Deebo Samuel or Cooper Kupp, Start 'Em Sit 'Em: Week 1 Fantasy Football Projection for WRs

Week 1 of the 2024 fantasy football season has finally arrived, and all managers will be looking to get off to a strong start. Deciding who to start each week is absolutely crucial to finding sustained success in any fantasy league. For those debating between Deebo Samuel and Cooper Kupp for one of their starting wide receivers, here's how it all breaks down.

Is Deebo Samuel a good fantasy pick in Week 1?

Deebo Samuel

Deebo Samuel serves as a unique weapon for the San Francisco 49ers. In addition to being the WR1 in the offense, he also contributes to their rushing attack. He has exceeded 200 rushing yards in the past three seasons and totaled 16 rushing touchdowns during that time.

This has helped Samuel be one of the top wide receivers in fantasy football, finishing among the top eight players in his position in two of the past three seasons. He has overcome the challenge of playing in a crowded offense and has proven to be one of the 49ers' featured players.

When it comes to Week 1 of the 2024 season, Samuel will face a difficult task in a matchup against the New York Jets' elite defense. He will likely draw coverage from Sauce Gardner, one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. So while his 2024 fantasy outlook is bright, he is riskier than usual this week to use in starting lineups.

Is Cooper Kupp a good fantasy pick in Week 1?

Cooper Kupp

Just three years ago, Cooper Kupp turned in one of the best fantasy football seasons of all time by any wide receiver. This included 145 receptions on 191 targets for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns on his way to winning the rare receiving triple crown.

Injuries have played a major factor in Kupp's output since then, as he has appeared in just 21 games across the past two seasons. He has still recorded at least 95 targets in both of those seasons and totaled 12 touchdowns during that time. This suggests that if he can remain healthy this year, he could be in line for a major bounce-back season.

One of the biggest obstacles that Kupp will have to overcome during the 2024 season is that he lost his WR1 role for the Los Angeles Rams last year to Puka Nacua. In terms of Week 1, Kupp could have additional fantasy value as Nacua has been dealing with an offseason injury. He also goes against the Detroit Lions, who allowed the most fantasy points per game to wide receivers last year.

Deebo Samuel vs. Cooper Kupp: Who Should I Start in Fantasy Football Week 1?

Cooper Kupp makes for a better wide receiver to start than Deebo Samuel in fantasy football lineups for Week 1 of the 2024 season. While Samuel may have a brighter outlook for the 2024 season as a whole, Kupp has a much better matchup this week. The Lions had one of the worst passing defenses in the NFL last year, while the Jets ranked among the league's best.

Analyzing specific weekly matchups is extremely important when making lineup decisions. Managers who carefully consider all variables when determining Who Should I Start in fantasy football often gain an edge over their opponents. In this case, Kupp is the preferred option in Week 1 due to a much more favorable situation.