Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins will kick off his 2024 season with a home matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1. The Cowboys were tough on fantasy kickers last year, allowing just the 29th-most fantasy points per game to the position. Hopkins was a reliable kicker for the Browns in 2023, hitting 33 of his 36 field-goal tries, including all eight of his tries from 50+ yards. It remains to be seen how efficient the Cleveland offense will be this season, which coupled with the tough matchup, leaves Hopkins outside of the top-12 fantasy kicker options this weekend.

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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy will take on the Dallas Cowboys at home in Week 1. Jeudy, who is making his Cleveland debut, dealt with a knee injury during training camp but he appears to be fully healthy heading into the season opener. Jeudy reportedly showed nice chemistry with Deshaun Watson during the preseason, although it remains to be seen whether that transfers over to the regular season. For now, Jeudy appears to be the team's No. 2 or No. 3 option in the passing game behind Amari Cooper and possibly David Njoku. For now, he sets up as a low-end flex, and fantasy managers should be in wait-and-see mode until it is more clear how Jeudy fits into the Cleveland offense.

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Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss signed a two-year deal with the team this offseason. He's coming off the best year of his career, running for 794 yards and five touchdowns off 183 attempts, adding 27 catches for 192 yards and 2 touchdowns in 14 games with the Colts. With Joe Mixon now in Houston, the door is open for someone to take over the No. 1 spot in the backfield. Although some predict Moss will see the majority of the touches over Chase Brown, at least early in the year, his fantasy outlook isn't as clear while the likelihood of a timeshare exists. But Ja'Marr Chase (not injury-related) and Tee Higgins (hamstring) aren't a lock to suit up in Week 1. As a result, Moss could see more touches than usual. He may also see more attention on the receiving end from Joe Burrow (wrist), who could start the 2024-25 campaign without his two primary receiving options. With that said, Moss should be a starting fantasy option in nearly all formats on Sunday, especially if Higgins or Chase are out. The same would be true for Brown, who would be in line for more snaps against the Patriots.

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Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku will look to build upon a breakout season last year when he takes on the Dallas Cowboys at home in Week 1. The Cowboys represent a tough matchup for tight ends as they allowed just the 25th-most fantasy points per game to the position in 2023. That being said, Njoku emerged as a top option in the passing attack last year and should continue to be one of the top targets for Deshaun Watson this season. Fantasy managers can comfortably fire Njoku up as a top-10 tight end for the season opener this weekend.

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Arizona Cardinals tight end Tip Reiman (ankle) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. Reiman practiced all week in a limited fashion, but it appears his ankle hasn't progressed enough for him to be cleared for the Cardinals' opening road tilt. With the third-string tight end sidelined, it's fair to expect Elijah Higgins to garner some more snaps, with fourth-string option Travis Vokolek to mix in for some as well, possibly. The rookie third-round pick doesn't project to have a significant role in Arizona's offense right out of the gate. Even if the Illinois product is healthy, Trey McBride is the clear leader of this unit. Fantasy managers can avoid Reiman in the early season, and he's nothing more than a deep dynasty league stash for the time being.

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Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford will open the season as the team's starter after Nick Chubb (knee) was placed on the PUP list. Ford draws a tough Week 1 matchup as he will take on the Dallas Cowboys on the road to kick off the 2024 season. The Cowboys were stout against the run in 2023, allowing just the 22nd-most fantasy points per game to running backs. Ford was very average as a rusher last season but he did show skill in the passing attack, hauling in five touchdown grabs on 44 catches. He should be busy in the passing game against an explosive Dallas offense this week, making him a solid flex option for fantasy gamers.

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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper will head on the road to take on his old team in a Week 1 showdown against the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas represents a tough matchup for Cooper as they allowed just the 28th-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers in 2023. The Cowboys' secondary should be just as formidable in 2024 as they will get Trevon Diggs back after losing him to a season-ending injury early last season. Cooper has shown the ability to post week-winning performances during his career but the matchup leaves him as more of a low-end WR2 in fantasy for the season opener on Sunday.

