NFL FANTASY

Who should I start in Fantasy Football? NFL week 1 roster recommendations by position

The NFL season is upon us and that means it’s time to set those fantasy rosters. Here’s who you should have as your starters in Week 1.

Mark KoneznyUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

The NFL season officially kicks off tomorrow! That means it’s time to begin your weekly Wednesday tradition of setting your fantasy lineup.

Week 1 is the most difficult to predict, obviously, as most players are just big question marks until later in the season when we get a feel for how they’re doing and if they’re playing consistently. So the best approach for Week 1 of fantasy football is just to go with those you drafted to be your starters.

Still, if you are struggling to choose between players, here are my Week 1 rankings by position based on matchups, injuries, and other potential relevant factors.

NFL Week 1: Fantasy Football roster recommendations by position

Quarterback

There are a few quarterbacks who have concerning matchups in Week 1 - Dak Prescott vs the Browns defense, Brock Purdy vs the Jets defense, and Justin Herbert vs his own right foot. With that in mind, here are the rankings for QB in Week 1. If you do plan to start Herbert, make sure to check on his injury status before game time.

RankQuarterbackTeamOpponent
1.Josh AllenBillsCardinals
2.Jalen HurtsEaglesPackers
3.C.J. StroudTexans@ Colts
4.Lamar JacksonRavens@ Chiefs
5.Jared GoffLionsRams
6.Patrick MahomesChiefsRavens
7.Joe BurrowBengalsPatriots
8.Tua TagovailoaDolphinsJaguars
9.Jordan LovePackers@ Eagles* (in São Paulo, Brazil)
10.Anthony RichardsonColtsTexans
11.Trevor LawrenceJaguars@ Dolphins
12.Brock Purdy49ersJets
13.Dak PrescottCowboys@ Browns
14.Matthew StaffordRams@ Lions
15.Baker MayfieldBuccaneersCommanders
16.Kirk CousinsFalconsSteelers
17.Kyler MurrayCardinals@ Bills
18.Caleb WilliamsBearsTitans
19.Derek CarrSaintsPanthers
20.Aaron RodgersJets@ 49ers
21.Geno SmithSeahawksBroncos
22.Justin HerbertChargersRaiders
23.Will LevisTitans@ Bears
24.Deshaun WatsonBrownsCowboys
25.Jayden DanielsCommanders@ Buccaneers
26.Russell WilsonSteelers@ Falcons
27.Gardner MinshewRaiders@ Chargers
28.Sam DarnoldVikingsGiants
29.Jacoby BrissettPatriots@ Bengals
30.Bryce YoungPanthers@ Saints
31.Bo NixBroncos@ Seahawks
32.Daniel JonesGiantsVikings

Wide Receiver

A few things to keep in mind when choosing your starting receivers:

Chiefs Marquise Brown is not projected to start, so Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy will be the top WRs in Week 1. Josh Downs is not projected to start for the Colts, so Michael Pittman will be their WR1 and Adonai Mitchell will have a chance to contribute as well.

WRs whose status you’ll need to check on before starting: Tyreek Hill, Puka Nacua, Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, Davante Adams, Christian Kirk, Keenan Allen, Rashid Shaheed, Tyler Lockett, and DeAndre Hopkins.

RankWide ReceiverTeamOpponent
1.Tyreek HillDolphinsJaguars
2.Amon-Ra St. BrownLionsRams
3.CeeDee LambCowboys@ Browns
4.Justin JeffersonVikings@ Giants
5.Ja’Marr ChaseBengalsPatriots
6.A.J. BrownEaglesPackers
7.Puka NacuaRams@ Lions
8.Cooper KuppRams@ Lions
9.Mike EvansBuccaneersCommanders
10.Garrett WilsonJets@ 49ers
11.Drake LondonFalconsSteelers
12.Marvin Harrison Jr.Cardinals@ Bills
13.Davante AdamsRaiders@ Chargers
14.Deebo Samuel49ersJets
15.Chris OlaveSaintsPanthers
16.Michael PittmanColtsTexans
17.Nico CollinsTexans@ Colts
18.Malik NabersGiantsVikings
19.Jaylen WaddleDolphinsJaguars
20.DK MetcalfSeahawksBroncos
21.Stefon DiggsTexans@ Colts
22.Rashee RiceChiefsRavens
23.D.J. MooreBearsTitans
24.Christian KirkJaguars@ Dolphins
25.Brandon Aiyuk49ersJets
26.Tee HigginsBengalsPatriots
27.Devonta SmithEaglesPackers
28.Chris GodwinBuccaneersCommanders
29.Amari CooperBrownsCowboys
30.Keenan AllenBearsTitans
31.Terry McLaurinCommanders@ Buccaneers
32.Zay FlowersRavens@ Chiefs
33.George PickensSteelers@ Falcons
34.Tank DellTexans@ Colts
35.Calvin RidleyTitans@ Bears
36.Diontae JohnsonPanthersSaints
37.Jayden ReedPackers@ Eagles* (in São Paulo, Brazil)
38.DeAndre HopkinsTitans@ Bears
39.Xavier WorthyChiefsRavens
40.Courtland SuttonBroncos@ Seahawks
41.Jaxon Smith-NjigbaSeahawksBroncos
42.Christian WatsonPackers@ Eagles* (in São Paulo, Brazil)
43.Josh PalmerChargersRaiders
44.Brian Thomas Jr.Jaguars@ Dolphins
45.Jordan AddisonVikings@ Giants
46.Tyler LockettSeahawksBroncos
47.Rome OdunzeBearsTitans
48.Jakobi MeyersRaiders@ Chargers
49.Romeo DoubsPackers@ Eagles* (in São Paulo, Brazil)
50.Ladd McConkeyChargersRaiders
51.Khalil ShakirBillsCardinals
52.Jameson WilliamsLionsRams
53.Keon ColemanBillsCardinals
54.Rashid ShaheedSaintsPanthers
55.Mike WilliamsJets49ers
56.Brandin CooksCowboys@ Browns
57.Curtis SamuelBillsCardinals
58.Gabe DavisJaguars@ Dolphins
59.Wan’Dale RobinsonGiantsVikings
60.Dontayvion WicksPackers@ Eagles* (in São Paulo, Brazil)

