Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is again opening the season as the lead back in Buffalo. Despite concerns over touches near the endzone, Cook should be started in all fantasy football leagues. A low touchdown total (six) was the only blemish from Cook's RB12 finish from a season ago. He totaled 1,567 yards and caught 44 passes, despite only playing more than 70% of the team's snaps once. Cook could be even more involved in the passing game in 2024, with two of Buffalo's top target earners (Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis) on other rosters. The Cardinals ranked dead last in rushing yards allowed to running backs in 2023 (2,027) and surrendered eight receiving touchdowns to the position, the most in the NFL. Even if Cook is vultured by Josh Allen or rookie Ray Davis in the red zone, it should still be a productive day for fantasy football.

There's little concern for the top quarterback in fantasy football in Week 1. Josh Allen, who finished as the QB1 in three of the last four seasons, will face off against the Arizona Cardinals at home. While the Cardinals' offense has improved from a year ago, the defense remains a work in progress. The roster is devoid of quality pass rushers. Allen should have all day to throw the football, letting his new receiving corps shake the secondary. He ranked second in clean pocket accuracy rating in 2023. Rookie Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, and Khalil Shakir are tasked with replacing Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Tight end Dalton Kincaid will also be heavily involved. There's no reason to shy away from Allen in Week 1.

Buffalo Bills second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid is one to watch in 2024 as a player that analysts are expecting to emerge as a star playmaker for the team with receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis no longer in town. "If I were trying to pinpoint somebody that I thought was the most talented player in that group, and the guy that did have a chance to become the most important player in that pecking order, he's probably the one that I would go with," The Athletic's Robert Mays said. Kincaid's depth of target increased from six yards to nine yards when offensive coordinator Joe Brady took over in the second half last year. The 24-year-old could be quarterback Josh Allen's most trusted weapon in the passing game now, giving him upside to be a high-end TE1 in fantasy in just his second year in the league in 2024.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. The backup to Josh Allen suffered a knee injury during a preseason game against the Steelers in mid-August. Sean McDermott notes that he's unsure if Trubisky will be healthy enough to play in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals. Allen and Trubisky are the only two quarterbacks listed on the active roster. If the latter is unable to suit up, the Bills will likely promote veteran Mike White from the practice squad.

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said that wide receiver Curtis Samuel (toe) will be a full participant in the team's first official practice on Wednesday. Samuel should be ready to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Arizona Cardinals as long as he doesn't have a setback with his turf-toe issue later this week. The 28-year-old has an opportunity to step up as a trusted weapon for quarterback Josh Allen in 2024 with Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis no longer around, but he'll also be competing for targets among a group of wideouts that include Khalil Shakir, rookie Keon Coleman, Mack Hollins and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Samuel has gone over 800 receiving yards just once in his seven years in the NFL and is coming off a 62-613-4 line in 16 games with the Commanders. To begin the year, consider Samuel a WR5/flex best left on benches until we see how involved he'll be in Buffalo.