San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason has an outside chance to draw a start when the team opens the 2024 season at home against the New York Jets on Monday night. All-Pro starter Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) has been listed as questionable ahead of the game despite head coach Kyle Shanahan maintaining throughout the preseason that the injury would not cause McCaffrey to miss Week 1. During the preseason Mason earned the task of backing up McCaffrey, showing adequate burst and vision. Last year, Mason averaged 5.2 yards per carry and three touchdowns with minimal involvement in the passing game, mostly in garbage time. If McCaffrey cannot go on Monday night, Mason is worth considering for a starting slot in fantasy lineups. Last year, New York's defense was much better against the pass than the run, ranking 25th in the league in yards per game allowed and could be even worse this year, with the loss of key personnel and new acquisition Haason Reddick to miss the game due to a holdout. Mason managers should keep an eye on McCaffrey's status leading up to Monday, although news will probably come too late for most.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown gets a superb matchup Sunday evening when the team squares off against the Los Angeles Rams. Expect St. Brown to eat against an LA secondary ranked worst in the league last season regarding their coverage, as per PFF. While the Rams prioritized their defensive backfield in the offseason, fantasy managers should have no fears slotting him into their lineups. The fourth-year superstar wideout is the engine that drives Detroit's offense, and quarterback Jared Goff's targets are distinctly funneled to him and sophomore tight end Sam LaPorta. The two combined for 284 targets (164/120) in 2023, while the next-highest Lions receiver saw just 71. It is possible -- with all the training camp hype he received -- that WR Jameson Williams will garner a more significant target share in 2024. However, St. Brown is in a pristine role and unlikely to lose his WR1 status. He's RotoBaller's second overall option at WR in Week 1 rankings.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will open his third pro season on Monday night with a home game against the New York Jets. In 2023, Purdy had an excellent year, leading the league in several important categories, which led to a fourth-place finish in MVP voting and a narrow loss in Super Bowl LVIII. Despite Purdy's success in the regular season, the 24-year-old spent most of last year on the fantasy QB1/2 edge, mostly because of San Francisco's emphasis on the ground game and Purdy's lack of reliable rushing production. Meanwhile, the Jets' passing defense was elite last year, ranking second in the NFL in yards per game (168.3). In terms of personnel turnover, New York's defense remains largely intact though they did lose safety Jordan Whitehead as well as Bryce Huff and Quinton Jefferson up front. In March they replaced Huff by trading for All-Pro Haason Reddick. However, Reddick will not play on Monday night due to a contract holdout, which should make life a little easier for Purdy. Even still, with the Jets' pass defense being a true shutdown unit, Purdy is firmly in QB2 territory this week.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery will square off against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday evening in the team's home opener. The Lions' offense will be at full strength heading into a matchup with the highest projected point total of the weekend (52.5). Detroit has an implied team total of 28 points, and Montgomery has a fantastic chance to get in on the action. Despite running mate Jahmyr Gibbs returning to health leading up to Week 1, it is fair to expect that his workload might be monitored. This would leave the lion's share of backfield touches in the sixth-year back's hands for at least one more week. It is believed by some in the fantasy community that Gibbs may supersede the veteran in the pecking order this season. Whether that is the case or not -- only time will tell. Regardless, both Detroit RBs are excellent plays this week and season-long. Additionally, they both hold baked-in upside if either one were to miss any time. Montgomery is RotoBaller's RB22 in this week's rankings.

