Fantasy Football Week 1 Starts and Sits

Alright guys! It’s time to knuckle up! We are two games in, with the Seahawks, Patriots, 49ers, and Rams already completed. Hopefully, you didn’t shy away from starting the guys you drafted high. Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba went off against the Patriots with 122 receiving yards and a touchdown on eight catches. Right now, he’s sitting at the top of the wide receiver category with 26.2 fantasy points. Now we’ll see if anyone can surpass him to take the top spot. Puka Nacua got the work but didn’t have the greatest of games against the 49ers. Nacua finished with 12.4 fantasy points.

Week 1 still has plenty of games left, so it’s time to get set. Many players have good matchups to take advantage of. We want to leave Week 1 with a win, so let’s set those lineups.

Week 1 Starts and Sits

Quarterbacks

Starts

Baker Mayfield vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Baker Mayfield just signed a new three-year extension paying him $55 million a year. I think it’s safe to say that Mayfield is going to show out now that he’s a newly minted quarterback. Mayfield and the Bucs take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, and this matchup looks to be in Mayfield’s favor. Last season, the Bengals defense was one of the worst units against the pass.

The Bengals finished as the seventh-worst pass defense in the league during 2025, allowing 233 yards per game. They also were the ninth-worst defense against fantasy quarterbacks, giving up nearly 20 fantasy points per game. Mayfield has nearly all of his weapons at his disposal for the game. With Mike Evans gone, Chris Godwin steps in as the elder statesman, and Emeka Egbuka is the new, young “thundercat”, leading the revamped wide receiving corps.

Mayfield will be looking to bounce back and return to top-10 status. Mayfield finished as the QB12 in 2025, averaging 16 fantasy points per game. He also threw for just 26 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. While not bad, fantasy managers would definitely prefer 2024 Baker Mayfield over what they drafted last season.

Caleb Williams vs. Carolina Panthers

Caleb Williams greatly benefited from Ben Johnson’s leadership and offensive scheme as he stepped into the limelight among quarterbacks in 2025. Now Williams will look to keep that momentum going in 2026, starting with taking on the Panthers. Williams gets a Panthers defense that allowed almost 204 passing yards per game last season (ranked 18th). But the Panthers were a bit tougher on fantasy quarterbacks, allowing just 15 fantasy points per game. So why does this matchup look good for Williams in Week 1?

A significant weakness for the Panthers defense last season was the tight end position. With Rome Odunze returning to practice this week after dealing with a calf injury (which I don’t believe he’s over just yet), more work could go to second-year tight end Colston Loveland. Loveland was dynamite down the stretch last season for the Bears, and the Panthers allowed 13.6 fantasy points per game to the position. Not to mention Luther Burden’s big-play ability and newly paid running back D’Andre Swift, doing damage out of the backfield as a receiver.

That should be more than enough weapons for Caleb Williams to get the job done for a team with playoff aspirations after how 2025 ended against the Los Angeles Rams.

Sits

Malik Willis vs. Las Vegas Raiders

I have a feeling that the Raiders defense could be better than expected this season. After the whole “Maxx Crosby trade debacle” with the Ravens, Crosby has reportedly locked back in with the Raiders. Despite having one of the worst records in football last season, the Raiders were middle of the pack against the pass. The Raiders finished with the 14th-fewest passing yards allowed among all defenses at 201 yards per game.

The Dolphins’ new offense will lean into the run game with running back De’Von Achane. Combine that with Malik Willis’s lack of starting experience at quarterback, playing just 11 games over the last two seasons. Willis also has inexperience at wide receiver with rookies Chris Bell and Caleb Douglas out there. Even with their promised potential, Willis may not pass as much as other quarterbacks the Raiders will take on this season.

The Dolphins averaged 20.4 points per game last season, and with the lack of legitimate weapons and a first-time starting quarterback, there will be growing pains. Willis needs to be on the bench until proven otherwise.

Deshaun Watson vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Cleveland Browns offense will have to “prove it” this season, and Watson will be a major factor in deciding whether the team sinks or swims. Watson has been out of commission for a while after season-ending injuries. And even when he has been on the field, Watson has looked like a shell of himself. Maybe that changes this season, but Week 1 might not be in the cards for Deshaun Watson.

The Jacksonville Jaguars allowed 18 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks last season, but Watson hasn’t shown that level either. Watson averaged 11 FPPG in 2025 and 14.5 in 2024. Watson will have some major ground to cover if he wants to be considered for a fantasy roster. Managers shouldn’t look Watson’s way until he can show that he can stay healthy and perform at a high enough level to get off the waiver wire, even in two-quarterback leagues.

