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FFL: Week 1 | NFL: Week 1

Champions Draft Results

Wed Jul 3 10:36am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Hurts was first quarterback picked


RealTime Fantasy Sports is proud to present you the results of our “Champions Draft." The draft this season once again consists of the top rated fantasy players on our site. We invited players rated near the top of our Top Fantasy Players report. So this is the best of the best on our site.

In this column, we'll give you a round-by-round look at the draft. Each round includes some notes on that round, talking about what just went down. Hopefully, this gives you some insight into the draft and helps prepare you for all your drafts this coming year.

Before we get to that, here is a quick overview of the league format. We used the same rules as we do for the "All-Pro" fantasy leagues on our site. So you can view the entire set of rules on our main page for that game. But here is a brief look. Each team starts a quarterback, two running backs, two receivers, a tight end, a defensive/special teams, a kicker and a flex player (RB, WR or TE). Scoring is pretty standard. Touchdowns are worth six except for passing touchdowns, which are worth four. And it is a points per reception league, giving every player a point per reception. Defenses get points for sacks, interceptions and fumble recoveries. The rules are pretty standard with how many leagues operate these days.

ROUND 1

 1. Ballers - Christian McCaffrey RB, SF

 2. Birds - CeeDee Lamb WR, DAL

 3. CRUNCHY - Bijan Robinson RB, ATL

 4. Super Paurs - Breece Hall RB, NYJ

 5. Wreckingcrew - Tyreek Hill WR, MIA

 6. PaurPlay - Justin Jefferson WR, MIN

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Amon-Ra St. Brown WR, DET

 8. Bubbles Army - Ja'Marr Chase WR, CIN

 9. HORNS - Jahmyr Gibbs RB, DET

 10. Goodfellas - Puka Nacua WR, LAR

 11. Suncoast - A.J. Brown WR, PHI

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Saquon Barkley RB, PHI

NOTES: The first round was pretty chalk, going very similar to the current ADP. These savvy owners didn’t take many chances with the first round. There were five running backs and seven receivers picked in Round 1. It was not a surprise to see no tight ends or quarterbacks picked in the first round. The only mild surprise was seeing Jonathan Taylor failed to get picked this round. He normally goes at the end of the first round, but didn’t in this one.

ROUND 2

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Jonathan Taylor RB, IND

 2. Suncoast - Garrett Wilson WR, NYJ

 3. Goodfellas - Sam LaPorta TE, DET

 4. HORNS - Travis Etienne RB, JAX

 5. Bubbles Army - Davante Adams WR, LV

 6. Crusty GON Pod - Chris Olave WR, NO

 7. PaurPlay - Josh Jacobs RB, GB

 8. Wreckingcrew - Kyren Williams RB, LAR

 9. Super Paurs - Devon Achane RB, MIA

 10. CRUNCHY - Derrick Henry RB, BAL

 11. Birds - Isiah Pacheco RB, KC

 12. Ballers - Marvin Harrison Jr. WR, ARI

NOTES: Sam LaPorta was the first tight end picked, getting taken by Suncoast this round. He went a tad sooner, having an ADP of 24.99 but he wasn’t going to last to Suncoast when he picked again, so he had to pull the trigger now if he wanted him on his roster. . . . This was a running back heavy round, seeing seven go off the board. This is normally a trend in many drafts with a lot of owners going receiver in the first round. . . .Isiah Pacheco might have been the only surprise running back of this round. The Birds selected him with the 11th pick. This wasn’t too far off his ADP, though, normally going pick 26.62. . . . .Marvin Harrison continues to be the first rookie picked on draft day. The Ballers picked him with the last pick, making him the 24th pick overall.

