Making the right start ’em, sit ’em decisions can be the difference between winning and losing your fantasy football matchup each week. Throughout the 2026 NFL season, we’ll break down the best fantasy football starts and sits at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, defense, and kicker. Using matchups, usage trends, advanced stats, injuries, and scoring opportunities, this weekly Start ’Em, Sit ’Em guide will highlight the players you should trust in your lineup, and the ones you may want to leave on the bench.
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Quarterbacks to Start
Kyler Murray MIN
Kyler Murray is one of the more controversial quarterback calls of Week 1, but I’m willing to start him immediately in Minnesota. We only saw five games from Murray last season before a foot injury ended his year, and the results weren’t particularly impressive. He ranked near the bottom of the league in yards per attempt, average depth of target, and big-time throws. The reason I’m willing to throw most of that away is how dramatically his situation has changed. Murray now gets Kevin O’Connell calling the offense with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson around him, easily one of the best collections of receiving talent he has played with. The rushing floor also never disappeared. Murray averaged 34.6 rushing yards per game in his five starts last season, and throughout his career he has consistently been able to create fantasy production with his legs even when the passing numbers aren’t there.
Green Bay isn’t an easy matchup on paper. The Packers allowed the sixth-fewest yards per attempt and ninth-fewest fantasy points per dropback to quarterbacks last season; the benefit is that Micah Parsons will not be suiting up for this game. I’m putting more weight on Minnesota’s offensive environment and Murray’s rushing upside than his five-game sample from Arizona last season. We have watched O’Connell consistently create efficient quarterback play, and Murray gives this offense a dimension on the ground that Minnesota hasn’t had at the position. He doesn’t have to throw for 300 yards and three touchdowns to give us a strong fantasy performance. If the passing efficiency improves with Jefferson, Addison and Hockenson while Murray adds another 30-40 yards on the ground, there is a very realistic path to a QB1 finish in his Vikings debut.
Jaxson Dart NYG
Jaxson Dart is another quarterback I’m willing to be aggressive with because his fantasy production as a rookie was much better than his reputation entering Year 2. Once Dart became the Giants’ starter last season, he finished as the QB7 in fantasy points per game. Remove his disastrous one-point performance against Minnesota in Week 16 and he averaged 22.5 fantasy points per game across his other starts. The biggest reason was his rushing. Dart averaged seven carries and 40.6 rushing yards per game, finishing behind only Justin Fields in rushing yards per game among quarterbacks. He wasn’t surviving exclusively on his legs either, ranking fifth in fantasy points per dropback and 10th in hero throw rate. Now Malik Nabers is trending toward returning after Dart essentially played his entire rookie season without him, giving the Giants’ passing game a legitimate No. 1 receiver again.
Dallas spent heavily to fix its defense this offseason, adding Rashan Gary, Cobie Durant, Jalen Thompson and Caleb Downs, so I’m not expecting the Cowboys to remain one of football’s worst pass defenses. They still have to prove those additions completely change what we saw down the stretch last season. From Weeks 12-18, Dallas allowed the most fantasy points per dropback, second-most yards per attempt, and fifth-highest completion percentage over expected. Dart also faced Dallas in the 2025 finale and produced 230 passing yards and two touchdowns while adding another 32 yards on the ground without Nabers. There is legitimate concern that the Giants could scale back some of his designed rushing after the concussion issues from his rookie season, but I’m not projecting that entire part of his game to disappear. A quarterback who can give you 35-40 rushing yards before we even account for his passing production is difficult for me to sit in this matchup.
Trevor Lawrence JAC
Trevor Lawrence finally gave us the fantasy season we’ve been waiting for in his first year with Liam Coen. He finished 2025 as the QB6 in fantasy points per game and averaged more than 18 fantasy points for the first time in his career. More importantly, Lawrence got better as the season went along. From Weeks 12-18, he was the QB1 in fantasy points per game. During that stretch, he ranked third in yards per attempt, fifth in passing yards per game, third in hero throw rate, and second in passing touchdowns among 30 qualifying quarterbacks. The nine rushing touchdowns he scored last season are almost certainly going to regress, but the rushing usage itself wasn’t a fluke. Lawrence ranked fifth among quarterbacks in red-zone carries per game, while his 8% designed-run rate and 29% share of Jacksonville’s carries inside the five were both his highest marks since his rookie season.
The matchup looks much different than it would have a year ago. Cleveland allowed only 167.2 passing yards per game in 2025, but the Browns traded Myles Garrett to Los Angeles after he led the NFL with 23 sacks. Cleveland received Jared Verse in the deal, so this isn’t suddenly a defense I’m treating as a pushover, but removing arguably the most dominant pass rusher in football changes the ceiling of this matchup. Lawrence also enters Year 2 in Coen’s offense with Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers, Travis Hunter, and Brenton Strange around him. I’m expecting some season-long regression from the rushing touchdowns, but that’s completely different from fading Lawrence in Week 1. We’re getting a quarterback who finished last season playing the best football of his career, has legitimate rushing upside, and now draws Cleveland without Garrett. I’m starting Lawrence confidently.