Honorable Mention: Start: Trevor Lawrence vs. Cleveland Browns

Running Backs

Starts

David Montgomery vs. Buffalo Bills

I’ve been excited about this one since the trade went down during the offseason. David Montgomery is now the lead back for the Houston Texans, and should have a substantial role in the offense this season. Montgomery is a tough runner and, in my opinion, an underrated pass catcher. Taking on the high-powered Buffalo Bills won’t be an easy task for the team, but they should be able to perform behind Montgomery’s rushing ability.

During the 2025 season, the Bills defense allowed the fifth-most rushing yards to opposing running backs, allowing 136.7 yards per game. Montgomery, during the same season, averaged 4.5 yards per attempt while playing second to Jahmyr Gibbs with the Detroit Lions. The Bills also allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs at 25.4 points per game. Montgomery should have the edge in rush attempts and goal-line work while ceding some passing work to backup running back Woody Marks.

Montgomery gets a solid matchup in his first outing with his new team. Fantasy managers can lock this one in as an RB2 or in deeper rosters as a solid flex option for Week 1.

Javonte Williams vs. New York Giants

Javonte Williams will once again reprise his role as the lead back for the Dallas Cowboys as they open against the Giants. Williams performed well against the Giants last season, posting a 20.5 fantasy-point game against the midgets while averaging 5.4 yards per attempt (97 yards). Williams also showcased his pass-catching ability, going 6/7 for 33 yards. Williams is a solid option in PPR formats, and the volume he will command will be top-tier. Especially with the recent news that backup running back Malik Davis landed on IR after injuring his hip during practice.

William will be called on to carry the mail for the Cowboys while Emari Demarcado will be the new backup running back. Demarcado recently signed to the team this offseason and is more likely to give Williams a breather every now and then. The Giants allowed the second-most rushing yards last season at 145 yards per game.

Sits

Jeremyiah Love vs. Los Angeles Chargers

There is a lot surrounding the 2026 third-overall selection from the recent NFL Draft. Rookie Jeremyiah Love is currently dealing with a high-ankle sprain after being injured during the Cardinals’ first preseason game. While Love is expected to play, confirmation of his Week 1 status is all over the place. First, he was slated to play. More recent reports have him listed as a potential “game-time-decision”, words no fantasy manager wants to hear after spending a high draft pick to get him on fantasy rosters.

Then there’s the aspect that the Cardinals will split the backfield, making it a committee with Tyler Allgeier. With the high ankle still an issue, this could be a game where Love does play, but not at a level that makes him a viable fantasy option. It’s a true gamble for Week 1. The plus is that Love did return to practice this week and did not look hampered by the ankle. But there’s truly a risk to throwing Love in your lineup without knowing if he’ll play at all.

Marshawn Lloyd vs. Minnesota Vikings

I know the initial hype around Marshawn Lloyd was loud after hearing that Josh Jacobs was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List. But with the recent comments from the Packers coaching staff stating the use of a “running back by committee” approach with Kaleb Johnson and Chris Brooks, Lloyd’s stock has cooled for me. Lloyd has also dealt with injury concerns for most of his career to boot. While the Packers will lead off with Marshawn Lloyd as the top back, how long will he keep the job? And can he outplay Kaleb Johnson, who will finally get a fair shot at starter reps that he didn’t get with the Pittsburgh Steelers?

The Vikings’ run defense was good enough to hold opposing running backs to the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game last season. They also allowed just 12 rushing touchdowns in the 2025 season. We know these division games can be tricky, but we don’t know what the splits will be in the Packers’ backfield. If you have to play him, you have to do what you need to do to get the win this week. Otherwise, I would hold and see how the Packers’ backfield shakes up. Because who knows? We could be talking about Kaleb Johnson off the waiver wire next week and him needing to be starting over Lloyd.

Honorable Mentions: Sit: Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Wide Receivers

Starts

Alec Pierce vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Colts’ new number one wide receiver has dealt with ankle and heel injuries this offseason. But now he is expected to play against the Ravens to start the season. Pierce’s workload is likely to increase with the departure of Michael Pittman. The Pittman trade frees up 100+ extra targets, which will get split between Pierce, Josh Downs, and Keenan Allen. Pierce’s deep-threat ability makes him dangerous for fantasy, as he can pull in chunks of yards as the Colts’ downfield weapon.

