The 2024 NFL Season is here, and with it comes some lineup questions. Which moves should you make to maximize your points? Let this weekly post be your guide as I offer one start and one sit suggestion at QB, RB, WR, and TE. These suggestions are based on my rankings against consensus each week. Because we want to measure our success, we check back each week for a recap of how we did.
For this project, a start is a player I think will finish Top 12 at QB or TE and Top 24 at RB or WR. A sit is a player I think will finish outside those metrics. Before we dive into this week’s suggestions, let’s review how we did last week. All scoring is courtesy of Fantasy Pros.
Start Suggestions
QB: Jayden Daniels, QB18 Miss. Daniels became more of a passer, and his yardage numbers were good, but the lack of TDs hurt.
RB: Rhamondre Stevenson, RB12 Hit. Stevenson got another touchdown, with 81 yards rushing and some receptions. He’s the best for the Patriots.
WR: Deebo Samuel, WR17 Hit. Samuel caught a lot of passes and looked good.
TE: Isaiah Likely, TE22 Miss. Likely was serviceable but didn’t have a huge role.
Start Record: 2-2
Sit Suggestions:
QB: Caleb Williams, QB29 Hit. The rookie continues to struggle.
RB: Javonte Williams, RB25 Hit. Williams isn’t getting enough volume.
WR: Diontae Johnson, WR67 Hit. Maybe the QB change will help.
TE: Tyler Conklin, TE42 Hit. Yikes.
Sit Record: 4-0
On to the Week 3 picks!
Quarterbacks
Start: Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
About: The Buccaneers started 2-0, largely thanks to Baker. Coming off a breakout season that saw him finish as QB10, he’s QB1 overall through two weeks. That’s the good news. The better news is that he gets to face the Denver Broncos at home this week. The Broncos are a woeful 0-2 and shouldn’t pose much of a challenge to the Buccaneers, who do their damage through the air with Baker.
Sit: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
About: Herbert is off to a slow start. Through two weeks, he’s QB26 for the season. The Chargers are 2-0, but they’ve done it with a strong ground game. The Chargers had 44 carries and only 20 pass attempts in Week 2. That isn’t likely to improve going against a good Steelers defense that held Kirk Cousins to a QB28 finish in Week 1 and Bo Nix to a QB27 finish in Week 2.
Running Backs
Start: Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers
About: Mason has slipped into the lead back role for the 49ers and has done well. He’s had more than 100 yards in each of his first two starts and is sitting as RB7 on the season. He’s going against a Rams’ defense that has been fantasy-friendly, too. The Rams allowed Jahmyr Gibbs to go for 17-plus points, while David Montgomery had 16-plus points in Week 1, and James Conner scored 19-plus points in Week 2. Mason will have a good day.
Sit: Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders
About: The Commanders have been a good rushing team through two weeks, but that’s largely thanks to Brian Robinson, Jr., who is RB14, and Jayden Daniels. Ekeler, the veteran, has been more of the passing down back but hasn’t gotten enough volume to be a consistent starter. He’s just RB28 on the season. If he gets a TD on Monday Night Football, that could push him to the Top 24, but at this point, that feels like a long shot.
Wide Receivers
Start: Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
About: Rice was a strong contributor as a rookie, and he’s picked up where he left off in year two. He has a touchdown in each of the first two games and is sitting as WR13 on the season. Now, heading into Atlanta with a makeshift backfield, the Chiefs figure to lean on the passing game. I’m firing up Rashee Rice.
Sit: Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
About: Yes, Johnston looked good in Week 2. He caught five passes for two touchdowns. But the Chargers’ passing game is a work in progress, and they figure to be a low-scoring squad Sunday in Pittsburgh. Johnston has some upside as a flex, and I’m excited about him this season, but I do not count on a Top 24 day in Week 3.
Tight Ends
Start: Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
About: Bowers has gotten off to a hot start. He’s sitting as TE2 on the season and has 15 receptions through two games. Gardner Minshew is leaning on Bowers and Davante Adams to move the pass offense. In Week 3, the team hosts the woeful Carolina Panthers. Bowers is a must-start at tight end.
Sit: Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans
About: Schultz was a good story in 2023, finishing Top 10 as a tight end and providing some stability to the Texans’ passing game. But the Texans have three good receivers and a good pass-catching back now, which makes for many mouths to feed. Schultz’s production has suffered. He’s TE24 on the season, averaging just over four PPR points per game. That’s not enough volume to make him a reliable starter.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
