Week 1 Fantasy Football Sleepers
Week 1 Fantasy Football Sleepers The NFL season is just around the corner, and with it, Week 1 of fantasy football is here. But let’s be honest—Week 1 is the wildest and most unpredictable week of the NFL season. Fantasy managers are left guessing how teams will operate, how specific players will be utilized, and how new coaching staffs will adjust the play-calling. What if you start someone who ends up riding the bench all game? What if all those glowing training camp reports were misleading? Don’t worry too much. In Week 1, it’s all about minimizing risk. You want to lean on players with the most secure roles and avoid unnecessary gambles. Of course, not every team has the luxury of such stability, and some situations will require a bit more insight. To help you out, here’s a look at a few Week 1 Fantasy Football Sleepers to start to kick off the 2024-25 NFL season. Baker Mayfield (QB) Tampa Bay Buccaneers You are probably only considering Baker Mayfield if you’re in a 2 QB League. He’s not a top-12 option, and Week 1 is all about starting your strongest players. However, if you’re in a pinch, Mayfield could surprise. The Washington Commanders were the league’s worst pass defense last season, allowing the most passing yards and touchdowns. While the departure of offensive coordinator Dave Canales might hinder the Buccaneers’ offense, Week 1 presents a prime opportunity for Mayfield and the Bucs to exploit a weak Commanders’ defense. Jerome Ford (RB) Cleveland Browns In Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys, Jerome Ford is set to handle a substantial workload. Given the Browns’ uncertainties at offensive tackle and Dallas’ formidable pass rush, Cleveland is expected to lean heavily on their ground game. The Cowboys’ defense, which ranked 15th in yards per carry allowed last season, is vulnerable enough to make the running game a focal point for the Browns. D’Onta Foreman poses a threat at the goal line, which limits Ford’s ceiling to a mid-tier flex play. Despite this, his strong PPR potential, with 44 receptions last season, makes him a viable starter in deeper leagues. J.K. Dobbins (RB) Los Angeles Chargers J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and former Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman all came to the Los Angeles Chargers this season. The rotation between Dobbins and Edwards remains uncertain. However, Dobbins was the main back in Baltimore when both were healthy. Dobbins’ injury history is a major concern, particularly his recent Achilles tear from Week 1 of the 2023 season. Achilles injuries can be career-altering for NFL running backs, and it’s unclear if Dobbins will return to form. In Week 1, when Dobbins faces the Las Vegas Raiders, managers in deeper leagues should consider starting him, albeit with tempered expectations as he returns from a significant injury. Dontayvion Wicks (WR) Green Bay Packers Philadelphia’s revamped secondary is the key question for those rostering Green Bay Packers receivers in Week 1. The truth is, we’re venturing into the unknown. Philly’s defense should improve from last year’s dismal performance (ranking 31st in passing yards allowed) with the arrival of new defensive backs and Vic Fangio as the defensive coordinator. This uncertainty makes Packers wideout Dontayvion Wicks an intriguing option in deeper leagues. Additionally, Wicks showed promise as a rookie, racking up 581 yards and 4 touchdowns, and he has the potential to become a key target for Jordan Love in 2024. I included Wicks as a league-winning pick in the latest FullTime Fantasy Podcast. Rashid Shaheed (WR) New Orleans Saints Shaheed is gearing up for a favorable Week 1 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Managers should be licking their chops at this one, despite the Panthers quietly holding their own against receivers last season. Even with the potential for a positive game script, the Saints are likely to keep their offense aggressive against this division rival, giving Shaheed ample opportunities to make an impact downfield. Expect the Saints to target Shaheed with some big plays early, setting the tone from the get-go. While he may not be a volume target this season, his ability to deliver explosive plays makes him a high-upside WR3/FLEX option. Pat Freiermith (TE) Pittsburgh Steelers One of the major coaching changes in the league is coordinator Arthur Smith, who historically runs a tight-end friendly offense. Pat Freiermuthh will be the beneficiary if that’s how the season plays out. Pat Freiermuth has a favorable matchup against Atlanta’s defense. Freiermuth ranks 10th among TEs in PFF receiving grade. Additionally, he’s facing an Atlanta defense that ranked 32nd in yards per route run allowed vs TEs last year. Therefore, you should feel free to start Freiermuth if you don’t possess one of the elite tight ends. ENTER OUR WEEK 1 DRAFT CONTEST! How it Works: Firstly, draft your team using our On-Demand Simulator. Next, try to stack the team with players you think will do well this week. Finally, the highest Week 1 Score wins. (PLUS: You get to see the Thursday Night game and then draft!) Here’s our Week 1 Player Rankings to help. Firstly, it’s a best-ball contest, so no need to submit a lineup. We’ll optimize the best one. Secondly, you just sit back and watch your team climb the leaderboard. Weekly Prizes and a Grand Prize at the end of the season! Finally, the Grand Prize Winner (highest individual week of the season) gets to choose from the amazing prizes below. If you don’t know just how awesome and amazing the Panini Flawless Football briefcase is, make sure and watch the video starting at the 8-minute mark! Trading cards are back! MEMBER PERK! Fulltime Members get 5 Free On-Demand Drafts each month in our contest! DRAFT YOUR WEEK 1 TEAM and enter your REDEMPTION CODE you received by email.
