A Fresh Start

Your fantasy drafts have been completed and now all you’ve been doing is staring at your lineup. If you’re anything like me, you love everyone on your team. You think all your players are going to have breakout seasons. The problem, however, is you can’t start everyone. Let the madness begin. It’s time to make your first managerial decision for the 2023 Fantasy Football season. This marks the first of many Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em articles, brought to you by Belly Up Fantasy Sports and The Eye Test: A Fantasy Football Podcast.

Quarterback

Start ‘Em: Jared Goff

Jared Goff 💣 Josh Reynolds

(🎥via @Lions) pic.twitter.com/bOVgzYdPeD

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) August 17, 2023

Jared Goff plays this Thursday at the Chiefs, and although that may scare you, they gave up 21.7 Points Per Game (PPG) last year, which was 16th in the NFL. Top pass-rusher Chris Jones will not be playing Week 1 which makes things even easier for Goff. This is amazing news for the fantasy football managers who drafted him. Granted, he probably wasn’t the first QB drafted on your team, but for anyone in 2QB or Superflex leagues, throw Goff in your starting lineup. When he went against “green” defenses last year (meaning they gave up a lot of points to the QB position), Goff averaged approximately 20 PPG. You should be thrilled If Goff is the second QB on your starting roster.

Sit ‘Em: Dak Prescott

Dak Prescott had a very disappointing season last year, throwing for a career-high 15 interceptions. He only threw for over 300 yards once in 2022. For Week 1, he goes against a divisional rival in the New York Giants. To make matters worse, there is a 40% chance of rain and thunderstorms. Prescott has a new offensive coordinator in Brian Schottenheimer, but hasn’t played a pre-season game yet which would’ve been nice to see if some of these kinks had worked themselves out this offseason. Let’s sit Dak for Week 1 and see how this offense looks before starting a QB that scored less than six points in Week 1 last year.

Running Back

Start ‘Em: J.K. Dobbins

JK Dobbins vs ATL Week 16 highlights. Looking beastly. #RavensFlock #ravens #RavensFootball pic.twitter.com/Vu2TcGZKM0

— RavensPressBox128 (@rp_box128) December 26, 2022

J.K. Dobbins is expected to have a breakout season this year and was a huge target for those following the zero running back strategy. But if you grabbed some of the heavy-hitter running backs and had the luxury of getting Dobbins in the 5th or 6th round, you’re probably wondering if he should be thrown in your Flex spot. I say yes. Todd Monkin, the Ravens’ new offensive coordinator, likes to favor throwing the ball to RBs, and Dobbins has shown receiving upside in college. The Ravens will be playing the Texans, so even if his receptions are on the lower end for Week 1, expect him to get plenty of rushing opportunities due to the positive game script that everyone is predicting. Vegas has the Over/Under at 44 total points, with the Ravens being 10-point favorites. If Baltimore gets an early lead, Dobbins should get a lot of chances to chew the clock. I will totally be taking advantage of the +105 odds for Dobbins to score a touchdown.

Sit ‘Em: Dalvin Cook

Dalvin Cook shot up the draft board after signing with the Jets. I’m hesitant to start an RB that’s joining a new team, especially since he will be splitting carries with Breece Hall now that he is expected to start Week 1. Your only hope for a quality start is if he scores a touchdown, which Vegas has him at +190 to do so. And it’s not like he’s going to have a breakout game and score two TDs or more, which his odds for that are +1400, compared to Breece Hall at +850. Finally, he’s going against the Bills’ defense, who gave up only 17.9 PPG last year, 2nd best in the NFL behind the 49ers according to Statmuse.com. Let Cook sit on your bench and get a feel for the new offense before you throw him into your starting lineup.

Wide Receiver

Start ‘Em: Christian Kirk

Christian Kirk plays against the Colts in a divisional battle where the O/U is set at 45 total points. Kirk averaged 18.3 PPG against Indianapolis last year and yes, I know that was without Calvin Ridley. Don’t get scared of the Ridley hype. It’s not like Christian Kirk’s 133 targets and 1100 yards will disappear. Sure, it may decrease a bit. But for a guy who went in the 6th round of fantasy drafts, this is amazing value. If you’re debating starting him in your Flex position, do it and thank me later. The Colts gave up the 4th most PPG last year. Even if you’re thin at the WR position I would be confident in a good game from Christian Kirk.

Sit ‘Em: Deebo Samuel

Deebo Samuel was drafted way too high this year for a guy who had one good year in his career due to eight rushing TDs. Last year Deebo caught just three TDs and has never had more than six in a season. He’ll be playing the Steelers in Week 1 who gave up less than 3 TDs a game last year. With the emergence of Brandon Aiyuk, sit Deebo for Week 1 and make sure he’s a legit starter in fantasy. I have him as the biggest WR bust in the 2023 season.

Tight End

Start ‘Em: Dalton Schultz

TE Dalton Schultz highlights. New weapon for the new rookie QB. #Texans #WeAreTexans pic.twitter.com/vypOZSS2UT

— Texans Fan Battle Podcast (@TexansFanBattle) March 21, 2023

Dalton Schultz may have a downgrade at quarterback now that he’s on the Texans, but a rookie QB’s best friend is usually the tight end. Expect a lot of quick throws from rookie C.J. Stroud that will result in a handful of targets. I wouldn’t expect a high ceiling from Schultz in Week 1. But if he gets you four receptions and a touchdown, he’ll have a double-digit game in PPR leagues.

Sit ‘Em: Dalton Kincaid

Dalton Kincaid is a risky start for Week 1. Most tight ends do not produce much during their rookie seasons. However, he is expected to line up more as a slot receiver than a tight end. This will be great for Kincaid as he will be on a potent offense with a top-three QB under center. Let’s see how he grows in this offense and rest Kincaid for Week 1. They are playing the Jets who were 4th in the NFL in points allowed, giving up just 18.6 PPG.

Good Luck!

We are so close to the beginning of the NFL season. I can’t wait. We begin our quest to see if we will be crowned champion of the 2023 fantasy season in two days. Don’t forget to check in with fellow Belly Up Fantasy Sports writer Paul Orlando and me as we continue to give you our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em articles week by week. We’re in for a long season. And we’re here to help make it easy. The Eye Test: A Fantasy Football Podcast will also answer Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em questions on their Instagram (@theeyetestpod) weekly.

About The Author

Jon Kirkner hosts The Eye Test: A Fantasy Football Podcast and has been writing for Belly Up since April of 2023. He specializes in PPR formats and is in 11 fantasy leagues (his friends and family are all worried about him). He and fellow co-host Paul Orlando will be in charge of writing the Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em articles this year.

**All images are from Gettyimages.com**