Fantasy football sit and start advice should always be relative and league-specific. Many starts and sits are also obvious, so we’ll focus on fringe options in this column, the ones that really require some thought. Good luck with your Week 1 lineups!

Start: George Pickens

Pickens gets a tougher matchup with AJ Terrell likely shadowing him, but he’s still a top-30 WR on my board this week. He recorded a 38.4% first-read target rate through four games without Diontae Johnson last season, which puts him in the top 20 in targets per route run (24.1%) and in the top five in yards per route run (2.93).

Whoever starts at QB for Pittsburgh will be an upgrade over Kenny Pickett. Pickens will be matched up indoors against a pass-funnel Falcons defense that allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to running backs last year, so he should be busy Sunday.

Justin Fields would be among the top 12 QBs if he gets the start this week in place of Russell Wilson.

Start: James Cook

Cook is in great position at home against a Cardinals defense that was crushed for fantasy points by running backs last season. Arizona’s opponents had the second-highest run rate and averaged 30.6 carries last year, the most in the NFL.

Buffalo became the league’s most run-heavy team after Joe Brady took over as OC last year, as Cook saw his role in the red zone expand as well. The Bills have the second-highest implied team total (27.0 points), so Cook should be considered a borderline top-five case this week.

Sit Keon Colemanwho is expected to have a developmental delay during his debut season.

Starting point: Caleb Williams

Williams will have to overcome a very shaky Chicago coaching staff, but he’s the real deal and will add legitimate fantasy value with his legs. The Titans are projected as fast and pass-heavy, so the matchup looks favorable. Williams is definitely worth starting right away in fantasy.

Start: Zack Moss & Chase Brown

Both of Cincinnati’s running backs should benefit from the script, with the Bengals 8.5-point home favorites; New England’s implied team point total is a meager 16.3 points. Ja’Marr Chase only recently returned to limited practice and remains questionable to play after sitting out all summer, and Tee Higgins showed up on the injury report with a hamstring issue and missed Friday’s practice, so the Bengals will likely run as much as possible on Sunday.

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BONUS: Andrei Iosivas easily won the team’s WR3 position and is a sleeper.

Start: Tank Dell

Dell has questions about his durability given his size, but he’s a threat to lead Houston in receiving any week he’s fit. His route participation will likely drop with Stefon Diggs now in Houston, but Dell should still be heavily involved in a Texans offense that’s sure to see more passing in 2024.

He surpassed Nico Collins in fantasy points during the five games they were healthy together last season, when Dell was a rookie. Sunday’s game is in and expected to be quick. C.J. Stroud should have a monster performance in Week 1, with Dell taking advantage.

Start: Raheem Mostert

Mostert is at increased risk for injury this season at 32, but he enters as Miami’s 1A back and the heavy favorite to play goal-line duty. He scored a whopping 14 touchdowns in eight games in Miami last year, where the Dolphins averaged 31.9 points and an NFL-high 6.7 yards per play. Miami’s offense traditionally has been stronger early in the season, and the Dolphins have the third-highest implied team total (26.3 points).

I have Raheem “Must Start” in my top 15 this week (and De’Von Achane in the top 10).

Start: Diontae Johnson

Johnson is an elite separator who will now dominate targets in Carolina. Dave Canales will be a huge help for the Panthers’ offense, as will Bryce Young, who should improve in Year 2. Johnson has a career target run rate of over 30% against man coverage. He has also been twice as efficient against man (0.67 FP/RR) as zone (0.33 FP/RR) in 2023; the Saints ran man coverage at the fourth-highest rate in the league last season, and DC Joe Woods returns.

Johnson’s run to 100+ catches begins Sunday.

Start: Devin Singletary

Singletary comes in as New York’s clear workhorse, and the playbook could be more favorable than usual for the Giants in Week 1. New York’s offense should be better this season with an improved offensive line, new alpha WR Malik Nabers added early in the draft and Brian Daboll now calling plays. Singletary will see a lot of volume in a fast-paced matchup, so he’s a top-25 RB this week.

Nabers is also a strong fantasy starter in his NFL debut.

Start: Josh Palmer

Palmer was listed on the injury report Thursday with a knee issue, but he was a full participant in practice. Assuming he’s good to go, Palmer will likely step in as LA’s WR1 right away (and lead the team in targets this season) with rookie Ladd McConkey unable to work with Justin Herbert much during the preseason.

