Jerome Ford, Raheem Mostert, Zamir White: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 1

Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season is finally here. We've already been treated to two excellent games and there are plenty more to look forward to on Sunday and Monday.

There is so much to love about fantasy football. Still, anyone who has played seriously would admit they've made some regrettable start/sit decisions that nearly convinced them to stop playing altogether. Sometimes the most difficult decisions come in Week 1 before we have clarity on murky situations or current data on defensive matchups.

Jerome Ford, Raheem Mostert, and Zamir White were all late-round running back targets in fantasy drafts with the potential to outperform their ADPs in 2024. Fantasy managers hope these players get off to a hot start this weekend. Should you start Ford, Mostert, or White in Week 1? Let's find out.

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Should I Start Jerome Ford for Fantasy Football?

The Cleveland Browns unfortunately lost running back Nick Chubb to a gruesome knee injury in Week 2 of the 2023 campaign. Chubb, considered amongst the most elite runners in the league throughout his career, is an irreplaceable talent. Jerome Ford filled in admirably in his absence, however.

Although he was effective on the ground, Ford's work as a pass-catcher was the key to his fantasy value.

RBs with more receiving TDs than Jerome Ford in 2023:

Christian McCaffery.

End of list. 👀 pic.twitter.com/JWDdfQpa9L

— Nick Karns (@karnsies817) June 2, 2024

He'll enter his third professional season as the undisputed starter in Cleveland's backfield until Chubb returns. Ford should get an abundance of touches, but the Dallas Cowboys' defensive front will certainly pose a challenge for him in Week 1. He is a borderline RB2 option as the RB27 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.

Should I Start Raheem Mostert for Fantasy Football?

Fantasy managers could not have dreamt of a better season for Raheem Mostert last year. Despite being drafted outside the top 36 backs, Mostert finished as the RB2 overall with 21 total touchdowns.

Heading into this season, Mostert was once again heavily discounted in drafts. The reasons for this are obvious: the 32-year-old Mostert will likely regress a bit, and we anticipate De'Von Achane will get more run as a second-year pro. Nonetheless, Miami arguably conducts the most potent offense in the NFL and will consistently put Mostert in a position to succeed.

Offense off the charts 📊 pic.twitter.com/VczpaCzTpI

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) January 26, 2024

On Sunday, the Dolphins will host the Jaguars, who surrendered the 12th-most fantasy points to running backs in 2023. Achane will be exciting to watch in this matchup, but Mostert offers a ton of upside himself as the RB23 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings. He should be started in the majority of fantasy lineups.

Should I Start Zamir White for Fantasy Football?

Much like Jerome Ford, Zamir White's third season in the NFL will mark his first as the entrenched RB1 on his team. He has seen far fewer opportunities in the league than either of the running backs we already discussed, but White enjoyed somewhat of a breakout to close his sophomore campaign.

Zamir White in the final 4 games of the 2023 season:

▶️20+ touches in each of the final 4 gms
▶️ranked as the RB8 during that span

Are you in or out on White in 2024?pic.twitter.com/C6ICVFrsME

— Moody (@EricNMoody) September 2, 2024

With Josh Jacobs out of town, White is expected to garner the lion's share of running back touches in Las Vegas. In Week 1, he'll face a mediocre Los Angeles Chargers run defense that he scored 16 fantasy points against in Week 15 of last season.

This contest, however, has the lowest projected point total of the week, and the Raiders offense could hold White back from being anything more than a decent flex play. He's the RB29 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.

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