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The Yahoo Fantasy team is confident that these players will deliver memorable performances in their fantasy football lineups for Week 1.
Yes, Taysom Hill will make his presence felt in opening week
Taysom Hill ran the ball nine times for 75 yards in his only game against Carolina last season, while also catching one pass and completing another. He’s a great bet to find the end zone at least once in the opener against the Panthers. Hill is eligible as a TE, but he’s arguably more of a running back. He’ll almost certainly get opportunities at the goal line for this perennially oddball team. Turn him on in a favorable matchup. Andy Behrens
Jared Goff ready to roar against his former team
Jared Goff has averaged 277.2 passing yards (7.9 YPA) with 44 touchdowns in 17 games in Detroit over the past two seasons. He lacks the fantasy potential of dual-threat running back QBs, but Goff is alive when he plays at home. The Rams allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks last season, and they’re now without Aaron Donald. The Lions have the NFL’s highest team implied point total in a Week 1 matchup that should be high-scoring. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs is a bit banged up, while Detroit’s receivers enter Week 1 fully healthy, with Jameson Williams a real threat to break out this season. Goff throws for 300 yards and three scores in a breakout performance Sunday night. Dalton Del Don
The Bengals defense and team could win the week
I’m giving you this prediction not just for Cincinnati on Sunday, but as a guide for the future. When you’re trying to fill that spot on DST, you want the biggest favorite possible, you want to pick suspect opposing offenses, you want to match up against an iffy offensive line. This matchup checks all the boxes. I don’t know how accurate Cincinnati’s offense will be, but the defense can control this game. Scott Pianowski
A beauty of a confrontation for a young runner.
Cook has one of the best matchups you can find in Week 1 against the Cardinals. Arizona may have the worst defensive line in the league to start the year. Cook had nearly 1,600 yards last season and will then have to face a defensive line that would likely be made up of backups on most teams.
The Bills are six-point favorites and projected to score 27 points this week. It’s a great environment for running back production. Cook is expected to touch the ball 16 or more times and finish in the top 10 at that position in Week 1. Sal Vetri
Chris Godwin recovers
Chris Godwin is set to return to his usual slot rates from 2019-2022, when he ran between 60-73% of his routes from the inside. That’s a big and necessary change from the 37% he had in 2023, according to Focus on professional footballThat alone is reason enough to prioritize Godwin, who was productive last season. We’re just looking for more big plays and touchdowns. Playing inside should help.
This Week 1 matchup with a Washington secondary that allowed over 80 yards per game to wide receivers last year makes it even better. The Commanders have new leadership on the defensive coaching staff and brought in a bunch of new players, but all of that may take some time to gel. Mike Evans will get his turn, but Chris Godwin should be in the lineups as the WR3 in Week 1. Matt Harmon
Kenneth Walker finishes in the top 10
Targeting the Broncos’ run defense is an easy task and Kenneth Walker is ready to feast! Walker’s production has been consistent over the past two years, but it’s always seemed like he was playing below his ceiling. Walker has faced a stigma around a lack of job security since the Seahawks drafted Zach Charbonnet, but Walker has clearly remained the RB1.
Because he lacks receiving potential, Walker’s potential is dependent on high-volume matchups. He begins his 2024 campaign with a beautiful matchup against one of the worst run defenses and the best passing defense in the league. The Seahawks should rely on their running game this week, move the ball well, and provide ample goal-line opportunities for Walker. I like Walker for an easy top-10 finish this week. Tera Roberts
