Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Week 1 lineup advice, best matchups, DFS picks

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Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Week 1 lineup advice, best matchups, DFS picks originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Welcome to Week 1 and another season of fantasy football start and sit lineup advice from The Sporting News.

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Vinnie Iyer's analysis, aka "The Decider,", remains your one-stop shop for fantasy start 'em/sit 'em in 2026 -- a unique mashup of rankings and matchup breakdowns to help you make those tough decisions on whom to play and not to play:

  • Several high-drafted fantasy players who should be in lineups most weeks when healthy and active are the "must starts."
  • Borderline options with favorable matchups are "stronger starts," while the recommended plays to avoid are "weaker starts."
  • The advice is based on 12-team, half-point PPR to split the difference between shallow and deep leagues and full-PPR and standard formats.

Going beyond redraft league starts and sits, "The Decider" also includes some DFS picks for different styles of games on DraftKings and FanDuel. Keep scrolling for tips on how to deploy the best fantasy football lineup for your league opener.

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Fantasy Football Week 1 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks

Must-start Week 1 QBs

  1. Joe Burrow, Bengals (vs. TB)
  2. Lamar Jackson, Ravens (at IND)
  3. Jalen Hurts, Eagles (vs. WAS)
  4. Josh Allen, Bills (at HOU)
  5. Dak Prescott, Cowboys (vs. NYG)
  6. Jaxson Dart, Giants (vs. DAL)
  7. Drake Maye, Patriots (at SEA)

Strong Week 1 QB starts

8. Caleb Williams, Bears (at CAR): Ben Johnson will make sure his offense comes hot and firing on the road with its array of young weapons.

9. Jared Goff, Lions (vs. NO): Goff gets a favorable rebuilding defense at home in what can be a sneaky high-scoring game.

10. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (vs. CLE): He might not need high volume but can get to 250 and 2 on a much-weakened Myles Garrett-less defense in Jacksonville.

11. Matthew Stafford, Rams (vs. SF): The reigning NFL MVP will put up favorable digits against a 49ers defense in transition again.

12. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (at CIN). Burrow can pick apart the Bucs and Mayfield will need to chuck often to keep up on the road.

13. Tyler Shough, Saints (at DET). Shough finished his rookie season's second half as a top-12 fantasy QB and there's nothing scary with volume vs. the Lions' defense.

14. Justin Herbert, Chargers (vs. ARI): Jacoby Brissett and the Cardinals can provide enough passing resistance for him to put up startable digits in his Mike McDaniel debut.

DFS QB Week 1 pick

Malik Willis, Dolphins (at LV, $5,300 on DraftKings, $6,500 on FanDuel): He is a sneaky cheat code option against the Raiders' defense with a good shot at 40-plus rushing yards plus multiple TDs to go with his passing opposite Kirk Cousins.

MORE: Fantasy top 300 overall

Fantasy Football Week 1 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks

Weaker Week 1 QB plays

15. Jayden Daniels, Commanders (at PHI): The vibes have been bad early and the matchup on the road is worse.

16. Brock Purdy, 49ers (at LAR): Let's not use him as a test subject against the new-look Garrett-Aaron Donald Rams defense.

17. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. DEN): Wait to see how he looks post-knee injury to see whether he can return to top-12 status.

18. Kyler Murray, Vikings (vs. GB): Murray can compile a bit but it might be underwhelming at first.

19. Bo Nix, Broncos (at KC): Starting at the Chiefs defense on the road isn't inspiring.

20. Jordan Love, Packers (at MIN): The Brian Flores' defense is a trap indoors.

21. Cam Ward, Titans (vs. NYJ): It's tempting to try him first in the Brian Daboll offense but see before believing.

HAVEN'T DRAFTED YET? Click for our full 2026 Fantasy Draft Guide.

Fantasy Football Week 1 Start 'Em: Running backs

Must-start Week 1 RBs

  1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (vs. NO)
  2. Bijan Robinson, Falcons (at PIT)
  3. Saquon Barkley, Eagles (vs. WAS)
  4. De'Von Achane, Dolphins (at LV)
  5. Chase Brown, Bengals (vs. TB)
  6. Derrick Henry, Ravens (at IND)
  7. Jonathan Taylor, Colts (vs. BAL)
  8. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at LAR)
  9. Omarion Hampton, Chargers (vs. ARI)
  10. Ashton Jeanty, Raiders (vs. MIA)
  11. James Cook, Bills (at HOU)
  12. Javonte Williams, Cowboys (at NYG)
  13. Tony Pollard, Titans (at JAX)
  14. Breece Hall, Jets (at TEN)
  15. Kyren Williams, Rams (vs. SF)
  16. Travis Etienne Jr., Saints (at DET)
  17. Kenneth Walker III, Chiefs (vs. DEN)
  18. Bucky Irving, Buccaneers (at CIN)
  19. D'Andre Swift, Bears (at CAR)

Strong Week 1 RB starts

20. Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars (vs. CLE): Don't hesitate to put the new lead back in there against a softer defense at home.