ROUND 3

 1. Ballers - Drake London WR, ATL

 2. Birds - Michael Pittman Jr. WR, IND

 3. CRUNCHY - Nico Collins WR, HOU

 4. Super Paurs - Deebo Samuel WR, SF

 5. Wreckingcrew - James Cook RB, BUF

 6. PaurPlay - Travis Kelce TE, KC

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Rhamondre Stevenson RB, NE

 8. Bubbles Army - Rachaad White RB, TB

 9. HORNS - Stefon Diggs WR, HOU

 10. Goodfellas - Joe Mixon RB, HOU

 11. Suncoast - Mike Evans WR, TB

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Brandon Aiyuk WR, SF

NOTES: This round was a little more receiver heavy once again, having seven go off the board. This seems to be a trend in a lot of drafts, having owners get two receivers and a running back after three rounds. . . . .Travis Kelce is the second tight end picked, which is a little unusual for him, but definitely a trend. Kelce has an ADP of 30.8, going after LaPorta in most drafts. Paur Play is hoping he has at least one more big season in him. . . . .It is always interesting seeing how owners value the two top receivers for the Texans. Nico Collins went before Stefon Diggs in this draft. Collins was picked third this round by CRUNCHY while the HORNS picked Diggs with the ninth pick.

ROUND 4

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Jaylen Waddle WR, MIA

 2. Suncoast - Jalen Hurts QB, PHI

 3. Goodfellas - D.J. Moore WR, CHI

 4. HORNS - DeVonta Smith WR, PHI

 5. Bubbles Army - Josh Allen QB, BUF

 6. Crusty GON Pod - D'Andre Swift RB, CHI

 7. PaurPlay - Patrick Mahomes QB, KC

 8. Wreckingcrew - D.K. Metcalf WR, SEA

 9. Super Paurs - Amari Cooper WR, CLE

 10. CRUNCHY - Kenneth Walker III RB, SEA

 11. Birds - Lamar Jackson QB, BAL

 12. Ballers - Trey McBride TE, ARI

NOTES: This was a quarterback heavy round, seeing four go off the board. Jalen Hurts was the first quarterback selected, getting picked by Suncoast. He went ahead of Josh Allen, who normally is the first quarterback picked in drafts. . . . .Trey McBride was the third tight end picked, going to the Ballers with the last pick in this round. McBride is flying up draft boards this year after this strong finish last season. He has an ADP of 48.2, so this spot for him is not out of the norm. . . .There was just two running backs picked this round after seeing at least four picked each of the first three rounds. D’Andre Swift and Kenneth Walker were the backs picked this round.

ROUND 5

 1. Ballers - Zay Flowers WR, BAL

 2. Birds - Mark Andrews TE, BAL

 3. CRUNCHY - Aaron Jones RB, MIN

 4. Super Paurs - Cooper Kupp WR, LAR

 5. Wreckingcrew - C.J. Stroud QB, HOU

 6. PaurPlay - Alvin Kamara RB, NO

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Kyle Pitts TE, ATL

 8. Bubbles Army - Dalton Kincaid TE, BUF

 9. HORNS - Anthony Richardson QB, IND

 10. Goodfellas - James Conner RB, ARI

 11. Suncoast - David Montgomery RB, DET

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - George Kittle TE, SF

NOTES: David Montgomery was one of the top league winners last year but falls to the fifth round of this draft, going to Suncoast with the 11th pick. Fantasy owners have concerns for a repeat season from Montgomery, having an ADP of 68.9. This could end up being a make or break pick for the defending champ. . . . .Cooper Kupp is another polarizing figure this season. He was a very early pick last year, but goes to the Super Paurs with the fifth pick in Round 5. He has taken quite the fall in drafts, having an ADP of 46.5. . . .There were four tight ends pick this round. Dalton Kincaid is the biggest mover from last year. The Horns picked him with the eighth pick. Kincaid is normally the fifth tight end off the board, so Horns might have gotten a little value with him being the seventh tight end selected with this pick.

