Fantasy Football Player Notes

The last time Ridley played an NFL game was Oct. 24, 2021. He stepped away from football in the fall of 2021 citing mental health issues, and he was suspended for the 2022 season for gambling. Ridley reportedly had a terrific training camp, and it will be fascinating to see how he and talented young QB Trevor Lawrence work together. It might take time for them to build chemistry, but you're not waiting to put Ridley into your starting lineup. regard him as a high-end WR2 for Week 1.

The 31-year-old Hopkins joins a Titans squad that desperately needed pass-catching help. Although he's on the wrong side of the age curve, Hopkins is still a high-volume receiver. He played only nine games last year because of a six-game PED suspension at the beginning of the season and a knee sprain that cost him two games at the end, but Hopkins was the WR9 in fantasy points per game and had a hefty 29.4% target share and 43.5% air-yard share. Hopkins draws a tricky Week 1 matchup against CB Marshon Lattimore and the Saints. Treat Hopkins as a lower-end WR2 in his debut with Tennessee.

Before the Titans signed DeAndre Hopkins, Burks was ticketed to be Tennessee's No. 1 receiver. It might be best, however, that Burks is playing with a classic No. 1 like Hop and not being shoehorned into a role that may not suit him. Hopkins' presence allows Burks to do what he does best - operate near the line of scrimmage and run routes designed to get the ball into his hands in easy pitch-and-catch situations, setting him up to raise hell after the catch the way he did at the University of Arkansas. Still, Burks isn't a great percentage play in fantasy this week against a Saints defense that ranked fifth in DVOA against the pass a year ago. He's also been dealing with a knee issue, though he's expected to play. Regard Burks as a low-end WR4.

A high-quality slot receiver, Boyd has averaged 74 catches and 901 receiving yards over his last five seasons. The numbers have been trending slightly downward in recent years, due largely to the presence of teammates Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, exceptional talents who command a lot of targets. The problem with Boyd for fantasy is that it's hard to know when to use him. He's had some big games even when both Chase and Higgins have been healthy, but there are also games where Boyd is the forgotten man in the Cincinnati offense. Since it's Week 1 and fantasy managers aren't dealing with byes or a large number of injuries left, Boyd will most likely be left on benches in Week 1.

The Saints were stingy to opposing TEs last year, allowing a league-low 58 catches and 509 receiving yards to the position. Okonkwo is an intriguing young player, but leave him on ice this week in a tough matchup.

The rookie from Tulane probably won't have any standalone value as long as Derrick Henry is healthy, but Spears is one of the most valuable handcuffs in fantasy, and he might get some change-of-pace usage. If Spears isn't rostered in your league, be prepared to pounce should anything happen to King Henry.