Start ‘Em, Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.
Week 1 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES
Fabs’ Top 10 Wide Receivers
1. Justin Jefferson vs. Buccaneers
2. Ja’Marr Chase at Browns
3. Tyreek Hill at Chargers
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown at Chiefs (Thur.)
5. CeeDee Lamb at Giants
6. Stefon Diggs at Jets (Mon.)
7. A.J. Brown at Patriots
8. Davante Adams at Broncos
9. Jaylen Waddle at Chargers
10. Garrett Wilson vs. Bills (Mon.)
Week 1 Start ’Em: Wide Receivers
Start of the Week
Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports
Jahan Dotson vs. Cardinals (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Dotson is one of the more popular sleepers in fantasy land, and he should start the season off on a high note. With Terry McLaurin (toe) banged up, Dotson could see a bigger role in the Washington pass attack against a Cardinals defense that projects to be a below-average unit this season. Dotson makes for a nice WR2 or flex option this weekend.
Start ’Em
DeAndre Hopkins at Saints (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Hopkins should start his time with the Titans with a big stat line, as he’ll face a Saints defense that he torched for 10 catches in Week 7 of last season. With Derrick Henry in the backfield keeping the Saints honest, Hopkins should have little trouble finding open seams in their pass defense all afternoon. He’ll be a nice No. 2 wideout in most leagues.
Drake London vs. Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): London is one of the top breakout players at wide receiver, and this week’s matchup against the Panthers makes him a nice choice to produce. Their defense allowed the highest percentage of points (+25) based on schedule adjusted points to receivers last season. What’s more, receivers lined out wide averaged the fourth-most points against them.
Mike Williams vs. Dolphins (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): The Dolphins-Chargers game should be a high-scoring affair, and Williams will no doubt get in on the statistical fun. Los Angeles should take more chances downfield with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore calling the plays, and Miami allowed the eighth-most yards to receivers lined out wide on targeted passes of 20-plus yards last season.
Chris Godwin at Vikings (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Godwin and the Buccaneers pass attack figures to take a step back this season with Baker Mayfield (and not Tom Brady) under center. Still, this week’s matchup in Minnesota makes the slot man a nice fantasy option. The Vikings surrendered the second biggest percentage of points to wideouts based on schedule adjusted points last season.
More Starts
Christian Watson at Bears (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
Courtland Sutton vs. Raiders (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
Michael Thomas vs. Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
DFS Bargains (DraftKings)
Drake London vs. Panthers ($5,400)
Courtland Sutton vs. Raiders ($5,200)
Jahan Dotson vs. Cardinals ($5,000)
Week 1 Sit ‘Em: Wide receivers
Sit of the Week
Marquise Brown at Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Brown seems like a major risk this week, as the Cardinals will be starting Joshua Dobbs in the absence of Kyler Murray. Dobbs, who was acquired in a trade late in camp, has had little time to gain a rapport with his receivers. The journeyman quarterback also had a tough matchup against Washington, so Brown is a fade for me this week.
Sit ’Em
DJ Moore vs. Packers (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Moore will likely be a flex starter in many leagues this week, but you might want to temper expectations. The Packers defense was tough on wideouts last season, allowing just 13 touchdowns. What’s more, Green Bay allowed -10.4% to wideouts based on schedule adjusted points a season ago. If you can, I’d sit Moore in this NFC North matchup.
Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Pittman Jr. could have an up and down season in the stat sheets, as the Colts will start rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson in the opener. He’ll endure some growing pains against the Jaguars, who will no doubt look to pressure the inexperienced field general. That will affect Pittman, who could struggle in his first game of 2023.
JuJu Smith-Schuster vs. Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Smith-Schuster might be the best bet for fantasy points among New England wideouts, but I’d be fading him in what is a tough matchup against the Eagles. Their defense allowed the seventh-fewest points to receivers last season, including the third-fewest to receivers lined out wide. Unless you’re desperate, I’d keep JuJu on the sidelines.
Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): OBJ will be playing in his first game since Super Bowl LVI. That was February 13, 2022! That could mean some rust, not to mention a potential gridlock for targets in a Ravens offense with a lot of mouths to feed. The Texans also allowed the fewest schedule adjusted points (-21.9%) to receivers last season, so Beckham should be faded.
More Sits
Gabe Davis at Jets (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
George Pickens vs. 49ers (1 p.m. ET, FOX)
Jakobi Meyers at Broncos (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Jaguars ($6,200)
DJ Moore vs. Packers ($6,100)
Diontae Johnson vs. 49ers ($5,300)
