Fantasy Football Start/Sits: 2026 NFL Week 1
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Quick note: we've changed the formatting a bit here. Instead of delegating a specific position for our staff, we will all break off on our own each week and choose a few players regardless of position and give some thoughts. We could all choose different players, or three of us could choose the same one and not entirely agree. We could collectively choose 13 starts and 2 sits. It'll spark some fun debates to be sure. For example, in today's slate many of us like the Chargers offense, but somehow avoided to pick the same person at all. Of course, we will generally avoid the obvious no-brainer starts every week such as Josh Allen and Jahmyr Gibbs. With that, let's finally get into our first start/sits of the 2026 NFL Season!
Quarterbacks:
(@BreTT_Shevlin) Start: Jaxon Dart vs. Dallas Cowboys (SNF, 9/13 @ 8:20 PM EST)
Jaxon Dart Dart is my QB start for Week 1. He showed some serious fantasy upside once he took over as the Giants’ starter last year, finishing as the QB7 in fantasy points per game while averaging over 40 rushing yards per game. Now he gets a Dallas defense that was extremely vulnerable through the air late last season. The biggest reason I like Dart is the rushing floor. I’m not necessarily expecting him to throw for 300 yards, but if he can give me 40–50 rushing yards and a couple touchdowns, he’s got a very realistic path to a top-10 week.
(@jvr1210) Sit: Jayden Daniels @ Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday, 9/13 @ 4:25 PM EST)
The first two games of the season have seen the top two finishers in last year’s MVP voting put up absolute stinkers. If you drafted Jayden Daniels you likely paid a fairly decent price to get him. But I have Jayden Daniels following the trend of elite QBs putting up stinkers in Week 1. Daniels took just three pre-season snaps, one a handoff, one a sack, and one a throwaway pass. For a guy who played just seven games last year that is a bit of a red flag for me.
To top it off Daniels lines up against the Eagles in Week 1 who had one of the best pass defenses in the league in 2025, ranking 6th in passing yards allowed (204 yds/game), 1st in passing touchdowns allowed (12), and second in opposing QB rating (75.4). If Daniels wants to put up big numbers in Week one he will need to rely on his legs to do so.
I’m confident Daniels will wind up being the elite fantasy QB he is projected to be in 2026, I just foresee a slow start for the QB against the Eagles in Week 1.
(@austinkh0ury) Start: Dak Prescott @ New York Giants (SNF, 9/13 @ 8:20 PM EST)
Over the course of a 17 game career against the Giants, Dak boasts a dominant 14-3 record against NYG, exhibiting an impressive 101.5 passer rating, 4,346 passing yards, 31 TDs and 9 INTS in that span. Dak is coming off an impressive season last year and has all of the same weapons in his arsenal to replicate that success this season, especially against a lackluster Giants defense. I would expect Dak to have no problem driving the ball down the field for multiple scores Sunday night, and he is firmly a higher end QB1 in their season opener.
(@spechty49) Start: Justin Herbert vs. Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, 9/13 @ 4:25 PM EST)
Justin Herbert is debatably a top 10 QB. However, he has never found playoff success. I think that’s bled into his ADP. Some sites having him as low as a triple digit pick. He had some decent additions to the squad with David Njoku while still retaining Ladd McConkey, Quinten Johnston, and Oronde Gadsden. The most intriguing add is a new OC. And if you watched Michigan over the last few years … you know Jim Harbaugh teams are slow marinating teams. I expect Herbert to find good success this year.
Running Backs:
(@Endydoe) Choose Wisely: Rico Dowdle and Jaylen Warren vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 9/13 @ 1:00 PM EST)
This is a tough one. Jaylen Warren finished as RB17 (PPR) as Pittsburgh’s standalone RB1 last season, and Rico Dowdle finished as RB18 (PPR) as an on and off starter for Carolina. Now, they’re both on the same team. Owing to their respective roles on their teams last season, Warren finished where he did due to consistent usage by the Steelers; he had double digit carries in 16/17 games and targeted about 3 times a game. Dowdle finished the way he did due to some absurd booming statlines buoying the games where Chuba Hubbard was healthy/got equal or more work.
