Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Justin Boone's Week 1 lineup picks
Justin Boone provides a weekly look at undervalued fantasy players to consider starting this week and potential busts you might want to leave on your bench.
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For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult his Week 1 rankings.
STARTSJared Goff, QB, Lionsvs. Saints
Despite being drafted outside the top-12 fantasy quarterbacks this year, Goff finds himself comfortably in the QB1 ranks for the season opener.
Last year's QB12 in fantasy points per game gets to begin his 2026 campaign at home in the domed environment of Ford Field, where he's statistically done his best work. In the last four years, he's averaged over 5.0 points per game more at home than on the road.
His Week 1 battle with the Saints features two of the fastest attacks in the league, with New Orleans finishing first in neutral offensive pace last season and the Lions ending up 12th. So, it should be no surprise that the Lions have the second-highest projected team total on the week.
Goff won't always be a strong fantasy start, but he's a mid-range QB1 in this matchup.
Other QBs to start:
Justin Herbert vs. Cardinals - The only team with a higher projected point total this week is the Chargers. With Mike McDaniel calling plays for the Bolts and his two star tackles healthy, you can expect Herbert to be highlighted as a start more often this season.
Kyler Murray vs. Packers - Green Bay's defense will be without Micah Parsons in the opening weeks, giving Murray and the Vikings a softer opponent to deal with. Though he flamed out in Arizona last year, Murray was a top-12 fantasy QB on a per-game basis in each of his six campaigns before that. Get ready for a bounce-back season in Kevin O'Connell's offense.
at Panthers
After missing time with a hyperextended knee in recent weeks, Kyle Monangai avoided the injury report and is set to suit up on Sunday. While that might concern some fantasy managers hoping to get the most out of Swift in Week 1, let me calm those fears.
When Monangai's playing time increased last season, Swift's numbers actually improved in fantasy. The veteran was the RB10 from Week 6 on, with Monangai offering RB26 production during that span.
Ben Johnson is pushing for his team to challenge the single-season points record, which is possible given the talent across Chicago's offense. That quest will start by running up the score on the Panthers, who allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to RBs a year ago.
Even with Carolina's additions this offseason, it is no match for the Bears. Swift is a must-start RB2 with RB1 upside until further notice.
Other RBs to start:
David Montgomery vs. Bills - We're about to learn how quickly Buffalo's defense can change under Jim Leonhard. While the long-term outlook is hopeful, it might take time for this unit to gel. For now, I'm still attacking this unit with RBs, after they gave up the sixth-most fantasy points to the position in 2025.
Jaylen Warren/Rico Dowdle vs. Falcons - The Falcons' defensive line is one of the worst in the league, which might be a problem against a team that wants to operate their offense through its running backs. The uncertainty at quarterback for Atlanta should also give the Steelers plenty of good field position and scoring opportunities. You can confidently start both Pittsburgh RBs in this game.
MarShawn Lloyd at Vikings - As we wait for the Josh Jacobs situation to play out, Lloyd will get the first opportunity to replace him as the starter. Brian Flores' defense always puts up a good fight, but this is a much different defensive line than the Vikings had last year and the impact could be felt in their run defense. Even though we'll likely see a committee approach for Green Bay's RBs, Lloyd is the most explosive playmaker of the group.
vs. Bears
McMillan is coming off a solid rookie campaign where he put up 70 catches, 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns en route to being the WR22 in fppg for half-PPR scoring. Questions about Bryce Young's ability are still unanswered, but McMillan is poised for another quality season-long stat line in 2026.
The first step in that journey starts at home against a banged-up Bears secondary that will be without cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Coby Bryant. They even added safety Xavier Woods to the injury report on Thursday with a limited practice due to a groin issue.
If you weren't excited about McMillan's potential in Week 1 before this wave of injuries to Chicago's defense, you should be now. I have him ranked as a top-15 fantasy WR this week.
Other WRs to start:
Ladd McConkey vs. Cardinals - McConkey is the No. 1 receiver in an ascending offense that's being projected to score the most points in Week 1. Don't overthink this situation, he's an excellent fantasy play against Arizona.
Jameson Williams vs. Saints - Last year's WR18 in fppg should pick up where he left off in a projected high-scoring matchup with the Saints on the fast track in Detroit. Bottom line, start your Lions players in this game.
Parker Washington vs. Browns - When his playing time increased, Washington was the WR19 in fppg over the final nine weeks of the fantasy season, posting 90 yards and/or a touchdown in five of his last seven outings. He should also avoid the tougher coverage in this contest, with Brian Thomas Jr. likely dealing with Denzel Ward on the outside.
vs. Dolphins
Mayer was a late riser in the Week 1 rankings after news broke that Brock Bowers will miss a week or two following a meniscus trim. Though Mayer's mostly been relegated to serving as an overqualified No. 2 tight end behind Bowers in recent years, he has flashed TE1 upside in his limited starts.
In the four games where Bowers was sidelined last season, Mayer averaged 4.5 receptions and 49 yards per contest while finishing as a top-five fantasy TE in two of those outings.
This week, he'll get the benefit of facing a weak Dolphins defense that allowed the third-most fantasy points to tight ends last year.
If you're trying to find a replacement for Bowers or you're just unhappy with your current starting tight end, Mayer is in play as a viable starter with a very high ceiling this week.
Other TEs to start:
Dallas Goedert vs. Commanders - As the Eagles get comfortable in OC Sean Mannion's new scheme and work new receivers like Makai Lemon and Dontayvion Wicks into the offense, I expect Goedert to serve as the No. 2 pass-catcher behind DeVonta Smith. Washington has made an effort to improve its defense, but this is a unit that gave up the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends in 2025.
