Following a sloppy 34-29 victory over the Green Bay Packers in Week 1, some are down on the Philadelphia Eagles ahead of Week 2. Given the team’s talented roster, though, the Eagles are still loaded with players that you should be starting on your fantasy football team.
Here’s a look at which Eagles players you should have on your fantasy team, who you should bench, and more.
Which Eagles Should Be In Your Fantasy Lineup?
Jalen Hurts
Despite his turnover struggles in 2023, Jalen Hurts finished the season as the second-best quarterback in fantasy football. Hurts’ rushing ability gives him a significantly higher floor than many other QBs, even when he is turning the ball over at a high rate.
Following Week 1, Hurts leads the NFL with three total turnovers — yet he was still a top-10 player at the position with 18.4 fantasy points against the Packers.
Thanks to the arrival of Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, Hurts has improved drastically against the blitz. In Week 1, Hurts completed 75% of his passes for one touchdown with a passer rating of 151.6 against the blitz, according to TruMedia.
Hurts was also ranked in the top 10 and received a B- grade in PFN’s new weekly QB rankings. If Hurts continues to play at an elite level against the blitz and improves his turnover struggles, he could push for the QB1 spot in fantasy football this season.
Saquon Barkley
The Eagles and his fantasy football managers couldn’t have asked for a better debut from Saquon Barkley than his performance in Week 1. Following the first week of the regular season, Barkley is the highest-scoring player in fantasy football.
Barkley turned back the clocks against the Packers, scoring three touchdowns for the first time since his rookie season (2018). His three scrimmage touchdowns are tied for the most by any player in a team debut in the Super Bowl era.
While many were worried about Philadelphia’s willingness to utilize Barkley as a true workhorse RB, it’s clear he was able to do so in Week 1. Even if he only receives 20 total touches per game moving forward, he should be one of the top RBs in 2024.
A.J. Brown
After a slow start in the first half against Green Bay, A.J. Brown made a huge play to start the second half. Hurts connected with Brown for a 67-yard touchdown on the second play of the third quarter in Week 1.
Brown could be in line for a huge game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. He recorded three receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns in his only other career matchup against Atlanta.
Despite questionable QB play, Pittsburgh Steelers WR George Pickens had a strong day against the Falcons in Week 1 with six receptions on seven targets for 85 yards. Brown remains a top-10 WR in fantasy football in 2024.
DeVonta Smith
Hurts hasn’t been the only beneficiary of Moore’s arrival as offensive coordinator in Philadelphia. DeVonta Smith’s role in the offense has changed drastically, as the 25-year-old wide receiver played primarily in the slot against the Packers.
Through his first three seasons, Smith played an average of 24.1% of his snaps in the slot. That number skyrocketed to 70.7% in Moore’s debut as Eagles offensive coordinator.
Overall, Smith was the third-most efficient pass catcher with eight or more targets in Week 1. He caught seven of his eight targets.
Smith was WR18 in full-PPR scoring leagues in Week 1, without scoring a single touchdown. He has immense upside as his role expands in Moore’s offense moving forward.
Which Eagles Should You Sit in Week 2?
Dallas Goedert Needs To Be Benched in Week 2
Dallas Goedert is a frustrating player to have on your fantasy football team. Due to the arrival of Barkley in Philadelphia, Goedert has essentially fallen to fourth on the team in terms of usage.
In 14 games last season, Goedert scored double-digit fantasy points in PPR just four times. In his debut in Moore’s offense in 2024, Goedert scored 7.1 fantasy points, hauling in four receptions on five targets for 31 yards.
Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth put together a similar performance against Atlanta’s defense in Week 1, posting four receptions on as many targets for 27 yards.
Given Atlanta’s talented linebacker and safety group, it might be worth benching Goedert and looking elsewhere to fill the TE role in Week 2.
Jahan Dotson Makes for Good Fantasy Stash
After the Eagles traded a third-round pick for Jahan Dotson, some took a chance on him with a late-round pick in their fantasy drafts. While he failed to record a single reception in Week 1, Dotson could be worth stashing at the end of your bench in 2024.
Historically, the WR3 in Moore’s offensive scheme has put up respectable numbers. In all but one of Moore’s seasons as OC of the Cowboys, the team’s third wide receiver surpassed at least 600 receiving yards.
Dotson also ran 24 routes in Week 1, fifth-most on the Eagles and nearly 20 more than the next closest WR in Philadelphia (Johnny Wilson, five). Therefore, Dotson has established himself as the clear WR3 and could have a massive role if Brown or Smith miss time due to injury.
He doesn’t need to be in your lineup against Atlanta, but he’s not a bad insurance policy on your bench, either.