Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season is finally here, and league insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano are here to break down the biggest questions, latest news and notable buzz heading into the season opener. Plus, they pick out which teams are on upset watch and which players should — or shouldn’t — be in your fantasy football lineups.

Which of the numerous big-name quarterbacks returning from injuries that ended their 2023 campaigns are most primed for a big year? Which position battles aren’t as settled as we think, and which teams could sneak their way into the playoffs? Plus, what’s the latest holdout intel on Haason Reddick and Ja’Marr Chase? It’s all here, as Dan and Jeremy answer big questions and empty their reporting notebooks with everything they’ve heard heading into Week 1.

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QBs back from injury | Position battles
Sleeper playoff teams | Holdout intel
Upset picks | Fantasy tips | Latest buzz

Which big-name QB returning from a season-ending 2023 injury is primed for the best year?

Graziano: Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. There’s nothing but upside here. Sure, he’s apt to have moments — maybe even entire games — where you shake your head and wonder what he was looking at. But he has all the other candidates beaten in terms of potential for a breathtaking performance. I believe in Colts coach Shane Steichen, who, it should not be forgotten, had Indianapolis a few plays away from a division title last season with Gardner Minshew at quarterback.

I don’t believe preseason games or even joint practices showed the full range of Steichen’s plans for Richardson, nor do I believe they showed the improvement the Colts believe he has made in key areas from the little we saw of him as a rookie. In the end, I believe Richardson’s ability to make the types of plays other quarterbacks can’t make, combined with Steichen’s feel for how to tailor his offense to his best players’ strengths, will result in a breakout season for Richardson and an AFC South title for the Colts.

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Yates: Anthony Richardson can score 20 fantasy points a game

Field Yates waxes lyrical over Anthony Richardson’s fantasy potential this season.

Fowler: Yeah, Dan, Steichen loves Richardson’s ability and football smarts and will be ready to maximize his skill set. If he stays healthy — a big if — then Richardson has a chance to be a star. As for my choice, Aaron Rodgers would be a sensible pick, but I’m going with Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins. Rodgers’ game is predicated, at least in part, on movement inside and outside of the pocket, and using his athleticism to throw. That style will test the recovery from his Achilles injury.

Cousins, who is also recovering from an Achilles tear, is a pure pocket passer. Atlanta has three former top-10 picks — receiver Drake London, running back Bijan Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts — whose games are waiting to take off behind capable quarterback play. Cousins can elevate all three.

Graziano: Cousins is a strong pick. A lot of expectations in Atlanta, and it sounds like he’s good to go for Sunday. I’ll get an up-close look, as Steelers-Falcons is my Week 1 assignment for Sunday NFL Countdown. I think some of these are real question marks that could go either way.

Joe Burrow’s wrist injury is not one we’re used to seeing quarterbacks deal with or come back from. As of right now, he’s fine (though I’m sure he’d like to have Ja’Marr Chase back soon), but will his hand and wrist hold up as his volume of throws increases? This feels like a situation that could go either direction. Who would you say is the biggest question mark of the rest of these guys?

Fowler: No player on this list above has more riding on the season than the Browns’ Deshaun Watson. It’s not about money — his next three seasons are fully guaranteed — but re-establishing himself as a top guy. Has he lost his fastball forever? Or does he simply need more time to rediscover it? Four or five years ago, Watson had star power that opponents could feel from the moment he pulled up to the stadium. He doesn’t scare teams like that anymore. But if he can regain, say, 90% of what he was, then he can.

Pick a position battle from one team that you still aren’t ready to call after preseason.

Fowler: The Raiders’ quarterback situation still feels unsettled. Neither Gardner Minshew nor Aidan O’Connell appeared to take ownership of the job in training camp and the first two preseason games. Minshew has a few things going for him. He takes care of the football (59 touchdown passes to 24 interceptions for his career), which coach Antonio Pierce prioritized in evaluating this battle. He has never played poorly when given an extended look, and the Raiders are paying him $12.5 million this season. But some in the building thought O’Connell had the slight edge coming out of minicamp and didn’t do much to lose that grip in August.

This is an improved roster that just needs passable quarterback play. I’m curious to see how many passers Las Vegas will use to find it.

