Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy will face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 this season. The rookie out of the University of Texas will face one of the league's best defenses for the first game of his career, but there are reasons for optimism in this contest. First of all, Worthy made history by running a 4.21 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, which narrowly beat out John Ross' record of 4.22 seconds. Second of all, Worthy finds himself on arguably the best team in the league with one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Patrick Mahomes is one of the best deep-ball throwers in the NFL, despite not truly utilizing that part of his game last season. Mahomes had the lowest yards per attempt of his career in 2023, in large part due to a change in play-calling for their personnel group. This offseason, the Chiefs made it a priority to bring in playmakers with the ability to stretch the field. The Chiefs brought in veteran Marquise Brown and drafted Xavier Worthy. In the preseason, nearly half of Worthy's routes were "go" routes and he had a 29% target share on Mahomes' dropbacks. Andy Reid and the Chiefs will likely try to scheme up a deep ball for their rookie speedster in their opening contest. With Marquise Brown out for Week 1, Worthy could operate as the team's WR2 and is a risky start for fantasy given the unknowns, but he has massive big-play potential.

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Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry is officially starting his first season in a uniform that's not the Tennessee Titans. The former Offensive Player of the Year looks to start his ninth season with a bang on a team that's known for an outstanding ground game. The Ravens were one game away from the Super Bowl last year, so they added one of the best running backs in the league to complement Lamar Jackson and company. Henry, in a down year, finished with 1,167 yards on 280 carries and 12 touchdowns last season. Now that he has a quarterback who's a dual threat and an offensive scheme that is still in his favor, Henry sets his sights on yet another fantasy finish that puts him in RB1 territory. In half-PPR formats, Henry finished as the RB8 to be exact. Fantasy managers can consider him an RB1 heading into the matchup with the Chiefs on Thursday night.

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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (foot, toe) was able to put in a full practice on Wednesday and is not listed on the team's first official injury report in the lead-up to Week 1 of the regular season this Sunday against the division-rival Carolina Panthers. Shaheed missed time in training camp with foot, toe and hamstring injuries, but he has healed up at just the right time and will be on the field this weekend, hoping for a bigger role in the passing game in 2024. The 26-year-old third-year wideout will be looking to step up as the Saints' No. 2 behind Chris Olave after catching 46 of his 75 targets for 719 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games in 2023. Shaheed's yards per catch (15.6) came down slightly from his rookie campaign, and he'll need more targets most likely to become more than a boom/bust WR5/flex for fantasy managers in his third year in the NFL.

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (hamstring) remained limited in practice on Wednesday. This comes as no surprise as the Steelers have been bringing him on slowly during his return from injury. Warren has repeatedly indicated that he plans to play in Week 1. The Falcons were a middle-of-the-road rushing defense in 2023 so this matchup may be relatively neutral. Still, Warren has a big role in this offense. The third-year player rushed for 784 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. He also added 61 receptions for 370 yards. The Steelers offense projects to be much improved in 2024 and Warren could easily improve those numbers. Should he ultimately be active, Warren is a solid flex consideration in Week 1.

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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (undisclosed) appears to be in line to suit up for the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers after he was not included on the first official injury report of the season. Adams was a full participant in the first official practice of the 2024 campaign after dealing with a minor undisclosed injury toward the end of training camp in August. As a top-15 wide receiver off the board in drafts, Adams should be a must-start in fantasy lineups against the Bolts this weekend in his first game working with new quarterback Gardner Minshew II. The 31-year-old pass-catcher secured his fourth straight 1,000-yard season with an ineffective Jimmy Garoppolo and rookie Aidan O'Connell in 2023, although his eight touchdowns were his fewest in that category since 2019. Start him with confidence in Week 1 as Vegas' WR1.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 of the 2024 season. The second-year receiver was a standout last season and will look to build on his impressive performances this year. There was a lot of discourse about Rice's availability for this season following his car accident incident, but it appears he will avoid suspension for this year. Rice should be the favorite to lead the receivers in targets given his established rapport with Patrick Mahomes and his ability to find open spots in the defense. Rice also operates closer to the line of scrimmage than his fellow receivers, which should boost his number of targets from Mahomes. Still, facing the Ravens in Week 1 will be a difficult situation. The last time these two teams faced, Rice brought in eight of his nine targets for just 46 yards. Rice was held to just 5.8 yards per reception in that contest, but his yards-after-catch ability makes him dangerous every time he has the ball in his hands. With a full season under his belt and offseason to prepare, Rice should be more than ready to lead the Chiefs wide receiver room. With fellow receiver Marquise Brown out for Week 1, more targets should go Rice's way. Rice is a strong start for Week 1 despite facing the Ravens defense.

