Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams broke into the league in 2021 as an impressive tackle-breaking back with three-down potential and a bright future in Denver. Williams' fantasy stock has since tumbled, mainly because of devastating season-ending knee injury suffered in 2022. The 24-year-old didn't look the same in 2023, averaging a career-low 3.6 yards per carry in what was a below-average Denver offense led by quarterback Russell Wilson. However, Williams quietly played 16 games and finished with 774 yards and three touchdowns, adding a career-high 47 receptions for 228 yards and two more TDs. He heads into a Week 1 matchup in Seattle against a revamped Seahawks defense, although they did allow the second-most half-PPR points to RBs per game in 2023. As the clear lead back in Denver, expect the Broncos to lean heavily on Williams in Bo Nix's debut, putting him on the RB2/3 borderline in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

The Minnesota Vikings have elevated running back Myles Gaskin to the active roster for Sunday's game against the New York Giants. Gaskin, who led the team with 128 rushing yards on 27 carries during the preseason and added four receptions for 16 yards, brings valuable experience with 41 NFL games and 17 starts. His impressive performance in training camp caught the coaches' attention, making him an essential depth addition behind Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler. Gaskin also returned three kickoffs for 55 yards in the preseason and could be utilized as the Vikings and Giants navigate the new kickoff rules. While Gaskin may not be a fantasy asset this week, it's reassuring to know he will be the next option if anything happens to Jones or Chandler.