Graziano: When I asked about this last week, it sounded to me that the Raiders basically used Minshew’s experience as a tiebreaker in a competition between two guys they feel somewhat positive about. So, I agree with you that this is a situation that could remain fluid as the year goes along, and that we could see O’Connell starting at some point.

I’m going with the Chargers’ starting running back spot. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman knows Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins from his time with them in Baltimore and certainly knows how to use Edwards. But indications are that Dobbins looks like the more explosive of the two, and I wonder if he could force his way into a lead role. I still think Edwards will get goal-line work, because we’ve seen how effective he can be in that role. And I’m well-aware — as are the Chargers — of Dobbins’ history of health issues. But man … he is only 25 years old, and if he can stay healthy one of these years, he has lead-back traits that could make this a no-brainer.

Fowler: What Roman told me at Chargers training camp — that Dobbins is “as good as anybody” when healthy — looms large here, Dan. Speaking of the Chargers, the receiver lineup of Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey and Joshua Palmer is one to watch. Veteran DJ Chark Jr. impressed the staff at camp and could cut into someone’s reps. The pressure is on Johnston, last year’s first-round pick, to produce early.

The Rams’ running back spot should also be watched closely. While Kyren Williams is a standout, the team believes that rookie Blake Corum is as advertised, too. Corum feels like a good stash fantasy play. Don’t be shocked at a healthy dose of RB2 in this lineup.

Graziano: Let’s take it out of the fantasy football realm for a second. I wanted to mention the Chiefs’ left tackle job, where it appears they’re going with second-round rookie Kingsley Suamataia as Patrick Mahomes’ blindside protector. I’m curious to see whether Suamataia is up to the task as a rookie or if the Chiefs end up having to look elsewhere at some point this season. We expect the Chiefs’ offense to be improved thanks to their wide receiver acquisitions, but their offensive tackle situation last season was at least as great an issue, if not greater.

Who’s your pick for an under-the-radar team that will make the playoffs?

Graziano: Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Everyone’s just handing the NFC South to the Falcons because of the Cousins addition and the top-10 picks in their offensive skill group. But I still think the Falcons’ defense has questions it needs to answer, and the Bucs have won this division three seasons in a row. Yeah, I know the records haven’t been good, but they’ve figured out ways to win it.

And while they didn’t add much in free agency, they were able to maintain the core of their team, re-signing quarterback Baker Mayfield, receiver Mike Evans and linebacker Lavonte David while locking up young stars, offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs and safety Antoine Winfield Jr., to long-term deals. The Bucs don’t get enough credit for what they’ve been able to do post-Tom Brady, and until I see the Falcons take the division from them, I’m leaning toward Tampa.

Fowler: Tennessee Titans. The roster was bad last season but has improved in a hurry. The depth chart has far fewer question marks than before. The offensive line was the biggest issue, but Tennessee appears to have something on that left side with rookie tackle JC Latham and guard Peter Skoronski. If right guard Dillon Radunz and right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere can prove reliable alongside center Lloyd Cushenberry III, this offense can run the ball on both sides with rejuvenated running back Tony Pollard.

Coach Brian Callahan has a proven touch with quarterbacks, so expect Will Levis, now armed with more playmakers, to improve. On defense, additions such as cornerback L’Jarius Sneed and linebacker Ernest Jones IV will make an impact, though edge rusher is still a mild concern.

Graziano: I like that one! Tennessee did a ton this offseason to try to build around Levis so it can find out/decide quickly whether he’s the team’s long-term guy. Callahan isn’t interested in a rebuild, and hiring his father (Bill Callahan) away from the Browns will only help with the offensive line questions you raised.

What do you think about the Washington Commanders? That NFC East can get weird, and Dan Quinn is a guy who did a fair bit of winning in his first stint as an NFL head coach in Atlanta. Think the Commanders have enough to surprise if quarterback Jayden Daniels is the truth from Day 1?

Fowler: The Commanders will be improved, but I’m not ready to give them the “sneaky contender” label. The offensive line is a work of progress, as is the No. 2 receiver spot. When polling league folks on Rookie of the Year contenders, many wanted to pick Daniels but chose Caleb Williams in part because of his stronger supporting cast. So, I’d take the Chicago Bears over Washington in the NFC. But it’s close.