The Baltimore Ravens have work to do if they want to slow down the Colts’ passing attack. The Ravens were averaging nearly 248 yards per game passing last season. The Ravens gave up a whopping 37 FPPG to opposing wide receivers, second-most behind the Dallas Cowboys defense. If the Ravens don’t ship up, they could be in for a long game against the Colts.

Garrett Wilson vs. Tennessee Titans

Hey, you remember what Frank Reich said, right? That “Garrett Wilson is a bell cow”? Well, hopefully, that is what we get in Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans. Wilson played in just seven games last season before going down with a season-ending injury. The positive: Wilson averaged 14.2 fantasy points per game in one of the worst offenses last season. Now with Frank Reich calling the shots as the new offensive coordinator and Geno Smith running it back at quarterback, we could get better play from Garrett Wilson in 2026.

The Titans were another defense that was not particularly strong against the pass or opposing wide receivers in 2025. The Titans struggled to contain opposing wide receivers last season, allowing 36 FPPG. The Titans also gave up 30 touchdowns through the air. At best, the Titans are moving in another direction. Which direction that is remains to be seen. But this is a good matchup for Garrett Wilson to take advantage of to kick the season off right.

Sits

Drake London vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Atlanta Falcons quarterback situation has cratered in just one week. Tua Tagovailoa went down in practice with an oblique injury and has been ruled OUT for Week 1. To make matters worse, Michael Penix isn’t ready yet as he continues to work his way back from a torn ACL injury. With Penix inactive against the Steelers, Cooper Rush is the starting quarterback for Week 1. Rush took all first-team practice reps leading up to the game.

Falcons fans might not have been confident in Tua from the jump, but now they don’t even have him. And neither does Drake London. The best bet for the Falcons is to run the ball behind Bijan Robinson and try to get out a close game against a tough Steelers defense. The Steelers allowed the fourth-most passing yards last season

Rome Odunze vs. Carolina Panthers

Honestly, I was hoping Rome Odunze was ready to go this week. But Odunze picked up a calf injury during practice. Odunze told reporters he was going to play and didn’t expect to be listed as QUESTIONABLE. Unfortunately, that’s his current injury designation. That feels a bit risky if you ask me. Odunze was poised for a great matchup against the Panthers’ defense.

The Panthers allowed just 28 fantasy points per game last season, so on paper, they are tough on opposing wide receivers. The hope was that Odunze would get enough targets to be a viable option for fantasy managers even with a tougher matchup. The trade of DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills puts another 80+ targets back on the table for the wide receivers. But with Odunze a bit “iffy” for the game with the calf injury, I’m out on him for this week.

Honorable Mention: Start: Nico Collins vs. Buffalo Bills

Tight Ends

Starts

Sam LaPorta vs. New Orleans Saints

Detroit has a new offense this season, and it could mean significant changes for Sam LaPorta. Former Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing now finds himself in Detroit as their OC, and I’m drawing parallels to LaPorta getting a workload similar to what Trey McBride saw. LaPorta getting that kind of usage in Petzing’s offense would be great for fantasy managers. We saw what LaPorta was capable of back when Ben Johnson was calling the offense and when the tight end was healthy. LaPorta has dealt with injuries over the last few seasons, but now he heads into Week 1 on the upswing at 100%.

For the matchup, the Saints defense allowed just 12.5 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. But the difference here is that LaPorta is one of the featured weapons in the Lions’ arsenal. With opposing defenses having to contend with Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon Ra St. Brown, and Jameson Williams, LaPorta can go to work and do damage against most linebacker and DB groups. LaPorta averaged 5.4 targets per game over the nine games he played in last season. I expect that number to increase in 2026, making him one of the more dangerous tight ends for fantasy this season.

Sits

Oronde Gadsden vs. Arizona Cardinals

The Chargers made some head-scratching moves at the tight end position this offseason. Sure, they needed to add depth, but grabbing and paying two different guys who can be starters is strange. Especially when Gadsden showed he can be a starter in the NFL over the last stretch of the 2025 season. The Chargers added former Ravens tight end Charlier Kolar and former Browns tight end David Njoku to the roster. Kolar was buried on the Ravens depth chart behind Mark Andrews and Isiah Likely. Njoku was always on the fantasy radar, even finishing as a top-5 tight end in fantasy points per game in 2024.

Gadsden even ended up as the TE3 on the Chargers depth chart heading into Week 1. This could be a ploy to throw teams off, or it could be legit. Whatever the Chargers have going on makes Gadsden untrustworthy for fantasy managers to rely on until we get clarity on how all three tight ends will be used.