Rookie Scouting Profile: Ricky Pearsall
FullTime Fantasy Rookie Scouting Profile: Ricky Pearsall Ricky Pearsall (WR) Florida Ht. Wt. 40-Time NFL Draft Dynasty ADP NFL Comp 6-1 189 4.41 Round 2 2.10 Adam Thielen College Production A three-star recruit out of Chandler, Arizona, Ricky Pearsall set
Click Here to subscribe to FullTime Fantasy
Click here to subscribe to FullTime DFS
If you have an active subscription, please log in
Rookie Scouting Profile: Keon Coleman
FullTime Fantasy Rookie Scouting Profile: Keon Coleman Keon Coleman (WR) Florida State Ht. Wt. 40-Time NFL Draft Dynasty ADP NFL Comp 6-3 213 4.61 Day 2 2.02 Courtland Sutton College Production A three-sport star out of Opelousas Catholic School in
Click Here to subscribe to FullTime Fantasy
Click here to subscribe to FullTime DFS
If you have an active subscription, please log in
Rookie Scouting Profile: Michael Penix Jr.
FullTime Fantasy Rookie Scouting Profile: Michael Penix Jr. Michael Penix Jr. (QB) Washington Ht. Wt. 40-Time NFL Draft Dynasty ADP NFL Comp 6-2 216 4.57* Late 1st 3.10 Tua Tagovailoa * Pro Day College Production Penix was born in Cookeville, TN on May 8, 2000, but was mostly raised in Dade City, Florida. Attended Tampa Bay Technical High School where he compiled 4,243 passing yards and a 61-to-6 TD-to-INT ratio in two seasons as starter. Penix enrolled at Indiana on February 18, 2018 and completed 21-of-34 passes for 219 yards and a score in three games while redshirting. In 2019, Penix started six games and led the Hoosiers to a 5-1 record in those games before a shoulder injury ended his season. Named Indiana’s starter ahead of 2020, Penix again made six starts with a 5-1 record and earned Second-team All-Big-Ten honors before tearing his ACL in a 27-11 home victory against Maryland. 2021 campaign was derailed by a left shoulder injury after five starts. On December 14, 2021, Penix transferred to Washington. Ranked second in FBS with 4,641 passing yards and was named to the All-Pac-12 Second-team in 2022. Concluded college career winning the Maxwell Award, was named Second-team AP All-American, and was a Heisman Trophy finalist after leading the Huskies to the national championship game. Strengths • Strong throwing arm with outstanding accuracy and delivery on deep balls. • Impressive Pro Day measurables. Posted 97th percentile wingspan, 88th percentile hand size, 93rd percentile 40 time, and both his vert and broad jumps were in the top 5th percentile. • Good decision-maker who won’t waste a lot of throws or turn the ball over. Adept at reading through multiple progressions. • Has experience taking snaps under center and in a pro-style offense. • Good feel for pressure. Knows how to step up and get rid of the ball to avoid hits. Only 7.6% of his dropbacks in 2023 resulted in a sack. Concerns • Is already 24 years old with two right ACL tears and major injuries to both shoulders on his resume. • Accuracy drops off when forced outside of the pocket. • Throwing mechanics and release are inconsistent and need refinement. Issues could be further exasperated by the fact that Penix is a southpaw. • College playoffs are good indicators of the best (phenomenal vs. Texas) and worst (struggled vs. Michigan) that Penix brings to the table. • Production in 2023 was helped by an outstanding supporting cast. Fantasy Outlook The two most recent games that Michael Penix played are indicative of his full college resume. There are plenty of positives, like deep-ball accuracy, decision-making, and overall command. However, there are concerns exposed by Michigan that make Penix a polarizing prospect. His draft stock seems to be on the rise. Penix is mocked to the Raiders at 13, which would be good and bad for his 2024 fantasy value. Las Vegas signed Gardner Minshew which could lead to a developmental season for Penix. That’s troubling for a rookie who is already 24. Especially in dynasty formats. Then there are the two major knee and shoulder injuries to consider. That’s a lot of risk for dynasty managers to take into account. Unless Penix falls outside the top 20 in Superflex rookie drafts, I do not anticipate rostering him much. Other Rookie Profiles Caleb Williams Marvin Harrison Jr. Malik Nabers Rome Odunze Brock Bowers Jayden Daniels Brian Thomas Jr. Troy Franklin Xavier Worthy Jonathon Brooks Drake Maye Trey Benson J.J. McCarthy AD Mitchell Ladd McConkey See where Michael Penix Jr. ranks in Jody’s 2024 rookie rankings. The 2024 NFL off-season is underway but it’s not too late to get access to the best help out there! All FullTime Fantasy members get exclusive access to our 24/7 Chat Room on Discord! All morning on Sunday, Senior Analyst Jody Smith will be standing by to answer all your crucial start/sit and keep you updated with all the latest news and injury updates. JOIN OUR MAILING LIST! GET THE LATEST ARTICLES & UPDATES Subscribe to our FREE newsletter – Breaking Fantasy news & site updates! Like and share our new Facebook page! Be sure to pay attention to our giveaways for your shot at some sweet prizes!
