Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, Zay Flowers: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 1

Week 1 is finally here, which means it's time to make those tough start and sit decisions. The first week of the fantasy season is always the hardest because we don't have much data to go off of. Defenses are different, players change teams, and new starters take over. 

However, there will be lineup decisions to make in Week 1. Those decisions could come as early as Thursday night when the Kansas City Chiefs host the Baltimore Ravens. Wideouts like Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, and Zay Flowers are all potential starts on opening night. 

So, should you start Worthy, Rice, or Flowers in Week 1? Let's dive in.

• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings
• Kicker fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Superflex fantasy football rankings
• IDP fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Should I Start Xavier Worthy for Fantasy Football?

It's always hard to start rookies in fantasy in Week 1, especially Chiefs wide receivers. Head coach Andy Reid hasn't prioritized giving his rookie wideouts much playing time to start the season. In 2022, Skyy Moore played just 19% of the team's offensive snaps in Week 1, while Rice played 31% in his first game last year. So, things aren't trending in the right direction for Worthy against the Ravens. 

However, Worthy could see more playing time than both Moore and Rice to begin his career. With Marquise Brown (shoulder) out for this contest, the Chiefs will need the rookie to step up and fill that WR2 role. As a result, he's a solid flex play in 12-plus team leagues in Week 1. 

"You just know what Andy Reid wants against the Ravens

they are looking for one highlight. Xavier Worthy catching a deep pass. That is the message."

- @ByNateTaylor via Scoop City pic.twitter.com/kZ3ljCInc1

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) September 3, 2024

He is the WR45 in our PPR consensus staff rankings.

Should I Start Rashee Rice for Fantasy Football?

If you drafted Rice early in your fantasy drafts, chances are you are starting him in Week 1 against the Ravens. Not only is Brown out for this game, but the second-year wideout is the clear WR1 in Kansas City's offense. 

Last season, Rice broke out in the second half of the year and became a fantasy star. He averaged 18.5 PPR fantasy points per game from Week 12 to Week 17. Having Patrick Mahomes as his quarterback gives him a high floor and ceiling every week. That makes him a must-start in all formats in Week 1. 

Rashee Rice's ADP has risen more than any other player on Yahoo over the last month.

Rice's ADP one month ago: 101.8
Rice's current ADP: 68.9 pic.twitter.com/MtXBvlUtuU

— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) September 3, 2024

He is the W16 in our PPR consensus staff rankings.

Should I Start Zay Flowers for Fantasy Football?

Like Rice, Flowers had a strong end to his 2023 campaign. From Week 12 to Week 17, the former Boston College product averaged 17.3 PPR fantasy points per game. As a result, he was a solid WR2/WR3 target for fantasy managers in drafts this season. 

Given what Flowers did against this Chiefs secondary in the postseason last year -- catching five passes for 115 yards and one touchdown -- he is a solid start in most formats in Week 1. With L'Jarius Sneed also gone from that Kansas City defense, the Ravens wideout should be in store for a solid fantasy day on Thursday. He is a strong WR3/flex play this week. 

He is the WR28 in our PPR consensus staff rankings.

More Fantasy Football Analysis