Herbert (foot) is ready for Week 1, and Palmer is in the top 25 in yards per route run (2.2) and in the top 12 in receiving yards per game (71.1) after Mike Williams sat out last season. Palmer’s target per route run rate has jumped to 20% without Williams on the field his entire career, and Keenan Allen also departed during the offseason.

Palmer was drafted outside of the top 50 wide receivers in Yahoo Leagues, but if all goes well, he’s a threat to go in the top 25.

Start: Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Smith-Njigba had a disappointing rookie season, but a broken wrist and coaching were enough to lay the blame. Seattle used 3WR sets with little frequency despite drafting JSN in the first round, and his average depth of target ranked 95th among wide receivers. In fact, he had by far the highest target% behind the line of scrimmage of any wideout.

Smith-Njigba is expected to be a much bigger part of an improved Seahawks offense in 2024, led by new OC Ryan Grubb. Tyler Lockett enters the year with a knee injury, both Seattle tight ends are injured and Patrick Surtain will shadow DK Metcalf, so JSN has a nice lineup in Week 1.

Javonte Williams and Kenneth Walker are also both strong fantasy players this week.

Sits: Dak Prescott, Jake Ferguson & Rico Dowdle

The Cowboys have a much better home slate and will face an extremely tough road game in Week 1. The Browns allowed NFL-lows in points per game (13.9) and yards per play (3.7!) at home last year, and Dallas slimmed down its offensive line this offseason. Prescott has failed to finish as a top 15 fantasy QB in all five games against top 10 fantasy pass defenses in 2023. Prescott had 8.6 YPA and averaged 308.8 passing yards and 2.8 passing touchdowns at home last season compared to 6.8 YPA, 227.3 passing yards and 1.6 TDs away from home. Cleveland’s opponents have the third-lowest neutral pass rate in 2023.

Ferguson scored one touchdown in nine road games last season, and the Browns gave up the second-fewest fantasy points to tight ends. Rico Dowdle isn’t good at the football and will likely be on a three-man committee against a Browns defense that allowed by far the fewest EPA/plays last season. The Cowboys have the fifth-lowest implied team total (19.0) in Week 1, as they are projected to score fewer points than the Giants, Commanders and Steelers.

However, CeeDee Lamb remains an excellent fantasy starter against Cleveland’s man-heavy defense.

Start: Jayden Daniels

Daniels will certainly take too many sacks and make plenty of mistakes as a rookie, especially if he’s facing some seriously questionable coaching. But his exemplary rushing ability immediately makes him a top-10 QB option, including Sunday’s quick matchup at Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers were a pass-funnel defense last season, allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to running backs but the eighth-most to quarterbacks, including the second-most rushing touchdowns (six) at the position.

Daniels is another rookie who is ready to make an immediate impact in fantasy in Week 1.

Start: Jared Goff

Goff has averaged 277.2 passing yards (7.9 YPA) with 44 touchdowns in 17 games in Detroit over the past two seasons. He lacks the fantasy upside of dual-threat QBs running, but Goff is live when he plays at home. The Rams allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks last season, and they are without Aaron Donald.

The Lions have the NFL’s highest implied team total (28.5 points) coming into a Week 1 game that should be a big one. Rams opponents had the third-highest neutral pass rate last year and DB Darious Williams was just placed on IR, so fire Goff up in fantasy lineups.

BONUS: Colby Parkinson is a ‘sleeper’ for those who need help as a tight end.

Seat: Brock Purdy

The 49ers’ offense could get off to a slow start after Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, Aaron Banks and Trent Williams missed so many practices leading up to the season, and a game against the Jets won’t help. San Francisco has questions about its offensive line, and New York comes in with the league’s best defensive line. The Jets somehow allowed the fewest yards per play last season despite their offense having the second-fewest passing yards. New York allowed just 187.2 passing yards per game (6.1 YPA) last year and by far the fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points to quarterbacks.

Additionally, this game should see limited plays, as the 49ers are one of the slowest teams in the league, and no quarterback bleeds the play clock more than Aaron Rodgers. Purdy should be considered a top-10 fantasy QB most weeks, but he’s a sit on Monday night.