Quarterbacks to Sit
Patrick Mahomes KC
Patrick Mahomes is probably the most uncomfortable sit on this list because we’re talking about one of the best quarterbacks we’ve ever seen. This isn’t me suddenly fading Mahomes for the entire season. It’s about what we’re asking him to do in his first game back. Mahomes tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee in Week 15 last season and is now on track to start just nine months later. Before the injury, he was still producing strong fantasy numbers, but a significant portion of that value came from a career-high 6.6 rushing attempts and 30.1 rushing yards per game. He led quarterbacks in scrambles per game, and that’s the part of his production I’m most hesitant to immediately project back to the same level. His passing efficiency also wasn’t vintage Mahomes, ranking 18th in yards per attempt, 24th in adjusted completion percentage, and 30th in catchable-target rate among qualifying passers.
Then we get to the matchup and, more importantly, the offensive line. Denver allowed the second-fewest yards per attempt, second-lowest passing success rate, sixth-lowest passer rating, and sixth-fewest EPA per dropback last season. Mahomes may now have to deal with that defense without starting left tackle Josh Simmons, who is dealing with a back injury and has a good chance of missing the opener. If Simmons can’t go, undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson is in line to make his first NFL start protecting Mahomes’ blind side. Starting guard Trey Smith has also been dealing with a hip issue. Mahomes has reportedly looked good throughout his recovery, so I’m not treating this like he’s being rushed back before he’s ready. My concern is what happens when a quarterback nine months removed from major knee surgery faces an elite defense behind a compromised offensive line. Mahomes can obviously make this take look ridiculous because he’s Patrick Mahomes, but there are enough quarterbacks with cleaner Week 1 situations that I’m willing to sit him.
Jayden Daniels WAS
Jayden Daniels still has one of the highest fantasy ceilings at the position because of his rushing ability, and that’s what makes him such an uncomfortable player to put in the sit section. We saw that floor even during an injury-plagued 2025 season. Daniels missed 10 games with multiple injuries, but in his four full games he still averaged 20.2 fantasy points, nine rushing attempts, and 44 rushing yards per game. Extrapolated across the season, that rushing average would have ranked second among quarterbacks. That’s why I’m not telling you Daniels has to be benched regardless of your alternatives. If you drafted him as your only quarterback, you’re probably still starting him. But if you have another legitimate QB1 option on your roster, this is one of the few weeks where I’m willing to consider sitting Daniels.
Philadelphia is about as difficult of a spot as Washington could have drawn to begin the season. The Eagles finished fifth in pressure rate last year while allowing the sixth-fewest yards per attempt, second-lowest passer rating, and third-lowest passing success rate. Their secondary now includes Riq Woolen alongside Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, and Washington has to deal with that defense without Laremy Tunsil, who is out for an extended period after tearing his triceps. That leaves Brandon Coleman protecting Daniels’ blind side against a front featuring Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Jonathan Greenard. Washington is also transitioning to David Blough’s offense, adding another unknown entering Week 1. Daniels’ rushing ability can erase all of these concerns with a couple of big plays, but the combination of Philadelphia’s defense, Washington’s protection issues, and a new offensive system makes his floor lower than we’re accustomed to seeing.
Brock Purdy SF
Brock Purdy has consistently been a better fantasy quarterback than people give him credit for. Over the last three seasons, he has finished as the QB5, QB10 and QB6 in fantasy points per game, and last year he ranked sixth in passing yards per game, ninth in yards per attempt and third in fantasy points per dropback among qualifying quarterbacks. Kyle Shanahan’s offense has consistently created efficient opportunities for him, and Purdy has enough mobility to add fantasy points when plays break down. That’s why this isn’t a season-long concern at all. There are going to be plenty of weeks where Purdy is comfortably inside my top 10 quarterbacks. Week 1 just isn’t one of them.
The Rams were already a solid pass defense last season, allowing the 11th-fewest yards per attempt, ninth-lowest passer rating, and 14th-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. Then they added Myles Garrett, Trent McDuffie, and Jaylen Watson this offseason. San Francisco’s pass-catching situation adds another layer of concern. Ricky Pearsall is out for the season, Christian Kirk is on injured reserve, Mike Evans missed much of camp, and George Kittle is returning from a torn Achilles. I trust Purdy and Shanahan over the course of the season, but this is a brutal combination of an upgraded defense and uncertainty surrounding his weapons. There are too many quarterbacks with cleaner paths to a strong Week 1 performance for me to force Purdy into my lineup.
Running Backs to Start
Jaylen Warren PIT
Jaylen Warren finally got his opportunity to lead Pittsburgh’s backfield last season and turned it into the best year of his career. He set career highs with 211 carries, 958 rushing yards, and eight total touchdowns while finishing as the RB18 in fantasy points per game. The efficiency that made Warren so intriguing in a smaller role didn’t disappear with the added volume either. According to Fantasy Points Data, he ranked sixth among qualifying running backs in missed tackle rate and ninth in yards after contact per attempt. He remained one of the better receiving backs in football as well, ranking third in yards per route run. Pittsburgh added Rico Dowdle this offseason, so I’m not expecting Warren to suddenly handle 20 carries every week, but Kenneth Gainwell’s departure leaves a significant amount of receiving work available in this backfield.
The matchup has also gotten considerably more interesting because Atlanta enters Week 1 without its top two young edge rushers. Jalon Walker is out for the season after tearing his ACL, while James Pearce Jr. will miss the first eight games due to suspension. Atlanta is now relying on Cameron Thomas and Brandon Dorlus as its starting defensive ends while trying to replace a significant portion of last year’s pass rush. Dowdle can take a chunk of the early-down work without eliminating Warren’s fantasy value because Warren should remain heavily involved as a receiver. There is some uncertainty surrounding exactly how Mike McCarthy divides this backfield, but Warren has already proven he can produce without dominating carries. Against a depleted Atlanta defense, I’m comfortable starting him as an RB2 with upside.
