Smell that? It's the smell of a new football season – and, arguably as important, a new fantasy football season.
All 32 NFL teams and millions of fantasy football managers around the world start with a clean slate in Week 1, which begins a little earlier than usual this year. Thanks to the NFL's first regular-season game in Australia taking place during Week 1, fans won't have to wait until Thursday. The first game of the regular season kicks off on Wednesday, Sept. 9 with a Super Bowl 60 rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.
With fantasy squads finally assembled via drafts and preseason waiver claims, the time is here to put them to the test in head-to-head matchups. USA TODAY Sports is here with advice for fantasy managers
looking to start the season 1-0.
Here are the wide receivers to start in Week 1, as well as a few to avoid as the 2026 season begins:
Fantasy football start 'em: Week 1 wide receivers
Makai Lemon, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Washington Commanders)
Lemon was the Eagles' No. 20 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The rookie wideout did not have the most impressive of preseason showings: three receptions for three yards and a dropped pass leading to an interception against the Bengals in the Eagles' final exhibition game of the year. Prior to that, he missed time at training camp with a hamstring injury.
But preseason performance alone should not be a reason to panic – let Ja'Marr Chase's struggles in his rookie preseason be a reminder of that. Lemon is slotting in next to the Eagles' projected lead wideout, DeVonta Smith, and is coming off of an outstanding final year in college. His Week 1 matchup against the Commanders is favorable, too. Washington allowed the second-most expected points added (EPA) on passing plays in 2025, and the team did not do enough to improve its pass defense in a convincing way this offseason.
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Baltimore Ravens)
Downs had a down year – no pun intended – in 2025 but appears set for a return to form in 2026. With Michael Pittman Jr. gone to the Steelers, Downs could see a boost in his target share. That's true especially early in the season, as Pittman's projected replacement – Keenan Allen – was a late free agent signing and could need more time to integrate into the Colts' offense.
Baltimore got off to a very slow start last year as its defense struggled to stop opponents' passing attacks. Even by the end of the year, the Ravens had allowed the second-most passing yards per game behind only the Cowboys. Downs (calf) and Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) are both on track to play Week 1. They could have a real opportunity to take advantage of Baltimore's shaky passing defense, which could see another slow start as it adjusts to new head coach Jesse Minter's system.
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Arizona Cardinals)
Johnston's 2025 season was a career year for him with 735 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 51 catches. In 2026, he has even less competition for targets with veteran Keenan Allen departing for Indianapolis in the offseason. Ladd McConkey likely steps back into the Chargers' lead receiver role after finishing second on the team in catches in 2025, but Johnston is right there behind him in the No. 2 role.
Johnston is almost a no-brainer to start against the Cardinals – a team that ranked dead last in success rate allowed on dropbacks in 2025. Even with McConkey around to haul in most of the targets, Johnston should see plenty of looks of his own in his debut in the Chargers' new-look offense, coordinated by new OC Mike McDaniel.
Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 1 wide receivers
Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Denver Broncos)
Rice isn't expected to face NFL discipline after spending 30 days in jail this offseason for a violation of his probation. That is not why he should be considered for a bench spot in Week 1.
More relevant is his opponent and the quarterback situation he faces in Week 1. The Broncos boasted one of the best defenses in football last year – particularly against the pass, where they allowed the lowest success rate (38.5%) on dropbacks of any defense. Making things more difficult is for Rice is the fact he likely will be facing off against 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II on most of his routes. On top of that, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is making his first start back from a torn ACL and LCL he suffered last December. With Mahomes potentially rusty and the Chiefs emphasizing their run game with the signing of reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, Rice might not have a productive first week in 2026.
DJ Moore, Buffalo Bills (at Houston Texans)
Moore may be the Bills' new de facto No. 1 wide receiver after his arrival in Buffalo via trade this offseason, but that has not meant much in the post-Stefon Diggs era. In 2025, the Bills' leading receiver, Khalil Shakir, finished with just 719 yards and four touchdowns. That was after a 2024 season in which the leading receiver (Shakir again) had 821 yards and four touchdowns.
Buffalo's more "spread-the-wealth" approach to receiving output that began in 2024 correlated directly with three things: Diggs' departure from the team, Joe Brady's first year as full-time Bills OC and an uptick in rushing play percentage. In 2026, Brady is now the Bills' head coach but will still call plays for the offense.
As if those factors weren't bad enough indicators for Moore's Bills debut, he also has to make it in Houston. The Texans were the league's best team at limiting EPA and the second-best at limiting opponents' success rate on dropbacks. Essentially all of Houston's defensive core is back: Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Derek Stingley Jr. Plus, the Texans added safety Reed Blankenship. Moore's first matchup of 2026 does him no favors from a fantasy outlook perspective.
Mike Evans, San Francisco 49ers ('at' Los Angeles Rams)
Evans is one of the best receivers of his generation, but his age might be catching up to him as he enters his age-33 season. He's missed multiple games with hamstring injuries two years in a row, and in training camp this year – his first with the 49ers – he's sustained quad and groin injuries. Evans is back at practice and expected to be ready for Week 1, but there are even more concerns that make him a "sit" candidate.
For one, the 49ers are playing the Rams, a team that already had a solid pass defense before adding two excellent cornerbacks and a superstar pass rusher this offseason. Second, the game is in Australia, which could bring jet lag and preparation challenges for Evans and the rest of the 49ers, even with a week to acclimate.
Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'ems, Week 1
Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:
→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 1.
→ A good running back makes all the difference. A bad running back can cost you. Here's who to start and who to sit in Week 1.
→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here's who you should start and sit in Week 1.
→ Defense (and special teams) can win you championships – including your fantasy league's. Here are some of the best D/ST units to start and sit in Week 1.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em wide receivers for Week 1 fantasy football
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