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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. Jeudy has been relatively banged up throughout the preseason and training camp but appears to be full healthy heading into Week 1. Jeudy is looking for a fresh start in Cleveland after spending his first four seasons with the Denver Broncos. Jeudy has flashed potential at times during his career but has never put it all together for a full season. Jeudy will look to make a name for himself starting this week against the Dallas Cowboys. If Jeudy can build on the 758 receiving yards and two touchdowns he recorded in 2023, then he may yet be an occasional fantasy contributor.

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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (foot) said that he feels 100% heading into a Week 1 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. Herbert explained that he did not have plantar fasciitis and that his injury was a "personal thing you keep to yourself". This is great news for fantasy managers who roster Herbert or any of the Chargers pass catchers, particularly wide receiver Ladd McConkey. Herbert does not have an injury designation heading into Week 1. He has been a forgotten commodity in a Chargers offense that projects to be run-first. However, Herbert may have solid fantasy value throughout the season. With a healthy Herbert, the Chargers offense should be solid at minimum with upside for more.

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers heads into the season opener with more to prove after producing a game-changing mistake in the AFC Championship game last year. His fumble against the Kansas City Chiefs overshadowed his excellent year which saw him finishing just outside of a WR2 in half-PPR formats. The speedy wideout from Boston College saw a steady diet of targets and led the receiving corps in snaps by a wide margin. That shouldn't change as he comes into this year as the team's WR1. He ended the regular season by averaging 16.9 fantasy points in the final five games in PPR formats, which is where he shines the most. While he'll get plenty of opportunities in this revenge game against the Chiefs on Thursday, look for Flowers to be more of a low-end WR2 against a pass defense that remains to be seen after the loss of L'Jarius Sneed.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco will face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. The Ravens defense was among the best defenses last season, allowing the fewest rushing touchdowns in 2023. That said, Pacheco was still given much work the last time these two teams faced off in the AFC Championship. In that game, Pacheco had 24 carries for 68 yards, a touchdown, and four receptions for 14 yards. The Chiefs running back had 28 opportunities against the Ravens in the season's biggest game to that point. Pacheco's massive share of the offense should show how much the Kansas City Chiefs trust him with the ball. This season, Pacheco comes in as the undoubted RB1 of the offense, and with Clyde Edwards-Helaire away from the team, he will be backed up by recently acquired Samaje Perine and rookie Carson Steele. The run game should go through Pacheco, and he should also get a few looks in the passing game. Pacheco is a strong start in fantasy this week despite the tough matchup against the Ravens.

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The Seattle Seahawks appear to be committing to effectively running the ball based on a new statement from wide receiver DK Metcalf. Metcalf explained that new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb made it clear that despite his recent pass-heavy history, the Seahawks are going to run the ball downhill. This is great news for Kenneth Walker III and even Zach Charbonnet managers. The Seahawks were one of the run heaviest teams during the Pete Carroll era and it seems that those tendencies are not necessarily going to change. While fantasy managers have been excited about a potential air raid in Seattle under Grubb, an excellent run game and more creativity overall may create more opportunities in the passing game. For now, fantasy managers will have to wait and see how the new-look Seahawks offense will operate in Week 1.

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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will have a difficult matchup in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium. These two teams last met in January for the AFC Championship game. In that game, Kelce reeled in 11 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown as the Chiefs took the victory. The Chiefs won that game 17-10 and advanced to the Super Bowl, where they won for the second straight year. Kelce has been an integral part of the Kansas City offense for years and will look to continue that trend. There has been a lot of talk about Kelce's role in the offense, with other capable pass catchers like Rashee Rice, Marquise Brown, and Xavier Worthy rounding out their receiving core. However, Kelce will likely still be Patrick Mahomes' most reliable target. Kelce will likely be guarded by Ravens' safety Kyle Hamilton, but he seemed to have no trouble in their last matchup. Kelce is still a top-tier TE1 for fantasy purposes.