D’Andre Swift CHI
D’Andre Swift is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, finishing with 1,087 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 223 carries while adding another 34 receptions for 299 yards and a score. He finished as the RB16 in fantasy points per game despite sharing the backfield with Kyle Monangai during the second half of the season. Even after Monangai emerged in Week 9, Swift remained productive and continued to hold the more valuable passing-down role. From Weeks 10-18, Swift posted a 43% route share compared to 28.8% for Monangai. His rushing efficiency also bounced back, ranking 13th in explosive run rate and 11th in rushing success rate among qualifying backs. The biggest concern entering 2026 was how much Monangai could eat into that workload, but his knee injury creates additional uncertainty about how involved he’ll be to begin the season.
Swift briefly gave us an injury scare of his own after leaving practice last week with an abdominal issue, but he returned Monday and is trending toward playing in the opener. Now he gets one of the better matchups on the Week 1 slate. Carolina allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to running backs last season, and from Weeks 12-18 the Panthers allowed the ninth-highest missed tackle rate and seventh-most EPA per rush. If Monangai is limited or unavailable, Swift could also see considerably more work than he normally would. I’m expecting Chicago to lean on him early, and the combination of rushing volume, receiving usage, and a favorable matchup makes Swift a strong RB2 with legitimate RB1 upside this week.
MarShawn Lloyd GB
After two frustrating seasons filled with injuries, MarShawn Lloyd finally has the opportunity fantasy managers have been waiting for. Josh Jacobs is on the Commissioner’s Exempt List and won’t be available for Week 1, pushing Lloyd to the front of a backfield that also includes Kaleb Johnson and Chris Brooks. Lloyd has barely had an opportunity to show what he can do in the NFL, but the explosiveness was obvious coming out of USC. Over his final two collegiate seasons, he ranked inside the top 20 in yards after contact per attempt and breakaway rate, and he averaged 7.1 yards per carry during his final season at USC. Lloyd spent much of camp receiving the majority of Green Bay’s RB1 work while Jacobs was unavailable, and after injuries derailed the beginning of his career, this is finally his opportunity to turn that explosiveness into meaningful NFL production.
There is some risk here because Green Bay has already indicated it plans to use a committee rather than simply handing Lloyd Jacobs’ entire workload. I’m still willing to start him. Minnesota allowed the sixth-highest rushing success rate and fourth-lowest stuff rate last season while finishing around the middle of the league in explosive run rate and yards after contact allowed. Lloyd also has the advantage of already knowing Green Bay’s offense, while Kaleb Johnson only recently arrived. I don’t need Lloyd to immediately handle 20-plus touches for this start to work. If he gets somewhere around 12-15 carries while contributing in the receiving game, his explosiveness gives him enough upside to turn that workload into a strong fantasy performance. I’m treating him as an upside RB2 or flex in Week 1.
Running Backs to Sit
Bhayshul Tuten JAX
I’ve been high on Bhayshul Tuten throughout the offseason, but Week 1 is a spot where I’m willing to be patient. His rookie numbers don’t jump off the page after finishing with 307 rushing yards on 83 carries, but the underlying efficiency was much more encouraging. Among 55 qualifying running backs, Tuten ranked fifth in rushing success rate, 11th in missed tackle rate, and 17th in yards after contact per attempt. A finger injury prevented us from seeing whether his role would expand down the stretch, and Travis Etienne’s departure has now opened the door for Tuten to become Jacksonville’s lead back. The problem is that we still don’t know if he’s actually going to get that role. Chris Rodriguez is expected to be heavily involved and remains a legitimate threat to Tuten’s early-down and goal-line opportunities.
That uncertainty matters even more against Cleveland. From Weeks 12-18 last season, the Browns allowed the 11th-lowest explosive-run rate, 12th-lowest rushing success rate, and 11th-lowest missed tackle rate to running backs. They lost Myles Garrett but brought Jared Verse back in the trade, so I’m not expecting this front to suddenly become an easy matchup. Tuten absolutely has the talent to take control of this backfield, and if that happens, he’ll become a player I want in my lineup most weeks. I just don’t want to assume the breakout before we know how Jacksonville divides the touches between him and Rodriguez. For Week 1, I’d rather leave Tuten on my bench and learn exactly what his role looks like first.
Quinshon Judkins CLE
Quinshon Judkins should eventually see one of the larger workloads among running backs this season, but I’m not excited about forcing him into lineups immediately. Once Judkins debuted last year, Cleveland quickly turned him into its workhorse. From Weeks 2-15, he averaged 18.7 touches and 72.8 total yards per game before an ankle and fibula fracture ended his season in Week 16. The volume was there, but the efficiency wasn’t. Among 49 qualifying backs, Judkins ranked 40th in explosive run rate and 33rd in missed tackle rate. Some of that falls on Cleveland’s offensive line, as 62.2% of his rushing yards came after first contact and he saw the fourth-fewest yards before contact per attempt. The Browns rebuilt portions of the line this offseason, but Judkins now has to prove both that the blocking is better and that he’s completely back from a significant lower-leg injury.
