David Njoku, Brock Bowers, Zach Ertz: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 1

Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season is finally here. Unfortunately, that means fantasy players have to make some difficult lineup decisions this week. David Njoku, Brock Bowers, and Zach Ertz were solid later-round picks in fantasy football drafts this year.

Njoku faces the Dallas Cowboys. Meanwhile, Bowers takes on the Los Angeles Chargers. Lastly, Ertz will battle the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Which of these players should fantasy players start in Week 1? Let’s dive into it!

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Should I Start David Njoku For Fantasy Football?

Njoku was the TE6 last season, averaging a career-high 10 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He finished the year with 81 receptions on 123 targets for 882 receiving yards and six touchdowns. However, the veteran was very quarterback-dependent, struggling with anyone but Joe Flacco under center.

Joe Flacco to David Njoku for the 34-yard touchdown!

📺: #JAXvsCLE on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/pWMED8SAQa pic.twitter.com/lnKzJ3ojBL

— NFL (@NFL) December 10, 2023

The former Miami star faces the Cowboys in Week 1. Last year, Dallas was one of the top teams at slowing down tight ends. They held tight ends to only eight fantasy points per game, the fourth-fewest in the NFL.

I had Njoku on my do-not-draft list this year because he struggled with Deshaun Watson. Yet, fantasy players who drafted him likely don’t have a better option on their roster. He is a low-end TE1 with limited upside.

Should I Start Brock Bowers For Fantasy Football?

The star rookie tight end would have been a top-6 guy if he landed with the Indianapolis Colts or New York Jets during the NFL Draft. Unfortunately, the Las Vegas Raiders have a poor quarterback room. More importantly, Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers were high-target volume receivers in 2023.

However, Bowers showed his elite talent during the preseason. While fantasy players shouldn’t expect massive production from the rookie early in the year, he could be a top-eight option later in the season, especially if Adams gets traded.

Brock Bowers' first catch goes for the first down!

📺: #LVvsMIN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/jPosqvwQsu

— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2024

Bowers faces the Chargers in Week 1. Last year, they surrendered 9.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game to tight ends, about the league average. While fantasy players should have high hopes for the rookie in 2024, the former Georgia star is a high-end TE2 that I would avoid starting if possible this week.

Should I Start Zach Ertz For Fantasy Football?

Ertz was the TE45 in 2023, averaging 5.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game with the Arizona Cardinals. However, he only played seven games because of injuries. Yet, fantasy players should expect the veteran to have fantasy value to start the season.

The Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator is Ertz’s former head coach, Kliff Kingsbury. The veteran tight end was a fantasy star with Kingsbury in Arizona.

ZACH ERTZ 47-YARD TD CATCH. @ZERTZ_86 #NationalTightEndsDay #RedSea

📺: #HOUvsAZ on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/3Xx5qgQoIz

— NFL (@NFL) October 24, 2021

Meanwhile, Ertz is one of my favorite streaming tight end options. The Commanders face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who surrendered the second-most fantasy points per game to tight ends last season (12.4). Furthermore, Ertz should be the starting tight end until Ben Sinnott can handle a larger workload. The veteran is a solid high-end TE2 with a safe floor in Week 1.

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