Welcome to the 2024 NFL season! As we kick off the year, we can learn a few things as we head into Week 1 to help us improve our fantasy football knowledge.

First, we can pay attention to how the new rookies perform. Several talented rookies are entering the league this year, and we'll want to see how they adjust to the NFL level and, more importantly, how their respective teams utilize them. We have an idea of how some rookies will perform, but there is always that feeling of uncertainty until we witness their success at the next level. Here is a list of the top fantasy rookies to watch as we enter Week 1 of the NFL season.

Week 1 Rookies To Monitor

Quarterback

1. Caleb Williams, CHI - The Bears' No. 1 overall pick was the top quarterback prospect in the NFL Draft. He possesses a good blend of skills necessary to be a successful quarterback. This includes elite arm talent, athleticism to have dual-threat tendencies, above-average decision-making, and perhaps, above all, a competitive spirit. With the advantage of a deep and talented receiving corps supporting him, Williams is well-positioned for a smooth transition.
2. Jayden Daniels, WAS - Daniels is a mobile quarterback with a strong arm and good decision-making skills. He excels at extending plays with his legs and can make accurate throws on the run. He is a true-dual threat quarterback who can be a fantasy asset beginning Week 1. 
3. Bo Nix, DEN - Nix earned the starting quarterback role in Denver and has displayed the ability to make consistent plays in the preseason. He can make plays outside the pocket and can also be a dangerous runner. At 24, he arrives with experience and maturity, which undoubtedly helped him earn the starting role. 
4. Drake Maye, NE - Maye is a highly regarded prospect with a strong arm, good accuracy, and excellent pocket presence. He has a good understanding of the game and can make all the throws on the field.

Running Back

1. Jonathon Brooks, CAR - Brooks is a powerful running back with excellent vision and balance. He has a physical running style and is difficult to tackle. He is recovering from a November ACL injury, and his placement on the NFL Physically Unable To Perform list means he will not be eligible to play until after Week 4. 
2. Trey Benson, ARI - Benson is a versatile runner who can be effective between the tackles or on the perimeter. He has good speed and acceleration, and he's also a capable pass catcher.
3. Blake Corum, LAR - Corum is a shifty runner with excellent agility and balance. He has a knack for making defenders miss and is a threat to break big plays. The expectation is that he will be involved in the backfield in Week 1, filling a role along side Kyren Williams. 
4. MarShawn Lloyd, GB - Lloyd is a physical running back with good power and burst. He has a nose for the end zone and is a capable pass catcher. With the IR designation of A.J. Dillon, Lloyd is expected to be a contributor in the backfield with Josh Jacobs. 
5. Jaylen Wright, MIA - Wright is a versatile running back who can be effective between the tackles or on the perimeter. He has good speed and acceleration, and he's also an excellent pass catcher. The Dolphins have three capable backs in De'Von Achane, Raheem Mostert, and Wright. It is unknown how all three will be utilized and to what extent but Wright brings speed, youth, and athleticism to the table and could have a productive role beginning Week 1. 
6. Bucky Irving, TB - Irving is a powerful running back with good vision and balance. He has a physical running style and is difficult to tackle. He may be a better option for the Buccaneers at the goal line thus limiting Rachaad White's scoring chances. 

Wide Receiver

1. Marvin Harrison Jr., ARI - Harrison Jr. is a big, physical receiver with exceptional ball skills. He has the ability to make contested catches and is a threat to break big plays. He is expected to make a big impact with Kyler Murray and the Cardinals.
2. Malik Nabers, NYG - Nabers is a quick and explosive receiver with excellent agility. He has a knack for making defenders miss and is a threat to break big plays. He has already shown that he is capable of being the top receiving threat on the Giants offense. A big season is in his grasp. 
3. Rome Odumze, CHI - Odunze is a polished route-runner with good quickness and agility. He has a knack for finding open spaces and making plays after the catch. Despite being in a crowded wide receiver corps in Chicago, he is expected to make an impact beginning Week 1. 
4. Brian Thomas Jr., JAC - Thomas Jr. is a physical receiver with a strong frame and good ball skills. He has the ability and talent to make contested catches and is a threat to break big plays. He will bring his own style to the Jaguars offense and will help fill the void left by Calvin Ridley. 
5. Xavier Worthy, KC - Worthy is a deep threat with excellent speed and acceleration. Like former Chief Tyreek Hill, Worthy can find open spaces downfield and is a threat to take the top off the defense.
6. Keon Coleman, BUF - At 6-4 and 215 pounds, Coleman is a physical receiver with a strong frame and good ball skills. He has shown good ball skills with contested catches and is a threat to break big plays behind the defense.
7. Ladd McConkey, LAC - McConkey is a versatile receiver who can play both inside and outside. He has good quickness and agility, and he's a threat to make plays after the catch. If he manages to earn his way into the team's go-to possession receiver, he could make an impact in year one. 
8. Xavier Legette, CAR - At 6-3 and 227 pounds, Legette brings a physical, strong frame to the Panthers offense. He has excellent speed for his size, which makes him a threat as a runner after the catch. 
9. Ja'Lynn Polk, NE - Polk is a versatile receiver who has shown early success in the Patriots preseason offense that is starving for a receiver to step up and be an impact player. If he continues to mesh well with Drake Maye, he could become a fantasy-relevant commodity. 