Jacksonville isn’t where I want to test that combination. The Jaguars allowed the fewest rushing yards per game last season, and from Weeks 12-18 they allowed the sixth-fewest yards after contact per attempt and seventh-lowest missed tackle rate. Cleveland also enters Week 1 as a significant road underdog, creating the possibility that the Browns are forced away from the running game if Jacksonville builds an early lead. Judkins should still get enough volume to remain fantasy relevant, and I’m not treating this as a season-long fade. I just see a difficult matchup, potential negative game script, and a running back playing his first meaningful game since fracturing his ankle and fibula. If I have another viable RB2 or flex option, I’m sitting Judkins this week.
Chuba Hubbard CAR
Chuba Hubbard was one of fantasy football’s biggest surprises in 2024, but almost everything went in the opposite direction last season. He dealt with a calf injury and eventually lost the starting job to Rico Dowdle, finishing as the RB40 in fantasy points per game. The efficiency was even more concerning than the fantasy finish. Among 49 qualifying running backs, Hubbard ranked last in both missed tackle rate and explosive run rate without recording a single explosive run, while finishing 47th in yards after contact per attempt. Dowdle is gone, but I’m still not ready to assume Hubbard simply returns to his old fantasy role. Jonathon Brooks was expected to be heavily involved after finally getting healthy, while Carolina also has AJ Dillon available to handle some of the work. After what we saw from Hubbard last season, I need more than an open depth chart to immediately trust him again.
The matchup is actually one I’d normally want to attack. From Weeks 12-18 last season, Chicago allowed the highest rushing success rate in football, sixth-most yards before contact per attempt, and 11th-most EPA per rush. The problem is that Carolina’s backfield has become even more difficult to project. Brooks has now missed three straight practices with what the team has called general soreness, and while the Panthers remain hopeful he’ll play, his Week 1 availability is uncertain. That could create more touches for Hubbard if Brooks sits, but it also makes this an offense where we don’t have a great idea how the workload will be distributed between Hubbard, Brooks, and Dillon. The matchup isn’t why Hubbard is here; my concern is trusting the player and the role. Even with Brooks potentially unavailable, I’d rather see how Carolina uses Hubbard before putting him back into my lineup.
Wide Receivers to Start
Parker Washington JAX
Parker Washington was one of the biggest late-season breakouts in football last year, and I’m not treating what he did as a random four-game hot streak. Washington finished 2025 with 58 receptions for 847 yards and five touchdowns despite starting only seven games, averaging an impressive 14.6 yards per reception. The real breakout came once Jacksonville expanded his role late in the year. From Weeks 16-18, Washington went for 145, 115, and 87 receiving yards, then followed that up with seven receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown in Jacksonville’s playoff loss to Buffalo. Over his final four regular-season games, Washington averaged 113.5 receiving yards while commanding a 28.9% target share. According to Fantasy Points Data, he also produced 3.78 yards per route run with a 33.3% first-read share during that stretch.
Cleveland isn’t necessarily a matchup I want to attack on the outside, but Washington should spend plenty of time in the slot, where things get considerably more interesting. Myles Harden allowed a 71.9% catch rate and 119.3 passer rating in coverage last season while ranking among the more favorable slot matchups in football. More importantly, Washington already showed Trevor Lawrence that he can be trusted as a major part of this passing game. Brian Thomas Jr. is still going to command plenty of attention on the outside, but Washington doesn’t need to surpass him to return value in fantasy. After watching Washington produce at least 87 receiving yards in each of his final four games, including the playoffs, I’m putting him straight into my lineup rather than waiting to see whether the breakout carries over.
Quentin Johnston LAC
Quentin Johnston has quietly become a much better receiver than the player we saw during his disappointing rookie season. He finished last year with 51 receptions for 735 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games, giving him consecutive seasons with eight receiving scores. The overall numbers would have been even better without a hamstring injury that clearly affected his role in the middle of the season. If we remove Weeks 7-8 when Johnston was working his way back, he commanded a 20.3% target share and 24.8% first-read share while producing 1.83 yards per route run. He also led the Chargers during those healthy games with 12 red-zone targets and 17 deep targets. Most importantly for fantasy, Johnston averaged 13.9 PPR points per game during those stretches. We now have enough evidence to stop treating his production with Justin Herbert as a fluke.
Arizona gives Johnston a good opportunity to carry that production into 2026. The Cardinals allowed the ninth-most yards per target to perimeter receivers last season, which lines up perfectly with the area of the field where Johnston can do the most damage. His combination of deep targets and red-zone opportunities also gives him multiple paths to a big fantasy day without needing double-digit receptions. There are other mouths to feed in this Chargers offense, but Johnston was consistently one of Herbert’s primary options whenever he was healthy last season. That’s the version of Johnston I’m projecting entering Week 1. With his big-play ability, touchdown upside, and a favorable matchup on the outside, I’m comfortable starting him as a WR3 or flex with the upside to finish considerably higher.
Wan’Dale Robinson TEN
Wan’Dale Robinson finally put everything together last season, and his breakout went well beyond simply catching a bunch of short passes. Robinson finished with 92 receptions for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns while leading all NFL wide receivers with 622 receiving yards from the slot. His average depth of target climbed to 8.7 yards after spending the beginning of his career primarily as an underneath option, giving him another dimension that had been missing from his fantasy profile. According to Fantasy Points Data, Robinson commanded a 26.8% target share and 32.9% first-read share while averaging 1.94 yards per route run. Now he moves to Tennessee and reunites with Brian Daboll, the same coach who helped oversee his breakout with the Giants. That’s important because Tennessee didn’t sign Robinson just to completely change the role that finally unlocked him.
