Here are the Week 1 fantasy football quarterback rankings for the 2026 NFL season, complete with DraftKings salaries, projected fantasy points and DFS value plays.
Projections based on 2025 per-game DraftKings production, adjusted for Week 1 matchups and implied team totals.
Week 1 QB Rankings
| Rank | Player | Team | Opp | DK Salary | 2025 Opp PPG Allowed | Proj Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh Allen | BUF | @ HOU | $7,000 | 11.2 | 22.1 |
| 2 | Matthew Stafford | LAR | vs. SF | $6,200* | 16.0 | 23.9 |
| 3 | Justin Herbert | LAC | vs. ARI | $6,100 | 16.2 | 21.4 |
| 4 | Jared Goff | DET | vs. NO | $6,000 | 12.7 | 21.9 |
| 5 | Patrick Mahomes (Q) | KC | vs. DEN | $5,500* | 11.4 | 20.9 |
| 6 | Jalen Hurts | PHI | vs. WAS | $6,600 | 17.3 | 20.2 |
| 7 | Lamar Jackson | BAL | @ IND | $6,800 | 15.0 | 18.4 |
| 8 | Dak Prescott | DAL | @ NYG | $6,400* | 14.2 | 21.1 |
| 9 | Brock Purdy | SF | @ LAR | $5,700* | 14.1 | 20.3 |
| 10 | Caleb Williams | CHI | @ CAR | $6,300 | 12.3 | 20.0 |
| 11 | Joe Burrow | CIN | vs. TB | $6,900 | 16.1 | 19.5 |
| 12 | Drake Maye | NE | @ SEA | $6,000* | 11.7 | 20.1 |
| 13 | Trevor Lawrence | JAX | vs. CLE | $5,800 | 12.2 | 20.6 |
| 14 | Jayden Daniels | WAS | @ PHI | $6,500 | 10.5 | 15.6 |
| 15 | Baker Mayfield | TB | @ CIN | $5,900 | 16.6 | 17.0 |
| 16 | Jordan Love | GB | @ MIN | $5,700 | 9.7 | 15.9 |
| 17 | Jaxson Dart | NYG | vs. DAL | $5,600* | 18.2 | 17.6 |
| 18 | Daniel Jones | IND | vs. BAL | $5,400 | 15.0 | 17.7 |
| 19 | Bo Nix | DEN | @ KC | $5,800* | 11.8 | 17.3 |
| 20 | Kyler Murray | MIN | vs. GB | $5,500 | 13.3 | 15.9 |
| 21 | C.J. Stroud | HOU | vs. BUF | $5,200 | 10.3 | 15.5 |
| 22 | Sam Darnold | SEA | vs. NE | $5,400* | 13.3 | 15.2 |
| 23 | Aaron Rodgers | PIT | vs. ATL | $5,300 | 13.7 | 15.0 |
| 24 | Kirk Cousins | LV | vs. MIA | $5,000 | 15.2 | 14.7 |
| 25 | Tyler Shough | NO | @ DET | $5,600 | 15.5 | 14.5 |
| 26 | Bryce Young | CAR | vs. CHI | $5,200 | 15.5 | 14.0 |
| 27 | Jacoby Brissett | ARI | @ LAC | $5,100 | 10.1 | 14.1 |
| 28 | Cam Ward | TEN | vs. NYJ | $5,100 | 17.4 | 13.3 |
| 29 | Malik Willis | MIA | @ LV | $5,300 | 13.3 | 10.9 |
| 30 | Deshaun Watson | CLE | @ JAX | $4,700 | 13.6 | 10.4 |
* Salary from a non-Sunday DraftKings slate. These players appear on primetime or international game slates with different salary structures than the Sunday Main contest.
DraftKings DFS Value Plays
Jared Goff, Lions vs. Saints
Projected DraftKings points: 21.9
Salary: $6,000
2025 PPG: 18.7 DK fantasy points (17 games)
Game environment: DET -7, O/U 49.5 (29.5 implied team total)
Goff’s $6,000 salary sits well below the top QB tier while his game environment is the best on the slate. Detroit’s 49.5 over/under is the second-highest total of the week, and a 29.5 implied team total gives Goff more scoring equity than QBs priced $800-$900 higher. He averaged 18.7 DK fantasy points per game in 2025 and gets a home matchup against New Orleans, which should allow the Lions to push the pace in a game they’re expected to control.
Justin Herbert, Chargers vs. Cardinals
Projected DraftKings points: 21.4
Salary: $6,100
2025 PPG: 18.7 DK fantasy points (16 games)
Game environment: LAC -10, O/U 47.5 (28.5 implied team total)
Herbert owns the second-highest implied team total on the slate at 28.5 thanks to the Chargers’ 10-point spread against Arizona. At $6,100 he’s priced below Hurts, Jackson and Burrow despite a superior game environment. Herbert averaged 18.7 DK fantasy points per game in 2025 and the blowout potential in this matchup provides multi-touchdown upside with 300-yard bonus access.
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs vs. Broncos
Projected DraftKings points: 20.9
Salary: $5,500
2025 PPG: 20.9 DK fantasy points (14 games)
Game environment: KC -3, O/U 43.5 (22.5 implied team total)
Mahomes carries a Questionable designation but averaged 20.9 DK fantasy points per game in 2025 across 14 starts. At $5,500 on the Monday Night slate, his salary is significantly discounted relative to his projected output. The 43.5 over/under is moderate, but Mahomes’ rushing floor and touchdown equity make him one of the highest-ceiling plays at his price point. Monitor his practice participation heading into Monday.
Caleb Williams, Bears @ Panthers
Projected DraftKings points: 20.0
Salary: $6,300
2025 PPG: 19.1 DK fantasy points (17 games)
Game environment: CHI -3, O/U 47.5 (24.5 implied team total)
Williams posted 19.1 DK fantasy points per game in 2025 and enters Year 3 with an upgraded supporting cast. A 47.5 over/under and 24.5 implied team total suggest a high-scoring affair in Carolina, and the Bears’ three-point road spread keeps Chicago’s passing game relevant throughout. At $6,300, Williams is priced below Hurts ($6,600) and Burrow ($6,900) while offering comparable upside in a favorable game script.
FAQ
Are these PPR rankings?
Yes. These rankings use full-PPR scoring, which awards one point per reception in addition to standard passing, rushing and receiving scoring.
Are players on bye included?
No. Players on bye and confirmed inactive players are excluded from the rankings. Week 1 has no bye weeks.
Why are the rankings based on 2025 statistics?
With no 2026 regular-season games played, projections use 2025 per-game production as the baseline, adjusted for Week 1 matchups, game environment and offseason roster changes.