ROUND 6

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Malik Nabers WR, NYG

 2. Suncoast - Najee Harris RB, PIT

 3. Goodfellas - Jaylen Warren RB, PIT

 4. HORNS - Zack Moss RB, CIN

 5. Bubbles Army - Christian Kirk WR, JAX

 6. Crusty GON Pod - George Pickens WR, PIT

 7. PaurPlay - Calvin Ridley WR, TEN

 8. Wreckingcrew - Jordan Love QB, GB

 9. Super Paurs - Zamir White RB, LV

 10. CRUNCHY - Tee Higgins WR, CIN

 11. Birds - Jayden Reed WR, GB

 12. Ballers - Tony Pollard RB, TEN

NOTES: The one pick that stands out in this round was the Birds taking Jayden Reed with the 11th pick. He has an ADP of 86.9, so they might have went a little early on Reed. He certainly has potential after scoring eight touchdowns his rookie season, but the Birds might have been able to get him a few rounds later. . . .The quarterback position slowed down a little this round with Jordan Love the only quarterback selected. He goes with the eight pick to Wreckingcrew. Love was fifth overall in fantasy quarterback scoring last year, so getting him after the elite guys are gone could turn out to be good value for Wreckingcrew. . . . .Some running backs that could be splitting work this year flew off the board. Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Zack Moss, Zamir White and Tony Pollard were all picked. They all have some question marks about playing time but if one emerges, they could be great value in Round 6.

ROUND 7

 1. Ballers - Terry McLaurin WR, WAS

 2. Birds - Jonathon Brooks RB, CAR

 3. CRUNCHY - Rashee Rice WR, KC

 4. Super Paurs - Joe Burrow QB, CIN

 5. Wreckingcrew - Evan Engram TE, JAX

 6. PaurPlay - Diontae Johnson WR, CAR

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Keenan Allen WR, CHI

 8. Bubbles Army - Austin Ekeler RB, WAS

 9. HORNS - Chris Godwin WR, TB

 10. Goodfellas - Tank Dell WR, HOU

 11. Suncoast - Javonte Williams RB, DEN

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Raheem Mostert RB, MIA

NOTES: Our first rookie running back was picked this round, seeing the Birds take Jonathan Brooks with the second pick. Brooks could start the year slow, recovering from his knee injury, but could be a huge factor down the stretch for the Birds. Brooks went around 10 spots later than normal, having an ADP of 64.3. . . .Rashee Rice is a player facing a possible multi-game suspension. If not for that, he would be going much higher. Instead, he falls to CRUNCHY with the third pick this round. Rice has an ADP of 81.6, so he goes about where he normally does in drafts. If he can end up avoiding a suspension, this pick will be a huge steal for CRUNCHY. . . .Raheem Mostert is another intriguing player to watch in drafts. He was a league winner for many last year but is not getting drafted like that. AlwaysBetOnBlack gets him with the last pick this round. Mostert has an ADP of 84.8, so most drafters are not betting on a repeat of his huge season.

ROUND 8

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Brian Robinson Jr. RB, WAS

 2. Suncoast - Marquise Brown WR, KC

 3. Goodfellas - Dak Prescott QB, DAL

 4. HORNS - Nick Chubb RB, CLE

 5. Bubbles Army - Devin Singletary RB, NYG

 6. Crusty GON Pod - Tyjae Spears RB, TEN

 7. PaurPlay - J.K. Dobbins RB, LAC

 8. Wreckingcrew - Blake Corum RB, LAR

 9. Super Paurs - David Njoku TE, CLE

 10. CRUNCHY - Jake Ferguson TE, DAL

 11. Birds - Christian Watson WR, GB

 12. Ballers - Trey Benson RB, ARI

NOTES: Nick Chubb is returning from another major injury and lasts until the fourth pick of Round 8. He has big question marks, but the Horns could take a chance on him with three quality backs already on his roster. . . .The Ballers took a chance on rookie Trey Benson in Round 8. After taking Christian McCaffrey with the first pick, the Ballers filled up other positions on his roster before taking chances on running backs later in the draft. . . . .There were seven total running backs picked this round. Many owners are hoping to find that great mid-round value, looking for the Raheem Mostert of this season.

