Fantasy Football Start/Sit: Trey Benson & Aaron Jones

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.

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?

Trey Benson (RB – ARI)

“I am not afraid to fire up Arizona’s “backup” running back, Trey Benson, against the Saints this week. The Cards’ defense continues to improve, while the limitations of Kyler Murray have been well documented. In a game Arizona should win comfortably, and also a game that has the third-lowest over/under on the week, I like the Cardinals to be up and control the clock throughout the second half. Nothing flashy on offense means plenty of James Conner. But Benson, whom the staff and Conner himself have talked up all offseason, should still get plenty of chances in a script that heavily favors the running game. Benson is a nice Flex this week, and I’m betting he’s a priority waiver wire add in shallower leagues ahead of Week 2.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)

Week 1 Fantasy Football Duds

Which player inside the top 40 in the FantasyPros Flex rankings is likely to disappoint fantasy managers this week?

Aaron Jones (RB – MIN)

“Aaron Jones heads into 2025 with uncertainty. He is no longer the only viable back for the Vikings after they acquired Jordan Mason in the offseason, who stands to get plenty of run early, especially on short yardage and goal-to-go situations. While Jones might be the man in between the 20s, losing that touchdown upside is potentially killer. For Jones to be a top-40 overall start in the Flex ranks is a little crazy, and in such a situation, I would be firing up the likes of Tetairoa McMillan and TreVeyon Henderson over him in a heartbeat.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)

“Aaron Jones at 37 overall is way too high a ranking for my comfort. The Vikings brought in Jordan Mason and paid him well, and as much as we love Jones, you could see his age start to catch up to him last year. He’s not the ultra-efficient back he was in his Green Bay and early Vikings days. He’s now needs a ~45% market share to justify that kind of ranking, and Mason’s presence alone will keep him from it.”
– Lou Brunson (Optimus Fantasy Football)