From RotoBaller

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers open the season with a home matchup against the Washington Commanders. On paper this is a favorable game for the Bucs defense. A unit that finished ranked 10th in fantasy last season as it was a mostly successful season for the Bucs defensive unit. The biggest problem was the secondary that shouldn't be in too much danger in Week 1. They draw a matchup against rookie Jaylen Daniels making his first career start. The Commanders don't have too many big-play offensive players outside of wide receiver Terry McLaurin. The Bucs defense probably shouldn't be leaned on weekly, but could be a possible option for fantasy managers who don't have an elite defense.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell will make his pro debut on Sunday when the Colts host the Houston Texans. The second round pick out of Texas is coming off a collegiate season where he grabbed 55 catches for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Longhorns. The rookie brings a ton of speed and versatility to the table, and will likely be a solid target when paired up with QB Anthony Richardson's big arm. With the injury to Josh Downs (ankle) Mitchell is in line for a starting spot, but his floor isn't safe enough to provide fantasy managers with confidence for his career debut. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues in need of a flex option can give Mitchell a look, but most fantasy managers should be waiting to see how he performs in his first few games before throwing him into lineups.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) is healthy and ready to go for his matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. Gibbs hurt his hamstring a few weeks back at practice, but that is all behind him now as he enters a juicy Week 1 matchup with a 52.5 point over/under. The second-year back is coming off an exceptional rookie season in which he rushed for 945 yards and ten touchdowns on 182 carries (5.2 avg). He even chipped in an additional 52 receptions for 316 yards and a TD on 71 targets. All this despite eclipsing more than a 63% snap-share in 3-of-15 contests. Gibbs may get a little less work this week as he is eased back into action after his injury. However, he has proven his efficiency on limited touches in the past and is always a threat for a house call with the ball in his hands. The Alabama product is RotoBaller's RB8 heading into Sunday's slate.