ROUND 9

 1. Ballers - Zach Charbonnet RB, SEA

 2. Birds - Ezekiel Elliott RB, DAL

 3. CRUNCHY - Kyler Murray QB, ARI

 4. Super Paurs - Ty Chandler RB, MIN

 5. Wreckingcrew - DeAndre Hopkins WR, TEN

 6. PaurPlay - Chase Brown RB, CIN

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Caleb Williams QB, CHI

 8. Bubbles Army - Jordan Addison WR, MIN

 9. HORNS - T.J. Hockenson TE, MIN

 10. Goodfellas - Gus Edwards RB, LAC

 11. Suncoast - Courtland Sutton WR, DEN

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Trevor Lawrence QB, JAX

NOTES: Three quarterbacks go this round, giving every team at least one quarterback except one. Ballers is the only team that doesn’t have a quarterbacks after nine rounds. The three quarterbacks picked this round were Kyler Murray, rookie Caleb Williams and Trevor Lawrence. . . .Teams continues to load up on mid-round running backs with five getting of the 12 picks being running backs. None of these backs are sure things but both Ezekiel Elliott and Gus Edwards have some touchdown potential on their teams. . . .DeAndre Hopkins is not getting drafted as he was in the past. He goes with the fifth pick to Wreckingcrew. This spot is even later than normal for Hopkins, who has an ADP of 79.6.

ROUND 10

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Xavier Worthy WR, KC

 2. Suncoast - Dallas Goedert TE, PHI

 3. Goodfellas - Ladd McConkey WR, LAC

 4. HORNS - Keon Coleman WR, BUF

 5. Bubbles Army - Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR, SEA

 6. Crusty GON Pod - Jerome Ford RB, CLE

 7. PaurPlay - Jameson Williams WR, DET

 8. Wreckingcrew - Rico Dowdle RB, DAL

 9. Super Paurs - Mike Williams WR, NYJ

 10. CRUNCHY - Brian Thomas Jr. WR, JAX

 11. Birds - Curtis Samuel WR, BUF

 12. Ballers - Brock Purdy QB, SF

NOTES: Round 10 is the round of the rookie. There were four rookie receivers picked this round, including Xavier Worthy, Ladd McConkey, Keon Coleman and Brian Thomas. These are four receivers that all have the chance to emerge as top playmakers in their respective offenses. . . . .Ballers is the last team to take a quarterback, picking Brock Purdy with the last pick in Round 10. Purdy was seventh overall in fantasy quarterback scoring last year. . . . Suncoast was the last team to select a tight end, taking Dallas Goedert with the second pick. Goedert can be erratic but has a high weekly ceiling in his offense.

ROUND 11

 1. Ballers - Kendre Miller RB, NO

 2. Birds - Josh Downs WR, IND

 3. CRUNCHY - Rome Odunze WR, CHI

 4. Super Paurs - Gabriel Davis WR, JAX

 5. Wreckingcrew - Brandin Cooks WR, DAL

 6. PaurPlay - Jahan Dotson WR, WAS

 7. Crusty GON Pod - Cole Kmet TE, CHI

 8. Bubbles Army - Brock Bowers TE, LV

 9. HORNS - Jerry Jeudy WR, CLE

 10. Goodfellas - Jayden Daniels QB, WAS

 11. Suncoast - Tyler Lockett WR, SEA

 12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Brandon Aubrey K, DAL

NOTES: We had our first team take a second quarterback. Goodfellas took rookie Jayden Daniels with the 10th pick. They picked Dak Prescott two rounds earlier, giving him what could be a potent one-two punch at quarterback. . . .Our first kicker was picked. Brandon Aubrey was taken with the last pick this round by AlwaysBetOnBlack. It is a tad earlier than normal for our first kicker. Aubrey has an ADP of 133.1. . . .The top tight end in this year’s draft, Brock Bowers, was picked by Bubbles Army with the eighth pick. Bubbles is hoping Bowers is the Sam LaPorta of this year’s rookie class.

