Week two is just around the corner and it’s time to set those lineups. In order to help you do so, I’m going to share the top 12 quarterback and tight end rankings I constructed through statistical analysis, matchup data, sportsbook data and film.
If you have any sit/start questions that I can’t get to on Reddit or want personalized team advice, click the link below and shoot me a message on Discord. Anyone in that channel will also be given access to my top 48 RB/WR rankings and top 24 QB/TE rankings each week. That being said, let’s dive right into the top sit/starts for week one of the fantasy football season!
Week 1 Quarterback Rankings (2024 Fantasy Football)
Excluded - Josh Allen, Tua Tagovailoa, Dalton Kincaid,
Tier 1
1. Jalen Hurts vs ATL
2. Lamar Jackson vs LV
3. Anthony Richardson @ GB
Tier 2
4. Patrick Mahomes vs CIN
5. Kyler Murray vs LAR
Tier 3
6. C.J. Stroud vs CHI
7. Jayden Daniels
Tier 4
8. Joe Burrow @ KC
9. Matthew Stafford @ ARI
10. Jared Goff vs TB
11. Dak Prescott vs NO
Tier 5
12. Caleb Williams @ HOU
Must Start: Quarterback
Dak Prescott vs NO
ESPN Projection - QB15
For those that are new here, the players that will be eligible for this list are all close to being ranked as a back-end QB1/TE1 based on ESPN’s PPR projections. After a rough week one, I’m shocked to see Dak Prescott projected as the QB15 for the week on ESPN (Including Tua Tagovailoa, Josh Allen). I get that he only had 11.46 points in week one but let’s not forget he scored 20.2 PPG last year in a very similar situation.
In week two, the Cowboys are facing off against the Saints which is a fantastic matchup for Prescott. According to SportsLine consensus, the over/under is 46.5 points which is well above average for the week. On top of all this, looking at the QB Coverage Matchup tool (efficiency measured in all converge shell types) by Fantasy Points, he’s ranked 4th in expected fantasy points per dropback. If you have Prescott please don’t bench him after one bad week when all the signs are pointing towards a bounce back.
Week 1 Tight End Rankings (2024 Fantasy Football)
Tier 1
1. Sam LaPorta vs TB
2. Travis Kelce vs CIN
Tier 2
3. Trey McBride vs LAR
Tier 3
4. Kyle Pitts @ PHI
5. George Kittle @ MIN
Tier 4
6. Mark Andrews vs LV
Tier 5
7. Evan Engram vs CLE
8. Brock Bowers @ BAL
9. Isaiah Likely vs LV
Tier 6
10. Colby Parkinson @ ARI
11. Jake Ferguson vs NO
12. Dalton Schultz vs CHI
Must Start: Tight End
Isaiah Likely vs LV
ESPN Projection - TE12
ESPN has Isaiah Likely as the TE12 for week (including Dalton Kincaid). Even though Mark Andrews ran three more routes (38-35) and had six more snaps (59-53), expect the Ravens to run a lot of 12 personnel. I mean how can you just turn away from Likely after that week one performance.
Although the Raiders game should be fairly low scoring with an over/under 41.5 points. The Ravens are also 8.5 point favorites which should encourage them to run 12 personnel even more. The bottom line is that low end TE1’s are a crapshoot most of the time anyways. Why would you not take a shot on upside with a guy that just scored 26.1 points in week one.