There is some Week 1 uncertainty because Robinson is entering a new offense with Cam Ward and has to compete with rookie Carnell Tate for targets. I’m still willing to start him, especially in PPR formats. The Jets allowed the sixth-most yards per target to slot receivers last season, and Robinson should see plenty of targets from Jarvis Brownlee Jr., who allowed a 77.3% catch rate and 108.9 passer rating in coverage. This also isn’t a completely new system for Robinson because Daboll already knows exactly how to utilize him. I’m expecting Tennessee to manufacture easy opportunities for Robinson while Ward gets comfortable in the new offense. He doesn’t need another 1,000-yard season to help us this week; five or six receptions with some additional downfield usage would give him a very solid PPR floor.
Wide Receivers to Sit
DJ Moore BUF
I’m excited to see what DJ Moore can eventually do with Josh Allen, but I’m not forcing him into my lineup just because the quarterback situation improved. Moore is coming off one of the least productive seasons of his career, finishing as the WR41 in fantasy points per game while commanding only a 14.3% target share. According to Fantasy Points Data, he produced 1.33 yards per route run with a 17.5% first-read share, both major declines from what we saw during his best seasons. The move to Buffalo gives him a chance to rebound. He’s also reuniting with Joe Brady after posting consecutive 1,100-yard seasons when Brady was his offensive coordinator in Carolina. The problem is that we’re being asked to project an immediate return to that level in his first regular-season game with a completely new offense.
Houston is about as difficult of a matchup as I could pick for that debut. The Texans allowed just 183.5 passing yards per game last season, and from Weeks 12-18 they allowed the 11th-fewest receiving fantasy points per game and 14th-fewest fantasy points per opportunity to perimeter wide receivers. Buffalo also hasn’t traditionally been an offense where Josh Allen needs to force-feed one receiver every week, so I want to see where Moore actually falls in the target hierarchy before assuming he’s going to command immediate WR1 volume. I still like Moore considerably more over the course of the season than I do in Week 1. Against one of the league’s better pass defenses in his first game with Allen, I’d rather start another viable WR2 or flex and see what this new role looks like first.
Terry McLaurin WAS
Terry McLaurin is another player I’m not fading for the entire season, but Week 1 sets up as a difficult spot. His 2025 numbers were dragged down by a quad injury that limited him to 10 games, and he finished as the WR33 in fantasy points per game after being the WR14 the year before. The encouraging part is that McLaurin was still extremely efficient whenever he was actually running routes. According to Fantasy Points Data, he produced 2.38 yards per route run and earned a target on 24% of his routes while ranking near the top of the position in first downs per route run. That’s why I’m not looking at last year’s fantasy finish and assuming McLaurin suddenly declined. A healthy season with Jayden Daniels could easily put him right back into weekly-start territory. My concern is specifically what Washington is walking into this week.
Philadelphia has one of the few secondaries capable of making me consider sitting McLaurin. The Eagles allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per target to perimeter receivers last season and enter 2026 with Quinyon Mitchell and Riq Woolen on the outside and Cooper DeJean in the slot. Washington also has major offensive-line uncertainty with Laremy Tunsil sidelined, which could make it difficult for Daniels to consistently give McLaurin’s deeper routes enough time to develop. McLaurin managed four catches for 57 yards in his final meeting with Philadelphia last season, and I could see a similar volume-driven performance here without much ceiling. I’m not benching a healthy McLaurin for a random waiver-wire receiver, but if I have another legitimate WR2 or strong flex option, this is one of the weeks where I’m willing to sit him.
Marvin Harrison Jr. ARI
I’m still waiting for Marvin Harrison Jr. to become the weekly difference-maker we expected when Arizona drafted him fourth overall. His second season was difficult to evaluate because injuries never gave him much of an opportunity to build momentum. Harrison dealt with a concussion, appendicitis and a heel injury while appearing in only 12 games, finishing with 41 receptions for 608 yards and four touchdowns. Before the appendicitis and heel issues derailed his season, the results were much more encouraging. Over his first eight games, Harrison commanded a 21.9% target share and 27.1% first-read share while averaging 61.6 receiving yards and 13.4 PPR points per game. Those aren’t bad numbers, but we’re also entering Year 3 still looking for the massive leap that turns Harrison from a talented fantasy option into the dominant WR1 many expected him to become.
I’m willing to give it another week before betting on that breakout because the Chargers were extremely difficult on perimeter receivers last season. They allowed the 11th-fewest receiving yards per game and fifth-fewest fantasy points per target to outside receivers, which is where Harrison will spend most of his afternoon. Harrison should still command enough targets to give him a reasonable floor, but we haven’t consistently seen elite efficiency from those opportunities yet. This isn’t a matchup that makes me want to assume the jump happens immediately. I’m not benching Harrison for a fringe option, but if I have another legitimate WR2 or strong flex available, I’m willing to sit him and make him prove the Year 3 breakout is here.
Tight Ends to Start
Dallas Goedert PHI
Dallas Goedert is coming off one of the best fantasy seasons of his career, finishing as the TE6 in fantasy points per game while setting a career high with 11 receiving touchdowns. The touchdowns obviously carried a lot of his ceiling, but Goedert still commanded an 18.4% target share and saw 15 red-zone targets while finishing with 60 receptions for 591 yards. More importantly for Week 1, Goedert ended last season playing some of his best football. From Weeks 14-17, he caught 20 passes and scored four touchdowns, giving Jalen Hurts another dependable option alongside A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. That stretch included a three-catch, 32-yard, one-touchdown performance against the same Washington defense he’ll see to open the season. I’m expecting touchdown regression over the course of 2026, but his role around the goal line remains one of the biggest reasons I’m comfortable starting him.