ROUND 12

 1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Dallas Cowboys Def/ST, DAL

 2. Suncoast - Jakobi Meyers WR, LV

 3. Goodfellas - Kimani Vidal RB, LAC

 4. HORNS - Khalil Shakir WR, BUF

 5. Bubbles Army - MarShawn Lloyd RB, GB

 6. Crusty GON Pod - Antonio Gibson RB, NE

 7. PaurPlay - Justin Herbert QB, LAC

 8. Wreckingcrew - Pat Freiermuth TE, PIT

 9. Super Paurs - Jared Goff QB, DET

 10. CRUNCHY - Kirk Cousins QB, ATL

 11. Birds - Tua Tagovailoa QB, MIA

 12. Ballers - Chuba Hubbard RB, CAR

NOTES: AlwaysBetOnBlack took the first kicker and followed that by picking the first defense. The Cowboys defense is the first off the board, giving AlwaysBetOnBlack both the Cowboys kicker and defense. . . . .There were a couple rookie running backs picked this round. Kimani Vidal and MarShawn Lloyd don’t have a clear path to playing time with their respective teams but have some potential if given the opportunities. . . .Four teams took backup quarterbacks this round. It is interesting to see Justin Herbert fall so far, but he has question marks because of a new offense and lack of playmakers in the passing game.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Week 1 Fantasy Preview

Player Notes
Tyjae Spears Sep 6 2:00pm ET
Tyjae Spears

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears takes on the stout Chicago Bears defense in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. Spears played second-fiddle to future Hall-of-Famer Derrick Henry last season who bolted for the Ravens in free agency. Even with Henry receiving the lion's share of the work, Spears was able to snag 52 passes, tied for ninth among RBs in 2023. Tony Pollard came over from the Cowboys on a fairly lucrative deal, but Spears should still have a major role in this new-look versatile offense. The Bears in return basically all of their stud defensive line from a unit that ranked #1 in the league in rushing yards allowed per game. It will be very tough to run on this front, but with Spears' passing game chops he should see enough work to warrant deeper league flex value, with a slight upgrade in full-PPR formats.

From RotoBaller

Tony Pollard Sep 6 2:00pm ET
Tony Pollard

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard heads to Chicago to face the Bears on NFL opening weekend. Pollard came to Nashville by way of Dallas on a 3-year, $21.75M deal this offseason after an underwhelming year as the Cowboys lead back. He now takes over a Titans backfield that is without superstar workhorse Derrick Henry, but retains the shifty Tyjae Spears who flashed quite a bit last season and should get a sizable workload. Titans Offensive Coordinator Nick Holz recently said the backfield will likely be a 50/50 split which brings Pollard's value down some, but he should still be the 1A to Spears' 1B in the backfield at least to begin the year. Week 1 will be anything but easy traveling to the Chicago and their #1 rushing defense from last year, which should be elite once again in 2024. Consider him a low-end flex for Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Jamal Adams Sep 6 2:00pm ET
Jamal Adams

The Tennessee Titans have officially ruled out safety Jamal Adams (hip) for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Week 1. The writing was on the wall for Adams to be out for the season opener when he missed his second straight practice on Thursday. The 28-year-old oft-injured defensive back apparently wasn't able to get back on the field on Friday. Adams missed most of training camp this summer due to soreness in his hip and will need more time to get ready for the 2024 campaign. He's no longer on the fantasy radar in IDP leagues as a backup safety for the Titans this year. With Adams ruled out against Chicago, expect rookie Julius Wood to operate as the team's backup strong safety this weekend behind Amani Hooker.

From RotoBaller

Calvin Ridley Sep 6 2:00pm ET
Calvin Ridley

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley heads into a Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. The veteran wideout revitalized his career last season in Jacksonville with over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns, helping him secure a large payday from the Titans this spring. With DeAndre Hopkins now 32 and in his last year of his contract, Ridley figures to be the WR1 for this offense captained by sophomore quarterback Will Levis. Week 1 presents one of the toughest matchups all year with the Chicago Bears and their formidable secondary led by lockdown corner Jaylon Johnson, who also just signed a massive extension in the offseason. The good news for Ridley owners is that Hopkins is likely to see more of the All-Pro in coverage, meaning the former Alabama star should have his fair share of chances to exploit this defense. Ridley checks in as a low-mid tier WR2 for Week 1 of the NFL season.