Tight End

1. Brock Bowers, LSV - Bowers is a dynamic and versatile tight end who can be used in a variety of ways. He is a skilled pass catcher with excellent hands and is a threat all over the field. Bowers is also a physical blocker who can contribute in the running game. Expect him to be a key piece of the Raiders offense beginning Week 1. 
2. Ben Sinnott, WAS - Sinnott is a physical tight end with a good blend of blocking and pass-catching ability. He will be a welcomed addition to the Commanders offense, especially in the red zone. 
3. Ja'Tavion Sanders, CAR - At 6-4 and 252 pounds, Sanders is a load that will create mismatches for the opposing team. He is a skilled pass catcher with good hands and with time, could emerge as a key piece in the Panthers offense. Sanders is also a physical blocker who can contribute in the running game.

Tips For Heading Into Week 1

You could argue that the volume of carries or target share is more important at this stage of the season compared to who scores a touchdown. Like every season of fantasy football, we, as team managers, are first looking for clarity or affirmation that the players on our roster are worthy of being in the starting lineup. Here are some tips on what to look for to improve your fantasy knowledge.

Where does a player rank on the team target share percentage or, more simply, total targets?
Is this particular player leading the team in targets? If so, that's a good indication that he should be in your lineup. If not, how involved was he? Was he used in the red zone? How many red zone targets did he have? Did he score? Scoring is big for winning in the moment, but volume and usage can be just as important to long-term consistent success.

Injuries not only affect your players but injuries of teammates also affect your players.
Learn to anticipate who benefits from an injury and seek those players out, either as substitutes in your lineup or as players to target on the waiver wire. Learn which injuries will likely keep a player shelved for multiple weeks and which ones can be played through. It also helps to know which teams generally will activate a player who is injured and which teams will not. Footballguy's own Adam Hutchinson dropped this information recently that captures which teams are more inclined to sit questionable players. Data is from 2017 to present. 

We can also look at how new coaches impact their teams. There are a few new head coaches in the NFL this year, and we'll want to see how they implement their systems. Some coaches to watch include Raheem Morris (ATL), Dave Canales (CAR), Jim Harbaugh (LAC), Antonio Pierce (LV), Jerod Mayo (NE), Mike MacDonald (SEA), Brian Callahan (TEN), and Dan Quinn (WAS). Footballguys' Jason Wood covered the impacts of new coaches in his annual article on the topic that can be seen here - Assessing the NFL's new play-callers

As we strive for more clarity on the fantasy landscape, here are some additional tips for improving your fantasy football knowledge.

• Do your research. This means studying the depth charts, reading scouting reports, and following the news.
• Stay up-to-date on injuries. This is especially important in the early weeks of the season when there are more injuries.
• Be flexible. Things don't always go according to plan in fantasy football, so be prepared to make changes to your lineup as needed.
• Be prepared for chaos. You will be surprised after Week 1 is complete. There will be some positive and negative surprises. It is important to react to what happened but also don't overreact. It is only Week 1. We've seen many players have their best game of the season in Week 1 and then disappear. Don't be flimflammed, but also don't underreact either.
• Be prepared to make moves on the waiver wire. Injuries will open new doors for others, and you must be ready to pounce. Don't only focus on positions of need.
• Have fun! Fantasy football is supposed to be enjoyable. Don't be upset if you lose in Week 1. Sometimes, one player's performance can win or lose a week. The goal is to make it your player's performance that wins you the week.

Questions, comments, and suggestions are always welcome. Hit me up on "X".

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