I’m going right back to this matchup in Week 1. Washington allowed the most yards per target and fantasy points per opportunity to tight ends last season, giving Goedert a favorable matchup to begin the year. He doesn’t need another 11-touchdown season to pay off this week; I just want a player with a stable role and a legitimate chance to score. Goedert checks both boxes as the clear TE1 in one of the league’s better offenses. Philadelphia should give him multiple opportunities in scoring territory, and that’s enough for me to have Goedert firmly in my starting lineup.
Juwan Johnson NO
Juwan Johnson quietly had a massive breakout last season, and I’m not sure his fantasy value has completely caught up to it. Johnson set career highs across the board with 77 receptions for 889 yards, finishing third among NFL tight ends in receiving yards and fifth in receptions. He also finished as the TE11 in fantasy points per game while ranking seventh among qualifying tight ends in receiving yards per game. The most encouraging part was what happened once Tyler Shough settled into the offense. Johnson closed the season with 245 receiving yards over his final three games, including consecutive performances of at least 75 yards to finish the year. That late-season connection matters entering 2026 because Shough is no longer fighting for the starting job. He has had an entire offseason to build on what we saw down the stretch, and Johnson already proved he can handle legitimate receiving volume in this offense.
Detroit isn’t an elite tight end matchup, but it doesn’t have to be. From Weeks 12-18 last season, the Lions were middle of the pack in both yards per target and fantasy points per opportunity allowed to tight ends after Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch got hurt. What interests me more is the potential game environment and New Orleans’ available targets. With Jordyn Tyson injured, Johnson has a clear opportunity to operate as one of Shough’s primary options behind Chris Olave. If Detroit’s offense pushes New Orleans into a more pass-heavy script, Johnson should have plenty of opportunities to build on last year’s breakout. After nearly 900 receiving yards in 2025, I’m not treating him like a fringe streaming option. Johnson belongs in starting lineups until his usage tells us otherwise.
Isaiah Likely NYG
I’m willing to throw most of Isaiah Likely’s 2025 season away. A preseason foot injury derailed his year before it really started, and now he finally gets the opportunity we’ve been waiting for after signing with the Giants. Go back to his last healthy season in 2024, and the upside was obvious. According to Fantasy Points Data, Likely ranked 10th in yards per route run and eighth in first downs per route run among 57 qualifying tight ends. The biggest difference now is opportunity. He’s no longer competing with Mark Andrews for routes and targets, and everything coming out of Giants camp has pointed toward Likely becoming a significant part of Jaxson Dart’s passing game. New York is also carrying only four wide receivers into Week 1, creating an opportunity for Likely to move around the formation and function as more of a receiving weapon than a traditional in-line tight end.
Dallas completely rebuilt portions of its defense this offseason, so I’m not blindly carrying over everything we saw in 2025. Still, from Weeks 12-18 the Cowboys allowed the fourth-most yards per target and fifth-most fantasy points per opportunity to tight ends. Malik Nabers is obviously going to command the largest share of this passing attack, but the No. 2 role behind him is much more interesting. Likely has already shown that he can be extremely efficient when given opportunities, and now we’re finally going to see what happens when he isn’t stuck behind another elite receiving tight end. Against a Dallas defense that struggled with the position last year, I’m willing to start Likely immediately rather than waiting for the breakout to happen first.
Tight Ends to Sit
Jake Ferguson DAL
Jake Ferguson is coming off a career year with 82 receptions on 102 targets for 600 yards and eight touchdowns, but the overall finish doesn’t tell the entire story. His fantasy production was boosted considerably by those eight scores while his efficiency remained mediocre. Ferguson averaged just 7.3 yards per reception, and only 30 of his 82 catches resulted in first downs. The biggest concern for me is what happened when Dallas actually had its entire passing attack available. Ferguson averaged only 7.3 fantasy points per game when CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens were both healthy last season. With those two on the field, Ferguson becomes the clear third option in an offense where both receivers are capable of commanding significant target volume. That’s a much different situation than simply looking at his TE finish from last season.
The Giants struggled against tight ends late last year, so this isn’t a matchup I’m trying to portray as particularly difficult. Ferguson even has touchdown upside after seeing 16 red-zone targets and scoring eight times last season. My issue is the weekly floor if that touchdown doesn’t come. He managed only one catch for five yards on two targets in his final meeting with New York, and his low yards-per-reception numbers leave him heavily dependent on volume or scoring opportunities. I’m not benching Ferguson for a random waiver-wire option, but with Lamb and Pickens healthy, I don’t think his 2025 finish accurately represents what we should expect on a weekly basis. If I have another legitimate starting option, I’m comfortable sitting Ferguson in Week 1.
