Diontae Johnson, Terry McLaurin, Chris Godwin: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 1

Week 1 is usually the hardest week for lineup decisions. We can only go off last year's data, and there are a lot of teams that have new quarterbacks, new offensive coordinators, and new defenses. That makes those start'em and sit'em decisions extremely tough to start the season. 

Three players that managers are having a hard time deciding between in Week 1 are Diontae Johnson, Terry McLaurin, and Chris Godwin. These three wideouts could all be solid starts this week. 

So, should you start Johnson, McLaurin, or Godwin in Week 1? Let's dive in.

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Should I Start Diontae Johnson for Fantasy Football?

Johnson will make his Panthers debut in Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints. After spending the first five years of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team traded him to the Panthers this offseason. Now, Johnson will be in line to take over WR1 duties in that Carolina offense. 

This is looking better and better. Still pleading with ya’ll because people still sleeping!! Bryce Young and Diontae Johnson!!! 🚀 🚀

Young: 6/8 for 70 yards, 1TD, 140.6 RTG ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/HKsQd4rYyo https://t.co/srQ1Fb2s5b

— Joshua Cho (@jbchoknows) August 24, 2024

However, he is a riskier flex play in Week 1 against the Saints. For starters, we don't know how this offense will look with Bryce Young in Year 2. It might also take a couple of weeks for Johnson and Young to get on the same page. On top of that, cornerback Marshon Lattimore should be shadowing him throughout the game. 

That is certainly not great news for Johnson, as Lattimore allowed the eighth-fewest catches (23) and 10th-fewest receiving yards (269) to wideout in 2023. As a result, the Panthers playmaker is a low-end WR3 in fantasy in Week 1. 

He is the WR33 in our PPR consensus staff rankings.

Should I Start Terry McLaurin for Fantasy Football?

McLaurin has seen his fantasy value increase over the past few months. The team drafted Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and then they traded away Jahan Dotson only a few weeks ago. So, the Commanders' wideout should be a target hog this season. 

Sooooooooon@Seatgeek | #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/KRACOcGuE5

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 7, 2024

McLaurin is a strong start in all formats in a great matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1. The Buccaneers allowed the fourth-most receiving yards (3,036) to opposing wideouts last season and the 11th-most fantasy points per game (32.8). With a high target share in store for him in Week 1, it's hard to sit the Pro Bowl wideout this week. 

He is the WR27 in our PPR consensus staff rankings.

Should I Start Chris Godwin for Fantasy Football?

Fantasy managers likely expected more from Godwin in fantasy last year. He finished as the WR29 in PPR formats while averaging 12.3 fantasy points per game. But a better season could be on the horizon for him, starting in Week 1 against a Commanders defense that struggled against the pass in 2023. 

While Washington did add some new defensive pieces this offseason, they allowed the most fantasy points per game (42.7) to opposing wideouts last year. With Godwin set to work exclusively in the slot in 2024, he is a strong start in most 12-plus team leagues in Week 1. 

He is the WR29 in our PPR consensus staff rankings.

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