From RotoBaller

The Dallas Cowboys have officially activated wide receiver CeeDee Lamb from the exempt list, and he is set to play on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns in the season opener. Lamb had been holding out before signing a four-year, $136 million contract extension, which includes a record $38 million signing bonus for wide receivers and $100 million guaranteed. His $34 million annual average makes him the second-highest-paid receiver, trailing only Justin Jefferson of the Vikings. Lamb was placed on the commissioner's exempt list while the Cowboys utilized a two-game roster exemption, which allowed them to keep a roster spot open as Lamb worked to get back into form after missing most of training camp. As Lamb returns for this challenging matchup against the strong Browns defense, he will have had limited preparation. Although he remains a must-start in fantasy leagues, it's wise to temper expectations for Week 1 as he shakes off the rust.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) is traveling with the team to Atlanta despite being listed as questionable on the injury report. Wilson is dealing with tightness in the same calf he injured during training camp. He was limited in practice over the final two days of the week, leading to the questionable designation on the final injury report. While his availability for the game remains uncertain, he will at least be present with the team. If Wilson cannot play, the Steelers will turn to Justin Fields, who has a 10-28 record as an NFL starter. Fields, who competed with Wilson during training camp and preseason, was named the backup for Week 1 but now has an opportunity to prove himself as the potential full-time starter. The Steelers are set to face the Falcons on Sunday, and the inactives list, including the final decision on Wilson's status, will be released about an hour and a half before kickoff. Given the uncertainty surrounding the Steelers' quarterback situation, relying on any Steelers quarterback in fantasy leagues this Sunday may be risky, regardless of who starts.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos rookie first-round quarterback Bo Nix looked great in training camp and the preseason while quickly winning over the coaching staff and being named the starter over Jarrett Stidham. Many analysts thought Denver reached for the Oregon product with the 12th overall selection back in April, but head coach Sean Payton really likes him, and Nix's athleticism and strong arm could help him excel in the system right away. With that said, there is a lot of pressure on the 24-year-old as Denver's first rookie to start the season opener since legend John Elway in the early 1980's. In addition to that pressure, he'll be making his first NFL regular-season start in the harsh environment at Lumen Field in Seattle against the Seahawks. While Nix is an excellent stash in dynasty/keeper leagues, he's only worth a bench spot in two-QB superflex leagues in his rookie campaign as a QB3 heading into Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | Eagles running back Saquon Barkley rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns while adding two catches for 23 yards and another score in his Philadelphia debut. Dynasty Analysis: The Eagles offense struggled in its first two series but came to life after with Barkley leading the way. It couldn't have gone much better for Saquon as he had 24 of the 25 running back carries with Kenneth Gainwell garnering just one tote. While we have a long way to go before declaring Barkley as being totally back, this was a pretty awe-inspiring debut for his new team.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | Packers receiver Jayden Reed had four catches for 138 yards and a touchdown while adding a 33-yard rushing touchdown in Green Bay's season-opening loss to the Eagles. Dynasty Analysis: Reed was a fantasy dynamo at times last year and this game showed that was no fluke. It looks like Reed, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are the top receivers in this offense and while any ot them can post a big game, Reed certainly looks like the best bet of the trio at the moment. The big concern with him is clearly the health of Jordan Love, so stay tuned.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | Packers quarterback Jordan Love completed 17-of-34 passes for 260 yards with two touchdowns and one interception but suffered an injury late in Green Bay's season opener. Dynasty Analysis: Love was injured with just seconds left in the game as he was scrambling around in an effort to throw a hail mary. X (the artist formerly known as Twitter) has exploded with everyone quickly becoming doctors and thinking film shows a "pop" in his knee. Early reports indicate his ACL is intact but Love isn't out of the woods. Stay tuned.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | Packers running back Josh Jacobs rushed for 84 yards and caught two passes for 20 yards in Green Bay's opening night loss to the Eagles. Dynasty Analysis: Jacobs had one 32-yard gain but was otherwise quiet on the night. This will certainly not be the case every week and he may be even more important to the offense should Green Bay lose Jordan Love for an extended period of time. Regardless, Jacobs is a fringe RB1 most weeks and this seems like a game that would be closer to his floor than ceiling this year.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | Packers receiver Dontayvion Wicks was held without a catch in Green Bay's season-opening loss to the Eagles. Dynasty Analysis: Wicks was targeted three times but failed to record a reception. This was a major downer for many dynasty managers who bought into the hype surrounding Wicks all off-season. While it's just one game, it does seem as if he's a distant fourth option behind blossoming star Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson. Wicks remains a hold in dynasty leagues for now but expectations should be tempered.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | Eagles receiver Jahan Dotson was held catchless in his Eagles debut. Dynasty Analysis: Yuck. Even worse, Dotson garnered just one target on the night. While it's just one game, the notion Dotson would take a few targets away from AJ Brown or DeVonta Smith early on can be put to rest. Dotson is a hold in dynasty leagues but his value arrow is pointing straight down at the moment.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

The Carolina Panthers placed tight end Ian Thomas (calf) on Injured Reserve on Saturday after already ruling him out for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. In addition to putting Thomas on IR, the team also waived cornerback Keenan Isaac and signed tight end Feleipe Franks and defensive tackle Jayden Peevy to the active 53-man roster from the practice squad. Thomas will now miss at least the first four weeks of the 2024 season after being sidelined since early in training camp with a calf injury. Tommy Tremble (back, hamstring) has already been ruled out for Week 1 as well, so Carolina is entering the regular season already thin at the TE position, meaning rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders will mostly likely be thrust into the top pass-catching role right away.

From RotoBaller

The Indianapolis Colts elevated rookie kicker Spencer Shrader and cornerback Chris Lammons from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster on Saturday in advance of the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the division-rival Houston Texans. This is a clear sign that starting kicker Matt Gay (hernia), who is listed as questionable for Week 1, will end up being inactive on Sunday morning after he recently underwent surgery for a sports hernia. Gay is questionable to kick on Sunday, but he missed practice all week and is probably more doubtful than anything. Fantasy managers that were planning to use Gay in Week 1 should have already been looking for other options this weekend. Rolling with Shrader in his first NFL game would be unwise given all the other options available on the waiver wire.

