Welcome to IDP Sit & Start & Stash & Quit (Week 1). This is where we highlight a few players at each position that we are looking to sit or start this week. For the starts, we will be avoiding the obvious starts, and for the sits, we will be avoiding the obvious sits. This is a place to deal with the players who make tougher decisions. For our full list of weekly rankings, head over to The FFU Weekly Rankings Page or try out our Sit/Start Tool Powered by Fantasy Pros.
Start ‘Em
DE- Jeffery Simmons, Titans vs CHI (1)
Entering his sixth NFL season, Simmons appears to be fully healthy and that’s a step in the right direction. When he’s able to stay on the field, he is a force to be reckoned with on the Titan’s offensive line. In Week 1 he faces a Bears team that allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing defensive ends and that was before drafting a rookie quarterback. While their defensive line may be slightly improved this year, the Bears are still ripe for production with Caleb Williams being hunted by Simmons in his first NFL start.
DE- Cameron Heyward, Steelers vs ATL (2)
DE- Calijah Kancey, Buccaneers vs WSH (3)
DT- Mazi Smith, Cowboys vs CLE (1)
DT- David Onyemata, Falcons vs PIT (3)
DT- Jonathon Allen, Commanders vs TB (6)
LB- Jaelen Phillips, Dolphins vs JAC (1)
Phillips was off to a torrid pace for fantasy football through 12 games of the 2023 season before an Achilles injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. The Dolphins have held him out for the entire preseason to allow for a full recovery but if he can play in Week 1, he gets a prime matchup against Trevor lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars who have been easy pickings for linebackers in the past. You should continue to monitor his status as Week 1 approaches, check out The FFU Practice Reports and Injury Page before you put him in your lineup.
LB- Eric Kendricks, Cowboys vs CLE (3)
LB- Azeez Al-Shaair, Texans vs IND (5)
CB- Terrion Arnold, Lions vs LAR (1)
Arnold was one of the best cornerbacks in college football throughout his collegiate career with Alabama and when he steps on the field for his first NFL game he is sure to be targeted early and often with Carlton Davis on the opposite side of him. The Lion’s secondary was atrocious in 2023, while they were nearly impossible to run against. This combination makes it likely that Arnold is going to be attacked frequently which should present him with a multitude of opportunities to produce for fantasy football.
CB- Tyson Campbell, Jaguars vs MIA (3)
CB- Stephon Gilmore, Vikings vs NYG (4)
S- Reed Blankenship, Eagles vs GB (1)
S- Kamren Curl, Rams vs DET (3)
S- Jordan Fuller, Panthers vs NO (6)
Sit ‘Em
DE- Grady Jarrett, Falcons vs PIT (31)
Jarrett battled injuries last season in what proved to be the worst statistical year of his lengthy career. He is healthy to start the 2024 campaign and looks to get back on track this season. Unfortunately, he faces a Steelers squad that allowed the second least fantasy points to defensive ends in 2023 and boasts one of the top 10 offensive lines in the NFL. Add in an upgrade from Kenny Pickett to veteran Russell Wilson and it’s going to be a tough scenario for Jarrett to produce at a usable level.
DE- Marcus Davenport, Lions vs LAR (28)
DE- Zach Allen, Broncos vs SEA (27)
DT- Arik Armstead, Jaguars vs MIA (32)
DT- Chris Jones, Chiefs vs BAL (28)
DT- Justin Eboigbe, Chargers vs LV (27)
LB- Cody Barton, Broncos vs SEA (32)
Barton has been excellent over the past two years and forms an elite duo with Alex Singleton in the Broncos linebacking corps. In Week 1 he gets a matchup with the Seattle Seahawks who tend to be a run-heavy team and allowed the least fantasy points to opposing linebackers last season. Barton and Singleton are elite talents but could get off to a slow start in what is likely to be a slow, sloppy game to open their 2024 season.
