As the NFL season kicks off, fantasy football managers are eagerly setting their lineups, hoping to secure those crucial week one victories. With so much on the line, selecting the right players can make all the difference. From quarterbacks who can light up the scoreboard to defenses ready to dominate, knowing which finishers at each position are poised for a big game is key. In this article, we'll break down the best options for week one, highlighting why these players are must-starts in your lineup. Whether you're banking on a rookie sensation or a seasoned veteran, these players are likely to dominate week 1. 

Quarterback: CJ Stroud

Fresh off of averaging over 18 points in his rookie season, Stroud is back and ready for even more on Sunday with a very favorable matchup against Indianapolis. Last season, CJ Stroud scored over 20 points in both matchups against this mediocre Colts defense, including a 384 yard performance against his division rivals in only his second ever game. 

While their defense isn’t quite among the worst in the league, Indianapolis was ranked 24th in total yards allowed per game in 2023, and 28th in total points allowed per game. Even with new additions Julian Blackmon and Raekwon Davis, it’s unlikely the Colts will be able to use this dynamic Houston offense. 

CJ Stroud was elite last year, deservingly winning rookie of the year while passing for 23 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions. He built a quick rapport with receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell and the Texans boasted the 7th best passing offense in the league. The emergence of Stefon Diggs only elevates the capabilities we might see from this squad in 2024. 

On the other side of the field, Anthony Richardson showcased some elite potential to torch defenses through both the air and the ground in his few healthy games last year. Joined with former fantasy RB1 Jonathan Taylor, this game could turn into somewhat of a shootout. CJ Stroud is a must-start player and is a safe bet to finish as the top QB in week 1.

Running Back: Saquon Barkley

The Eagles will fly to Brazil to take on the Green Bay Packers on Friday night. In that game, I expect massive things from new free agency addition Saquon Barkley.

Barkley spent the first 6 years of his career in New York after getting drafted 2nd overall in 2018. Despite the Giants’  offensive struggles, the former Penn State back established himself as one of the most electric players in the league. After signing a 37 million dollar deal with Philadelphia in the offseason, Barkley now finds himself in a much more talented offense where he is much better suited to thrive and showcase his abilities.

Green Bay’s defense allowed 128.3 rushing yards per game in 2023, worse than all but just 4 teams. Meanwhile, the Eagles averaged 128.8 rushing yards, which landed them at 8th in the league in rushing offense. Eagles are a run-based offense that Barkley should feast in. In fact, since head coach Nick Sirianni took over, the Eagles have been top 6 in the NFL in total rushing attempts every season, despite having a different rushing yards leader each time. More importantly, this team has not had a running back as talented as Barkley in years, so it’s safe to expect that the former New York Giant should be a primary focus of this offense. 

In Sao Paulo on Friday night, prepare for a run-heavy game with Barkley leading the attack. Both an elite rusher and a talented pass-catcher, it’s safe to slot the man in as the likely RB1 for the week.

Wide Receiver: Tyreek Hill

There’s no reason to overthink this one. Tyreek Hill is unquestionably the best WR in the game right now and is capable of winning you your fantasy matchup no matter who he faces. As for the other top receivers, CeeDee Lamb missed lots of training camp, and Justin Jefferson is going through a massive quarterback change. Nobody else should come close to Hill. 

Last year on opening Sunday, Hill torched the Los Angeles Chargers with 215 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns, good enough for a whopping 44 fantasy points. He’s set up for the same success this season with minimal changes to this offense. Tua is still a solid passer and has an established connection with Hill, and despite Waddle being a talented WR2 on this team, the offense runs through one man and one man only. 

While Jacksonville’s defense isn’t terrible, they aren’t anything to be scared of either. In 2023, they were 22nd in total offensive yards allowed, 26th in passing yards allowed, and 17th in total points allowed. Hill should have no problem blowing by defenders and probably grabbing himself a touchdown or two in the process.

Tight End: Evan Engram

Tight end is a harder position to gauge, so I’m going with a more unexpected pick in Jacksonville pass-catcher Evan Engram. A favorite target for QB Trevor Lawrence, Engram hauled in 114 receptions in 2023 for nearly 1000 yards and finished as the TE2 in fantasy football. He’s been overshadowed by superstar Travis Kelce and the 2023 breakout rookie Sam LaPorta, but Engram is just as capable of leading the TE scoreboard as anyone. 

After losing receiver Calvin Ridley in free agency, Jacksonville did little to improve the position and is now left with Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis as their top two receiver targets. Kirk was solid last season, and Gabe Davis has had success as a deep-threat in Buffalo, but the loss of Ridley should ultimately boost Engram’s fantasy stock. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the leading pass-catcher in this offense.

Against the high-flying Miami offense, Jacksonville should expect to find themselves playing from behind and resorting to the air for much of this game. The Dolphins allowed the 8th most fantasy points to tight ends last season, so if this game is high-scoring, you can rely that Engram will be a focal point in this offense.

Defense: Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys defense was a fantasy machine last year, scoring 7 defensive touchdowns and adding 17 interceptions, largely thanks to breakout star Daron Bland. Unfortunately, Bland will be sidelined for the first half of the season with injury, but that doesn’t mean you give up on this defense.

Bland’s 2023 season was impressive, but don’t forget about Trevon Diggs with 11 interceptions in 2021. He’s back from his ACL tear last season and is looking good in training camp, and even if he can’t force turnovers, Diggs still excels at coverage. However, the main piece of this defense is Micah Parsons, who has been arguably the best defensive player in the league since he was drafted in 2021. His ability to pressure the passer and force errant throws or fumbles cannot be overlooked. 

Dallas will travel to Cleveland for week 1, who were a gold mine for opposing defenses last year. Against their offense, teams averaged the 6th most fantasy points in the league. The return of Nick Chubb should do little to weaken the Cowboys’ dominant pass rush, who have feasted on mediocre offenses for many years. Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson spent most of 2023 sidelined with injury, but wasn’t very effective even when healthy. Confidently start the Cowboys defense in fantasy this week. 

Kicker: Justin Tucker

Kickers are almost impossible to predict, so when in doubt, go with the greatest kicker of all time. The Baltimore Ravens visit the Kansas City Chiefs for the first game of the new season, an exciting matchup that seems destined to put up a plethora of fantasy points across the board. These are two of the best offenses across the league, so it will not be a surprise to see these two teams go back-and-forth across the scoreboard. With the potential for so much offensive production, the kickers of both sides should massively benefit. Justin Tucker, considered the most accurate kicker of all time, holds the NFL record for the longest successful field goal of all time. He’s a top 5 fantasy kicker throughout the season and is a safe bet to be the best at his position in week 1.