From RotoBaller

Chigoziem Okonkwo Sep 6 2:00pm ET
Chigoziem Okonkwo

Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo takes on the Chicago Bears in an NFL opening weekend matchup. The former fourth-round pick was a popular breakout candidate last season, and while that didn't pan out due to the ineffectiveness of Ryan Tannehill at QB, Okonkwo was much more productive when Levis took over as the starting quarterback. There's some post-hype sleeper vibes around Okonkwo heading into year three, but he is still at best the fourth target in this offense behind Ridley, Hopkins, and Pollard/Spears at the moment. With the Bears ranking middle-of-the-pack against tight ends last season and Okonkwo near the bottom of the pass-catching pecking order, he's better left on fantasy benches in Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Caleb Williams Sep 6 2:00pm ET
Caleb Williams

The Tennessee Titans defense will face 2024 #1 pick Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears in Week 1. This unit was at or below average in most statistical categories last season leading to a #26 finish among fantasy defenses. The Titans signed some big names for their secondary including star cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie, as well as veterans Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams. This should immediately give them a borderline top-10 secondary and help force more turnovers through the air. DT Denico Autry is gone along with his 11.5 sacks, but Jeffrey Simmons and Harold Landry are back in the mix along with 2024 second-round pick T'Vondre Sweat who should be an impact run-stopper. Chicago presents a stiff test with two elite receivers in Keenan Allen and DJ Moore, along with 2024 #9 overall pick Rome Odunze to form one of the best receiving corps in the league. QB1 Caleb Williams hasn't played a regular season snap yet, but he has all the tools to succeed sooner rather than later. Throw in D'Andre Swift and you have countless weapons on offense, which should prompt fantasy managers to leave this unit on waivers for Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Will Levis Sep 6 1:50pm ET
Will Levis

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis travels to Chicago to take on Caleb Williams and the Bears in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. The Kentucky product started eight games last season due to the inept play of Ryan Tannehill and showed major flashes throughout his short stint as the lead signal caller in Nashville, all while dealing with a horrible offensive line. With revamped protection and receiver core that now features Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd, Levis has a huge opportunity in front of him to prove that he is "the guy" for this franchise, and it starts with a tough test on the road against Chicago in Week 1. The Bears ranked in the top half of the league last season in total yards allowed, but most of that was bolstered by their #1 rushing defense. Stopping opposing quarterbacks was not their strong suit, but they did add former Titan / All-Pro safety Kevin Byard in the offseason, which should give that unit a major boost. While Chicago gave up considerable yardage total through the air, they actually led the NFL with 22 interceptions last season. Because Levis is still mostly unproven and has a tough road test against a stout defense, he should only be started in deeper superflex formats.

From RotoBaller

Russell Wilson Sep 6 1:40pm ET
Russell Wilson

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (calf), who left Thursday's practice after reporting what the team called calf tightness, was seen on the practice field on Friday. There have been conflicting reports on Wilson's status for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Wilson's status is firmly up in the air, mainly because of how cautious the team's medical staff has been with Wilson's injury that he initially suffered in training camp. However, head coach Mike Tomlin said the team has no worries that the 35-year-old won't be available this weekend. The fact that Wilson is on the field on Friday is a good sign that he'll be able to suit up and make his Steelers debut. If Wilson is active, he'll be a midrange QB2 in an offense that lacks receiving talent for him to work with.

From RotoBaller

DeAndre Hopkins Sep 6 1:40pm ET
DeAndre Hopkins

Tennessee Titans veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee) is listed as questionable for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, according to head coach Brian Callahan. Hopkins was limited in practice on both Wednesday and Thursday and will now be a game-time decision on Sunday morning. The good news for fantasy managers that are considering using the 32-year-old in their starting lineups as a WR4/flex this weekend is that offensive coordinator Nick Holz said on Thursday that the Titans expect Hopkins to have a big role on offense if he does suit up. Still, Nuk's questionable status makes him more of a shaky WR4/flex option entering Week 1 action. If he doesn't end up getting the green light on Sunday, it will mean more targets for Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, Treylon Burks and tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo.

