Brian Thomas Jr., Tank Dell, Keon Coleman: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 1

Week 1 is finally here - Thursday night’s Chiefs-Ravens game is just two days away, cementing the long-awaited start of the fantasy football season.

There is a lot of ambiguity across the fantasy world right now with players changing teams and promising rookies entering the league. Three names offering a lot of season-long intrigue are Brian Thomas Jr., Tank Dell, and Keon Coleman.

Should you start Thomas, Dell, or Coleman in Week 1? Let’s dive in.

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Should I Start Brian Thomas Jr. for Fantasy Football?

Jacksonville rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. will make his anticipated debut in Week 1 in Miami as Jacksonville travels in-state to play the Dolphins. The first-rounder out of LSU made noise in the preseason, and many experts think he could win the WR1 role sooner rather than later.

The Miami defense is banged up while the offense is high-flying, creating a potential fantasy goldmine on Sunday. Thomas appears to be playing alongside Gabe Davis in two receiver sets, leaving Christian Kirk on the sidelines. With 200 vacated targets between the departures of Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones, there will be passes to go around for the rookie.

Starting a newcomer in Week 1 is always risky business, but Thomas is in a prime position to take advantage. He slots in as WR43 in RotoBaller’s half-PPR consensus Week 1 rankings.

Should I Start Tank Dell for Fantasy Football?

Of all the names on this list, Tank Dell is the safest option to slot into starting lineups. The second-year receiver is back after suffering a season-ending leg injury in Week 13 and while Stefon Diggs is now on the roster, Dell and C.J. Stroud have a special connection.

Dell broke onto the scene against the Colts in Week 2 as a rookie, grabbing seven receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown. With the Indianapolis secondary still looking suspect, it should be a big Week 1 for Houston’s passing offense.

Who is the REAL WR 1 in Houston? 🤔

Nico Collins, Tank Dell, or Stefon Diggs? pic.twitter.com/DT4ZMUcOiE

— High Point Sports (@HPointSports) September 3, 2024

Slide Dell into lineups this week despite the addition of Diggs. He checks into the RotoBaller half-PPR rankings at WR32.

Should I Start Keon Coleman for Fantasy Football?

Buffalo rookie receiver Keon Coleman is one of the more popular rookies in the league due to his outgoing personality. Will Coleman make an impact as a go-to receiver for Josh Allen?

Like Thomas and Dell, the matchup looks good on paper for Coleman against Arizona’s patched-together secondary. If there’s a spot to break out, Week 1 could be it.

Curtis Samuel is banged up with turf toe although he has practiced, which could lead to immediate opportunity for Coleman. The rookie is a riskier play than Dell, but the Week 1 upside is there. He slots in at WR51 in the half-PPR consensus rankings.

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