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (hip) did not practice on Wednesday. Chark has been dealing with the injury for a couple of weeks and has not practiced at all this week. The Chargers need Chark's big play ability and experience in a relatively inexperienced wide receiving room. In 15 games with the Carolina Panthers in 2023, Chark demonstrated that he can still be a solid contributor. He posted 35 receptions for 525 yards and five touchdowns. The Chargers would certainly welcome those numbers in 2024. Chark is likely off the fantasy radar. However, should he miss game time, there is more intrigue for wide receivers Joshua Palmer, Ladd McConkey, and Quentin Johnston. Chark's absence would especially open the door for Johnston to prove himself in this offense.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin (abdomen/illness) did not practice on Wednesday. McLaughlin hit on 93.5% of his field goal attempts in 2023 and was rewarded with a three-year contract extension. Tampa Bay has a favorable matchup for kickers in Week 1 so it will be worth monitoring McLaughlin's status leading up to the weekend. Hopefully he is able to bounce-back from his illness quickly and start on Sunday.

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is fresh from his second NFL MVP award and the one thing he's talked about this year is continuing to be hungry for a championship. His quest for his first ring starts Thursday with a tough season opener on the road against the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs. The Ravens offense returns almost all of their primary weapons while adding Derrick Henry to their repertoire. The continuity of the same offensive coordinator and the chemistry with his pass-catchers is going to play a big part in Jackson's success. The last time these two teams faced off was in a tightly-contested AFC Championship game where Jackson threw for 272 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and completed 20 of his 37 attempts. He also gathered 54 yards on eight carries. The Chiefs don't have their star defensive back L'Jarius Sneed anymore which benefits the Ravens' passing game. Look for Jackson to be a QB1 heading into the opening game on Thursday.

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will look to start the season strong in Week 1 on Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens. Despite starting the year at Arrowhead Stadium, this matchup will not be a walk in the park for the reigning Super Bowl MVP. In 2023, the Baltimore Ravens defense allowed 16.5 points per game, the fewest points per game to opposing offenses. The Ravens defense lost some important pieces, notably Patrick Queen, but they should still be a formidable opponent this season. The Chiefs defense will also be a force this season, but the offenses should get their chances to shine in this contest as this game has the sixth-highest over/under of Week 1. Mahomes has a 5-1 record in Week 1 games with 20 TDs and a 124.5 passer rating, so look for him to start hot this season. The Chiefs quarterback is an easy fantasy start every week he is available.

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New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (foot) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. This comes as good news for a Patriots team in need of offensive weapons. Henry will start at tight end and should continue his success in the red zone for the Patriots. In 2023 he recorded 42 receptions for 419 yards and six touchdowns. He has scored 17 touchdowns during his Patriots career. The Patriots do not project to be a high-powered offense. However, Henry should have his usual share of solid weeks as a tight end streamer.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (calf) avoided landing on the first official injury report of the 2024 regular season on Wednesday by putting in a full practice. It doesn't come as much of a surprise despite Kirk missing some time in training camp due to a mild calf injury. The Jags lost Calvin Ridley in the offseason but added Gabe Davis and first-round rookie Brian Thomas Jr. to the receiving corps. The 27-year-old Kirk was quarterback Trevor Lawrence's No. 1 target last year before his season ended prematurely due to a core injury. Don't forget that Kirk had his first 1,000-yard season with a career-high eight scores in his first year in Duvall in 2022, so a bounce-back could easily be in the cards in 2024. He's at least a WR3/flex for fantasy managers in a Week 1 matchup against the Miami Dolphins that could turn into a track meet.

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Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (heel) was listed as a limited practice participant on the team's first official injury report of the 2024 regular season on Wednesday due to a heel injury. Allen missed practice late last week with the same issue. While it's something to watch heading into the regular season this weekend in a Week 1 matchup for Chicago against the Tennessee Titans, the 32-year-old veteran should be able to make his Bears debut on Sunday at Soldier Field. If Allen cannot play or is limited, it would open up targets for both DJ Moore and first-round rookie Rome Odunze. Allen's fantasy stock was down in the offseason after he ended his Chargers tenure on the bench due to injuries in 2023, and his fantasy ceiling is certainly lowered in Chicago where targets will be harder to come by. But when healthy, Allen is still worthy of at least a WR3/flex play.

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Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (undisclosed) was not listed on the first official injury report on Wednesday, signaling he practiced in full and is ready to roll for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday versus the Jacksonville Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins kept details sparse on Waddle's injury throughout training camp and the preseason, but the 25-year-old appears to be just fine and needs to be in all starting fantasy lineups as a strong WR2. In addition to Waddle being ready, WR1 Tyreek Hill (thumb) will also be good to go this weekend after dealing with a minor thumb injury toward the end of camp. Waddle has excellent chemistry with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and there isn't any reason the former sixth overall pick can't put up a fourth straight 1,000-yard campaign to begin his career in 2024 if he stays healthy.

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