Week 1 of the NFL season is finally here, and it’s time to have our first Must Start story of the season.
Every week I will providing some obvious and not so obvious plays for the Sunday and Monday games. We also have our weekly live stream highlighting some of the players here while adding in some surprising picks in our live stream.
I will list one Must Start player in each of the four main positions (these the players who I think who should have big fantasy weeks for your teams), while adding some notables you need to keep your eye on during the weekend of action.
Well, I’m not going to keep ya waiting any longer – onto the Must Starts!
QB Must Start
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville
Lawrence returns from a shoulder injury that limited him to only 10 games in 2024, but he steps back into the starting lineup with some firepower in the passing game.
Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. had a big second half of last season when the Lawrence was sidelined, and the Jaguars drafted wide receiver-defensive back Travis Hunter with the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft in the spring.
But what makes Lawrence the perfect to play this weekend is Carolina’s defense. The Panthers gave up 23.2 points game to QBs and also gave up a league-high 35 TD passes in 2024.
Honorable mention: Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay; and Bo Nix, Denver.
RB Must Start
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis
It amazing when we get a healthy Taylor in the Colts’ backfield. Taylor ripped off three straight games for 25-plus fantasy points to end the 2025 season.
Now the offensive line is still a concern, but with Daniel Jones under center, the Colts add another running threat in the backfield so teams cannot concentrate on Taylor.
The Colts game vs. Miami is expected to be competitive, giving Taylor a chance to shine. Indianapolis is a 1.5-point favorite and the total has crept up 2 points to 47.5 points.
Honorable mention: James Conner, Arizona; and Alvin Kamara, New Orleans.
WR Must Start
Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville
Well, if I’m going to play Lawrence, I might as well play his top WR in BTJ.
Thomas Jr. gets the benefit of playing against the porous Carolina defense. The Panthers gave up the 11th most fantasy points a game to WRs last season, and their young defense is not expected to be improved from their dismal 2024 season.
And Thomas Jr. has a streak of six straight games with 10 or more targets and averaged 7.5 receptions a game during that streak.
Honorable mention: Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas; and Mike Evans, Tampa Bay.
TE Must Start
David Njoku, Cleveland
Njoku has had success against Cincinnati in his last four games. He’s averaged 6.8 catches, 56.3 yards and 0.5 TDs in those 4 matchups.
And this year’s Bengals defense is expected to be a bottom tier unit again. In 2024, Cincinnati gave up the most fantasy points a game to TEs (10.1), gave up the most receptions to TEs (111) and the third most yards allowed to TEs (1,114).
Plus, Joe Flacco is the starting QB for the Browns to begin the season. Flacco combined with Njoku for a big final stretch during the 2023 season.
Honorable mention: George Kittle, San Francisco; and Hunter Henry, New England.
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