Week 1 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Advice on Top Fantasy Football Stars in Opening Games

Week 1 got underway on Wednesday night and will continue with Thursday's game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers in Australia. However, fantasy managers will still have time to adjust the bulk of their lineups before Sunday's full slate.

The fantasy season is off and running, and it's time to pivot away from draft strategy toward in-season roster management. This can be a challenge in Week 1, as there is limited information and results with which to work. However, factors like past performances, projected roles, and individual matchups can help determine who to start and who to avoid.

You'll find recommendations for some of the league's top stars here. All picks and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

The New Orleans Saints defense was surprisingly solid in 2025 and surrendered the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. However, Jared Goff has been largely reliable at home and should have a full complement of pass-catchers with Sam LaPort trending in the right direction.

The Detroit Lions are looking to get off to a fast start with new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing and have traditionally been willing to run up the score when possible. This means Goff should have a solid floor and a very high ceiling in Week 1.

We're looking to avoid obvious must-starts like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson in this exercise, but some other starts to consider include:

Sit: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

There's a very real chance that Patrick Mahomes will return from last year's torn ACL and reemerge as a strong fantasy starter. However, waiting to trust him would be advisable.

The Denver Broncos have a ferocious pass rush, and Mahomes isn't likely to trust his mobility right away coming off the injury. That could lead to more than a few dead plays and a lack of rushing upside.

The New York Giants should see some defensive improvements under new head coach John Harbaugh. However, it's likely going to take some time for the unit to fully blossom, and the departure of Dexter Lawrence does hurt.

Even with Lawrence in the lineup, the Giants surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing RBs in 2025. In his lone game against New York last season, Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams racked up six catches, 130 scrimmage yards, and a touchdown.

Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins is coming off a significant leg injury that ended his rookie season prematurely. That will likely impact his usage in a backfield that has a strong receiving back in Dylan Sampson.

The other concern here is that Judkins and the Browns will be on the road against a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points (tied) to opposing running backs last season. The floor is simply too concerning to trust.

Another reason to like Goff is the fact that we should see a good amount of offensive back-and-forth between the Lions and the Saints on Sunday. Detroit had its fair share of defensive issues a year ago, and things aren't likely to be substantially better to start 2026.

This should lead to a big Week 1 for Saints receiver Chris Olave. He won't be sharing targets with rookie Jordyn Tyson, who is on IR, and he'll face a Lions defense that surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing receivers in 2025.

Michael Pittman Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers

2025 first-round pick Matthew Golden largely disappointed as a rookie, finishing with just 361 receiving yards and zero touchdowns. However, he is expected to see a bigger role in Year 2 following the departure of Romeo Doubs.

What sort of role Golden will possess remains to be seen, and managers should probably wait before thrusting Golden into their lineups. The Packers' Week 1 grudge match against the Minnesota Vikings will pit Golden against a defense that surrendered the fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers in 2025.

Kyle Pitts was a fairly reliable fantasy option last season but faces plenty of uncertainty heading into 2026. The Atlanta Falcons' quarterback situation leaves a lot to be desired, and Pitts will be in a brand new offense under new head coach Kevin Stefanski.

The good news is that Stefanski's offense has traditionally featured his tight ends in the passing game. The Pittsburgh Steelers, meanwhile, surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing TEs in 2025.

Jake Ferguson has been a solid complementary option for the Cowboys over the past couple of seasons, but he may not see a significant role with Williams, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens all healthy.

Ferguson could also see a fair amount of rookie phenom Arvell Reese in coverage, and the Giants were actually pretty solid at limiting opposing tight ends last season. Their 2025 unit surrendered the ninth-fewest fantasy points to the position.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros