Week 1 is always toughest week to predict. New players, new teams, new coaches and new systems. We did our best to draft a winning team and predict this season's breakout stars. At least Week 1 is a great week for setting your starting lineups with no bye weeks that send you scrambling to your bench or the waiver wire. Most players are the healthiest they will be all season. The only certainty in fantasy football is we are in for a lot of surprises.
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- Here are some of the players that are a great start this week!
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- Kyler Murray: I wish I had him on more teams. He's now two years recovered from his ACL surgery. And he's playing New Orleans.
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- Dak Prescott: This should be a high scoring game! Not only does he have CeeDee Lamb, but George Pickens also.
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- Derrick Henry: I might be eating crow later and I avoided drafting him, but older players seem to have their best weeks early in the season. I would love to have him in my lineup this week.
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- Kenneth Walker III: I targeted him this season (if I got him, I made sure to get Charbonnet as insurance.) Another injury prone player, but I love him in week 1.
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- Tetairoa McMillan: How can you not love his name? Rookies are always risky, but I'm banking on his size against a leaky Jaguars' secondary. Now that Adam Thielen is back in Minnesota where he belongs and Jalen Coker on IR, he should get lots of targets. I wish I had him on more teams.
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- Xavier Worthy: Rice is serving a 6 week suspension so Worthy should have lots of opportunities this week.
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- David Njoku: The Bengals struggle to contain tight ends up the middle so this is a great matchup at home.
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- A few players you mostly likely have to start this week, but may want to tempter expectations.
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- Jarod Goff: It's not cold and snowy yet, but he's still playing at Lambeau Field. I'd be feeling really good if I were a Packer fan this year. I hate to say it!
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- Justin Fields: I targeted him this season, but week 1 against a tough Steelers' defense could have him scrambling.
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- D'Andre Swift: There's so much promise and buzz around the Bears this season. Week 1 could be tough for Swift against a Minnesota defense that is great against the run.
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- Breece Hall: He was drafted so high last season and he was one of the biggest busts of 2024. See Justin Fields above. He could struggle against Pittsburg's tough run defense.
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- DK Metcalf: New team, new quarterback. He faces a formidable Jets' defense this week. Chances are you have to play him, but this week might be rough.
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- Stefon Diggs: He's 31 and just coming back after a torn ACL. Yep, very risky.
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- Colston Loveland: Another player who has gotten a lot of buzz in the preseason. Week 1 against a Viking team that only allowed 3 tight end touchdowns last season.