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.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Erin Hooley

Jared Goff

Start: Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

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:

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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.

Other sits for Week 1:

Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Geno Smith, New York Jets

Running Back

AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Javonte Williams

Start: Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys

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.

Other starts:

Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans

Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals

Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers

Sit: Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns

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.

Other sits:

Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers

Cam Skattebo, New York Giants

Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Matthew Hinton

Chris Olave

Start: Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints

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.

Other starts:

Michael Pittman Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers

Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans

Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sit: Matthew Golden, Green Bay Packers

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.

Other sits:

Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos

Mike Evans, San Francisco 49ers

Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears

Tight End

AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis

Start: Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

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.

Other Starts:

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints

Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns

Sit: Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys

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.

Other Sits:

George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

Oronde Gadsden II, Los Angeles Chargers

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros