7 Players Who Could Have a Slow Start This NFL Season (Video)

The fantasy football season is more of a sprint than a marathon. But even within the short 17-week time frame, there’s still room for players to be inconsistent. And some players are prone to having their worst stretches early in the season due to a variety of factors, including a tough schedule. Let’s take a look at the players who could disappoint from the start.

QB Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

The pressure is on Prescott and CeeDee Lamb to recreate their incredible connection in just a few days after Lamb spent the entire training camp away from the team. And Prescott could really fall flat if he and Lamb aren’t completely in sync, as the rest of his weapons are a mediocre group at best. The schedule won’t do the 31-year-old any favors, as his first three games are against defenses (Browns, Saints, Ravens) that were among the 10 toughest in allowing fantasy points to QBs last year.

Rachaad White (RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

White was far more valuable in fantasy football than he was to the Bucs last season, when the 25-year-old averaged just 3.6 yards per carry and generated more of his production by catching 64 passes. Tampa solved its reliance on an inefficient White in the offseason by drafting dynamic rookie Bucky Irving.

White has a big game against Washington in Week 1, as four of his next five games are against defenses (Lions, Eagles, Falcons, Saints) that were among the top 10 defenses in allowing fantasy points to RBs last year. A slow start from White could open the door for Irving to step into a bigger role by mid-October.

James Conner (RB, Arizona Cardinals)

Conner averaged a career-best 80 rushing yards per game in 2023, but he also posted his lowest passing numbers since his rookie season in 2017 (27 catches, 165 yards). The 29-year-old will struggle to excel on the ground entering 2024, as three of his first five games came against the top three teams (Rams, Lions, Niners) for fantasy RBs last year. With fleet-footed rookie Trey Benson waiting in the wings, Conner could lose playing time with a poor start to the season.

Brandon Aiyuk (WR, San Francisco 49ers)

There’s a big difference between Aiyuk and Lamb or Ja’Marr Chase. All three star receivers sat out training camp, but the Niners are far less dependent on Aiyuk than the Cowboys and Bengals are on their top receivers. We still don’t know when Aiyuk will return to action, and there’s a chance he could endure the ultimate slow start to the season by missing regular-season games. Even with Aiyuk and the Niners finally agreeing to a deal, Kyle Shanahan has the option to call more plays for George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey until he believes Aiyuk is up to speed. It also doesn’t help that the toughest fantasy matchup for the wide receivers (the Jets) is San Francisco in Week 1.

Davante Adams (WR, Las Vegas Raiders)

As he winds down an illustrious career, Adams has at times been frustrated by inconsistent QB play in the Raiders’ offense. This year’s early-season schedule could leave Adams in a bad mood. The 31-year-old could have a big game in Week 1 if Jim Harbaugh’s staff hasn’t already fixed a Chargers secondary that struggled in 2023. But over the next three games, Adams will face top-10 defenses (Ravens, Panthers, Browns) that were in trouble for fantasy WRs last year. Las Vegas head coach Antonio Pierce is already inclined to turn on the running game, and he’ll be even more likely to do so once he analyzes the strength of those secondaries.

DeAndre Hopkins (WR, Tennessee Titans)

The Titans revamped their offense this year by changing offensive coordinators, letting Derrick Henry leave via free agency and signing Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd and Tony Pollard. Hopkins hopes to play in Week 1But there’s no doubt he missed an opportunity to assert himself in the new offense when he spent the entire month of August sidelined with a knee injury. Between the rookies, dynamic RB Tyjae Spears and TE Chigoziem Okonkwo, QB Will Levis won’t have to rely on Hopkins too much early in the season.

Hunter Henry (TE, New England Patriots)

The good news is that the most coveted tight ends are capable of solid starts to the season. Henry is a bit lower on the list, but he does have some potential to become a solid TE2 once he finds his feet in a new offense. The 29-year-old has missed time with an undisclosed injury, missing out on valuable opportunities to bond with the team’s new QBs. Speaking of QBs, we didn’t know who would be playing quarterback for the Pats in Week 1 until Thursday morning. We now know it will be Jacoby Brissett and not Drake Maye, but the veteran won’t have a natural connection with Henry until later in the season.

Sensible managers will be aware of these early season quirks, but will not overstate them. There may be a way to acquire some of these players via trade after they endure a slow start. The key will be to confirm in October that their September struggles have not diminished their long-term role.