From RotoBaller

The Cleveland Browns signed wide receiver Jaelon Darden to their active 53-man roster on Saturday and also elevated cornerback Mike Ford Jr. and offensive tackle Germain Ifedi to the active roster ahead of their Week 1 showdown in Cleveland against the Dallas Cowboys. The Browns released former third-rounder David Bell earlier this week, so the 25-year-old Darden will essentially replace him on Cleveland's roster as additional receiver depth behind Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore. Darden will be competing for playing time with Cedric Tillman and rookie Jamari Thrash and is off the fantasy radar everywhere for now. Darden was originally drafted in the fourth round in 2021 out of North Texas by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last year in 16 games with the Browns, he only served as a kick returner on special teams and wasn't involved in the offense.

From RotoBaller

New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers (hip) was added to the Week 1 injury report on Saturday and is now questionable to suit up for the season opener on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Peppers is one of the team's key defenders, not just in the secondary, so not having him on Sunday would be a big blow as the Pats try to slow down a Bengals offense that could be without its top two receivers in Ja'Marr Chase (holdout) and Tee Higgins (hamstring). The 28-year-old is worth stashing in IDP leagues but should probably be on benches in Week 1 now that he's up in the air to play. The former 25th overall pick in 2017 out of Michigan is heading into his third year in New England after racking up 87 solo tackles, seven tackles for loss, two interceptions, eight pass breakups, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and a sack in 32 games (20 starts) over the last two years.

From RotoBaller

According to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love's (knee) ACL is "intact." The latest update comes after ESPN's Diana Russini indicated the signal-caller would undergo an MRI once the Packers' flight from Brazil landed, adding that an ankle injury was "ruled out." Love, who signed a lucrative extension during the offseason, played most of Friday's opener versus the Eagles before suffering a leg injury with only seconds remaining in the contest. At this point, fantasy managers are willing to accept an absence of a game or two, considering the alternative. But until Love is cleared to return to the field, Malik Willis is the favorite to take over under center, with the former Titan failing to connect on his only pass attempt in Week 1.

From RotoBaller

The Cincinnati Bengals' defense should be started in all fantasy leagues ahead of their Week 1 matchup against the New England Patriots. While the Bengals ranked near the middle of the league for fantasy points in 2023, they get a juicy matchup against the Patriots to open the 2024 season. New England is widely expected to be the worst team in the NFL this year and the Bengals' defensive unit could have a field day against Jacoby Brissett and company. Not only is Cincinnati worth starting in fantasy football, but they also rank as a top-three unit with the potential to finish as this week's No. 1 defense.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay (hernia) is officially questionable for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans. Although he was officially listed as a non-participant in practice all three days this week, head coach Shane Steichen did note that Gay has been doing some kicking. Therefore, with the questionable tag, Indianapolis is leaving the door open for him to play. In the event that he can't suit up, the Colts could choose to elevate Spencer Shrader from the practice squad. Shrader was 4-for-4 on field goals and 2-for-2 on extra points during the preseason. Gay would rank as a low-end K1 option if he does play in the season opener.

From RotoBaller

Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass is worth starting in most leagues ahead of Week 1 versus the Arizona Cardinals. Although Bass is coming off a down year in which he made just 82.8 percent of his field goals and tied his career-low for extra point attempts, he's still someone worth considering for lineups given the strong state of Buffalo's offense. In particular, Bass could find himself busy this week against a Cardinals defense that allowed the second-most points per game to opposing offenses in 2023. The 27-year-old kicker is still a top-12 fantasy option this week.

From RotoBaller

The New York Giants defense could be the surprise play of Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. With a formidable front seven (including pass rush specialist Brian Burns, stud players Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence) and a secondary brimming with high draft picks (such as 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks), they're poised to challenge Sam Darnold early. While facing the daunting task of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, the Giants' defense managed to create 12 interceptions last season, showing their potential if they can pressure Darnold into mistakes. With new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, the Giants could see a significant resurgence on the defensive side of the ball, offering hope to fantasy managers.