Washington’s defense should be solid. Quinn offers a backward-hat-charged culture change. And if rookie left tackle Brandon Coleman and veteran Dyami Brown can prove valuable, I reserve the right to change my mind about the offense.

Which of the remaining holdout situations — Ja’Marr Chase and Haason Reddick — is more concerning?

Fowler: Reddick. Chase is more important to the Bengals than Reddick is to the Jets. But at least the Bengals and Chase have been negotiating, and some in the building were encouraged and hopeful as of late last week that Cincinnati could find some common ground with the star receiver. Plus, Burrow and Chase have a chance to be an all-time duo, so no need to break that up.

Meanwhile, when I talk to people about Reddick and the Jets — including those who are informed on the player side — no one knows what Reddick will do. There doesn’t seem to be any action between him and the team, who were clearly on different pages in terms of his long-term future in New York when the trade was made in April. Even if he returns, will Reddick be a happy and motivated member of the organization? The Jets have been pleased with the development of former first-rounder Will McDonald IV off the edge, but it’s naïve to think the Jets couldn’t use a boost from Reddick.

Graziano: I think I agree? I was told Tuesday that the Jets’ coaching staff has basically had no communication with Reddick since his introductory news conference and that the staff feels like the Jets will be able to generate a strong pass rush with or without him. Jets coaches are very excited by what they saw in camp from defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw and believe he can team up with Quinnen Williams to provide a fierce interior pass rush.

Sure, they need more from McDonald in his second season, but he and Jermaine Johnson were both first-rounders and should be able to take a step forward as edge rushers. And the talent of the Jets’ corners will buy their pass rushers time. While the Jets would certainly be better with Reddick there (which they obviously know, or they wouldn’t have traded for him), they seem to be moving ahead without him. If he wants to hop on board, great.

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Schefter: It would be a ‘surprise’ if Haason Reddick plays on MNF

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That said, unless some news breaks on Chase in the next day or so, I’m legitimately concerned that he is willing to miss games — and a lot of them — to get what he wants from the Bengals. There are people there referencing Le’Veon Bell sitting out the entire 2018 season with the Steelers ahead of free agency. Also, remember that Chase did opt out of the 2020 season while at LSU during the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m not sure sitting out the season is the best idea for Chase, since he wouldn’t be a free agent until the spring of 2026, but if he’s really that dug in, I’m not sure how the Bengals resolve this without doing something that violates their own team rules about contract structure and guaranteed money.

Fowler: Chase’s supreme confidence as a player and person suggests he could be dug in. And his $3.8 million roster bonus fully guaranteed at training camp, leaving a $1.055 million base salary. Perhaps Chase is willing to jeopardize that base salary for the sake of long-term gratification.

His stance is fascinating on multiple fronts. The statement he’s making is clear — Burrow shouldn’t be the only Bengals player who can get paid handsomely and early. But he’s also breaking the script that Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb followed — play out the fourth year of a rookie first-round-pick contract, then cash in. Chase wants his money after three years, despite inferior numbers to Jefferson and Lamb last season (though Chase certainly passes the eye test as a top-three receiver). Late last week, I spoke to multiple people who were optimistic and hopeful that a deal would get done, but the process has been slow and mysterious.

Graziano: Just to make the potential hang-ups that we’re talking about clear: The Bengals don’t generally do extensions when players have two years left on their contracts, but they made an exception last year for Burrow. They also have a policy of not guaranteeing any money in their veteran contracts outside of the signing bonus. They also made an exception on that for Burrow, guaranteeing his 2023, 2024 and 2025 salaries along with his signing bonus when they extended him.

If — and we don’t know for sure, but if — Chase is asking for future-year guarantees, that could be the type of sticking point that drags this out for a very long time. Right now, the Bengals can tell players who ask for future-year guarantees, “Well, Burrow’s different. He’s a franchise quarterback. Those are too rare.” But if they make another exception for Chase, then where do you draw the line when your next star asks for the same thing?

What’s your favorite upset pick for Week 1?