According to ESPN, Warren is listed as the RB1 for the Steelers, but with Dowdle coming in as a back-to-back 1,300+ scrimmage yard earner, we could very likely see him supersede Warren. I personally think that’s the case, and ESPN predicts them to have about equal days in their season opener. I think either one is a fine flex start at the most until we figure out what this distribution is going to look like.
This isn’t a start or a sit, it’s a weird situation. If you have a more confident Flex start to use instead of Dowdle or Warren, consider throwing them in this week and see what happens with this backfield.
(@austinkh0ury): Sit: Marshawn Lloyd @ Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, 9/13 @ 4:25 PM EST)
Marshawn Lloyd’s fantasy stock shot way up after the news of Josh Jacobs’ legal trouble had surfaced. Currently on the Commissioner’s exempt list, Jacobs’ is expected to be taken off the list and suspended by the NFL, although the official ruling has yet to be released. Similar cases in the past foreshadow that Jacobs’ suspension will be at least 6 games long. With that being said, Lloyd finds himself in a phenomenal position to take over lead back duties in Jacobs' absence, however, the Packers’ OC Adam Stenavich has stated that “its gonna be a running back by committee for a little bit to see where everyone’s at” (ESPN). Until a clear workload is divided out, I would suggest tempering expectations with Lloyd. He may be a better candidate to breakout once the team establishes a rhythm in the coming weeks, but for the season opener, I would be cautious starting him.
(@spechty49) Sit: Bhayshul Tuten vs. Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 9/13 @ 1:00 PM EST)
We just don’t know. Every assumes Tuten is the guy but truly… we do not know. HC Liam Coen has said in press conferences and interviews it will be a committee approach. I’m not saying he won’t be the guy. I just wanna see it first. Obviously Chris Rodriguez has only a couple more years under his belt. But Rodriguez out performed Tuten last year in a bunch of nerdy stats while on the Commanders. Such as So I need some proof before I am setting and forgetting.
(@jvr1210) Sit: Jeremiyah Love @ Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, 9/13 @ 4:25 PM EST)
The number 3 draft pick, highly touted for his deadly combo of size and speed and ability to break tackles unfortunately suffered a high ankle sprain in the Cardinals pre-season opener against the Raiders. We are about 3.5 weeks out from that injury and all signs point towards Love being ready to go for their Week 1 match-up against the Chargers defense. His progress has been slow and he was most recently listed as a limited practice participant. It is likely that Love will not be playing at 100% this weekend, which may lead to a larger snap share with Tyler Allgeier and Bam Knight to take some of the pressure off the ailing RB. Combine that with a matchup against a top 10 rush defense and Love’s debut may prove to be a disaster.
(@BreTT_Shevlin) Sit: Ashton Jeanty vs. Miami Dolphins (Sunday, 9/13 @ 4:25 PM EST)
This is my spicy one.
I’m not sitting Ashton Jeanty because I think he’s a bad player. I’m sitting him because I don’t love the situation for Week 1. Jeanty suffered an ankle sprain on August 23 and didn’t return to practice until this week. The good news is that he was back as a full participant Wednesday, so it looks like he’s going to play, but that’s still a lot of practice time to miss right before the season starts.
And then there’s Mike Washington Jr.
Washington has been one of the biggest preseason standouts for the Raiders. When Jeanty was out, Washington got first-team reps and finished the final preseason game with 49 yards on eight carries. The Raiders have also talked openly about being excited to use both backs.
That’s what makes me nervous about Jeanty. If this were a completely healthy Jeanty with no legitimate competition for touches, I’d have no problem starting him. But now you’re potentially looking at a player coming off an ankle injury and a rookie backup who has earned himself a role. I’d rather play it safe and sit Jeanty until we see how the Raiders actually split the workload. Wide Receivers:
(@Endydoe) Sit: Marvin Harrison Jr. @ Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, 9/13 @ 4:25 PM EST)
Maybe this is the season we see MHJ put it all together, and as it stands he has been going somewhere in the 6th-8th round in fantasy drafts entering the season. That said, MHJ had an on-and-off 2025 campaign where he only played 12/17 games due to injury. In that time, Trey McBride had a generational season and Michael Wilson emerged as seemingly Jacoby Brissett’s favorite target not named Trey. In just his third season in the league, there is still time for Harrison Jr. to live up to his father’s name, but I’m not looking at Week 1 to confidently expect that.
That doesn’t include the matchup. The Cardinals have a supremely difficult schedule this season and they’re getting thrown into the fire immediately as they head on the road to Los Angeles to take on a tough Chargers defense that allowed the 9th least PPR points to opposing Wide Receivers last season. The game script could favor MHJ as the Cards could be playing from behind, but that’s going to be the case most every week in 2026 and can’t be something to bank on. If MHJ is your drafted WR2, you probably should’ve drafted better, and you better hope your WR1 is a stud. Fade Harrison Jr. for a better option if you’ve got it.
(@spechty49) Start: Wan'Dale Robinson vs. New York Jets (Sunday, 9/13 @ 1:00 PM EST)
On a new actually really nice looking Titans offense (on paper) Robinson is coming off a career year. Against a pitiful Jets defense. Between Ridley, Tate, and Robinson I expect Robinson to be the WR core leader and number one target. It’s also worth mentioning that Carnell Tate is an interesting rookie to keep and eye on. I think this core has a chance to thrive if Cam Ward is ready to make the sophomore jump
(@BreTT_Shevlin) Start: Jalen Nailor vs. Miami Dolphins (Sunday, 9/13 @ 4:25 PM EST)
And now it’s time to dig a little deeper than the obvious names.
Jalen Nailor is the guy I’m willing to put my name behind as a Week 1 sleeper.
He isn’t somebody you’re drafting as an automatic starter. That’s exactly why I like him for this segment. Nailor had career highs of 29 receptions and 444 yards last season, but he showed legitimate big-play ability, including a 124 yard, one touchdown performance against Baltimore. I’m betting on the talent finally turning into consistent opportunity.
If you’re in a deeper league and you’re deciding between your WR3/flex options, Nailor is the guy I’d take a shot on. I’m not saying he’s suddenly a top-20 receiver for the season. I’m saying Week 1 is a perfect time to bet on a player who can give you a couple explosive plays and potentially turn a modest target total into a big fantasy day, especially with Brock Bowers ruled out for the contest.
(@jvr1210) Start: Quentin Johnson vs. Arizona Cardinals (Sunday 9/13 @ 4:25 PM EST)
Quentin Johnston should be set-up for a big week one against the Cardinals who allowed 2000+ receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns to opposing wide receivers in 2025. There is a lot of excitement surrounding the Chargers offense who have brought in Mike McDaniel as their offensive coordinator. McDaniel has plenty of weapons to use and I’m sure he will use them all to their maximum extent. With a healthy offensive Quentin Johnston should have the opportunity to make some big plays. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a 30+ yard receiving touchdown in the Chargers season opener. Johnston should be set for a great season debut.
(@austinkh0ury) Start: Ladd McConkey Arizona Cardinals (Sunday 9/13 @ 4:25 PM EST)
Ladd McConkey took a step back in terms of receiving yardage last season compared to his rookie season, however I think that can be chalked up to gameplan. Now in 2026, the chargers have new Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel, former Dolphins head coach. McDaniel is expected to be pushing Justin Herbert’s “otherworldly arm strength” this season and change the Chargers’ previous “run-heavy” offense to a passing powerhouse. This will benefit McConkey greatly, and what better team to test this new look offense against the NFL’s 24th ranked passing defense in Week 1? I expect McConkey to have his first big day of many right out of the gate, and he should be firmly on your WR1 radar this week.
Tight Ends:
(@Endydoe) Start: Isaiah Likely vs. Dallas Cowboys (SNF, 9/13 @ 8:20 PM EST)
This one is totally a vibes thing. In my view, Isaiah Likely is a steal at his ADP and is going to finish as a top 10 TE this season. On Sunday night, he suits up for a team that isn’t the Baltimore Ravens for the first time in his four-year NFL career, but he remains with John Harbaugh who has publicly praised Likely throughout his career. Owing to that and a nice $40 million contract Likely signed with the Giants, I think he’s going to be heavily involved in this offense and provide weekly fantasy value at a shallow position. With Wan’Dale Robinson now a Titan, and Malik Nabers coming back from a torn ACL and meniscus, I really think we could see seven or eight targets heading Likely’s way against a Cowboys defense that was among the worst in 2025, albeit in a better state than it was. With the bright lights of Week 1 Sunday Night Football, I see an energized Giants team coming in and having an offensive battle with Dallas, which bodes well for Likely’s Giant debut.
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