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) logged another full practice on Friday, meaning he should be good to go in Week 1 versus the Patriots. Unfortunately, the signal-caller could be without his top weapons, with Ja'Marr Chase (not injury-related) and Tee Higgins (hamstring) potentially not suiting up for the opener. Without question, Burrow is a capable fantasy quarterback. However, his outlook isn't as promising if Chase and Higgins aren't on the field. But it's a new era in New England, with Bill Belichick no longer at the helm in favor of Jerod Mayo. With the coaching change, there could be bumps in the road for the Patriots defense. Regardless, Burrow is too talented to keep on the bench on Sunday. Fantasy managers should consider him a viable starting option in all formats imaginable.

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will kick off his 2024 season with a tough road matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Watson did not see any game action in the preseason after his 2023 campaign was cut short by a shoulder injury suffered during Week 12 against the Baltimore Ravens, so there may be a bit of rust to knock off for the signal-caller. The Cowboys represent a tough matchup for Watson as they allowed just the 26th-most fantasy points per game to the quarterback position last season. Watson's tenure with the Browns has been marked by inconsistency, although he will play with the best group of pass catchers he has had since joining the team two years ago. Treat Watson as a low-end QB2 with some upside for the season opener.

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens finished as the fantasy WR26 last season and will be looking to establish himself as a true No. 1 option in 2024. His first opportunity to do so will come against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1. Atlanta was stout against opposing wideouts in 2023, allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to the position. To make matters worse, it is currently unclear who will throw Pickens the ball on Sunday with quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) officially listed as questionable. The good news for fantasy managers is that Wilson or Justin Fields under center should be a clear upgrade for Pickens compared to the Steelers' quarterbacks of the past two years. Pittsburgh demonstrated its confidence in Pickens as a WR1 when it traded away Diontae Johnson in March, setting up the 23-year-old for a breakout campaign. There is risk in relying on Pickens this week, but he offers a high ceiling as a low-end WR2 or flex play despite a difficult matchup.

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris is set to begin his fourth professional campaign against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Although the Steelers conducted one of the least productive offenses in the NFL last season, Harris still managed to rush for over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns. The 26-year-old will have an opportunity to best those numbers in 2024 behind what should be an improved offensive line and with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith calling plays. Atlanta poses a difficult challenge for Harris as the Falcons surrendered the fifth-fewest fantasy points to the running back position in 2023. With Jaylen Warren returning from a hamstring injury, however, Harris should be expected to lead Pittsburgh's backfield and thus projects as a viable RB2 or flex option in most fantasy lineups.

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Miami Dolphins star cornerback Jalen Ramsey (hamstring) is officially listed as questionable for Week 1 of the regular season this Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium versus the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars. The good news, though, is that Ramsey was able to put in a limited practice on Friday after sitting out both Wednesday and Thursday. The 29-year-old All-Pro corner signed a three-year, $72.3 million contract extension on Friday with Miami, making him the highest-paid corner in the NFL. Ramsey considers himself a game-time decision for Sunday's contest. If he's not active, it will be good news for Jaguars top wideout Christian Kirk. It would also force backup cornerback Ethan Bonner into a starting role in Miami's secondary. Ramsey is a better real-life defensive back than an IDP one.

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New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (foot) has been removed from Friday's final injury report and will be good to go for the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday versus the Cincinnati Bengals. Henry was a full participant in the first official practice of the year on Wednesday, so there was never really any doubt whether he'd suit up and play this weekend after dealing with a foot injury during training camp. Fantasy managers can't really get too excited about any of the offensive skill players in New England's offense this year in what is expected to be one of the most lackluster units, but the 29-year-old Henry could be a valuable safety blanket for both quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye as they play catchup on the scoreboard more often than not. Heading into Week 1, fantasy managers should treat Henry as a TE2 sleeper against Cincy.