Dalton Kincaid BUF
Dalton Kincaid might be the most difficult sit on this list because his efficiency when Buffalo actually used him was incredible. According to Fantasy Points Data, Kincaid ranked first among qualifying tight ends in targets per route run and yards per route run last season, producing 2.79 yards per route run. That’s elite receiving efficiency at a position where we’re constantly searching for players capable of earning targets and creating yardage. The problem was getting him onto the field enough to take advantage of it. Kincaid’s route participation was only 44.2%, ranking 39th at the position, and he finished with just 39 receptions on 49 targets for 571 yards across 12 games. When he ran a route, he looked like one of the most dangerous receiving tight ends in football. Buffalo simply didn’t give him enough routes for fantasy managers to consistently benefit from that efficiency.
That’s why this isn’t really a Houston matchup fade. It’s a usage fade. Kincaid can be extremely efficient again and still disappoint in fantasy if he’s only participating on around 45% of Buffalo’s passing routes. We also don’t know exactly how targets will be distributed in the Bills’ passing attack to begin the season, which makes projecting a sudden role expansion even more difficult. If Kincaid comes out in Week 1 and his route participation jumps into the 65-70% range, my evaluation changes immediately because the underlying receiving talent is already there. Until Buffalo actually shows us that change, though, I’d rather start a tight end whose route volume I can trust.
Tucker Kraft GB
Tucker Kraft was incredible before tearing his ACL in Week 9 last season. Through eight games, he was the TE1 in fantasy points per game while averaging 67 receiving yards and producing 2.71 yards per route run. He also established himself as one of the most dangerous tight ends in football with the ball in his hands, consistently creating additional yardage after the catch rather than relying exclusively on designed targets or touchdowns. Nothing about putting Kraft in the sit section is a criticism of the player. If he were entering Week 1 fully removed from the injury, there’s almost no chance he’d appear here. My concern is that we’re being asked to immediately project the same player and workload in his first regular-season action less than a year after suffering a torn ACL.
Kraft has said his goal is to play Week 1 without a pitch count, which is obviously encouraging, but I’m hesitant to assume he’ll immediately return to his pre-injury snap and route workload. Minnesota also isn’t an ideal opponent for finding out, allowing the eighth-fewest yards per target and 11th-fewest fantasy points per opportunity to tight ends last season. Brian Flores can create enough problems for a fully healthy offense, let alone a player making his first regular-season appearance after a major knee injury. Kraft could look completely normal and quickly return to being a weekly must-start. For Week 1, I’d rather give him one game to show me he’s back before putting him into my lineup.
DEF to Start
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville is one of my favorite streaming defenses in Week 1, and most of that comes down to the offense on the other side. Cleveland enters the season with Deshaun Watson back under center after another disappointing year, while the Browns are also bringing in multiple new pieces along the offensive line. Watson was particularly vulnerable when plays broke down last season, giving Jacksonville a path to fantasy production even if this defense isn’t dominant from a real-life perspective. Their Week 1 depth chart also has rookie Spencer Fano starting at left tackle. Jacksonville doesn’t need to suddenly become one of the NFL’s elite defenses for this start to work. I just want pressure, turnovers, and an offense on the other side that could struggle to consistently sustain drives.
The Jaguars also get this matchup at home, which makes the situation even more appealing. Cleveland could lean heavily on Quinshon Judkins to protect Watson, but Jacksonville allowed the fewest rushing yards per game last season. If the Jaguars can slow down the running game and force Watson into obvious passing situations, that’s where the sack and turnover opportunities start to become interesting. Jacksonville isn’t a defense I’m committing to for the entire season, but the combination of Cleveland’s offensive questions, Watson, and the strength of the Jaguars’ run defense makes them one of my favorite Week 1 streaming options.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are another defense I’m willing to stream because of how this Week 1 matchup sets up. Los Angeles was already one of the NFL’s better defensive units last season, and now it gets Jacoby Brissett and an Arizona offense installing a new system under Mike LaFleur. Brissett played well individually after taking over last season, throwing for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions across 12 starts, so I’m not treating him as an automatic quarterback to target. The bigger appeal is the overall situation around him. Brissett missed a significant portion of the offseason while his contract was being worked out, and Arizona is entering Week 1 with several new pieces around him. Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love has also been recovering from a high ankle sprain and is currently listed behind Tyler Allgeier on Arizona’s unofficial depth chart.
That’s a situation I’m willing to attack with the Chargers at home. If Love is limited and Los Angeles can keep Arizona from establishing the running game, more of the offense will fall on Brissett in his first regular-season game operating LaFleur’s system. Arizona still has legitimate weapons in Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride, so I’m not expecting the Chargers to completely shut them down. For fantasy D/ST purposes, I don’t need that. I’m looking for an offense that could struggle to consistently sustain drives while creating enough passing situations for Los Angeles to generate sacks and potentially force a turnover. The combination of a strong Chargers defense, home-field advantage, and Arizona’s offensive uncertainty makes Los Angeles a Week 1 defense I’m comfortable starting.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh is one of those defenses I don’t need much convincing to start when the matchup is even remotely favorable. The Steelers still have T.J. Watt leading a defense built around creating pressure and negative plays, and they enter Week 1 relatively healthy. That matters against an Atlanta offense that has undergone significant changes and will open the season with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback. Tua can be extremely efficient when he’s kept clean and operating on schedule, but Pittsburgh is one of the last defenses I want to face when I’m relying on everything happening on time.
I’m also expecting the Steelers to benefit from playing this game at home. If Pittsburgh can get ahead and force Atlanta into a more aggressive passing script, the opportunities for sacks and turnovers increase considerably. The Falcons have enough offensive talent that I’m not expecting Pittsburgh to completely shut them down, but fantasy defenses don’t necessarily need to allow 10 points to have a strong week. With Watt and this pass rush getting an opportunity to attack Tua, I’m comfortable putting Pittsburgh into my lineup.
