In his first year with the Denver Broncos in 2023, kicker Wil Lutz finished as the No. 18 fantasy kicker by making 30 of his 34 field-goal attempts and 29 of his 31 extra-point opportunities in 17 games. It was enough to get the Broncos to sign him to a two-year contract extension in the offseason after it initially looked like he was about to jump ship and join the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 30-year-old veteran was a Pro Bowler in 2019 and has made 85.2% of his kicks in seven NFL seasons. It's not that he's an unreliable kicking option, but there are just much better options in fantasy to begin the season. The biggest reason why Lutz remains off the fantasy radar heading into a Week 1 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks is that he's kicking for an offense that will be led by rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Consistent field-goal opportunities may be hard to come by for the veteran.

From RotoBaller

After another injury-plagued year in 2023 in which he managed to play in just two games, Denver Broncos tight end Greg Dulcich went undrafted in most standard-sized, 12-team fantasy leagues. Dulcich opens his third year in the NFL listed as the No. 2 TE on Denver's depth chart behind Adam Trautman, although it's widely expected that he'll end up as the Broncos' most targeted tight end when all is said and done this year. The 24-year-old caught 33 of 55 targets for 411 yards and two TDs in 10 games as a rookie and has shown upside as a fantasy TE when healthy. The problem is he's rarely been healthy. Entering Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, Dulcich will be an upside TE3 stash in deeper fantasy leagues. If he stays healthy and earns the trust of rookie quarterback Bo Nix as a safety blanket, Dulcich could become a waiver-wire consideration in shallower leagues.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) is questionable to play Monday night against the New York Jets. The superstar running back suffered a calf injury in August, knocking him out of the preseason and most of training camp. However, head coach Kyle Shanahan never seemed concerned about McCaffrey missing Week 1. Every indication has been that the veteran will be on the field for the Monday night matchup against the Jets. Yet, fantasy players should have a backup plan on their roster if McCaffrey is a last-minute inactive. Jordan Mason and Deebo Samuel will see most of the team's rushing workload if McCaffrey doesn't play.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (illness) is questionable to play tomorrow against the New England Patriots. The superstar wide receiver was already questionable to play after barely practicing this week because of contract negotiations. Unfortunately, it feels like Chase is trending towards not playing in Week 1, leaving the Bengals with limited options at wide receiver. Tee Higgins (hamstring) isn't expected to play against the Patriots, meaning Andrei Iosivas and Jermaine Burton will likely get the start. Fantasy players with Joe Burrow on their roster should consider other options in Week 1, including adding Justin Fields off the waiver wire with Russell Wilson (calf) not expected to suit up against the Atlanta Falcons. Meanwhile, Chase will be a snap count if he plays, making him a risk start for fantasy players.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds came to Denver in the offseason and essentially will replace Jerry Jeudy in 2024 as the team's WR2 behind Courtland Sutton. A season ago in Detroit, Reynolds finished with a 40-608-5 line in 17 regular-season games. His five touchdowns matched his career-high set back in 2018 with the Rams. Reynolds has never surpassed 618 receiving yards in any of his seven NFL campaigns and not much is expected of him in his first year with the Broncos in an offense that will be led by rookie quarterback Bo Nix. The 29-year-old went undrafted in most standard-sized, 12-team fantasy leagues, therefore he should be on most benches in deeper leagues in a Week 1 tilt in Seattle against the Seahawks. Reynolds dealt with a minor Achilles injury in August but practiced in full earlier this week and is good to go for the season opener.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton found the end zone a career-high 10 times on 59 receptions and 772 yards in 16 games in 2023. But that came with quarterback Russell Wilson at the helm, and now rookie Bo Nix will be leading the offense in a tough Week 1 draw in Seattle against the Seahawks. Fantasy managers should have drafted Sutton with the realistic expectations that he won't score double-digit TDs in 2024. Despite that, they should rest easy knowing target volume shouldn't be an issue. The Seahawks defense was a top-12 matchup for wideouts last year, and Nix could pepper Sutton with targets in his NFL debut in a hostile environment at Lumen Field. Sutton should be considered a WR4/flex with a safe floor in the season opener, and his stock could improve as the season goes on if he's able to establish chemistry with Nix like he had with Wilson last year.

