Subscribe to Fantasy Dirt: Apple | Spotify | YouTube

The first week of the NFL season is here! And with it, the first week of making those all-important fantasy lineup decisions. And while opening week isn’t the time to “play nice,” there are managers who may need to dig deeper into their rosters in order to put together the best possible lineup. So, here are five players you can turn to if you need them.

Mayfield was the 10th-best quarterback in fantasy football last season, and an opening game at home against the Commanders makes him a good sleeper. Washington’s defense is getting a new look under head coach Dan Quinn, but this unit has allowed 19 touchdown passes and an average of more than 20 fantasy points per game to home quarterbacks in 2023.

Williams was drafted as an RB3/flex in the drafts, but his fantasy stock rose when the Broncos released Samaje Perine. I like him as a good RB2/flex this week, as Williams will face a Seahawks defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to running backs in 2023. They have also been worse at home, giving up nearly 28 points per game to opposing runners.

Singletary has locked down the Giants backfield for all intents and purposes, and he knows coach Brian Daboll’s offense well from their time together in Buffalo. The Vikings weren’t bad against running backs based on last season’s numbers, but they allowed nine backs to beat them for 13-plus points. Plus, Singletary’s volume should be solid.

Much of the fantasy talk in the Texans pass attack has revolved around Nick Collins and Stefon Diggs, but Dell shouldn’t be forgotten. He showed flashes of potential as a rookie, and the matchup against the Colts is a good one. In fact, their defense has allowed the third-most points to perimeter receivers in 2023. Dell ran 74.9% of his rookie routes to the outside.

Smith-Njigba is one of my favorite sleeper wideouts for the season, and managers who need him should take him against the Broncos. Their defense gave up to home slot receivers last season, allowing six touchdowns and the eighth-most points. Smith-Njigba, who completed 67.7% of his rookie routes, should be able to capitalize this weekend.