Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 1

SSSQ is a weekly look at under-the-radar fantasy players to consider starting and potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut.

For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our Week 1 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 1 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.

Start

Geno Smith, Seahawks

vs. Rams

Smith finished with the eighth-most fantasy points per game last year among qualified quarterbacks, including top-12 weekly results (QB3, QB12) in both matchups with the division-rival Rams.

The talent around Rams' superstar Aaron Donald has dropped off dramatically this season, while Smith and the Seahawks' offense continued to add to their arsenal.

Don't overthink this one - Smith is a strong QB1 fantasy play in the opener.

Boone's projection: 279 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 14 rushing yards

Other QBs to start

• Tua Tagovailoa at Chargers
• Kirk Cousins vs. Buccaneers

J.K. Dobbins, Ravens

vs. Texans

While the excitement over the Ravens' new offense has generally focused on Lamar Jackson and the passing attack, fantasy managers shouldn't overlook the perfect setup Dobbins has this season.

The 24-year-old is finally healthy after suffering a torn ACL two years ago and returns to a more dangerous roster thanks to the additions in the receiving corps. Combine that with the arrival of offensive coordinator Todd Monken - who's guaranteed to increase the team's pace of play - and the result will be more touches and scoring opportunities all around.

The cherry on top is a Week 1 matchup in which Baltimore is a 9.5-point favorite over a Texans team that allowed by far the most fantasy points to running backs in 2022.

Boone's projection: 96 rushing yards, 15 receiving yards, 2 receptions, 2 TDs

Other RBs to start

• Travis Etienne at Colts
• Raheem Mostert at Chargers
• Jamaal Williams vs. Titans

Jahan Dotson, Commanders

vs. Cardinals

We've talked about Dotson's breakout potential all offseason. He averaged nearly four catches, 57 yards, and a touchdown per game as a rookie in the eight contests in which he played at least 70% of the snaps.

He's followed that up with an outstanding summer, highlighted by two strong preseason performances where he racked up seven catches, 106 yards, and a touchdown as a full-time player with the starting unit.

With teammate Terry McLaurin playing through a toe injury, Dotson is positioned to lead the Commanders' receivers in Week 1 against a shaky Cardinals defense.

Boone's projection: 89 receiving yards, 6 receptions, TD

Other WRs to start

• Calvin Ridley at Colts
• Chris Godwin at Vikings
• Courtland Sutton vs. Raiders

Tyler Higbee, Rams

at Seahawks

With Cooper Kupp out indefinitely, the Rams will have to lean on other pass-catchers to fill the massive void.

Van Jefferson projects to be the No. 1 receiver in Kupp's absence, and rookie Puka Nacua is an intriguing prospect, but the veteran tight end Higbee has shown he can produce in the passing game when needed.

Through the first five games last season, Higbee was the TE7 in half PPR fantasy scoring without posting a touchdown. During that time, he was averaging the most targets among tight ends and the 11th most overall, right behind guys like CeeDee Lamb and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Now he'll start the season versus the Seahawks, who gave up the most fantasy points to his position in 2022 and will be without safety Jamal Adams in Week 1.

Boone's projection: 73 receiving yards, 7 receptions, TD

Other TEs to start

• Juwan Johnson vs. Titans
• Dalton Kincaid at Jets

Sit

Aaron Rodgers, Jets

vs. Bills

The Jets should be thrilled to have a quarterback like Rodgers leading their offense after starting Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco, and Mike White last year.

While Rodgers' presence is great news for the skill-position players on the team, fantasy managers should be cautious about trusting him in their lineups.

Rodgers, who turns 40 in December, is coming off a down year in which he finished as the QB26 in FPPG among qualified passers.

A matchup with a stingy Bills defense that was the toughest opponent for fantasy QBs last season is not the spot to start him.

Boone's projection: 226 passing yards, 2 TDs, INT

Other QBs to sit

• Deshaun Watson vs. Bengals
• Matthew Stafford at Seahawks

Najee Harris, Steelers

vs. 49ers

Even with Jaylen Warren breathing down his neck and stealing more touches, Harris should still be a solid mid- to low-end RB2 for fantasy this year.

Unfortunately, he may have a hard time reaching that level of production in his Week 1 matchup with a 49ers defense that permitted a league-low 13.7 FPPG to running backs last season.

Nick Bosa's return will have San Francisco's defenders firing on all cylinders and will be a serious problem for Pittsburgh's run game.

Boone's projection: 43 rushing yards, 6 receiving yards, 1 reception

Other RBs to sit

• Breece Hall vs. Bills
• James Cook at Jets
• D'Andre Swift at Patriots

Michael Pittman Jr., Colts

vs. Jaguars

There's no doubt Pittman is getting an upgrade at quarterback with the addition of Anthony Richardson, but the early returns could be extremely inconsistent as the rookie passer gets comfortable in the pros.

There are also volume concerns for Pittman, since the passing attack is likely to be limited as the Colts lean on Richardson's rushing ability.

Pittman should also see his fair share of Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell, who graded out as the Pro Football Focus' seventh-best cornerback a year ago. It makes Indy's No. 1 wideout a risky low-end WR3/flex play.

Boone's projection: 41 receiving yards, 4 receptions

Other WRs to sit

• Gabe Davis at Jets
• Marquise Brown at Commanders
• JuJu Smith-Schuster vs. Eagles

Pat Freiermuth, Steelers

vs. 49ers

As we mentioned in the Harris section, the 49ers' defense will be at full strength Sunday now that Bosa signed his new contract and rejoined the team.

Like Harris, Freiermuth could save his fantasy day with a trip to the end zone, but that's hard to project when facing San Francisco. The Niners ranked among the top 10 worst opponents for fantasy tight ends each of the last five seasons.

Freiermuth might still be your best option this week, but keep your expectations in check. He'll be more of a high-end fantasy TE2 in the opener but a decent low-end TE1 the rest of the season.

Boone's projection: 38 receiving yards, 4 receptions

Other TEs to sit

• Dalton Schultz at Ravens
• Chigoziem Okonkwo at Saints

Stash

Zack Moss, Colts

We don't know if Jonathan Taylor will play another down for the Colts, so you should be stashing pieces of Indy's backfield as lottery tickets.

Moss (7% rostered) is still recovering from a broken arm suffered this summer and is likely to sit out Week 1. That's allowed him to fly under the radar and remain on a lot of fantasy waiver wires despite most beat writers believing he'll be the starter when healthy.

When Taylor missed time down the stretch last year, Moss had rushing yard totals of 81, 65, 74, and 114 over the final four games.

Though he has limited receiving upside, Moss projects to be the early-down grinder, with Deon Jackson and Evan Hull battling for pass-catching duties.

Sean Tucker, Buccaneers

Medical concerns caused Tucker (4% rostered) to go undrafted in April, but he signed with the Buccaneers and has already ascended to No. 2 on their running back depth chart.

The 21-year-old is next in line if starter Rachaad White gets hurt or struggles and is one of the few immediate backup RBs who can still be found on most fantasy waiver wires.

Quit

Quarterback (1QB): Matthew Stafford

Running back: D'Onta Foreman

Wide receiver: Adam Thielen

Tight end: Cole Kmet