From RotoBaller

Pat Freiermuth Sep 6 1:30pm ET
Pat Freiermuth

Talks between the Pittsburgh Steelers and tight end Pat Freiermuth on a long-term contract extension are progressing with the Week 1 regular-season opener right around the corner on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, according to sources. The Steelers are trying to get Freiermuth signed before Sunday's kickoff. With offensive coordinator Arthur Smith now in the Steel City, the 25-year-old Freiermuth is expected to become a much bigger part of the offense in 2024 and beyond, even though quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) hasn't traditionally targeted the position all that much. Mainly given the lack of Pittsburgh's receiving depth behind WR1 George Pickens, analysts believe that if he stays healthy, Freiermuth should be the second-most targeted pass-catcher this year. Freiermuth lines up as a high-end TE2 for fantasy managers in Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Josh Downs Sep 6 1:20pm ET
Josh Downs

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen has officially ruled wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) out for the Week 1 regular season contest on Sunday versus the division-rival Houston Texans. Things had been trending this way all week as Downs was unable to practice due to a high-ankle sprain that he suffered in August. The 23-year-old worked off to the side in practices this week, though, and appears to be getting close to a return, so it's possible he may be able to make his 2024 debut in Week 2 at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. With Downs officially out this weekend, it will make both rookie Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce a bit more attractive as DFS sleepers behind WR1 Michael Pittman Jr. The 21-year-old Mitchell was selected with the 52nd overall pick back in April in the second round. He has the ability to line up inside or outside and should give fantasy managers a bit more upside than Pierce.

From RotoBaller

Mike McCarthy Sep 6 1:20pm ET
Mike McCarthy

The Dallas Cowboys plan on committing to their running game in 2024. "We will be good running the football and that's because we're going to commit to it," head coach Mike McCarthy said on Friday. Dallas' backfield looks like their biggest weakness on offense heading into the 2024 campaign after Tony Pollard left in free agency. As things stand right now, veteran Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle project as co-starters at the RB position, with second-year back Deuce Vaughn serving as the No. 3. Veteran Dalvin Cook was recently signed for additional depth, but he'll have to work his way to the active roster off the practice squad. McCarthy could play the hot hand between Elliott and Dowdle, but the early belief is that Dowdle is going to lead the Cowboys' backfield in touches when all is said and done. Dowdle lines up as more of an upside play than Zeke, who is likely to be more touchdown-dependent.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Marr Chase Sep 6 1:10pm ET
Ja'Marr Chase

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been in the headlines often in the lead-up to Week 1 of the regular season this Sunday against the New England Patriots, mainly because of his high-profile contract stand-off with the team. Chase said that Friday is his deadline for a long-term contract extension to be completed, but he also things a deal is within striking distance. Even if a new deal isn't reached by Friday, the All-Pro pass-catcher said he'd be willing to play in 2024. In terms of whether he'll play this weekend in the season opener, though, Chase has labeled himself a "game-time decision" and said he'd likely be limited if he does suit up. Not only does this make Chase a much more shaky WR1 in fantasy in Week 1, but it puts a dark cloud over the entire Cincy offense with wideout Tee Higgins (hamstring) also looking potentially questionable to play. We may not have a clear picture on Chase's and Higgins' availability until Sunday morning.

From RotoBaller

Tee Higgins Sep 6 1:10pm ET
Tee Higgins

Updating a previous report, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) tweaked his hamstring at practice on Thursday, according to head coach Zac Taylor. The head coach said "we'll see" in terms of Higgins' availability for Week 1 on Sunday against the New England Patriots. Higgins wasn't seen at the portion of practice open to the media on Friday and he's now trending toward a questionable tag on the final injury report. With Ja'Marr Chase (holdout) claiming himself a game-time decision for the season opener, too, it's possible the Bengals could be without both of their top two receivers this weekend. Chase and Higgins should be in fantasy lineups if they are active, but their Week 1 stock is trending down. If one or both of them are inactive against the Pats, it will open the door for much bigger roles for receiver Andrei Iosivas and tight end Mike Gesicki, among others. Stay tuned.

