Fantasy Football Studs, Duds, and Sleepers: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin should feast on the Commanders’ secondary

When it comes to competition, one of the best ways to get an edge on the opposition is through prior, proper preparation. In fantasy football, that way of thinking certainly applies. Here at Bet For The Win, we’re doing all that preparation for you.

Oh, baby! Welcome in, dearest readers. Another NFL season is finally upon us.

While I know you’re keeping tabs on everything to expect in 2024 with our handy preview for all 32 NFL teams, this is my space to remind you to also keep it locked with us all season long for fantasy football. We’ve got so much goodness coming your way over the next four months. Here are my customary studs, duds, and sleepers for Week 1 — a.k.a. start and sit — that will hopefully get your season(s) off to strong starts.

This week, I’m looking at an underappreciated veteran quarterback visiting his old digs at the near-twilight of his career. Is this the start of a glorious swan song or a slow descent into irrelevance? I’m leaning toward trusting him, with Sunday’s matchup in Detroit serving as the first judgment. Elsewhere, a host of other veteran quarterbacks are trying to prove they’re not washed up (good luck). There’s also a certain experienced and probably underdiscussed playmaker who could really help push the Bengals over the top.

Let’s jump in and get you to a sparkling 1-0 across the board.

Studs

Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford (at Detroit Lions, Sunday Night Football)

After a down year mired by a Rams team in transition, Stafford looks poised to enjoy one final second wind to close his NFL career. Don’t get it twisted. Stafford, at his best — especially with Sean McVay — is an MVP-caliber quarterback. And Stafford gets to start the new season on a “vengeful” note against the Super Bowl contender Lions. Call it a hunch, but I see a vintage gunslinger throwing around absurd lasers all over the field on Sunday night.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers WRs Mike Evans/Chris Godwin (vs. Washington Commanders)

Evans and Godwin are two modern NFL constants. No matter the quarterback situation. No matter the team around them. If this duo is healthy, they will put up at least 1,000 receiving yards while catching 6-8 touchdowns. Evans and Godwin get a layup of an opening matchup against a woeful Commanders’ secondary featuring No. 1 Washington corner (?) Benjamin St-Juste. Oh, no. This will be a horror show.

Chicago Bears WR D.J. Moore (vs. Tennessee Titans)

One year after a career season in every relevant receiving metric, Moore looks primed to become a genuine household name. I’m talking about a bona fide WR1 who becomes synonymous with the current game. With a green Caleb Williams making his first NFL start this Sunday, look for the gifted rookie to feed Moore as often as possible to establish a consistent state of comfort against a feisty but ultimately undermanned Titans defense.

Green Bay Packers RB Josh Jacobs (at Philadelphia Eagles, São Paulo, Brazil)

Thanks to the ascendance of Jordan Love, the Packers are sleeper Super Bowl contenders to some and a premier heavyweight to others. But Love can’t do it all on his own, and Green Bay splurged on the All-Pro-caliber Jacobs for a reason. In the interest of buoying Love, I expect Jacobs to get 20-plus (effective) touches against an Eagles defense still figuring out its new identity. That mix should work out with wonder for Green Bay.

Duds

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson (at Atlanta Falcons)

Welcome to Wilson’s (second) shot at redemption. His new offensive coordinator, the person who is supposed to be his confidant, couldn’t figure out how to properly divvy up touches for one of the NFL’s most talented skill groups on paper. His backup is a first-round bust chomping at the bit to make a name for himself again. Now he gets the additional reward of facing an underrated Falcons defense revitalized by the additions of Justin Simmons and Matthew Judon. Stay away. Stay very far away.

New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers (at San Francisco 49ers, Monday Night Football)

I respect the NFL for wasting no time throwing Rodgers to the wolves. He is 40 years old, coming off a torn Achilles suffered in Week 1 of last year, and he gets the pleasure of trying to beat one of pro football’s top defenses on the road in the Bay Area in primetime. I smell a vicious, unseemly beatdown of an NFL legend from once upon a time.

Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton (at Seattle Seahawks)

Sutton’s ceiling is probably that of a fringe WR1. With the overly cautious Bo Nix as his quarterback, I’m much more inclined to make Sutton WR2 unless you’re in a PPR league. Mike Macdonald’s Seattle defense should be well-coached and is built around its elite secondary. The Seahawks should put Nix in a blender, all but entirely nullifying whatever impact Sutton can make.

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (vs. Dallas Cowboys)

It is now Year 3 of the Browns’ Deshaun Watson experiment after they traded for him while he was once facing more than 20 allegations of sexual misconduct in what the NFL would later characterize as “predatory behavior.” It is not going well. We didn’t leave the preseason without reports of Watson already suffering through a sore arm. Oof. The guy, who I remind you is only 28, really might be washed up. The Cowboys and Micah Parsons should be salivating.

Sleepers

Detroit Lions WR Jameson Williams (vs. Los Angeles Rams, Sunday Night Football) 

Williams’ early career in Detroit has been defined by bad luck. While recovering from a torn ACL as a rookie, Williams struggled to find his footing. In Year 2, the playmaker appeared in just 12 games after a gambling suspension that, once again, threw him off kilter. I don’t necessarily believe that Williams is about to live up to his former first-round status, but the talent as a home-run hitter is still there. The Lions will dial up some deep shots mixed with general trickery for Williams, and the Rams will play along without much resistance.

Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner (at Buffalo Bills)

After his first career season with over 1,000 yards, most would probably characterize Conner as a firm RB1. Frankly, I’ve never seen the hype, particularly in an anemic Cardinals offense, but at least the production has been there lately. To launch a somewhat monumental road upset of the Bills, Arizona will feed Conner with an almost reckless abandon. I LOVE that plan against a defense that is missing star linebacker Matt Milano.

Cincinnati Bengals TE Mike Gesicki (vs. New England Patriots)

A gifted tertiary receiving option to this point in his career, Gesicki is a bargain bin match made in heaven for the Bengals. Joe Burrow is easily the best quarterback the big, athletic tight end has ever played with, and they should establish a solid connection together. Especially in the red zone. I’d like to say the Patriots don’t know what’s coming, but they probably do and still can’t do anything about it.

Minnesota Vikings RB Aaron Jones (vs. New York Giants)

Jones is almost certainly past his peak. The days of him putting up approximately 1,500 yards from scrimmage by himself are likely long gone. I would caution against writing him off completely, though. While I don’t think Jones is a star anymore, he can still be a capable starter who occasionally pops off against underwhelming teams. The bumbling Giants are one of those underwhelming teams.