Graziano: Panthers (+4) over Saints. New coach Dave Canales has been working all offseason on Bryce Young’s confidence, and there’s just no way Young is going to be as bad as he was in his rookie season. The Panthers have major question marks on defense, but the Saints might have the worst offensive line situation in the entire league. Carolina should be able to disrupt things just enough, and I’m expecting this to be the start of a very long season in New Orleans.

Fowler: Jaguars (+3.5) over Dolphins. While we all know better than to react to the preseason, quarterback Trevor Lawrence looks more decisive and accurate entering Week 1. A talented Jacksonville team that fell apart late last season will have something to prove. This offense can score with anyone, and the Jaguars’ collection of defensive line talent is impressive. While I’m bullish on Miami for 2024, a slow start wouldn’t be shocking, with key players returning from injury and a defense featuring several new starters.

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What’s your top fantasy football tip of the week?

Fowler: Play Bills running back James Cook vs. the Cardinals. Cook isn’t exactly a sleeper — he’s coming off a 1,122-yard season — but he seems poised to enter elite territory in Year 3. The Bills increased his workload late last season and that should continue. Also, the Cardinals had trouble with running backs last season, allowing 15-plus-point performances from that position 10 times.

Graziano: I’m going to recommend using Bucs wide receiver Chris Godwin against the Commanders. Tampa Bay has moved Godwin back into the slot receiver role, where he has been at his best throughout his career, after using him more on the outside last season. This should lead to a big year for Godwin, starting with this week’s matchup against Washington’s second-round rookie nickelback Mike Sainristil.

Also, a bonus pick: In every league where I’m streaming defenses, I’m using the Bengals against the Patriots this week. Cincinnati’s defense should be a lot better after adding veteran safeties Vonn Bell and Geno Stone, which should halt the communication issues that did the Bengals in last season.

What else are you hearing this week?

Graziano:

• I might go down with the ship on this one, but I would not be surprised to see quarterback Dak Prescott sign a long-term extension with the Cowboys this week. When asking about this, I’ve been getting more optimistic responses over the past couple days than I’ve gotten at any other point in the past calendar year. While the prospect of unrestricted free agency next March certainly looks enticing, I wonder if Prescott might just decide enough is enough and that staying in Dallas for the rest of his career is his best play. That would likely mean a deal that falls short of the $60 million-plus per year that’s being projected if he hits free agency. But if he’s the highest-paid quarterback in the league at $56 million per year or $57 million per year and gets a deal that prevents him from ever having to deal with this again, what’s so bad about that? I’m just getting the vibe that this could get put to bed before the season starts.

• This came up when the schedule was released in the spring, but it’s worth remembering that the Jets’ schedule is bonkers. They open with a Monday night game in San Francisco, fly back across the country (estimated arrival back in New Jersey at 7:30 a.m. ET Tuesday), then travel to Nashville in Week 2 to play the Titans. Then they have a short-week Thursday home game against the Patriots before finally getting to take a break ahead of their Week 4 home game against Denver. In Week 5, they go to London to play the Vikings then have a Week 6 Monday night home game against the Bills followed by a Week 7 Sunday night road game in Pittsburgh. The first time the Jets play back-to-back Sunday games in the United States is Weeks 7-8. The first time they play back-to-back Sunday afternoon games is Weeks 13-14 (assuming neither game gets flexed). This is the price of trading for Aaron Rodgers and becoming one of the league’s most intriguing teams, and Jets coaches are telling the players that the wild schedule can’t be an excuse if they struggle. But the preparation plan is going to differ greatly from week to week, which is definitely an added challenge for this coaching staff.

• Fantasy football drafters are curious about the Texans’ offense and the number of mouths for quarterback C.J. Stroud and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik to feed. I’ve been able to gather that Houston views Nico Collins as a true No. 1 receiver, and he outperformed Stefon Diggs in camp. But Diggs is the receiver in their top three (Collins, Diggs, Tank Dell) they view as the most willing and able to play in the middle of the field. This could result in Diggs piling up more targets and catches than Collins or Dell, depending on what opposing defenses do in terms of directing where the ball goes. Tight end Dalton Schultz is also a factor in the middle, which could siphon some targets away from Diggs. When the Texans play two wide receivers, Diggs likely lines up on the outside opposite Collins while Dell takes a seat. The Texans also envision running back Joe Mixon being a factor in the passing game. They like the way Mixon looked in camp once he got healthy and believe he’ll be a major factor for them in the red zone. The Texans were one of the worst short-yardage offenses in the league last season, which is the main reason they traded for Mixon.

