Week 1 of the NFL season has finally arrived! Fresh off your fantasy drafts, there’s a decent chance your lineup is locked in to open the year. That said, there are never a shortage of tough decisions to make. Let’s break down my fantasy football start/sit Week 1 picks for the 2026 season.
Week 1 Fantasy Football Start/Sit Picks
QB Start/Sit Week 1
Start: Jaxson Dart vs. Cowboys
If Jaxson Dart can stay on the field, he has a clear path to QB1 production. The reason his ADP fell somewhere between the eighth to 10th round in fantasy drafts this season is that he has struggled to do exactly that. Dart went to the blue medical tent in an astounding five of his 10 games as a rookie, and he continued that tradition in a 2026 preseason outing. The guy takes a lot of big hits.
However, he still ranked as QB13 in PPG last season with 17.6. Dart’s rushing upside is immense, raising his fantasy ceiling (and floor) considerably. In Week 1, he draws a matchup against Dallas, who allowed by far the most fantasy points to QBs in 2025. Fire Dart up with confidence ahead of this extremely favorable matchup, with a stronger supporting cast at his side.
Sit: Patrick Mahomes vs. Broncos
Patrick Mahomes’ triumphant (and swift) return to the field after tearing his ACL in Week 15 last year is going to be met… with some obstacles. The schedule makers didn’t do Kansas City any favors, as they host one of the NFL’s most fearsome defenses to open the season.
Denver allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2025, and the Broncos are gearing up for another dominant campaign on that side of the ball. Meanwhile, Mahomes will have plenty of weapons to work with for this matchup, but it’s hard to imagine him trusting his legs early in the season coming off the ACL tear. That will leave the former two-time MVP with a limited fantasy ceiling. Against this defense, I don’t love his chances of defying the fantasy odds.
WR Start/Sit Week 1
Start: Brian Thomas Jr. vs. Browns
Thomas Jr. enters the season with experts divided on his fantasy prospects. The LSU product broke out as a rookie, racking up 87 receptions for 1,282 and 10 touchdowns, but then took a massive step back in an inconsistent sophomore campaign. I expect water to find its level in his third pro season, with BTJ landing somewhere in strong WR2 territory.
The emergence of Parker Washington and steady presence of Jakobi Meyers could limit Thomas Jr.’s upside, but he has looked the part of a star, dynamic receiver throughout preseason, suggesting a return to form is imminent. The Jaguars boasted one of the NFL’s best offenses in the second half of last season. There’s no reason to believe that won’t be the case to open the 2026 campaign, putting Thomas Jr. in position to come out of the gates hot against a Browns defense due to take a step back.
Sit: Michael Wilson at Chargers
Wilson is coming off one of the most surprising breakout seasons in recent memory, but the odds aren’t in his favor to run it back in 2026. The 26-year-old will still provide fringe fantasy starter value, but Jacoby Brissett isn’t likely going to throw the ball 50-60 times again consistently this year.
After drafting Jeremiyah Love fourth overall, the Cardinals are set up to utilize their running game much more this season. When Brissett does pass, he’ll look to ultimate safety blanket Trey McBride first, and then split secondary targets between Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr., who has looked better this preseason. All of those factors shape a difficult fantasy situation for Wilson. A Week 1 matchup against a stingy Chargers defense makes it even tougher to trust him.
Find all of our Week 1 fantasy football advice and conten here!
RB Start/Sit Week 1
Start: Tony Pollard vs. Jets
What if I told you that Tony Pollard earned 242 carries last year, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt while also hauling in 33 catches? Doesn’t ring a bell? That’s because Pollard put those numbers up within one of the NFL’s most uninspiring offenses. At just 29 years old, the veteran is still fresh enough to serve as Tennessee’s bell cow for another year. Tyjae Spears will cut into the receiving work, but Pollard is the clear top back.
The Titans offense drastically improved from a talent standpoint this offseason. The results still may not be there, but it should be easier sledding for Pollard on the ground. Tennessee opens the season against the Jets, who allowed the most fantasy points to RBs in 2025 and decimated their defense via trades. Pollard is in prime position to put up strong RB2 numbers, with potential for even more.
Sit: Jacory Croskey-Merritt at Eagles
The door is wide open for Bill to claim the RB1 role in Washington this year. I’m just not sure he’s going to do it. Croskey-Merritt is a fan favorite, but the young back has plenty of holes in his game. With a veteran, established back in Rachaad White waiting in the wings, that could mean a short leash for JCM this year.
Week 1 is not the time to take a chance on an uncertain workload, as the Commanders travel to Philly for a divisional duel. The Eagles weren’t exactly stout against the run last year, but they do still boast one of the best defensive lines in football. It seems to be shaping up for a TD-or-bust outing for Croskey-Merritt, and that’s a game you’d like to avoid in Week 1.
TE Start/Sit Week 1
Start: Isaiah Likely vs. Cowboys
With Jaxson Dart being my start of the week at, it should come as no surprise that one of his top targets earns the same title at a different position. Likely was an under-the-radar offseason acquisition for the Giants, but one that could pay major dividends.
Likely is one of the best athletes at his position, offering a rare combination of size, speed, fluidity and hands. Injuries derailed his opportunity to claim the TE1 spot in Baltimore from Mark Andrews, but he’s locked into that opportunity with his new team. Dart should be able to take advantage of a porous Dallas secondary, giving Likely TE1 upside in his Giants debut.
Sit: Dalton Kincaid at Texans
One of the most frustrating fantasy assets in recent memory will remain that way to open the 2026 season. Consider all of us shocked!
The talent is clearly there with Dalton Kincaid. No one questions his abilities. The actual output in an NFL game is a different story. For whatever reason, it just hasn’t clicked for the 2023 first-rounder. He does enough to warrant starting consideration as the top tight end for the best quarterback in the league, but more often than not his production falls short. I expect that to remain the case in Week 1 against a dominant Texans defense. Houston should disrupt Buffalo’s game plan throughout the contest, giving Kincaid little opportunity to make a real fantasy impact outside of a touchdown. There are better players and better matchups out there to start the season.
Those are my Week 1 fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em picks! Stay tuned for positional WR and RB 2026 Week 1 start/sit picks and advice later this week.