Juwan Johnson at Lions - Johnson was the TE14 in fantasy points per game last year, with nine top-10 weekly finishes. Now that rookie wideout Jordyn Tyson is sidelined for the first month or more, Johnson is back in the mix as a low-end fantasy TE1.
vs. Broncos
For as long as he's in the NFL, Mahomes will always be in the conversation as one of the league's best quarterbacks. However, fantasy is a different competition.
Mahomes posted the fourth-most fantasy points per game last year, after a couple down seasons where he finished as the QB11 (2024) and QB12 (2023). His bounce-back occurred due to career highs on the ground with 422 rushing yards and five touchdowns. It's unlikely he'll repeat those kind of stats in the first season after a torn ACL suffered in Week 15. Other quarterbacks returning from ACL tears have been hesitant to use their legs the following year.
With less rushing attempts and so many good quarterbacks to choose from in fantasy, Mahomes is a tough sell in general. That's even more evident in Week 1, when he squares off with a Broncos team that's held him in check each of the past two seasons.
Other QBs to sit:
Bo Nix at Chiefs - I also have concerns about Nix's outlook on the road in a tough environment in Kansas City. In a game with one of the lower projected totals on the week (43.5 points), you should look elsewhere for a fantasy starter.
Jordan Love at Vikings - Love has finished outside the top-20 fantasy QBs in each of his past two encounters with Brian Flores' defense. Better fantasy days are coming, but I wouldn't tempt fate by starting him here.
at Jaguars
The Browns' rushing attack is running into a buzzsaw in Week 1. Jacksonville has one of the toughest defensive fronts in the league and were the third-stingiest opponent for fantasy RBs in 2025. According to the Jags' beat writers, things haven't changed and this group is ready to shut down ground attacks once again.
Judkins performed well in adverse conditions last season and could see his role grow on passing downs this year. However, in addition to the bad matchup, he also has to overcome uncertainty at quarterback.
In a game where the Browns are 8-point underdogs on the road, the degree of difficulty is just too high for Judkins to be trusted as anything more than a risky RB3/flex.
Other RBs to sit:
J.K. Dobbins at Chiefs - I'm taking a cautious approach to Dobbins in fantasy, until we know how the Broncos plan to deploy their three backs. RJ Harvey will resume his pass-catcher-plus role, but Jonah Coleman is the wild card. Based on how Sean Payton has raved about the rookie, it stands to reason that Coleman will be involved - which limits Dobbins' ceiling.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt at Eagles - This was already going to be a tough spot for the Commanders' rushing attack before they lost star tackle Laremy Tunsil. Leave JCM on your bench until we get a better matchup.
Aaron Jones Sr. vs. Packers - Jones was held under 10 fantasy points in five of last seven games and didn't top 15 points in any of his last 10 outings. He also came away with just 57 scoreless yards in his last meeting with the Packers. Entering his age-32 season, Jones is just a volatile flex play.
at Texans
Moore will be a reliable addition for Josh Allen in a Bills offense that projects to throw more with Joe Brady taking over as head coach. Unfortunately, their Week 1 draw does Moore no favors.
The Texans were the second-worst opponent for fantasy wideouts last season and might be an even tougher challenge for opposing offenses in 2026. Houston also held Allen to one of his lowest outputs last year with 253 passing yards, 20 rushing yards, two interceptions and no touchdowns. If Moore has any hope to hit for fantasy this week, it would require taking advantage of broken plays.
Don't let a slow start discourage you from Moore's potential in Buffalo, though. This is still a player who's just one year removed from back-to-back campaigns with 96 catches and 98 catches. He's the best receiver Allen has had since Stefon Diggs.
Other WRs to sit:
Brian Thomas Jr. vs. Browns - Thomas still has to prove himself after a disappointing season in Liam Coen's first year in Jacksonville. Sadly, he'll face the strength of the Browns' defense at outside corner, making him a riskier WR3/flex play.
Courtland Sutton at Chiefs - Sutton was held under 60 yards in both matchups with Steve Spagnuolo's defense last year and failed to score a touchdown in either contest. Now, he'll also have to battle for targets with new No. 1 wideout Jaylen Waddle and promising sophomore Pat Bryant.
Alec Pierce vs. Ravens - Pierce is expected to play in Week 1, but he's spent all summer working his way back from an ankle injury. Even if he's active, you should avoid starting him at less than 100% against a feisty Ravens defense.
at Giants
Finding a notable tight end to highlight in the Sit section is always tricky, since we know that a single touchdown can often vault a player into the low-end TE1 range - making it a very volatile position for fantasy.
Ferguson was a fantasy darling early last year, when he scored the most points among tight ends over the first seven weeks, while CeeDee Lamb was dealing with an injury and missed time. Once the Cowboys were healthy, Ferguson was the TE27 over the final 10 games of the fantasy season.
With Lamb, George Pickens and Ryan Flournoy ready to roll in Week 1, Ferguson becomes a touchdown-or-bust fantasy TE2. This one is less about the matchup and more of a concern for Ferguson's volume in the offense all season.
Other TEs to sit:
Dalton Schultz vs. Bills -Buffalo is implementing a new scheme, so we can't carry over many of its metrics from 2025, but the Bills were the second-toughest matchup for fantasy tight ends. As the Texans acclimate to life without their No. 2 receiver Jayden Higgins, Schultz will be streamable in fantasy, but maybe not this week.
Chig Okonkwo at Eagles - The arrival of Stefon Diggs, the loss of Laremy Tunsil and a brutal matchup with an Eagles defense that allowed the fewest fantasy points to the position last year. That all boils down to Okonkwo being off the fantasy radar in Week 1.