From RotoBaller

The New York Jets defense draws a tough Week 1 assignment as they will face off against the San Francisco 49ers on the road to open the season. The 49ers possess one of the top offenses in the league and, not surprisingly, allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to fantasy defenses in 2023. That being said, the Jets could get some good fortune as Christian McCaffrey (calf, Achilles) is being called questionable to play on Monday night. The Jets do have a solid defense but they are outside of the top-10 fantasy options for Week 1's slate of games.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is coming off an underwhelming 2023 season where he missed time but appears to be all set for the 2024 campaign. He'll start things off on Sunday when the Colts host the Houston Texans in an AFC South clash. Taylor has historically performed great against the Texans, averaging 135.2 yards/per game with eight total touchdowns in the six games played. Taylor is also up for a huge workload, as Indy has used him in year's past. The Texans were a middle of the pack matchup for fantasy RBs last season, allowing the 16th most points to the position. Given that Taylor is fully healthy, has little competition in the backfield, and his history facing the Texans, he is a must-start for fantasy owners this weekend.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein will head on the road to take on the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1. Zuerlein had a strong season for the Jets in 2023, hitting 35 of his 38 field-goal tries while adding 15 extra points. He should see more scoring opportunities with Aaron Rodgers back under center after missing almost the entire season last year. Zuerlein can be treated as a top-15 fantasy option against a 49ers defense that allowed the 18th-most fantasy points per game to kickers last season.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is coming off a career season in 2023 where he grabbed 109 catches for 1152 yards and four touchdowns. He'll look to follow up his strong campaign on Sunday when the Colts host the Houston Texans. Pittman was quietly one of the most targeted receivers in football last season, seeing an influx of volume when the team turned to QB Gardner Minshew after QB Anthony Richardson's injury. He's in line for a decent matchup against the Texans, a team that was in the bottom-half of fantasy points allowed to receivers and the bottom-ten of receiving yards allowed last season. While it's unclear how much passing volume the Colts will implement, Pittman will likely be Richardson's No. 1 target and makes him a strong start this week. Fantasy managers should target Pittman as high-end WR2/low-end WR1 this week.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson will kick off his third NFL season with a road matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1. The 49ers pose a middle-of-the-road matchup for Wilson as they allowed the 14th-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers in 2023. Wilson will enjoy catching passes from Aaron Rodgers this season after he struggled through some rough quarterback play last season following Rodgers' Week 1 Achilles rupture. Fantasy gamers can feel confident locking Wilson into their starting lineups as a top-10 fantasy wide receiver for the regular-season opener.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams will take on the San Francisco 49ers on the road to kick off his 2024 season. Williams appeared in just three games for the Los Angeles Chargers last season before he tore his ACL and missed the remainder of the year. That being said, he was off to a hot start before the injury, racking up 249 receiving yards in his three games before getting hurt. Williams will slot in as the No. 2 receiver for the Jets opposite Garrett Wilson and could return WR3 value in fantasy in some weeks. The 49ers don't pose a particularly tough matchup for Williams as they allowed the 14th-most fantasy points per game to receivers in 2023. Treat Williams as a solid flex option for Week 1.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin will kick off his 2024 season with a road game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1. Conklin will open the year as the starting tight end for the Jets and could be in line for a solid season catching passes from Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers was behind some big seasons for his tight ends while he was with the Green Bay Packers and could lean on Conklin in the middle of the field with the Jets. The 49ers allowed the 22nd-most fantasy points per game to tight ends in 2023 but Conklin is worth a look as a solid TE2 in PPR leagues for Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | Packers quarterback Jordan Love has been diagnosed with a sprained MCL. Dynasty Analysis: While Love is going to miss some time this season, this really was the best case scenario after what transpired last night. MCL sprains can last anywhere from two-to-twelve weeks, so we still need quite a bit more information before truly evaluating this. Still, the Packers are going to turn to either Malik Willis or Sean Clifford in the short term. As a result, the skill players of the Packers need to be downgraded for as long as Love is out.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson gears up for his second season in the NFL when the Colts host the Houston Texans on Sunday afternoon. The former Florida Gator is expected to be fully healthy after missing the majority of his rookie campaign with a shoulder injury. All the stars have aligned for Richardson to have a breakout fantasy year with Indy's strong offensive line, quality skill position players, and HC Shane Steichen's play calling. He enters a favorable matchup on Sunday against the Texans, a team that allowed the tenth most fantasy points to QBs as well as the tenth most passing yards last season. The game also provides some shootout potential, furthering the case for Richardson to have a strong fantasy outing. Richardson is a must-start in all formats, and has a shot to finish as the QB1 in Week 1.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets running back Breece Hall will open his 2024 season with a road matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. It sets up as a difficult matchup against a 49ers defense that allowed the 29th-most fantasy points per game to running backs. Hall finished his 2023 season with nine total touchdowns, 994 rushing yards, and 591 receiving yards on 76 catches after tearing his ACL in October of the 2022 season. The third-year running back is worth starting as a top-four fantasy option on Monday night despite the difficult matchup for him.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will return to the field for the first in almost a year when he takes on the San Francisco 49ers on the road in Week 1. Rodgers ruptured his Achilles on the Jets' first drive of the season in 2023 and missed the remainder of the year. He will look to make up for lost time in a tough Week 1 matchup against the 49ers. San Francisco allowed just the 24th-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks last year and could present problems for Rodgers, who will hope to shake off the rust quickly. Fantasy gamers can treat Rodgers as a mid-range QB2 for the season opener on Monday night.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Robbie Chosen has been elevated to the active roster ahead of the Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 31-year-old has experience in this system as he played with the Dolphins last season. He finished with four receptions for 126 yards and one touchdown in nine games with the Dolphins. He figures to serve as extra depth and is unlikely to see much work behind Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Braxton Berrios, and Grant DuBose. Fantasy managers can continue to leave Chosen on the waiver wire ahead of Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver DJ Chark (hip) has been placed on the injured reserve on Saturday. This means Chark will now miss at least the first four weeks of the regular season. He continues battling a hip issue that looks like it's going to need more time to heal. His absence should mean more targets for Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston, and rookie Ladd McConkey to open the season. Out of the three, Palmer probably has the most streaming appeal, but Johnson and McConkey should get chances as well. Chark isn't someone who needs to be stashed in most fantasy formats.

From RotoBaller