Remember how just yesterday I pounded the table for giving a healthy Kyle Pitts one more chance? Well, he popped up on the injury report yesterday with a hamstring injury. Lol.

Remember how last week we were all panicking about Kyren Williams returning punts? Well now Sean McVay and the Rams listed Blake Corum as the top kick returner on their Week 1 depth chart. Lol.

Remember how Ja’Marr Chase was at practice for a few days but then not at practice for a few days and we all thought he might actually hold out? Well, he was back at practice again yesterday and is now “ready to go.” Lol.

Congratulations NFL, you got me. You got me real good.

Now cut it out, and let’s play some actual football tonight.

What else is in today’s newsletter?

1. Dwain’s Week 1 Rankings: Time to set those lineups

2. Watercooler: What should you do about Ja’Marr Chase?

Week 1 Rankings: Risers, Fallers, and more

by Dwain McFarland

Rankings Risers for Week 1

Joe Mixon | RB | Houston Texans

Mixon was thought of as a mid-range RB2 in fantasy drafts this summer due to his age (28) and some indisputably putrid efficiency metrics:

• PFF Run Grade: 73.8 (26 of 37 RBs with 150-plus attempts)

• Missed tackles forced: 12.1% (35 of 37)

• Average yards after contact:  2.5 (35 of 37)

• 10-plus yard attempts: 10.5% (17 of 37)

However, this is familiar territory for Mixon, whose efficiency data was subpar the previous two seasons when he managed RB12 and RB6 point-per-game (PGG) finishes. While the concerns about Mixon could still ring true at some point in 2024, we are in Week 1, and he should get fed early and often.

The Colts defense was gouged for the eighth-most yards (125.8) and the third-most TDs (1.3) per game on the ground in 2023. Indianapolis allowed the fourth-most PPG to opposing RBs. With Houston projected for the third-most points on the slate, Mixon offers multi-TD upside.

The veteran RB projects for the seventh-most points on the slate and is a SMASH play as my No. 12-ranked player.

Mike Evans | WR | Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Nowhere to run to, baby.

Nowhere to hide.

Martha and the Vandellas were already writing lyrics about this game for Evans in 1965. I am unsure how they predicted this, but wherever Evans lines up in Week 1, he will be a mismatch against Dan Quinn's underpowered secondary.

• Michael Davis: 103 of 126 in PFF Coverage Grade

• Benjamin St-Juste: 95 of 126

• Mike Sainristil: rookie Round 2 pick

Things could get incredibly out of hand if Quinn tries to deploy the same man-heavy coverage looks he used in Dallas (third most). Evans ROASTED opponents with a 37% target share against man in 2023.

Evans is an ABSOLUTE SMASH PLAY this weekend as my WR9. This alpha could go for 150 yards and two TDs.

Rankings Fallers for Week 2

Dak Prescott | QB | Dallas Cowboys

Prescott averaged 273 yards and 2.2 TDs per contest in 2023, but the projection model doesn't like him in Week 1 for a litany of reasons.

• Browns pass defense: 191 yards per game allowed (third fewest)

• Browns DvP: 15.0 fantasy points per game allowed (fourth fewest)

• Team total: 19.8 (fifth lowest)

Prescott will have better days ahead, but the Browns are one of the toughest matchups in the NFL. Their corners can be beaten, which could lead to a big play from CeeDee Lamb, but consistency could be a significant challenge, with Myles Garrett and Za'Darius Smith registering top-10 PFF Pass Rush Grades in 2023.

Prescott is a FADE if you have better options on your bench. He ranks as my QB17, behind names like Tua Tagovailoa, Jared Goff, Caleb Williams, and Matthew Stafford.

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1 p.m. ET Kickoff

• New England at Cincinnati

• Houston at Indianapolis

• Arizona at Buffalo

• Jacksonville at Miami

4:05 p.m. ET Kickoff

• Denver at Seattle

• Las Vegas at LA Chargers

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The latest fantasy nuggets, silliness, and NFL gossip from our merry band of football nerds:

🤝 In-season rankings are officially here. Talking through Week 1 with Ian and Dwain.

💥 Chiefs vs. Ravens is bound to produce fireworks … but how should you bet on the game?

😬 Buy, Sell, or Hold … what should you do about Ja’Marr Chase?

🙏 Despite my panic in the intro … it sounds like Kyle Pitts is going to be OK. Still.

🚀 The Broncos name an interesting captain. He ain’t getting benched.

🤔 A Week 1 must-start RB? His only competition for touches hurt his finger.

📈 Great news for the Vikings. Could be close to full health by Sunday.

👀 Interesting Bengals observations. Good info before Sunday.

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