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The bulk of the Week 1 NFL slate is finally here, meaning it's time for fantasy managers to make tough, last-minute start 'em, sit 'em decisions. Three wide receivers you might be looking at are Brandon Aiyuk, George Pickens, and Calvin Ridley.
All three players have upside heading to Week 1, but are they worth starting this weekend?
Should you start Aiyuk, Pickens, or Ridley in Week 1? Let's dive in.
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Should I Start Brandon Aiyuk for Fantasy Football?
After a long offseason of rumors that he was going to be traded elsewhere, Brandon Aiyuk is back in San Francisco on a multi-year extension. So, should you start him?
Maybe, but it's risky as he faces a really strong New York Jets defense. It was tough to find yards against this team in 2023 and that will likely continue in 2024.
Both Brandon Aiyuk and Christian McCaffrey are on the practice field for the #49ers right now.
And Trent Williams is off to the side and will take part in individual drills (not featured).
They’re backkkk pic.twitter.com/NpxSUEjpfS
— Amiliano “Amil” Fragoso (@AmilianoFragoso) September 3, 2024
Add in a lack of offseason prep and you can get the sense that this won't be a great start to the year for Aiyuk, who rates as a low-end WR3 play.
He is the WR32 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.
Should I Start George Pickens for Fantasy Football?
The Steelers open the season against the Atlanta Falcons. The team brought in two new QBs this offseason, but are set to go into 2024 with George Pickens as the team's No. 1 wide receiver.
This offense likely won't be good enough for Pickens to finish as a top-24 wide receiver, but he should be a solid weekly WR3 play because of his projected role, even if the passes that are coming his way aren't the most high-value passes.
"George Pickens is the undisputed No. 1 WR in Pittsburgh. There is nobody else to throw the football to. Even Arthur Smith can't mess this up-..." pic.twitter.com/NSGQNly75f
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) September 4, 2024
He is the WR34 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.
Should I Start Calvin Ridley for Fantasy Football?
It will be interesting to see how things go in Tennessee this year. The Titans are letting second-year QB Will Levis take over, who had some good showings as a rookie but also posted a number of mediocre performances as well.
Every Will Levis preseason dropback⬇️
Calvin Ridley accounted for 5 of 13 targets (39%) and 57 of 73 air yards (78%) with the first-time offense (no DeAndre Hopkins). pic.twitter.com/gHKaJmccxc
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) August 30, 2024
The team brought in wide receiver Calvin Ridley this offseason, but it's unclear how the split will be between him and DeAndre Hopkins, who picked up a knee injury recently. Ridley is likely the No. 1 guy, but until we see if Levis is ready to improve on 2023, Ridley is a low-end WR3/high-end WR4 option.
He is the WR38 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.
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