Stacy’s Streamers: Four Players to Start in Week 1

Not every Week 1 lineup decision is a no-brainer. Whether you're working around a tough matchup, trying to fill a roster hole or just looking for a little upside, these four players are worth a look. They may not be automatic starts every week, but the opportunity is there this week.

Quarterback: Jared Goff ‐ Lions vs. Saints

Why I like him: Despite finishing each of the last few seasons with top-10 fantasy production, Goff continues to be drafted well outside that range. His ADP this season has him coming off the board around QB16 or QB17, which makes him exactly the kind of player worth considering as a Week 1 streamer.

Goff has also historically been a better quarterback indoors than outdoors, and that trend continued in 2025 with a higher completion percentage and passer rating in dome games. Detroit may be opening the season on the road, but the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans still gives Goff the benefit of playing indoors.

The matchup is appealing as well. The Saints gave quarterbacks the second-most time to throw in the NFL last season, an especially important advantage for a traditional pocket passer like Goff, who isn't going to create much extra time with his legs. New Orleans has made some improvements to its pass defense, but there is still enough here to make Goff a very viable Week 1 starter.

The play: Goff is firmly in the Week 1 starter conversation.

Running Back: Marshawn Lloyd ‐ Packers vs. Vikings

Why I like him: Lloyd has been climbing draft boards since Josh Jacobs was placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List, sidelining him for the foreseeable future. Green Bay added Kaleb Johnson for depth, but Lloyd is expected to handle the lead role until Jacobs returns. That kind of opportunity is hard to ignore, and the projected volume alone puts Lloyd firmly in the starting conversation.

The matchup helps, too. Green Bay opens the season against division rival Minnesota, which has a run defense with some question marks entering the season. Brian Flores' defense ranked 21st in rushing yards allowed per game last season, and opponents ran the ball against the Vikings 51.6% of the time, the highest rate in the NFL. For a back expected to see a healthy workload, that gives Lloyd a very appealing Week 1 setup.

The play: Lloyd is easily a RB2 in lineups this week.

Wide Receiver: Quentin Johnston ‐ Chargers vs. Cardinals

Why I like him: Plenty of excitement has surrounded new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and what his offense could mean for the Chargers' playmakers this season. Johnston has been one of the bigger names in that conversation, especially after showing real improvement in 2025. McDaniel has also specifically praised Johnston's growth during spring workouts, adding even more reason for optimism heading into Week 1.

The opportunity is there, too. Keenan Allen's departure leaves more than 100 targets up for grabs in this offense, and Johnston has a clear path to a meaningful share of them. After taking a step forward last season, he enters 2026 with a chance to turn that progress into a much larger role.

Arizona makes for an appealing opening matchup. The Cardinals allowed 30.9 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers last season, surrendering 230 passing yards and 31 passing touchdowns. Even with some offseason changes, expectations for this defense remain modest, making Johnston an intriguing upside play to open the season.

The play: Johnston offers WR3/Flex upside with the potential for a much bigger Week 1 if his expanded role shows up right away.

Tight End: Dalton Kincaid ‐ Bills vs. Texans

Why I like him: The Texans have one of the best defenses in football, if not the best, so fantasy managers should naturally temper expectations for players facing a unit led by Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr. However, before you cross Kincaid off the list entirely, the matchup deserves a closer look.

Kincaid enters the season fully healthy and is coming off the best fantasy season of his career, averaging 10.5 fantasy points per game. More importantly for Week 1, tight end may be the softest spot in an otherwise dominant Houston defense. The Texans allowed 12.6 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends last season.

Houston will likely devote plenty of attention to taking away Buffalo's biggest offensive threats, including James Cook and DJ Moore. That could leave Kincaid as one of Josh Allen's more dependable options underneath and over the middle, giving him a path to useful fantasy production even in a difficult matchup.

The play: Kincaid is a viable TE1 streamer in Week 1 despite the intimidating matchup.

As always with streamers, the goal is not to find the biggest name. It's to find the right opportunity for the week in front of you. Week 1 is finally here, and it feels good to be back. Let's go get those wins!