Editor’s Note: With a new year of fantasy football articles releasing this year, an explanation is due about how each week’s picks are chosen along with an accountability factor to make sure the Prep News's fantasy reporting is top notch. 

Under ESPN’s Fantasy App, the Prep News  looks at the percentages of each player who is currently rostered and starting for the week. Based on this information, our reporters are able to gauge what the majority of people are currently aware of when picking their weekly starters. Our platform is aimed to analyze what people are not aware of, and therefore our reporters try their best to shed light on these more hidden options. 

Finally, the Prep News acknowledges the importance that each pick can have on the success of your team, which is why we are dedicated to providing the most reliable picks possible. From now on, SLUH Prep News Fantasy Football will provide a short recap of each previous week at the beginning of the article consisting of the picks that were positive and/or negative.

Week One Recap:  Week One was a great success for fantasy football predictions with 5 out of our 6 picks being useful to managers. The only bust was WR Deandre Hopkins, and this choice was based off of Will Levis’ potential development and a solid season last year from Hopkins with Levis. Some big boom predictions featured QB Baker Mayfield and WR Rashid Shaheed who put up 30 fantasy points and 16.3 fantasy points. Some key sits that were predicted included WR Brandon Aiyuk who put up 4.8 points and TE Jake Ferguson who put up 4.5 points. 

Nowhere else can you get these kinds of insights that the Prep News is bringing, and we hope this week’s picks can satisfy your fantasy needs to a greater extent.

(35.6% start) J.K. Dobbins, Chargers, RB: START. Chargers newly-acquired running back J.K. Dobbins could not have had a better start to the year, rushing for a whopping 135 yards and a TD on only 10 carries. Not to mention his receiving abilities that showed tons of upside, leading all Chargers backs with 13 routes and 3 targets. With the Chargers matched up against the Panthers defense this week, this pick is a no doubter.

(82.9% start) Chris Olave, Saints, WR: SIT. The Saints WR1 had a rough start to the year, putting up just 2 receptions for 11 yards, while WR2 Rashid Shaheed and RB Alvin Kamara seem to have stolen the show. Despite playing the weakest team in the league, the connection just wasn’t there. Now, Olave will have to match up against a Dallas defense consisting of Trevon Diggs and Micah Parsons. It’s safe to say it will be hard for him to get anything going this week, especially with the workload being divided up more.

(46.3% start) Jayden Daniels, Commanders, QB: START. The rookie quarterback for the Commanders had a day against the Bucs, putting him the QB3 in points for the week. While only throwing 184 yards, he was able to compensate for this by showcasing one of the most valuable skills a fantasy quarterback could possess— rushing. He rushed for 88 yards and two TDs, which proves his upside for weeks to come. This week’s matchup is just another reason to start Daniels as the Commanders face the Giants, who have been in nothing but shambles as of late.

(96.3% start) Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals, WR: SIT. While this pick may come as a shock, the evidence will soon show that this is obvious. Through a holdout with the Bengals front office, Ja’Marr Chase has not at all worked out with the Bengals team during training camp, and will likely still be shaking off some rust. Chase’s 10.3 yards per catch for 6 receptions in Week 1 is an indication of this rust as he couldn’t seem to get any yards after catch. Things won’t be getting any better this week as the Kansas City Chiefs defense, who locked up Zay Flowers last week, should be expected to do the same if not better this week. Quarterback Joe Burrow also had a disappointing start, and while he usually does well against the KC Chiefs, the Bengals offense has been known to take a while to get going once the season starts. 

(13.9% start) Ladd McConkey, Chargers, WR: START. The 2024 second pick out of Georgia, started his NFL career with a win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Ladd was targeted 7 times in the game bringing in 5 catches and a touchdown. Being drafted mainly in the 8th round of most leagues, McConkey through one performance has already made a statement in being a solid wide receiver that Justin Herbert will target.

(52.5% rostered)  Chargers D/ST: START. Chargers defense could be a good pick up for anyone who might be having a tight matchup this week. The Panthers offense has been abysmal to say the least. First overall draft bust Bryce Young threw two interceptions last week against the Saints defense, and will likely throw at least another one this week. Expect Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa to cause plenty of trouble, especially with the Panthers O-line being one of the worst anyone’s ever seen.