Running Back

Running backs not projected to start include Browns’ Nick Chubb, Panthers’ Jonathan Brooks, and Chiefs’ Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Until Chubb is back, it will be Jerome Ford at the RB2 spot for the Browns. Chuba Hubbard will be the RB1 for the Panthers, and while Samaje Perine and Carson Steele may see some more reps with Edwards-Helaire out, Isiah Pacheco will be the RB to start for the Chiefs.

RBs whose status you’ll need to check on before starting: Christian McCaffrey, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Zach Charbonnet.

RankRunning BackTeamOpponent
1.Christian McCaffrey49ersJets
2.Bijan RobinsonFalconsSteelers
3.Breece HallJets@ 49ers
4.Travis EtienneJaguars@ Dolphins
5.Jonathan TaylorColtsTexans
6.James CookBillsCardinals
7.Saquon BarkleyEaglesPackers
8.Josh JacobsPackers@ Eagles* (in São Paulo, Brazil)
9.Rachaad WhiteBuccaneersCommanders
10.Alvin KamaraSaintsPanthers
11.Jahmyr GibbsLionsRams
12.Kyren WilliamsRams@ Lions
13.Isiah PachecoChiefsRavens
14.De’Vone AchaneDolphinsJaguars
15.Ken WalkerSeahawksBroncos
16.Derrick HenryRavens@ Chiefs
17.Joe MixonTexans@ Colts
18.James ConnerCardinals@ Bills
19.Aaron JonesVikings@ Giants
20.Javonte WilliamsBroncosSeahawks
21.D’Andre SwiftBearsTitans
22.David MontgomeryLionsRams
23.Rhamondre StevensonPatriots@ Bengals
24.Raheem MostertDolphinsJaguars
25.Zamir WhiteRaiders@ Chargers
26.Devin SingletaryGiantsVikings
27.Tony PollardTitans@ Bears
28.Jerome FordBrownsCowboys
29.Najee HarrisSteelers@ Falcons
30.Chuba HubbardPanthers@ Saints
31.Austin EkelerCommanders@ Buccaneers
32.Jaylen WarrenSteelers@ Falcons
33.Zack MossBengalsPatriots
34.Tyjae SpearsTitans@ Bears
35.Chase BrownBengalsPatriots
36.Brian Robinson Jr.Commanders@ Buccaneers
37.Gus EdwardsChargersRaiders
38.Ezekiel ElliottCowboys@ Browns
39.Jaleel McLaughlinBroncos@ Seahawks
40.J.K. DobbinsChargersRaiders
41.Antonio GibsonPatriots@ Bengals
42.Blake CorumRams@ Lions
43.Zach CharbonnetSeahawks@ Broncos
44.D’Onta ForemanBrownsCowboys
45.Ty ChandlerVikings@ Giants
46.Tyler AllgeierFalconsSteelers
47.Jamaal WilliamsSaintsPanthers
48.Miles SandersPanthers@ Saints
49.Rico DowdleCowboys@ Browns
50.Ray DavisBillsCardinals
51.Justice JillRavens@ Chiefs
52.Trey BensonCardinals@ Bills
53.Alexander MattisonRaiders@ Chargers
54.Bucky IrvingBuccaneersCommanders
55.Samaje PerineChiefsRavens
56.Khalil HerberBearsTitans
57.Jordan Mason49ersJets
58.Emanuel WilsonPackers@ Eagles* (in São Paulo, Brazil)
59.Tyrone Tracy Jr.GiantsVikings
60.Roschon JohnsonBearsTitans

Tight End

Last season, Travis Kelce began a decline for the first time in years. He saw just 8.1 targets in the regular season, his lowest since 2016, and his 10.6 yards per reception was the lowest in his career. Considering he’s about to turn 35, it’s not likely he’s improving on those numbers this season. Still, his postseason stats were a lot more impressive, so take that as you will. The point is, there are some younger guys making it at the top this year, looking to take the crown from Kelce.

