Top 5 Fantasy Point Winners in Week 1 of the NFL 2024 Season

The 2024 NFL season kicked off with some massive performances. And, of course, with that, fantasy football managers were treated to standout games from some of the top players.

Week 1 saw a mixture of familiar faces and breakout stars making waves across the league. Let's take a closer look at the top five fantasy football point leaders from Week 1.

1. Saquon Barkley (33.20 Fantasy Points)

Saquon Barkley wasted no time making an impact on his debut for the Philadelphia Eagles. Leading the fantasy board with 33.20 points, he showed why the Eagles made a splash by signing him during free agency.

Barkley rushed for 109 yards on 24 carries and punched in two rushing touchdowns. But just when you think that was solid, there’s more. His contributions didn't stop there. He also caught two passes for 23 yards and added a receiving touchdown, giving him a total of three TD dances for the day. His all-around performance was critical in the Eagles’ 34-29 win over the Green Bay Packers.

The historical significance of Barkley’s game can’t be overlooked either. He became the first Eagles player to score three touchdowns in a debut since Terrell Owens did so in 2004. That's probably not anything of importance to most fantasy owners, but still a cool stat.

For fantasy owners, Barkley's Week 1 showing was an impeccable combination of yardage, touchdowns, and all-purpose versatility. It offers a glimpse of what might be in store for the rest of the season. Can he keep up this pace? We sure think so. His 132 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns set a high bar, earning him immediate recognition in the Offensive Player of the Year conversation. And yes, we’re only in week 1.

2. Jayden Reed (33.10 Fantasy Points)

Jayden Reed's Week 1 breakout for the Green Bay Packers put him right behind Barkley on the fantasy scoreboard. Despite the Packers falling short of the Eagles, Reed’s performance was a silver lining for both Green Bay fans (as much as it could count, given the QB situation) and a treasure chest for fantasy managers.

Reed finished the game with a whopping 171 total yards, including 138 receiving yards and 33 rushing yards. His two touchdowns, one receiving and one rushing, showcased his dynamic versatility.

One of the highlights was a 70-yard receiving touchdown, where Reed exploited broken coverage, beat a defender, and sprinted to the end zone. He also found paydirt on a 33-yard rushing touchdown, adding to his impact.

Though he comes in second in FP, there is a downside to all of this. With QB Jordan Love out for 3-6 weeks with an MCL strain, Reed might not get the looks he did that first game.

Even though the Packers lost 34-29, Reed's individual performance was dazzling. He outgained all other Packers receivers combined and became the team’s offensive engine. Reed was even nominated for the FedEx Ground Player of the Week award. For fantasy owners, Reed’s explosive start to the season suggests that he could emerge as a key playmaker in the Packers' offense moving forward. However, we would say hold off on picking him up until Love is back in the saddle.

3. Cooper Kupp (32.00 Fantasy Points)

Cooper Kupp returned to his better self in a big way during the Los Angeles Rams' overtime loss to the Detroit Lions. Even though the Rams didn't come away with a win, Kupp’s fantasy owners were all smiles, thanks to his 32 FP. Even in the NFL, a player can only contribute so much; the rest of the team needs to hold up their end as well.

Kupp caught 14 passes for 110 yards and one touchdown. Targeted 21 times by QB Matthew Stafford, Kupp was the clear focal point of the Rams’ passing attack. His fourth-quarter drive was when he racked up the most points as he made four catches for 36 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown to help push the game into overtime.

With the Rams missing fellow receiver Puka Nacua due to injury, Kupp's performance was even more of a big deal. This game marked a return to form after injury-plagued seasons in 2022 and 2023, showing that Kupp may once again be one of the NFL's elite receivers in 2024. Fantasy owners who banked on a Kupp comeback were handsomely rewarded in Week 1.

4. Josh Allen (31.18 Fantasy Points)

Josh Allen did what Josh Allen does best — win games and, of course, score FP. He’s known to be an FP machine. The Buffalo Bills' star quarterback put together an impressive performance against the Arizona Cardinals, racking up a total of 31.18 fantasy points.

Allen threw for 232 yards and four touchdowns while adding a rushing score, proving once again that he's a dual-threat quarterback. That’s a fact that often gets overlooked, but it’s also why he consistently scores high in the FP.

The Bills' 34-28 victory underscores Allen’s leadership. There's no doubt about that. He led his team from a 17-3 deficit and made a clutch 4th down play that kept the drive alive. His Week 1 heroics easily put him as one of the top fantasy QBs and assured fantasy owners that Allen remains a weekly must-start. He might not be the best in the game, but he’s consistent with the points.

5. Baker Mayfield (29.66 Fantasy Points)

Baker Mayfield, now leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, rounded out the top five fantasy scorers for Week 1 with 29.66 points.

Mayfield put on one of the best performances of his career, completing 24 of 30 passes for 289 yards and throwing four touchdowns in a convincing 37-20 victory over the Washington Commanders. That’s right; he absolutely dominated in this game and walked away with a 146.4 QB rating.

Mayfield’s efficiency was nothing less than incredible. He connected with multiple receivers, including Mike Evans, for two touchdowns and even rushed for 21 yards. His 32-yard touchdown pass to rookie Jalen McMillan was a highlight of the day, showcasing Mayfield's ability to make big plays under extreme pressure.

Can They Keep It Up?

Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season undoubtedly provided some fireworks. Fantasy owners who had Barkley, Reed, Kupp, Allen, or Mayfield in their lineups were more likely than not to celebrate big wins. Of course, there’s still MNF football, which might include a few more fireworks.

Whether it's a long-awaited return to form for players like Barkley and Kupp or a breakout performance from someone like Jayden Reed, these players have set the tone for what should be an exciting fantasy season.