From RotoBaller

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (knee) suffered a sprained MCL in the 34-29 Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday in Brazil, according to Ian Rapoport. While he is expected to miss time with the injury, the franchise quarterback doesn't have a season-ending injury. How long Love will be out is still to be determined, but Malik Willis is currently the Packers' No. 2 quarterback. He should be the starter until Love is healthy. However, many have speculated that Green Bay could add a veteran to compete with Willis until Love returns. Unfortunately, fantasy managers might have to avoid starting any Packers pass-catchers with Willis under center.

From RotoBaller

The Washington Commanders have placed quarterback Marcus Mariota (chest) on injured reserve and have signed quarterback Sam Hartman from their practice squad. Mariota, who sustained a chest injury during Wednesday's practice, will be sidelined until at least early October. Washington had signed Mariota to a one-year, $6 million contract before drafting Jayden Daniels with their second-round pick. Mariota, a former No. 2 overall pick in 2015, had agreed to either mentor or start as needed for the team. This marks Mariota's first season with the Commanders after previous stints with the Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, and Philadelphia Eagles. The rookie from Notre Dame will step in as the third-string quarterback behind Daniels, the starter, and Jeff Driskel, the new backup, for the start of the season.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos second-year running back Jaleel McLaughlin did some great things for the Broncos in his first year in the NFL in 2023 despite going undrafted out of Youngstown State. McLaughlin battled for touches with lead back Javonte Williams and third-down specialist Samaje Perine and finished with 410 rushing yards and a touchdown on 76 carries for an impressive 5.4 yards per carry. He also added 31 catches on 36 targets for 160 yards and two more scores in 17 games. McLaughlin enters his second year as the clear backup to Williams, and he's also going to have to fend off rookie Audric Estime. The Broncos have a matchup in Week 1 against a Seattle Seahawks run defense that allowed the third-most half-PPR points to RBs a year ago, but as long as Williams stays healthy, it will be hard to recommend McLaughlin as anything more than an RB4/flex. He belongs on the bench in standard 12-team leagues.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams broke into the league in 2021 as an impressive tackle-breaking back with three-down potential and a bright future in Denver. Williams' fantasy stock has since tumbled, mainly because of devastating season-ending knee injury suffered in 2022. The 24-year-old didn't look the same in 2023, averaging a career-low 3.6 yards per carry in what was a below-average Denver offense led by quarterback Russell Wilson. However, Williams quietly played 16 games and finished with 774 yards and three touchdowns, adding a career-high 47 receptions for 228 yards and two more TDs. He heads into a Week 1 matchup in Seattle against a revamped Seahawks defense, although they did allow the second-most half-PPR points to RBs per game in 2023. As the clear lead back in Denver, expect the Broncos to lean heavily on Williams in Bo Nix's debut, putting him on the RB2/3 borderline in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

The Minnesota Vikings have elevated running back Myles Gaskin to the active roster for Sunday's game against the New York Giants. Gaskin, who led the team with 128 rushing yards on 27 carries during the preseason and added four receptions for 16 yards, brings valuable experience with 41 NFL games and 17 starts. His impressive performance in training camp caught the coaches' attention, making him an essential depth addition behind Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler. Gaskin also returned three kickoffs for 55 yards in the preseason and could be utilized as the Vikings and Giants navigate the new kickoff rules. While Gaskin may not be a fantasy asset this week, it's reassuring to know he will be the next option if anything happens to Jones or Chandler.

