Arguably the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple – identify fantasy football lineup landmines.

These are players that you would likely be starting this week, but they could end up being a landmine that destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you the matchup.

Brace yourself and take cover. These six players could blow up in your face this week.

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Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines: Week 1

Aaron Rodgers (QB – NYJ)

Many might be excited to start Rodgers in Week 1 after watching Hard Knocks. However, the veteran quarterback is coming off the worst fantasy performance of his career. Last year, he averaged only 14.1 fantasy points per game, a career low, and had a 4.8% TD rate which his lowest average over the past three years. More importantly, his matchup in Week 1 is far from ideal.

The Buffalo Bills have one of the top defenses in the NFL. While Von Miller won’t play Monday night, that won’t stop them from getting pressure on Rodgers. The Jets’ offensive line has been a popular topic for the past few weeks. Meanwhile, the Bills held quarterbacks to only 13.6 fantasy points per game in 2022. Rodgers played only two series in the preseason and hasn’t taken a snap with Breece Hall or Dalvin Cook on the field. Expect a slow start and poor performance from the future Hall of Famer.

Najee Harris (RB – PIT)

After watching Jaylen Warren have an outstanding preseason, Harris’ draft value dropped like a rock. Warren was explosive, while Harris averaged only four yards per rushing attempt. The former first-round pick will be a solid fantasy running back this year after having two top-15 finishes in his first two NFL seasons. However, he has struggled against elite-run defenses and unfortunately Harris faces an elite defense in Week 1.

Last year, the San Francisco 49ers held running backs to only 13.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, the fewest in the NFL. For comparison, the next-closest team gave up 14.9% more fantasy points per game to the running back position than the 49ers. San Francisco held running backs to only six scrimmage touchdowns last season, giving up 58.3 rushing yards per game. With Nick Bosa ready to play in Week 1, the 49ers’ defense will be at full strength and Harris will have a tough time.

Jamaal Williams (RB – NO)

Fantasy players will be excited to start Williams this year after he led the NFL in rushing touchdowns last season. Furthermore, he will be a popular Week 1 start with Alvin Kamara suspended. However, the veteran running back averaged only 4.1 rushing yards per attempt and 0.44 half-point PPR fantasy points per attempt outside his touchdowns last season. More importantly, the Saints face the Tennessee Titans this weekend.

The Titans had one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL in 2022, giving up 4,931 passing yards per game which was the most in the league. However, their run defense was outstanding; they held running backs to only 16.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Tennessee also surrendered the second-fewest rushing yards (1,068) and rushing touchdowns (six) to running backs. I would start either of the Washington Commanders running back over Williams.

Stefon Diggs (WR – BUF)

Some are worried Diggs might start to decline this year after his numbers tailed off towards the end of last season. However, that had more to do with Josh Allen‘s elbow injury than anything else. The superstar wide receiver has totaled at least 1,225 receiving yards and eight touchdowns all three years in Buffalo. He was the WR4 last season, averaging 16.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, which was the second-highest average of his career.

Unfortunately, Diggs struggled against Sauce Gardner and the New York Jets last season. He had eight receptions on 15 targets for 130 receiving yards and no touchdowns in the two matchups against the Jets in 2022. Diggs also averaged only 0.26 fantasy points per route run in those two contests. Last year, New York held wide receivers to only 20.6 fantasy points per game, the second-fewest in the NFL, so it could be a rough Week 1 for the superstar wide receiver.

Terry McLaurin (WR – WAS)

McLaurin had the best fantasy finish of his career last year, ending the season as the WR14. He averaged 11.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game and while that was higher than his 2021 average (10.3), it was still lower than his first two seasons in the NFL. More importantly, McLaurin suffered a turf toe injury during the preseason, which will hamper him early in the year.

While the veteran wide receiver returned to practice today, his Week 1 matchup isn’t ideal for fantasy players. The Arizona Cardinals held wide receivers to 25.1 fantasy points per game last season, which was the ninth-fewest in the NFL, but they lost multiple starters on defense in the offseason including cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. That being said, fantasy players should avoid starting McLaurin this week; the Commanders will likely have no trouble beating the Cardinals and that could lead to a limited snap count for the wide receiver dealing with turf toe.

Evan Engram (TE – JAC)

Engram was on several of my do-not-draft or bust list articles this offseason. While he had an impressive four-week run as the TE1 last season, the veteran averaged only 4.5 targets and 5.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game in the other 13 contests. The Jaguars also added Calvin Ridley and Tank Bigsby this offseason, making it virtually impossible for Engram to see his 17.1% target share from last year again in 2023, and his Week 1 matchup isn’t ideal.

The Indianapolis Colts held tight ends to 8.5 fantasy points per game last season, the 12th-fewest in the NFL, and they surrendered the 11th-fewest receptions to tight ends. Engram also struggled against the AFC South division rival. Last season, the veteran tight end had 12 receptions on 14 targets in two games against the Colts, but he averaged only 43 receiving yards and 0.29 fantasy points per route run in those two contests.

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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.