Tight ends who are not projected to play in Week 1 are Vikings’ T.J. Hockenson and Rams’ Tyler Higbee. It wouldn’t really be worth it to put in a Vikings’ backup tight end, but for the Rams, Colby Parkinson could be a potential option in deep leagues.

TEs whose status you’ll need to check on before starting: Sam LaPorta, David Njoku, Mark Andrews, Dallas Goedert, Brock Bowers, Hunter Henry, and Noah Fant.

RankTight EndTeamOpponent
1.Sam LaPortaLionsRams
2.Travis KelceChiefsRavems
3.Mark AndrewsRavens@ Chiefs
4.Trey McBrideCardinals@ Bills
5.Dalton KincaidBillsCardinals
6.Evan EngramJaguars@ Dolphins
7.Kyle PittsFalconsSteelers
8.George Kittle49ersJets
9.Jake FergusonCowboys@ Browns
10.David NjokuBrownsCowboys
11.Dallas GoedertEaglesPacker
12.Brock BowersRaiders@ Chargers
13.Dalton SchultzTexans@ Colts
14.Pat FreiermuthSteelers@ Falcons
15.Cole KmetBearsTitans
16.Hunter HenryPatriots@ Bengals
17.Luke MusgravePackers@ Eagles* (in São Paulo, Brazil)
18.Cade OttonBuccaneersCommanders
19.Tyler ConklinJets@ 49ers
20.Chigoziem OkonkwoTitans@ Bears
21.Taysom HillSaintsPanthers
22.Colby ParkinsonRams@ Lions
23.Noah FantSeahawksBroncos
24.Juwan JohnsonSaintsPanthers
25.Zach ErtzCommanders@ Buccaneers
26.Jonnu SmithDolphinsJaguars
27.Greg DulcichBroncos@ Seahawks
28.Mike GesickiBengalsPatriots
29.Hayden HurstChargersRaiders
30.Ben SinnottCommanders@ Buccaneers
31.Johnny MundtVikings@ Giants
32.Kylen GransonColtsTexans

Defense

RankDefensive TeamOpponent
1.BengalsPatriots
2.SaintsPanthers
3.Vikings@ Giants
4.BuccaneersCommanders
5.BearsTitans
6.SeahawksBroncos
7.Cowboys@ Browns
8.BrownsCowboys
9.BillsCardinals
10.FalconsSteelers
11.49ersJets
12.DolphinsJaguars
13.GiantsVikings
14.EaglesPackers
15.ChiefsRavens
16.Texans@ Colts
17.Raiders@ Chargers
18.ChargersRaiders
19.Titans@ Bears
20.Steelers@ Falcons
21.Ravens@ Chiefs
22.Lions@ Rams
23.Jets@ 49ers
24.ColtsTexans
25.Panthers@ Saints
26.Broncos@ Seahawks
27.Packers@ Eagles* (in São Paulo, Brazil)
28.CommandersBuccaneers
29.Jaguars@ Dolphins
30.Patriots@ Bengals
31.Cardinals@ Bills
32.Rams@ Lions

Kicker

Kickers whose status you’ll need to check on before starting: Dustin Hopkins and Eddy Pineiro.

RankKickerTeamOpponent
1.Harrison ButkerChiefsRavens
2.Ka’imi FairbairnTexans@ Colts
3.Justin TuckerRavens@ Chiefs
4.Matt GayColtsTexans
5.Evan McPhersonBengalsPatriots
6.Brandon AubreyCowboys@ Browns
7.Cairo SantosBearsTitans
8.Younghoe KooFalcons Steelers
9.Jason SandersDolphinsJaguars
10.Jake ElliottEaglesPackers
11.Jake Moody49ersJets
12.Chris BoswellSteelers@ Falcons
13.Jake BatesLionsRams
14.Chase McLaughlinBuccaneersCommanders
15.Tyler BassBillsCardinals
16.Jason MyersSeahawksBroncos
17.Joshua KartyRams@ Lions
18.Blake GrupeSaintsPanthers
19.Cameron Dicker ChargersRaiders
20.Daniel CarlsonRaiders@ Chargers
21.Dustin HopkinsBrownsCowboys
22.Will ReichardVikings@ Giants
23.Greg ZuerleinJets@ 49ers
24.Wil LutzBroncos@ Seahawks
25.Matt PraterCardinals@ Bills
26.Cam LittleJaguars@ Dolphins
27.Eddy PinieroPanthers@ Saints
28.Graham GanoGiantsVikings
29.Nick FolkTitans@ Bears
30.Cade YorkCommanders@ Buccaneer
31.Brayden NarvesonPackers@ Eagles* (in São Paulo, Brazil)
32.Joey Slye Patriots@ Bengals


Most viewed

More news