From RotoBaller

The Dallas Cowboys have officially activated wide receiver CeeDee Lamb from the exempt list, and he is set to play on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns in the season opener. Lamb had been holding out before signing a four-year, $136 million contract extension, which includes a record $38 million signing bonus for wide receivers and $100 million guaranteed. His $34 million annual average makes him the second-highest-paid receiver, trailing only Justin Jefferson of the Vikings. Lamb was placed on the commissioner's exempt list while the Cowboys utilized a two-game roster exemption, which allowed them to keep a roster spot open as Lamb worked to get back into form after missing most of training camp. As Lamb returns for this challenging matchup against the strong Browns defense, he will have had limited preparation. Although he remains a must-start in fantasy leagues, it's wise to temper expectations for Week 1 as he shakes off the rust.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) is traveling with the team to Atlanta despite being listed as questionable on the injury report. Wilson is dealing with tightness in the same calf he injured during training camp. He was limited in practice over the final two days of the week, leading to the questionable designation on the final injury report. While his availability for the game remains uncertain, he will at least be present with the team. If Wilson cannot play, the Steelers will turn to Justin Fields, who has a 10-28 record as an NFL starter. Fields, who competed with Wilson during training camp and preseason, was named the backup for Week 1 but now has an opportunity to prove himself as the potential full-time starter. The Steelers are set to face the Falcons on Sunday, and the inactives list, including the final decision on Wilson's status, will be released about an hour and a half before kickoff. Given the uncertainty surrounding the Steelers' quarterback situation, relying on any Steelers quarterback in fantasy leagues this Sunday may be risky, regardless of who starts.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos rookie first-round quarterback Bo Nix looked great in training camp and the preseason while quickly winning over the coaching staff and being named the starter over Jarrett Stidham. Many analysts thought Denver reached for the Oregon product with the 12th overall selection back in April, but head coach Sean Payton really likes him, and Nix's athleticism and strong arm could help him excel in the system right away. With that said, there is a lot of pressure on the 24-year-old as Denver's first rookie to start the season opener since legend John Elway in the early 1980's. In addition to that pressure, he'll be making his first NFL regular-season start in the harsh environment at Lumen Field in Seattle against the Seahawks. While Nix is an excellent stash in dynasty/keeper leagues, he's only worth a bench spot in two-QB superflex leagues in his rookie campaign as a QB3 heading into Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | Eagles running back Saquon Barkley rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns while adding two catches for 23 yards and another score in his Philadelphia debut. Dynasty Analysis: The Eagles offense struggled in its first two series but came to life after with Barkley leading the way. It couldn't have gone much better for Saquon as he had 24 of the 25 running back carries with Kenneth Gainwell garnering just one tote. While we have a long way to go before declaring Barkley as being totally back, this was a pretty awe-inspiring debut for his new team.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | Packers receiver Jayden Reed had four catches for 138 yards and a touchdown while adding a 33-yard rushing touchdown in Green Bay's season-opening loss to the Eagles. Dynasty Analysis: Reed was a fantasy dynamo at times last year and this game showed that was no fluke. It looks like Reed, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are the top receivers in this offense and while any ot them can post a big game, Reed certainly looks like the best bet of the trio at the moment. The big concern with him is clearly the health of Jordan Love, so stay tuned.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | Packers quarterback Jordan Love completed 17-of-34 passes for 260 yards with two touchdowns and one interception but suffered an injury late in Green Bay's season opener. Dynasty Analysis: Love was injured with just seconds left in the game as he was scrambling around in an effort to throw a hail mary. X (the artist formerly known as Twitter) has exploded with everyone quickly becoming doctors and thinking film shows a "pop" in his knee. Early reports indicate his ACL is intact but Love isn't out of the woods. Stay tuned.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | Packers running back Josh Jacobs rushed for 84 yards and caught two passes for 20 yards in Green Bay's opening night loss to the Eagles. Dynasty Analysis: Jacobs had one 32-yard gain but was otherwise quiet on the night. This will certainly not be the case every week and he may be even more important to the offense should Green Bay lose Jordan Love for an extended period of time. Regardless, Jacobs is a fringe RB1 most weeks and this seems like a game that would be closer to his floor than ceiling this year.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | Packers receiver Dontayvion Wicks was held without a catch in Green Bay's season-opening loss to the Eagles. Dynasty Analysis: Wicks was targeted three times but failed to record a reception. This was a major downer for many dynasty managers who bought into the hype surrounding Wicks all off-season. While it's just one game, it does seem as if he's a distant fourth option behind blossoming star Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson. Wicks remains a hold in dynasty leagues for now but expectations should be tempered.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | Eagles receiver Jahan Dotson was held catchless in his Eagles debut. Dynasty Analysis: Yuck. Even worse, Dotson garnered just one target on the night. While it's just one game, the notion Dotson would take a few targets away from AJ Brown or DeVonta Smith early on can be put to rest. Dotson is a hold in dynasty leagues but his value arrow is pointing straight down at the moment.

From Dynasty League Fantasy