21. Jadarian Price, Seahawks (vs. NE): He will have a sizeable workload replacing Kenneth Walker III for good and Zach Charbonnet early.

22. Cam Skattebo, Giants (vs. DAL): You'll flip over his versatile production against a work-in-progress new defense.

23. David Montgomery, Texans (vs. BUF): He's the guy for now for the workload and potential scoring.

24. Jaylen Warren and 25. Rico Dowdle, Steelers (vs. ATL). This situational duo should be rather busy on the Falcons' front.

26. Kyle Monangai, Bears (at CAR): He can support Swift with some good second-half stats.

27. Quinshon Judkins, Browns (at JAX): He should be trusted to get a lot of work with a fair shot to score some of their limited points.

28. Jordan Mason, Vikings (vs. GB): Don't bother with Aaron Jones and give him a shot early to finish off the Packers well.

DFS RB Week 1 Picks

D'Andre Swift, Bears (vs. CAR, $6,100 on DraftKings, $6,600 on FanDuel): Swift should be busy on the Panthers' shaky run defense as the Bears try to flex all-around.

Omarion Hampton, Chargers (vs. ARI), $6,800 on DraftKings, $7,300 on FanDuel): Hampton should get a nice immediate workload for McDaniel and the Cardinals can wilt against the run.

Fantasy Football Week 1 Sit 'Em: Running backs

Weaker RB Week 1 plays

29. Tyler Allgeier and 30. Jeremiyah Love, Cardinals (at LAC): This is a sticky committee early and the Chargers aren't all that giving.

30. MarShawn Lloyd, Packers (at MIN): Don't overhype his early role with no Josh Jacobs and Chris Brooks can make it messy.

31. TreVeyon Henderson and 32. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (at SEA). The Seahawks will once again contain New England's backs.

32. Rachaad White, Commanders (at PHI): He's the default lead from the committee mess but the Eagles don't offer much upside.

33. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (vs. CHI): Let's see what happens with him vs. Jonathan Brooks.

34. JK Dobbins, Broncos (at KC): Let's see what happens with him vs. R.J. Harvey and Jonathan Coleman.

Fantasy Football Week 1 Start 'Em: Wide receivers

Must-start Week 1 WRs

  1. Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. TB)
  2. Puka Nacua, Rams (vs. SF)
  3. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. NO)
  4. CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at NYG)
  5. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks (vs. NE)
  6. Justin Jefferson, Vikings (vs. GB)
  7. Chris Olave, Saints (at DET)
  8. Nico Collins, Texans (vs. BUF)
  9. A.J. Brown, Patriots (at SEA)
  10. George Pickens, Cowboys (at NYG)
  11. Drake London, Falcons (at PIT)
  12. Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. TB)
  13. Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers (at CIN)
  14. Terry McLaurin, Commanders (at PHI)
  15. Malik Nabers, Giants (vs. DAL)
  16. Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers (vs. CHI)
  17. Rashee Rice, Chiefs (vs. DEN)
  18. DeVonta Smith, Eagles (vs. WAS)
  19. Jameson Williams, Lions (vs. NO)
  20. Zay Flowers, Ravens (at IND)
  21. Davante Adams, Rams (vs. SF)
  22. Ladd McConkey, Chargers (vs. ARI)
  23. Jaylen Waddle, Broncos (at KC)
  24. Mike Evans, 49ers (at LAR)
  25. Garrett Wilson, Jets (at TEN)
  26. Luther Burden III, Bears (at CAR)
  27. Rome Odunze, Bears (at CAR)

Strong WR Week 1 starts

28. Parker Washington, Jaguars (vs. CLE): He's the most trusted Lawrence receiver for now over Jakobi Meyers and Brian Thomas Jr.

29. D.J. Moore, Bills (at HOU): They'll target him enough to get the new toy going even vs. a tough secondary.

30. Christian Watson, Packers (at MIN): They paid him like a No. 1 and will treat him like that right away.

31. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (at CIN): He's needed more with injuries elsewhere for Mayfield.

32. Wan'Dale Robinson, Titans (vs. NYJ): He should have a busy debut in the slot in a great matchup at home for his new team.

33. DK Metcalf and 34. Michael Pittman Jr., Steelers (vs. ATL): The Falcons' pass defense allows you take a shot on either Aaron Rodgers veteran wideout.

35. Josh Downs, Colts (vs. BAL): The mess with the depth chart opens the door for him to thrive early.

36. Michael Wilson, Cardinals (at LAC): He's the Cardinals guy to play, much like Washington for the Jaguars.

37. Caleb Douglas, Dolphins (at LV): He can return some sneaky WR3 value with volume as the best option in a good matchup.

