Ahhh! Here we go! The start of the 2023 regular season is finally upon us with an exciting matchup between the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs and the up-and-coming Detroit Lions. I typically recommend shying away from putting Thursday night players in your fantasy line ups, but it is week 1 and both teams have the makeup of a high-powered offense.
MUST STARTS
Patrick Mahomes – Mahomes is a must start every single week no matter the opponent.
Amon-Ra St. Brown – St. Browns elite route running and uncanny ability to find the soft spot in opposing defenses makes him an every week must start.
Travis Kelce – Head and shoulders above any other Tight End in fantasy. Having Kelce in your line up gives you a clear advantage at the position each and every week.
*Edit* Kelce may miss the game with a bone bruise, but if he suits up and plays he belongs in your lineup.
STRONG STARTS
Jared Goff – I recently brought up Jared in my Bold Predictions for 2023 article. If you read that then you know I am very high on him this season. I am a little concerned that the Lions didn’t play Jared at all in the post season and fear he could get off to a slow start. However, I would start Goff with confidence and hope to see him repeat his toe-to-toe performance against Patrick Mahomes back in 2018 while with the Rams.
Jahmyr Gibbs – There aren’t many rookies I would recommend starting in week 1, but the Lions clearly think very highly of Gibbs. I expect Lions OC Ben Johnson to find very creative ways to get Gibbs involved the entire season.
David Montgomery – If this game is the high scoring affair most of think and all of us want it to be then Monty should see a handful of goal line opportunities. With the Detroit’s strong offensive line and the potential absence of Chiefs star Chris Jones, I like Montgomery’s chance for at least one TD.
FROM THE GUT/FLEX STARTS
Sam LaPorta – All reports of LaPorta were very strong out of camp, but we did not get to see too much of him in the Lions preseason. How the Lions plan to use him and how often remains a mystery, but his touchdown and YAC upside is significant. I am sitting LaPorta until I see his usage. However in fantasy football I always recommend following your gut. Throw him in your lineup if you think LaPorta will get the snaps and looks.
Isiah Pacheco – Being the RB1 in the Chiefs offense makes it pretty difficult to sit. I am starting Pacheco in two of my dynasty leagues, but you likely have a better option in your redraft leagues. Pacheco will lose catches and some red zone looks to McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. As mentioned with LaPorta, follow your gut.
IN A PINCH STARTS
Chiefs WRs – Predicting which Chiefs WR will go off is a difficult task in week 1. Unless I am forced to I am avoiding starting any of them this week and likely will need to see how this group shakes out after a few weeks
Marquez Valdes-Scantling – The lead returning WR from 2022 will be the most trusted option. While I view his boom potential as low he is probably the least likely to bust.
Kadarius Toney – After being acquired mid way through the 2022 season Toney caught 14 balls for 171 yards and 1 touchdown. Toney has had a full off-season to work himself into the trust of Mahomes. Reports are that Toney is healthy and ready to go and that makes him my preferred KC WR to start this week.
Skyy Moore – The second year wide receiver has had a strong training camp earning himself the starting slot WR role. Moore’s ascension is exciting to speculate, but until we see his involvement in the offense he will be a risky start.
Rashee Rice – The former SMU Mustang is entering his rookie season after being selected in the second round this year. Rice was used a lot in the pre-season giving many optimism for his usage in the regular season. Being listed as a back up on the initial depth chart I could not recommend starting Rice.
Justyn Ross – A once popular devy darling Ross is no stranger to those that are in the devy league community. Ross is one of my favorite deep dynasty stashes, but he doesn’t belong anywhere near your starting line up….. Yet.
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