Looking for Week 1 WR start/sit picks? Here are the wide receivers to start and sit for your fantasy football lineup. Wide Receiver is the position with the widest range of potential outcomes. Locked-in starters can fail to record more than a few points and relative unknowns can score a pair of touchdowns. There are so many variables that factor into a receiver’s weekly production. Let’s break down my Week 1 fantasy WR start/sit picks.
Week 1 WR Start/Sit Picks
Wide receivers to start: Wan’Dale Robinson, DK Metcalf, Brian Thomas Jr.
Wide receivers to sit: Courtland Sutton, Michael Wilson, Jayden Reed
Week 1 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Start/Sit Picks
Week 1 WR Start: Wan’Dale Robinson vs. Jets
If you look up the definition of “PPR receiver” in a dictionary, there’s probably a picture of Wan’Dale Robinson accompanying the description. Over the last two seasons, Robinson has amassed a whopping 280 targets, hauling in 185 of them with an average 9.3 yards per catch.
The speedy slot receiver doesn’t run operate downfield much, but he’s among the most reliable targets for whoever’s under center. This year, that will be Cam Ward, a talented sophomore QB in desperate need of what Robinson can provide. The former Giant should step right in as Ward’s safety blanket, earning targets early and often. Wan’Dale draws a fantastic Week 1 matchup against a subpar Jets secondary, putting him firmly on the fantasy map as a WR2/FLEX.
Week 1 WR Sit: Courtland Sutton at Chiefs
Sutton accumulated north of 1,000 yards last year for the second straight time, but there were stretches where it felt like he was losing his grip on the clear No. 1 receiver role in Denver. This offseason, he appears have been officially supplanted by the arrival of Jaylen Waddle.
Sutton is still a capable playmaker and should provide matchup-dependent value, but Waddle’s skillset matches Bo Nix’s capabilities to a much stronger degree. The speedy, RAC machine should eat up short-to-immediate receptions, which is right in Nix’s wheelhouse. Sutton, on the other hand, will be fighting for infrequent larger plays.
The Chiefs allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to receivers last year and there’s no reason to expect a significant drop-off in 2026. Keep Sutton on your bench and re-evaluate next week.
Week 1 WR Start: DK Metcalf vs. Falcons
Metcalf was a relative disappointment throughout his first season as a Steeler, but there’s hope that his rapport with Aaron Rodgers will improve in Year 2. The Steelers are also shaping up to be a more efficient, productive offensive unit with Mike McCarthy now calling the shots.
Metcalf will get a great opportunity to start the season off on the right foot against Atlanta. The Falcons were poor against the pass last year, surrendering the ninth-most fantasy points to receivers. If Metcalf can simply garner a few more targets weekly and bump his TD production from six closer to 10, he’ll bounce right back into strong WR2 range. I anticipate an outing like that in Week 1.
Find all of my Week 1 start/sit picks for each position here!
Week 1 WR 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 probably isn’t 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.
Week 1 WR 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.
Week 1 WR Sit: Jayden Reed at Vikings
Reed has turned into quite the fantasy enigma over recent years. At times he looks like one of the most talented receivers in football, stringing together elite stretches. Then, he disappears for weeks. Is that more on the player, or the system? It’s hard to tell, as Green Bay certainly spreads the love across its WR room.
Christian Watson enters the 2026 season as the apparent clear No. 1 receiver for Jordan Love. That leaves Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden to fight for the No. 2 role. Until the former first-rounder proves it, I would give the edge to Reed. Still, the versatile speedster’s usage is frustrating more often than not. On top of all of that, he draws the Vikings in Week 1. Brian Flores’ fearsome unit allowed the fewest fantasy points to receivers in 2025, setting the stage for an underwhelming opening game for Reed.
Those are my Week 1 WR start/sit fantasy picks. Stay tuned for more start ’em, sit ’em content over the rest of the week!