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When asked if there's any doubt in his mind that he will play in the Week 1 regular-season opener on Monday against the visiting New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles, calf) simply said, "No." When asked if he's expecting a normal workload, McCaffrey said, "I hope so." For the second straight day on Friday, CMC was listed as limited on the team's injury report. ESPN's Nick Wagoner writes that McCaffrey seemed to be moving at full speed with no issues on Friday. The 28-year-old All-Pro RB missed most of training camp and all of the preseason due to an Achilles/calf injury, but he's been working on side fields since mid-August and should be active on Monday night. However, the top overall pick in most fantasy drafts will have more of a bust factor in the season opener against a nasty defense if he's limited at all. Fantasy managers would be wise to handcuff him with Jordan Mason.

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The Los Angeles Rams' defense/special teams is not in a good fantasy situation in Week 1 at the Detroit Lions. The Lions feature a loaded offense led by former Rams quarterback Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs, and David Montgomery in the backfield. Not helping issues is the fact that the Rams will be without starting defensive back Darious Williams while they deal with the Lions' explosive offense. Williams was placed on IR with a strained hamstring. The post-Aaron Donald era could get off to a rough start for the Rams in this matchup. In a game that features one of the highest totals of the week, it is best to stay away from the Rams' defense. There should be better D/ST options available in your league.

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (hamstring) was a full participant on Friday for the second day in a row and was removed from the final injury report for Week 1's contest on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. Warren was listed as limited in the team's first official practice of the year, creating some uncertain as to whether he'd be available for the season opener. However, the 25-year-old has now been cleared and will suit up against Atlanta as he continues to share Pittsburgh's backfield with Najee Harris. Warren produced 784 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 149 carries (5.3 yards per attempt) and added a healthy 61 receptions for 370 yards in 17 regular-season games. With Pittsburgh's pass-catching depth suspect, Warren should be able to be a solid RB3/flex on a weekly basis again in 2024 with quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) leading the offense.

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Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) is inactive for Friday night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. To fill the gap, the Packers have promoted Ellis Merriweather from the practice squad. Lloyd, who is recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns, has not played in the last two preseason games but was seen at practice this week. With Lloyd sidelined, Emanuel Wilson, who has also been dealing with a hip injury, will serve as Josh Jacobs's primary backup. Jacobs, a key offseason acquisition for the Packers with a four-year, $48 million contract, is expected to carry the bulk of the workload in the backfield. Given the circumstances, Jacobs should be considered an RB1 for this week's matchup against the Eagles.

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Los Angeles Rams rookie kicker Joshua Karty will be put to the test early in his career in a hostile environment Sunday night against the Lions. The Stanford rookie, who was drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 Draft, figures to be involved heavily in a game that could be a shootout. He should get plenty of opportunities for extra points and field goals if the Rams stall out on a few drives. In a raucous environment, it is hard to predict how the rookie will fare if he is faced with some long field goal attempts. The good news is he will be kicking indoors at Ford Field so he won't have to deal with inclement weather or wind. Karty is likely on the waiver wire in shallow leagues so it might be best to see how he does with his first assignment before deciding whether he should be your fantasy kicker this season.

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Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson has been thrust into the starting tight end role for the Rams after signing from Seattle in the offseason. With Tyler Higbee recovering from an ACL injury, Parkinson will operate in the lead role until Higbee is healthy enough to return. The matchup is decent against the Lions in Week 1 after Detroit allowed 12.53 points per game to tight ends in fantasy last season. But the fantasy tight-end landscape makes it difficult to elevate Parkinson into a starting role in leagues that play just one at the position. Parkinson could command some looks on Sunday night but with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp both healthy it's difficult to see him getting too many valuable targets. Parkinson's night is therefore largely touchdown dependent which makes him a risky play.

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Las Vegas Raiders' first-round tight end Brock Bowers (foot) is off the injury report and ready to make his NFL debut this Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. After limited participation in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, Bowers was a full participant on Friday, confirming his availability for the game. Bowers, selected in the 2024 first round, is expected to be a key target in the Raiders' passing game, including WRs Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, as well as fellow TE Michael Mayer, a 2023 second-round pick. Known for his impressive college career at Georgia, where he had three consecutive seasons with over 50 catches, Bowers is regarded as one of the top tight end prospects to enter the NFL. With a favorable matchup against the Chargers' relatively weaker linebackers, Bowers' ability to read coverages and excel after the catch makes him a strong start for Week 1.

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