Fowler:

• The Prescott negotiations are confounding because the Cowboys have made clear publicly and privately that they want to extend the quarterback and have every intention of doing so. And they have a history of paying their stars, even as those stars drive up the price. But a line from someone with direct knowledge of the situation midweek — “looking like free agency at this point” — gives me pause. Now, Dallas has four days to intensify negotiations, but it hasn’t happened to the level a deal of this magnitude needs. Prescott is with Athletes First, which just did four-year deals for Tua Tagovailoa and Jordan Love. I’m thinking four years at the longest for Prescott, who will inevitably be the highest-paid quarterback. The Cowboys will have to come around on that. And people in Dallas admit this is complicated because Prescott isn’t afraid of free agency. All that said, cooler heads can prevail this week. But it will take some work.

• Front offices feel the urgency to extend key players’ contracts before Week 1 kicks off. Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward, Jets corner Michael Carter II and Broncos corner Pat Surtain II are among those landing new deals so far this week. And obviously the league is on Chase and Prescott watch. Other names that should be watched closely include Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth, who the team would like to sign before Sunday. His situation is similar to Chicago’s Cole Kmet, a really good player without star production who got a four-year, $50 million deal last offseason. The Lions are hoping to cap off an expensive offseason with a deal for defensive lineman Alim McNeill. Dolphins safety Jevon Holland is a candidate, though Miami hadn’t intensified talks this offseason. Perhaps that changes this week. Bills right tackle Spencer Brown could also be a buzzer-beater deal. The Chiefs prioritized a deal for center Creed Humphrey, and I’m told they will try to lock up guard Trey Smith, as well, though they know that will be extremely difficult because of the price he commands. San Francisco might not be done — the 49ers have a young corner, Deommodore Lenoir, with whom they’ve discussed an extension. The Vikings are trying to extend safety Camryn Bynum. And past Week 1, two recently traded defensive players — Atlanta edge rusher Matthew Judon and Titans linebacker Ernest Jones IV — could receive early-season deals from their new teams.

• Pittsburgh ended the Brandon Aiyuk sweepstakes the same way it started — with questions at receiver behind George Pickens. Despite having trade parameters with San Francisco and a contract with Aiyuk in place in August, the Steelers were somewhat resigned to the fact that Aiyuk would eventually re-sign with the 49ers, which he did last Thursday. What’s next for Pittsburgh? For now, the Steelers will give veteran Van Jefferson a shot at WR2. He had a strong preseason. Freiermuth will also be a prime target for Russell Wilson. The team is hoping to get rookie Roman Wilson back soon from a training camp ankle injury. Pittsburgh will also likely monitor the landscape for potential developments leading up to the trade deadline. Several teams have tried to trade for Denver’s Courtland Sutton, but the Broncos have not been willing to trade him … so far. Perhaps Pittsburgh will entertain a reunion between Sutton and Wilson.

• The Patriots are bracing for the possibility that defensive tackle Christian Barmore, who’s on Reserve/Non-Football Injury list while being treated for blood clots, won’t play this season. New England doesn’t want to rush his recovery by any stretch. If he makes it back, great. But the team won’t push it. He’s a long-term asset.

• The Cowboys are optimistic about cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) returning by Week 5. His recovery timeline is 6-8 weeks, and Dallas feels pretty good that he can hit the early mark if all goes well.

• The Vikings are loosely targeting a Week 7 or so return for tight end T.J. Hockenson (torn ACL and MCL).

• The sense I continue to get is that the ruling on Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice’s potential (or eventual) suspension will take a while, possibly after the 2024 season. The league prefers to wait until all legal matters are resolved before deciding on punishment. And there’s much to sort out. While the JuJu Smith-Schuster signing is insurance for Rice, who could eventually miss multiple games, the Chiefs aren’t in scramble mode to replace Rice just yet.