The offseason is finally over, and it’s time to set all those fantasy football lineups. I will be here every week of the NFL season to give you my starts and sits of the week at the quarterback position.
Quarterback Starts
Matthew Stafford I Rams I QB15
The Los Angeles Rams offense has mostly stayed the same since last season. Matthew Stafford is back at quarterback after missing only one game in 2023. Back at the wide receiver position for the Rams are Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. A significant plus for Stafford is that Kupp is healthy again after playing in 12 games last season. In 2023, Stafford was QB20, averaging 16.9 points per game. Last season, Stafford had 4 games as a top-12 quarterback.
The Los Angeles Rams start the 2024 season on the road on Sunday Night Football against the Detroit Lions. The Lions defense was 25th in points allowed per game averaging 23.8 PPG. As for fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks, they were even worse. The Lions were 30th in the NFL, giving up 23.5 FPPG to quarterbacks. They have added significant pieces to the secondary, including Carlton Davis from free agency and rookies Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr via the NFL draft.
Matthew Stafford will look to have a fast start facing his former team in Week 1. They faced each other in the Wild Card round of the playoffs last season. Stafford finished that game with 367 yards and 2 TDs. The Week 1 matchup has the highest over/under at 50.5. In this week’s Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR), Stafford is QB15. In a high-scoring game with the weapons that Stafford has at his disposal, QB16 is too low. He is a fantasy low-end QB1 and could finish as overall QB10 in week 1.
Caleb Williams I Bears I QB14
During the offseason, the Chicago Bears decided to put the future of their team on the back of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams when they drafted him no. 1 overall. One thing Williams has on his side is the weapons at his disposal. The Bears have two stud receivers in Keenan Allen and DJ Moore, and added rookie Rome Odunze. The Bears averaged 21.1 FPPG at the quarterback position in 2023. Williams’ skillset as a passer allows him to be an upgrade for the Bears as likely the franchise’s first-ever 4,000-yard passer in the near future.
The Chicago Bears start the season at home against the Tennessee Titans. After struggling in 2023, the Titans have a new regime headed by new head coach Brian Callahan. The Titans were in the top half of the NFL against quarterbacks, giving up an average of 19 FPPG. They had some key subtractions and additions to their defense this offense. Those include losing Azeez Al-Shaair, Sean Murphy-Bunting, and Kevin Byard. In their places, they added Ernest Jones IV, L’Jarius Sneed, Jamal Adams, and Quandre Diggs. The Titans might have a good defense later this season, but I think it will take a few weeks to get going for them.
The Chicago Bears have a new offense and will be looking to show off their new shiny toy, Caleb Williams, early this season. As a team, the Bears threw for 3,421 yards (28th) and 19 TDs (23rd). It might be risky to pick a rookie quarterback as a start of the week, but that’s precisely what I am doing. Williams’ ECR is QB14; the Bears will not be shy about getting the rookie heavily involved early and often. He will be a low-end QB1 and a must-start in superflex leagues.
Quarterback Sits
Dak Prescott | Cowboys | QB16
The Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott have lofty goals in 2024 and need to get off to a fast start. The Cowboys have most of their weapons back this season. The most notable loss is Tony Pollard, but they also signed Ezekiel Elliott after being in New England last season. Prescott had a statistically successful season in 2023 after throwing for 4,516 yards and 36 TDS. Prescott ended the season 5th in the NFL, averaging 20.4 FPPG. Prescott finished last season with a total of 9 top-12 performances. He will look to build upon last season, but can he come out of the gate as hot as finished 2023?
The Dallas Cowboys are on the road against the Cleveland Browns to start the season. The Browns were stingy in 2023, and we should all look for that to continue in 2024. Their passing defense gave up the 2nd fewest passing yards, allowing a respectable 3,149 yards in 2023. The Browns are good at getting to the quarterback and finished the season with an 8.09% sack rate. They were even better at home, finishing 2nd in the NFL at 10.06%.
Even the best quarterbacks have matchups that you can’t overlook, and that’s what Dak Prescott has run into this week with the Cleveland Browns. The O/U is 41, and both teams have strong defenses. The Dallas Cowboys won’t need Prescott to have an extraordinary game to win; they just need him to come out with the victory. Prescott’s ECR is QB16. If you drafted him or have him on your dynasty rosters, you more than likely have to start him. If you can, you might want to consider sitting him in 1QB leagues. If you have to play him, just know that he could give you less than expected against the Browns.
Trevor Lawrence I Jaguars I QB13
The Jacksonville Jaguars were unable to make the playoffs in 2023. But more importantly quarterback Trevor Lawrence underperformed last season. The former no.1 overall pick threw for 4,016 yards and 21 TDs. He also threw 14 interceptions, which was 5th most last season. Lawrence is currently QB14 in our dynasty rankings. In 2023, Lawrence was tied for QB18, averaging 17.2 FPPG. Lawrence finished last season with 5 top-12 weekly performances.
The Jacksonville Jaguars travel to instate foe the Miami Dolphins to start the season. The Miami Dolphins defense is not great by any means. They were in the middle of the league, giving up 4,125 passing yards. To quarterbacks, they were 24th in the NFL, giving up 22 FPPG.The Dolphins. The Dolphins had a retooling on defense this offseason, losing the likes of Christian Wilkins, Jerome Baker, and Xavien Howard. The Dolphins defense will look to put last season in the rearview mirror and start with a good showing against the Jaguars.
Sometimes, there are factors to consider other than just the matchup, and that’s what we have in Trevor Lawrence’s head-to-head against the Miami Dolphins. Unfortunately, Lawrence could not throw for more than 250 yards in 7 games last season. Lawrence and the Jaguars, as a team, will look to get off to a good start in 2024, but I don’t think that will happen in Week 1. Lawrence’s Fantasy Pros ECR is QB13. That would put him as a fringe fantasy QB1. Yes, he is a start in superflex leagues, but I recommend sitting him in 1QB leagues if possible.
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