Ladd McConkey or Khalil Shakir: Who should I start in Fantasy Football Week 1?

Ladd McConkey and Khalil Shakir are looking to get their fantasy football seasons off to a strong start in Week 1. Both have an opportunity to play major roles in their offenses this year after their teams moved on from their top two wide receivers during the offseason. Here's which of the two intriguing options makes for a better player to use in Week 1 lineups.

Is Ladd McConkey a good fantasy pick in Week 1?

Ladd McConkey (GETTY)

The Los Angeles Chargers selected Ladd McConkey in the 2024 NFL draft to help replace Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. The two veterans have been serving as their top two wide receivers, so the rookie has a chance to see a significant workload. This makes him an attractive fantasy football option with plenty of upside, especially considering his elite quarterback, Justin Herbert.

With the target hierarchy undefined for the Chargers, McConkey will be a risky wide receiver to use in Week 1, but he also has a high ceiling. If he can establish himself as their WR1, he could have a breakout fantasy season this year. He opens his year against the Las Vegas Raiders, who allowed the tenth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers last season.

Is Khalil Shakir a good fantasy pick in Week 1?

Khalil Shakir (GETTY)

Khalil Shakir flashed his upside with the Buffalo Bills last season despite playing in a limited role. He recorded four finishes among the top 30 weekly fantasy football wide receivers in the season's final nine games. With Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis departing in the offseason, he is now their veteran option with a legitimate chance at a major role in their offense.

Josh Allen has consistently been one of the best quarterbacks in the entire NFL, so if Shakir can become his WR1 this year, his ceiling in fantasy football is massive. He will have his first opportunity to prove his value in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals, who ranked in the bottom ten in total defense last year.

Ladd McConkey vs Khalil Shakir: Who should I start in Fantasy Football Week 1?

Ladd McConkey and Khalil Shakir have similar situations in fantasy football entering Week 1 of the 2024 season. They both have an opportunity to potentially be their team's WR1 and are playing in strong offenses with elite quarterbacks against relatively weak defenses.

Both wide receivers carry a significant amount of risk due to their workloads being unclear, but each also has an upside in a favorable overall situation. For managers debating between the two for their starting lineups this week, Shakir is the preferred option. He gets the slight edge due to playing in the same offense last year, while McConkey being a rookie comes with additional risk.