LB- Devin White, Eagles vs GB (31)
LB- Pete Werner, Saints vs CAR (30)
CB- Sauce Gardner, Jets vs SF (32)
Gardner has been one of the best cornerbacks during his short time in the NFL, the problem is that he has been such a reliable lockdown corner that opposing offenses simply choose to avoid him. That is likely to happen again in Week 1 against a San Francisco offense that allowed the least fantasy points per game to opposing corners in 2023. Add in Brock Purdy being a risk-averse game manager and it’s unlikely that Gardner will see much action in the season opener.
CB- Jaycee Horn, Panthers vs NO (29)
CB- Jaylon Johnson, Bears vs TEN (27)
S- Jaquan Brisker, Bears vs TEN (32)
S- Kerby Joseph, Lions vs LAR (31)
S- Justin Simmons, Falcons vs PIT (28)
Stash ‘Em
Bradley Chubb, Dolphins
Chubb was an elite fantasy producer in 2023 before suffering a season-ending ACL tear in Week 17. Despite the fact he was elite, he has been going off the board late or even undrafted due to concerns about when and if he might play this season. There is currently no timetable for his return, but if he can return sooner than later he is a great stash for late in the season when you need him the most. He has been placed on the PUP list to start the season but beyond that, anything is possible. He could return for Week 5, or not at all. He is worth stashing and monitoring in the meantime.
Christian Barmore, Patriots
DJ Wonnum, Panthers
Cole Holcomb, Steelers
Holcomb was an elite fantasy producer for the first three seasons of his NFL career but injuries have caused him to miss significant time in each of the past two seasons, limiting his production. He is currently working to return from a season-ending knee injury sustained in Week 9 of the 2023 season and has been placed on the PUP list. He should be closer to returning than Bradley Chubb, but once again this is a stash candidate in hopes he can return to his previous form and once again be a valuable IDP asset.
Jordan Magee, Commanders
Dre Greenlaw, 49ers
Jamal Adams, Titans
Adams went from a highly sought-after IDP fantasy asset to a perennial roster clogger at the drop of a hat. Over the better part of the past four seasons, he has seen his production limited by a never-ending onslaught of injuries. He is once again dealing with an undisclosed injury entering the season but doesn’t appear to be in danger of missing Week 1. Grab Adams now and hope he can stay healthy and regain his old form. He will either end up on your IR or he will produce, but at least you will know relatively quickly and won’t have to waste time playing the waiting game.
DeMarco Hellams, Falcons
DaRon Bland, Cowboys
Quit ‘Em
Jerrick Reed, Seahawks
It’s rare for me to give up on a player after only one season, but Reed showed little reason to believe he will ever be a meaningful contributor for IDP managers. Not only that, he will begin 2024 on the PUP list with a knee injury. He may one day prove to be a useful IDP player, but when that happens I will add him off the waiver wire instead of having him clog up a roster spot.
Deatrich Wise, Patriots
Kenny Clark, Packers
Nakobe Dean, Eagles
Dean looked like a stud in the making for the Philadelphia Eagles coming out of Georgia, but two seasons into his NFL career and he has a combined 36 tackles. He is also currently nursing a foot injury and doesn’t appear to be in the Eagle’s long-term plans. I prefer to use a roster spot on players with more upside. Dean isn’t quite a bust, but the clock is ticking and it will be time to write him off very soon.
Luke Masterson, Raiders
Quinton Bell, Dolphins
Jeff Okudah, Texans
Okudah was once viewed as the most promising defensive prospect on the Detroit Lions roster, but after three injury-plagued and disappointing seasons with the Lions, he moved on to Atlanta, where he was healthy but still proved to be wildly inconsistent and not particularly useful for IDP managers. He gets another fresh start with the Houston Texans this season but now faces a ton of competition on one of the more impressive defensive rosters in the league. I’m done with the injuries and inconsistencies and the fact that he hasn’t been all that useful when he has played. It’s time to call it quits on Jeff Okudah regardless of how promising he looked coming out of college. He’s officially a bust.
Arthur Maulet, Ravens
James Bradberry, Eagles
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