Although it is clear to start your high-end top options at wide receiver for Fantasy Football, there are some decisions to make. Targeting high game totals and the top offenses should be the priority, but the top option for a lesser offense could be safer than the third or fourth option for a better offense. Week 1 is always chaotic, as defenses are normally tough to predict week to week and year to year.
Especially in terms of wide receivers for PPR, starting at wide receiver 2 or 3 or even flex spots. Getting these positions correct can make or break your week and determine your matchup. Here are some guys that are preferred starts and some that could sit depending on your options this week.
Wide Receiver Must Start for Week 1
Here are a few of the players that we are leaning on heavily this week. These players are in a good spot to put together a solid performance and have a favorable matchup.
Nico Collins
Nico Collins is up against an Indianapolis Colts secondary that allowed a monster performance in back-to-back matchups to him specifically. According to Statmuse, the breakout star had 7 catches for 146 yards and catches for 195 yards, along with a touchdown in each contest.
He was extended this offseason and while they have other receivers like new acquisition Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell, C.J. Stroud could lean on a familiar face like Collins. His ranking of WR 17 in PPR for FantasyPros this week is pretty egregious.
Deebo Samuel
The New York Jets secondary makes this a tough matchup but when running mostly 2-high coverage, that signals a good game for Deebo Samuel. He would be utilized in the run game as well, making it hard for players like Sauce Gardner, Michael Carter II, or D.J. Reed to line up against him one-on-one consistently. The veteran has historically torched zone-based defenses while struggling against man.
The San Francisco 49ers’ featured weapon is ranked as the 20th receiver in PPR, according to FantasyPros. However, he is fairing well against other receivers outside the top 10 on target and scoring potential. With Christian McCaffrey also questionable heading into their primetime matchup, it would make sense that Samuel is mixed around even more for Week 1.
Wide Receiver Must Sit for Week 1
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On the flip side of things, here are a few of the players we are sitting in this one.
Brandon Aiyuk
Brandon Aiyuk might not be the safest play this week, just coming off signing his long-awaited extension. He will line up on the outside against Gardner, making it a rough matchup to start 2024 for Week 1. Aiyuk is better against man coverage, while his counterpart Samuel is notable vs. zone coverage. The New York Jets are known for running more Cover-3 with the 2-high safety shells.
Aiyuk was holding in and not practicing with the team up until this past week, so there is plenty of risk involving starting the star wide receiver. He might be better with a wait-and-see approach for a better matchup or coverage defense on paper before starting him in fantasy football.
Tank Dell
In Houston, it will be a dilemma on who eats in this offense for the Texans week to week. However, for this week, the talented second-year player is a fade in comparison to the veteran Diggs and Collins on the outside. Dell, coming off an injury but now healthy, is their designated slot receiver and will be covered by experienced veteran nickel cornerback Kenny Moore.
While the young receiver could connect with Stroud like last season before he was hurt, at least for this week, the Indianapolis Colts boundary cornerbacks are weaker in defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s defense. JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones are their outside corners and were abused in their previous two matchups in 2023.
Conclusion
For Week 1, it is usually better to go safe at the wide receiver position and start your studs. Getting enough points to win your matchup might be more important than gambling on a player when it is not necessary.
For top offenses like the San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans, who all have a plethora of weapons, it will be interesting how the new and old players are involved with their respective teams right off the bat.
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