From RotoBaller

Matt Gay Sep 6 1:00pm ET
Matt Gay

Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay (hernia) was not seen at Friday's practice, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. This is not a great sign for the 30-year-old who has not logged one practice, which puts his status for Week 1 in danger. Gay underwent a sports hernia procedure after the team's final preseason game during the final week of August. If Gay cannot suit up on Sunday, rookie Spencer Shrader will likely serve as the No.1 when the Colts take on the Houston Texans. Gay had one of the worst seasons of his career last fall as he posted a mere 80.5% on field goal attempts, which was a start drop compared to the strong 93.3% he held in 2022. Fantasy managers looking to stream a kicker this weekend should not look to adding Shrader, who could be making his NFL debut on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Josh Downs Sep 6 12:50pm ET
Josh Downs

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) was seen doing individual work on Friday but did not participate in practice, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. The 23-year-old expressed on Wednesday that he feels "real close to returning." While he has not officially been ruled out for the season opener on Sunday, it is not promising that he did not participate in team practices during the week. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to any further updates regarding Downs' status as we approach the weekend. Downs enjoyed a nice rookie season as he caught 68 passes for 771 yards and two scores. If Downs happens to suit up for the season opener, he should be considered a low-end flex play in most leagues as he will compete for targets with Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Adonai Mitchell.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Marr Chase Sep 6 12:40pm ET
Ja'Marr Chase

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (holdout) told the media on Friday that he considers himself a game-time decision for Sunday and will be "limited" if he does play, according to Charlie Goldsmith of the Enquirer. Chase returned to practice on Wednesday after being held out of practice due to contract negotiations. While it is a promising sign to have seen Chase at practice over the past three days, he still considers himself a game-time call before Sunday's season opener. Fantasy managers should continue paying close attention to updates regarding the 24-year-old's status. Earlier on Friday, the No.2 receiver, Tee Higgins (hamstring), was not seen at practice. If both Chase and Higgins happen to suit up against the New England Patriots over the weekend, fantasy managers could expect both to play in a limited capacity, which may open more targets for Andrei Iosivas. However, no matter his capacity, Chase should be locked into all lineups if he plays.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Ramsey Sep 6 12:20pm ET
Jalen Ramsey

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey signed a massive three-year extension totaling $72.3M which makes him the highest-paid cornerback in the sport, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. This deal was negotiated by David Mulugheta of Athletes First. The 29-year-old now once again sits as the highest-paid cornerback just days after Patrick Surtain of the Denver Broncos received his first NFL extension, which put him in the top spot for only a few days. Ramsey was limited to just ten games of NFL action last season but still made his mark by intercepting three passes and making 22 total tackles. Ramsey is currently battling a hamstring injury and is in danger of missing the season opener. Fantasy managers playing in an IDP league should continue to monitor the 29-year-old's status entering the weekend.

From RotoBaller

Pete Werner Sep 6 12:10pm ET
Pete Werner

The New Orleans Saints' defense and special teams have one of the strongest Week 1 matchups as they face the Carolina Panthers. Although Pete Werner (shoulder), Willie Gay Jr. (back), and Marshon Lattimore (hip) are on the injury report, all three should be good to go on Sunday. New Orleans remains one of the stronger defensive units in the league, and performed strongly in both matchups with Carolina a season ago. Start the Saints' defense in Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Rashee Rice Sep 6 12:10pm ET
Rashee Rice

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will likely not miss any time during the 2024 season as he awaits a trial date for his felony charges of street racing, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Florio reports that a guilty plea in 2024 is unlikely as Rice has no official trial date. Florio's sources express that since the trial will not happen until December (at the earliest), there is no urgency to reach a plea deal. Florio further emphasized that Rice will likely be suspended at some time, but it is hard to picture that he will miss time this season. Fantasy managers who have Rice on their team should continue to follow any updates regarding his legal issues throughout the season in case he does miss time. After being a league-winner down the stretch last season, the 24-year-old continued his breakout run by catching seven passes for 103 yards in the season opener on Thursday. Rice should continue to be a lineup lock for the foreseeable future as he is shaping up to be Patrick Mahomes' go-to option in the passing game.

From RotoBaller