Rookie Scouting Profile: Blake Corum
FullTime Fantasy Rookie Scouting Profile: Blake Corum Blake Corum (RB) Michigan Ht. Wt. 40-Time NFL Draft Dynasty ADP NFL Comp 5-9 205 4.53 Round 3-4 2.03 Devonta Freeman College Production The 2019 Gatorade Player of the Year (Maryland) out of
Click Here to subscribe to FullTime Fantasy
Click here to subscribe to FullTime DFS
If you have an active subscription, please log in
Rookie Scouting Profile: Ladd McConkey
FullTime Fantasy Rookie Scouting Profile: Ladd McConkey Ladd McConkey (WR) Georgia Ht. Wt. 40-Time NFL Draft Dynasty ADP NFL Comp 6-0 186 4.39 Round 2 1.09 Diontae Johnson College Production A three-star recruit out of North Murray High School in
Ladd McConkey (WR) Georgia
| Ht. | Wt. | 40-Time | NFL Draft | Dynasty ADP | NFL Comp |
| 6-0 | 186 | 4.39 | Round 2 | 1.09 | Diontae Johnson |
College Production
A three-star recruit out of North Murray High School in Chatsworth, Georgia, where he played quarterback, receiver, defensive back, and special teams, Ladd McConkey accumulated 3,000 yards and scored 36 touchdowns during his senior season. That explosive output led to interest from Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and the hometown Bulldogs, where McConkey enrolled in June of 2020. After redshirting in 2021, McConkey was named to the All-SEC Freshman squad after posting 31/447/5 numbers and an impressive 154.0 QB Rating when targeted for the national champs. In 2022, was named to the Second-team All-SEC team after scoring a team-high seven touchdowns and catching 58-of-76 targets for 762 yards. He missed the opening of his junior year with a back injury, ultimately posing a 30/478/2 line in nine games.
Strengths
• Superlative route-runner with elite start/stop speed out of breaks. Uses excellent technique and feel to manipulate DBs and…
To continue reading this 2024 rookie scouting profile…
USE CODE: SAVE20 for 20% off our 6-month package!
DEADLINE THIS SUNDAY.
GO PRO! Join FullTime Fantasy.
Rookie Scouting Profile: Adonai Mitchell
FullTime Fantasy Rookie Scouting Profile: Adonai Mitchell Adonai Mitchell (WR) Texas Ht. Wt. 40-Time NFL Draft Dynasty ADP NFL Comp 6-2 205 4.34 Early 2nd 1.10 Geroge Pickens College Production Adonai “AD” Mitchell was a Second-team All-District star WR (started
Click Here to subscribe to FullTime Fantasy
Click here to subscribe to FullTime DFS
If you have an active subscription, please log in
Rookie Scouting Profile: JJ McCarthy
Rookie Scouting Profile: JJ McCarthy J.J. McCarthy (QB) Michigan Ht. Wt. 40-Time NFL Draft Dynasty ADP NFL Comp 6-2 1/2 219 4.60* Top 15 3.02 Alex Smith * estimate College Production A five-star recruit out of La Grange Park, Illinois,
Click Here to subscribe to FullTime Fantasy
Click here to subscribe to FullTime DFS
If you have an active subscription, please log in
Rookie Scouting Profile: Trey Benson
FullTime Fantasy Rookie Scouting Profile: Trey Benson Ht. Wt. 40-Time NFL Draft Dynasty ADP NFL Comp 6-0 216 4.39 Day 2 1.10 Ken Walker Trey Benson (RB) Florida State College Production Trey Benson rushed for over 3,600 yards and scored
Click Here to subscribe to FullTime Fantasy
Click here to subscribe to FullTime DFS
If you have an active subscription, please log in
Rookie Scouting Profile: Drake Maye
FullTime Fantasy Rookie Scouting Profile: Drake Maye Drake Maye (QB) North Carolina Ht. Wt. 40-Time NFL Draft Dynasty ADP NFL Comp 6-4 223 4.60* Top 5 2.08 Carson Wentz *estimate College Production Drake Maye was a top-50 (ESPN) national recruit
Click Here to subscribe to FullTime Fantasy
Click here to subscribe to FullTime DFS
If you have an active subscription, please log in