DFS WR Week 1 picks

DeVonta Smith, Eagles (vs. WAS, $6,700 on DraftKings, $7,500 on FanDuel): Smith should embrace his big-play No. 1 role well right away.

Ladd McConkey, Chargers (vs. ARI, $5,900 on DraftKings, $6,500 on FanDuel): McConkey will eat well in the slot as the offense keeps it simple as big favorites.

Jameson Williams, Lions (vs. NO, $7,100 on DraftKings, $6,000 on FanDuel): Williams is set up well to make some big plays and score on the Saints.

Fantasy Football Week 1 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers

Weaker Week 1 WR plays

38. Jayden Reed, Packers (at MIN): It's hard to go with another Green Bay wideout early.

39. Xavier Worthy, Chiefs (vs. DEN): He needs to prove a lot in a critical Year 3before getting any trust.

40. Jakobi Meyers, Jaguars (vs. CLE): Washington cuts into him plenty.

41. Courtland Sutton, Broncos (at KC): The shift to Waddle being the go-to guy begins for Nix.

42. Carnell Tate, Titans (vs. NYJ): Pump the breaks on the rookie in a crowded space with Ward at first.

43. Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars (vs. CLE): Big-play threat lower on the depth chart says no.

44. Quentin Johnston, Chargers (vs. ARI): You can't go here with a myriad of weapons and less downfield dependence.

45. Jordan Addison, Vikings (vs. GB): Let's see how it goes with Murray first.

46. Romeo Doubs, Patriots (at SEA): He's a valuable matchup-based WR3 but not here.

47. Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals (at LAC): Big-play threat lower on the depth chart says no.

Fantasy Football Week 1 Start 'Em: Tight ends

Must-start Week 1 TEs

  1. Brock Bowers, Raiders (vs. MIA)
  2. Colston Loveland, Bears (at CAR)
  3. Trey McBride, Cardinals (at LAC)
  4. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at PIT)
  5. Tyler Warren, Colts (vs. BAL)
  6. Tucker Kraft, Packers (at MIN)
  7. Harold Fannin Jr., Browns (at JAX)

Stronger Week 1 TE starts

8. Juwan Johnson, Saints (at DET): He's needed again big-time for Shough with no Jordan Tyson.

9. Sam LaPorta, Lions (vs. NO): He's set up to rebound well with good health in McBride's former offense.

10. George Kittle, 49ers (if he plays, at LAR): Kittle even with limited snaps can make a big impact as the one matchup to really like vs. this defense.

11. Mark Andrews, Ravens (at IND): He should be busy until they solidify wide receiver behind Flowers.

12. Dallas Goedert, Eagles (vs. WAS): The middle of the field will be used more in this matchup with Hurts adjusting without A.J. Brown.

13: Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. DEN): He still has the tendency to burn the Broncos' defense which is tough at cornerback.

DFS TE Week 1 pick

Brock Bowers, Raiders (vs. MIA, $6,900 on DraftKings, $6,800 on FanDuel): He's actually priced well for the debut of the Klint Kubiak offense and can rip through the Dolphins' defense with good volume.

Fantasy Football Week 1 Sit 'Em: Tight ends

Weaker TE Week 1 starts

14. Dalton Kincaid, Bills (at HOU): He can have his best season but it won't start with this tough spot.

15. Brenton Strange, Jaguars (vs. CLE): The mouths to feed and target priorities for Lawrence will be something to watch early.

16. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (at NYG): You can't go here as his role keeps fading behind the wideouts.

17. Isaiah Likely, Giants (vs. DAL): He can have value later but not vs. rookie Caleb Downs.

18i. Hunter Henry, Patriots (at SEA): There's not much to see here unless the matchup is pristine.

19. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (vs. GB): His time for fantasy relevance is on life support.

Fantasy Football Week 1: Defense/special teams best starts

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. CLE)
  2. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. WAS)
  3. Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. ATL)
  4. Seattle Seahawks (vs. NE)
  5. Los Angeles Rams (vs. SF)
  6. Houston Texans (vs. BUF)
  7. Los Angeles Chargers (vs. ARI)
  8. Buffalo Bills (at HOU)
  9. Baltimore Ravens (vs. IND)
  10. Denver Broncos (at KC)
  11. Minnesota Vikings (vs. GB)
  12. Chicago Bears (at CAR)
  13. Detroit Lions (vs. NO)
  14. Tennessee Titans (vs. NYJ)

DFS Week 1 D/ST pick

Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. ATL, $3,300 on DraftKings, $4,900 on FanDuel): The Falcons have a dire QB situation going into Week 1 and the Steelers' revamped defensive scheme should start with a bang.

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