so lock him into your opening week fantasy football lineup.

START Chris Godwin

The Tampa Bay WRs should be able to take advantage of a favorable matchup against the Washington pass defense. Godwin is an ultra-reliable option for Baker Mayfield who can roll up a good amount of receptions for fantasy players in PPR formats. Last year, Godwin ranked second among all WRs in Total Route Wins. The advanced stat from PlayerProfiler.com measures when a receiver gains enough separation to be considered open.

Godwin is going to be a frequent target vs. the Commanders as a main receiver to keep the chains moving for the Buccaneers. He projects to be a good fantasy stat compiler for Week 1.

START Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Both Seahawks fans and fantasy football players are eagerly anticipating the second season of Smith-Njigba. As new coordinator Ryan Grubb installs his offense, we should see "JSN" build on his flashes of promise as a rookie. The Seahawks' 2023 first-round NFL Draft pick should start to get rolling as a fantasy producer in the season opener at Lumen Field against Denver.

Smith-Njigba is capable of challenging defenses at all levels. He can make the key catch on an important down and also slither past coverage to come through with a downfield reception. JSN is an all-around playmaker as a pass-catcher, and we can look forward to his repertoire of receptions growing in 2024. A season of ascension may begin with a quality outing against the Broncos' pass defense.

START Jameson Williams

During the NFL playoffs last season, Williams gave us glimpses of his considerable upside. In the NFC Championship Game against the highly respected San Francisco defense, he rushed for a 42-yard TD and also caught a TD pass. Heading into his third pro campaign, the promising big-play artist is coming off an uninterrupted offseason and regular season. Williams can start to make his case to seize the No. 2 WR job for Detroit by displaying his stirring talents in the opener vs. the Rams.

Week 1 Fantasy Football - Quarterbacks

START Geno Smith

The Seahawks QB is set to get off to a good start this year after a preseason that generated much optimism. The matchup against the Denver pass defense looks favorable, especially with a deep receiving crew ready to challenge the Broncos' secondary. DK Metcalf, Smith-Njigba, Tyler Lockett, and Noah Fant will be a lot for any defense to handle this season. A good running game will set up Smith for fantasy success, as he was sixth in Play Action Completion Percentage among all QBs last year (65.6 percent). He is a high-end fantasy QB2 and a quality streaming option for Week 1.

START Tua Tagovailoa

Last year, the Miami passer started fast, with two 28-plus fantasy point performances in his first three games. Tagovailoa performed well in the first half of the 2023 campaign and has the pieces in place to open with a quality performance as the Dolphins trade some offensive punches with the Jaguars. Tyreek Hill is ready to roll again, Jaylen Waddle should be ready for a rebound year, and new TE Jonnu Smith and rookie Malik Washington deepen the pass-catching crew. Tagovailoa is a top 10 fantasy QB for this week.

Week 1 Fantasy Football - Tight Ends And Defenses

Raiders rookie TE Brock Bowers may make his presence right away against the Chargers. … Noah Fant faces his former team and might deliver increased fantasy production this season in Grubb's offense. … If Jonnu Smith is a free agent in your league, add him before he possibly becomes a desirable waiver add for Week 2.

The Seahawks' defense is a prime starting option for Week 1 at home. A deep front wall and secondary may overwhelm a Denver offense that continues to undergo changes. … The Chicago defense could provide a healthy amount of sacks and turnovers against Tennessee. … If you are digging deep for a defense, take a chance on an improving Raiders unit against the Chargers.