Fantasy football - Don't be surprised if ... Lawrence and Young are top-10 QBs, Ekeler is the answer and Meyers shines in Week 1 - ESPN

Each week in the NFL is its own story — full of surprises, both positive and negative — and fantasy football managers must decide what to believe and what not to believe moving forward. Perhaps we can help. If any of these thoughts come true… don't be surprised!

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Nine quarterbacks who went No. 1 are scheduled to start this week, but the only matchup with more than one is the somewhat forgotten Jacksonville Jaguars home game versus the Carolina Panthers. OK, so this isn't exactly Lions-Packers or Ravens-Bills, as the Panthers and Jaguars combined for only nine wins last season, but still. They have quarterbacks that fantasy managers should consider.

Let's start with Lawrence, since he is rostered in more than 35% of ESPN standard leagues (still too low), and thus, more likely to be in fantasy lineups. The 2024 version of Lawrence wasn't enjoying his best statistical season before the injury to his non-throwing shoulder ended things prematurely, but let's remember he was the No. 7 fantasy QB in 2022, and he just missed the top 10 in 2023. The top 2021 pick really hasn't been so disappointing in his career.

This season's Jaguars are upgraded all around, with a new coaching staff, Heisman Trophy-winning WR Travis Hunter (great if he plays defense as well, but it will not hurt his WR numbers) and a better offensive line. Few seem to view Lawrence as a potential top-10 fantasy QB, even though this is who he has been. The Panthers look somewhat improved off last season's defensive mess, but this is a positive