DEF to Sit
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco is normally a defense I’m comfortable starting in most matchups, but the current state of this defensive line makes Week 1 completely different. Nick Bosa will play against the Rams, but he’s returning from a torn ACL and has only recently returned to full team work. The problems around him are even more concerning. Alfred Collins tore his patellar tendon this week and is out for the season, Sam Okuayinonu is on injured reserve with a broken foot, and Mykel Williams will begin the year on the PUP list. San Francisco is suddenly relying on an extremely inexperienced group around Bosa.
That’s not where I want to be against Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and one of the better offenses in football. The Rams have enough receiving talent to punish a defense that can’t consistently generate pressure, and Sean McVay has had an entire offseason to prepare for this matchup. Bosa’s return certainly helps, but I don’t want to rely on him immediately carrying an injury-depleted defensive front in his first game back from ACL surgery. There are too many better streaming options available for me to start San Francisco this week.
New England Patriots
New England’s defense should be good this season, but this is another example of separating season-long expectations from a Week 1 lineup decision. Christian Gonzalez gives the Patriots one of the best cornerbacks in football, and Christian Barmore has returned to full practice after dealing with a knee issue. I’m still not interested in starting them on the road against the defending Super Bowl champions.
Seattle can attack a defense in multiple ways, and New England now has to deal with that offense in one of the league’s more difficult road environments. The Seahawks don’t necessarily need to score 30 points for this to become a disappointing fantasy performance either. If Seattle protects the football and limits sacks, the Patriots lose the two easiest paths to D/ST production. New England is a defense I expect to use plenty throughout the season, but I’m willing to leave it on the bench for this matchup and stream a unit like Jacksonville or Los Angeles instead.
Kickers to Start
Chris Boswell PIT
Chris Boswell remains one of the easiest kickers for me to trust when Pittsburgh gives him opportunities. His combination of accuracy and range gives him legitimate upside every week, and Week 1 sets up well for another productive performance. The Steelers are home favorites against Atlanta, which should give Boswell plenty of opportunities to play with favorable field position throughout the afternoon.
What I like most about Boswell is that Pittsburgh doesn’t need to have an elite red-zone offense for him to produce. In fact, drives stalling around the 30-yard line can be exactly what we want for fantasy. Boswell has consistently shown that Pittsburgh can trust him from distance, so the Steelers don’t need to reach the red zone to create scoring opportunities. I like their chances of moving the ball against Atlanta, but I’m not convinced every productive drive ends with a touchdown. That’s a perfect combination for a fantasy kicker, and I’m starting Boswell in Week 1.
Cam Little JAX
Cam Little is one of my favorite kicker starts this week after establishing himself as one of the NFL’s best long-distance kickers last season. Little connected on 30 of 34 field-goal attempts in 2025, including eight makes from at least 50 yards and two from 60-plus. His 68-yard field goal showed just how ridiculous his range is, and that gives him a fantasy ceiling most kickers simply don’t possess.
Now he gets a home matchup where Jacksonville enters as a sizable favorite against Cleveland. I expect Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars to move the football, but Cleveland’s defense is still talented enough to create stops once Jacksonville crosses midfield. That’s an ideal combination for Little. Even drives that stall well outside the red zone can turn into three points because of his range. Jacksonville doesn’t need to score five touchdowns for Little to have a big fantasy day. Give him two or three field-goal opportunities with a couple extra points, and he has legitimate top-five kicker upside in Week 1.
Kickers to Sit
Jake Elliott PHI
Jake Elliott is attached to one of the best offenses in football, but that’s not always as valuable for a fantasy kicker as it sounds. Philadelphia’s offense has been extremely aggressive once it gets into scoring territory, and the Eagles finished last season at the bottom of the league in red-zone field-goal conversions. That’s great for Jalen Hurts and the rest of the offense, but it can leave Elliott spending most of the afternoon kicking extra points instead of field goals.
That’s my concern against Washington. I expect Philadelphia to move the football and create scoring opportunities, but I’m not convinced those opportunities turn into enough field-goal attempts to make Elliott a strong fantasy start. He also failed to score more than eight fantasy points in seven of his final nine meetings with Washington. Elliott can obviously get there if the Eagles unexpectedly stall a few times, but I’d rather target a kicker attached to an offense that is more willing to settle for three points. This is a situation where a great offense doesn’t necessarily create a great fantasy kicker.
Harrison Butker KC
Harrison Butker remains one of the best real-life kickers in football, but I don’t love the situation surrounding Kansas City’s offense in Week 1. Patrick Mahomes is making his first start only nine months after tearing his ACL and LCL, and the Chiefs are likely to be without left tackle Josh Simmons against one of the best defenses in football. Denver allowed the second-fewest yards per attempt and second-lowest passing success rate last season while also finishing third in red-zone defense.
Butker also hasn’t exactly dominated this matchup recently. He averaged seven fantasy points across his two meetings with Denver last season and has scored only 14 combined points across his last three games against the Broncos. Kansas City should still create a few scoring opportunities, but between Mahomes’ return, the offensive-line concerns, and Denver’s defense, I’m not confident the Chiefs generate enough productive drives to give Butker the volume I want from a Week 1 kicker. Butker will have plenty of better weeks this season, but I’m willing to stream another option in Week 1.
