Fantasy Fast Starts: Jordan Love, David Montgomery, Ladd McConkey

Taking liberty with an old adage, you DO want your horse to get out of the gate too early. Sizzling starts in fantasy can jettison your team on a path to the playoffs. Sifting through early schedules, which players could log fantasy fast starts this year? Brad Evans lists his top picks at QB, RB and WR.

Position rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Cheat Sheet
Position top targets: QB | RB | WR | TE | Bijan No. 1?

Jordan Love, Packers, QB (ADP: 78.21, QB9)

What’s Love got to do with it? Well, fellow Tina Turners, Green Bay’s centerpiece could have investor hearts thumping over the first few weeks. And to answer Tina's question, quite a bit.

The Packers quarterback, who’s a popular back-end QB1 selection in average drafts, is in contention for top fantasy honors to begin the season In Weeks 1 through 5, Green Bay battles the Eagles, Colts, Titans, Vikings and Rams. According to ESPN’s Mike Clay, each defense is projected to finish No. 20 or lower. Yep, vulnerabilities abound.

Love may not have a certifiable WR1, but his young receiving corps is flush with talent. Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Dontavyion Wicks and Luke Musgrave flashed numerous times last year.

The 25-year-old Love — who ranked QB8 in fantasy points per drop back, QB2 in total air yards and QB6 in expected points added in 2023 — could set the early season pace among passers. He will need to improve his accuracy, but taking snaps behind a top-10 offensive line should provide ample time to cock, lock and fire repeated between-the-numbers spirals.

David Montgomery, Lions, RB (ADP: 92.68, RB20)

This writer’s mantastic feelings toward #MandatoryMontgomery is well-documented. Gushed about ceaselessly by yours truly on social media in a breakthrough campaign last year, the constant gloats led some users to mute the hashtag on their feeds. Sorry, but not sorry.

Haters better not lift the self-imposed banishment. The Lions running back is likely to bolt off the blocks to begin the fantasy season. Detroit opens with matchups against the Rams, Buccaneers, Cardinals, Seahawks and Cowboys. With Seattle the exception, each team's defense is a projected bottom-half unit.

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Montgomery will be running behind an elite offensive line, and given his outstanding secondary analytics from last year (he ranked RB20 in YAC per attempt and RB11 in total missed tackles forced), this annoying voice isn’t likely to shut up. Touchdowns should be frequent. Remember: Montgomery finished RB5 in total red-zone touches in 2023 despite missing three games.

Feed my ego, Monty. Feed it.

Ladd McConkey, Chargers, WR (ADP: 133.61, WR49)

Quentin Johnston and D.J. Chark have generated some training camp buzz as the dog days of August have dragged on, but the slippery rookie from Georgia is a Bulldog who could pack considerable bite.

Justin Herbert has stated he’s “looking forward to getting him the ball.” So is this buyer.

Preseason Week 2 against the Rams, McConkey played 15 snaps — all in three-WR sets and 60% out of the slot — catching his lone target for five yards. Similar to Cooper Kupp and Zay Flowers in underneath route win-ability, McConkey excelled in quick-throw concepts at UGA last year. His space-creating quickness, long-range speed (4.39 in the 40) and sticky fingers (81.8 catch percentage in 2023)could gash defenses straight away.

With a proven passer rifling bullets in his direction and the Chargers’ likely inept defense, McConkey should rack targets and catches immediately. His first five opponents — Raiders, Panthers, Steelers, Chiefs and Broncos — all have coverage units entering the season ranked No. 16 or lower, according to ESPN’s Clay. Steady top-20 lines are fathomable throughout September and October — especially in PPR formats.

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