Week 1 Fantasy Football Trade Targets (2024)

The 2024 NFL season is here, and this week, I’ll be annoyed at having to listen to Cris Collinsworth, be completely wrong about multiple player takes from June and July and inevitably ask, “Why do games have to end so late on the East Coast?” I’m thrilled about every bit of that, and I’d like to welcome you to Week 1 and the first edition of my fantasy football trade targets series.

Trading in redraft leagues can be difficult, especially when everyone believes in their team right after their draft. Each week, I’ll examine a player to trade for, trade away and keep on your trade radar. Throughout the series, I’ll identify players who may have been much too efficient to a particular point in the season, as well as players who may have been unlucky and are due for positive regression.

Let’s get after it.

(Average Draft Position [ADP] data courtesy of ESPN)

Week 1 Fantasy Football Trade Targets (2024)

Trade For: Pat Freiermuth (TE, Pittsburgh Steelers)

The Pittsburgh Steelers have named Russell Wilson as their Week 1 starting quarterback. In Wilson’s last two seasons as the Denver Broncos’ signal-caller, he was subject to being dropped behind the line for 100 total sacks. This man wants to live to see the end of the 2024 season. Unfortunately, the preseason was unkind to the Steelers’ offensive line. Starting center Nate Herbig is on Injured Reserve (IR) – out for the season – with a torn rotator cuff, leading to the likelihood that rookie Zach Frazier will start in his place. First-round selection tackle Troy Fautanu is returning from a sprained MCL. As of now, starting guard Isaac Seumalo is also slated to miss about four weeks with a pectoral injury.

Wilson will need to get the ball out of his hands quickly to keep this offense moving down the field. Tight end Pat Freiermuth stands to be the beneficiary with his routes in the flats and middle of the field. He’s just one season removed from commanding a 19% team target share and 60-plus catches, pacing as the Points Per Reception (PPR) TE12 on a points-per-game basis

Freiermuth is being taken as the 15th tight end off the board per ESPN ADP, meaning he’s likely expendable as someone’s second TE.

Trade Away: Michael Pittman Jr. (WR, Indianapolis Colts)

This one may sting if you took Michael Pittman Jr. as your WR2 in the third round of drafts, but the season could be more rocky than many fantasy managers project. The USC product drew 156 targets in this Shane Steichen-called offense that quarterback Gardner Minshew primarily led after Anthony Richardson suffered a season-ending injury in Week 4. This led to Pittman Jr. finishing with 109 receptions for 1,152 yards and four scores, good for the WR14 on a points-per-game basis.

There’s no doubt that Richardson is electric when he’s on the field and that he gives the Colts an untapped upside that they did not have in 2023. However, Richardson’s highlights last season resulted from him using his legs to evade defenses. The former Florida Gator has played 16 games since 2022 (12 at Florida and four for the Colts). Although he has a small sample size, Richardson hasn’t had a season at the collegiate or NFL level where he completed over 60% of his pass attempts.

Best Case Scenario?

The Baltimore Ravens might be the easy parallel to draw expectations for the Colts’ passing output. Lamar Jackson had 457 passes and 148 rush attempts and was the league MVP in 2023. Rookie wideout Zay Flowers led the team with 858 receiving yards on 108 targets, making him WR31 on a points-per-game basis. A distinguishing factor here is Jackson was 11th in true completion percentage at 72.2%.

The Colts will almost certainly see regression in overall pass volume this season. Yes, they will likely run a higher-tempo offense, leading to more overall plays, but I don’t want to bet on that being the mitigating factor for Pittman Jr.’s success this season. Wideouts like Nico Collins, Drake London and D.K. Metcalf are going after Pittman in ESPN ADP, and I’d much prefer any of those names on my squad for 2024.

Trade Radar: Jonathon Brooks (RB, Carolina Panthers)

Carolina Panthers rookie RB Jonathon Brooks was nearly my top fantasy football trade target. He still can be if you have a leaguemate who wasn’t expecting Brooks to start the season on IR. Panthers Head Coach Dave Canales said the team would be cautious about getting Brooks on the field to start the season. That means running backs Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders will handle the duties in the backfield for at least the first month of the season.

Brooks is the most talented running back in this backfield and has the makings of a late-season league-winner. Once he is clear, he’s likely to have a period where his workload is ramped up. It could be Week 8, 9,or even 10 before we see the former Texas Longhorn in full force.

There’s a possibility the fantasy manager who drafted Brooks cannot wait for him to make that transition. If you feel like the manager with Brooks is strong, you may want to trade for him now. If that manager’s team looks like it may falter early, you may be able to acquire Brooks cheaper as his availability draws nearer.

Check out all of our content for Week 1 of the fantasy football season:

Thanks for reading my fantasy football trade targets for Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. Find me on Twitter @ThatMattKelley for more fantasy fantasy football and entertainment content!

*Photo Credit: Joseph Maiorana – USA TODAY Sports*

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