Week 1 is here, and that means it’s time for the annual tradition of second-guessing your lineup decisions before kickoff. Should you trust that shiny sleeper you drafted in the 12th round, or stick with the “safe” option who could quietly torpedo your week? To help separate sneaky starts from sneaky duds, our Featured Pros have weighed in with their picks. Think of it as your fantasy football GPS: They’ll point out the shortcuts, warn you about the potholes and maybe even save you from driving your roster straight off a cliff.
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Fantasy Football Week 1 Start/Sit Advice
Week 1 Fantasy Football Sleepers
Which player outside of the top 100 in the FantasyPros Flex rankings is a good sleeper start and why do you think he has upside this week?
Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL)
“Going back to the, not so much a well, but more of the dripping faucet that is Kyle Pitts. The training camp news has been positive about Pitts’ involvement and connection with Michael Penix Jr. While the last couple of seasons have been disappointing, Tampa Bay is awful against the tight end. So bad that both of Pitts’ highest yardage games last year came against the Bucs. If you drafted Pitts, you’re not done yet, and Week 1 should be a step in the right direction (even if you want to trade him right after).”
– Brandon ‘B_Don’ Myers (Razzball)
“This is Kyle Pitts’ year. Beginning the year against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is the perfect way to start his breakout campaign. His second game against the Buccaneers last year saw him catch five passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns. I am buying into the offseason talk from Michael Penix Jr. that Pitts will be heavily involved in the offense, especially with Darnell Mooney injured to start the year. Start Kyle Pitts with confidence this week in a matchup that will once again likely be high scoring.”
– Ryan Prosick (Fantrax)
Cedric Tillman (WR – CLE)
“Just in case you’d forgotten, the Cedric Tillman experience was pretty awesome for a full month in 2024 before a concussion ended his season. Tillman was obviously a beneficiary of Jameis Winston‘s YOLO style last year, but Joe Flacco has been known to have a few Winston tendencies, too. It’s not a given that Jerry Jeudy will function as Cleveland’s unrivaled No. 1 WR. Tillman’s opening week matchup with Cincinnati is a gift. His name deserves to be in the WR3/Flex discussion.”
– Andy Behrens (The Deep Shot)
“Cedric Tillman. Over the past 17 games Joe Flacco has started, he has accumulated 4,735 yards and 31 touchdowns. In Week 1, Flacco and the Browns take on the Bengals, who gave up the 10th-most passing yards and seventh-most points per game in 2024. Tillman had a three-game stretch last year when he averaged 10.67 targets, seven receptions, 85 yards and a touchdown. Tillman outperformed Jeudy in each of those contests, but is largely forgotten after missing the final third of the season due to a concussion. He enters Week 1 with an opportunity to remind us of what he’s capable of, and is a great option should you need a deep start.”
– Charlie Sisian (The Fantasy DC)
Week 1 Fantasy Football Duds
Which player inside the top 40 in the FantasyPros Flex rankings is likely to disappoint fantasy managers this week?
TreVeyon Henderson (RB – NE)
“TreVeyon Henderson. I love Henderson’s prospects this season, but I don’t expect him to come out and light the world on fire in Week 1. It’s likely we see a healthy dose of Rhamondre Stevenson for the first few weeks of the season before the Henderson takeover we’re all expecting occurs. Stevenson and Henderson currently have the same rushing yards line on DraftKings Sportsbook in Week 1. Additionally, the Patriots-Raiders game has the fourth-lowest over/under of the week; it’s unlikely to be a shootout. Should Henderson start slow, don’t panic. In fact, try to trade for him.”
– Charlie Sisian (The Fantasy DC)
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