Welcome to the 2026 NFL season! It’s my third season writing fantasy content for Big Blue View and I can’t wait to get after it. I’m also excited to fire up my own fantasy lineups for the first time in many months. I might even take my own advice this season.
As in prior years, the schedule is this column on Thursdays, and a waiver wire column on Mondays. I’ll also have a Giants’ best bets column up a day or two ahead of each Big Blue game. Check back often.
Week 1 is tricky for fantasy. On the plus
side, most managers have their entire roster at their disposal. You’re going to sit points this week. Don’t sweat it — just accept it.
On the flip side, Week 1 is hard to handicap because we don’t have a perfect picture of player usage, or how certain offenses are going to look due to personnel and coaching changes. More than half of the NFL’s 32 teams have a new offensive play caller in 2026. Complicating matters further is that we don’t know how good or bad certain defenses and defensive position groups are, so we have to rely a lot on last season.
A reminder: Week 1 overreactions in fantasy, which can lead to catastrophic waiver drops and trades, are the stuff of legend. In Week 1 last year, Ja’Marr Chase had two catches for 26 yards, and Jahmyr Gibbs had nine carries for 19 yards (he did have ten catches, but those gained just 31 yards). Neither player scored. Meanwhile, Quentin Johnston and Keon Coleman were the WR2/4 for the week, with both topping 20 points. After a terrific September, Johnston was the WR47 from Week 5 on, while Coleman finished outside the Top-60 WRs. See where I’m going? It’s a long season.
Stats of the Week:
- Across the last three seasons, the Bengals scored 30 points, TOTAL, in Week 1.
- After losing his first two career starts against the Giants in 2016, Dak Prescott won his next 14, before losing his most recent one in Week 18 last season – but Dallas pulled its starters, including Dak, early in that contest. Dallas opens its season at New York on Sunday night.
- Tua Tagovailoa is slated to start for the Falcons on Sunday, and that makes six straight seasons with a different opening day QB for the Dirty Birds.
OK, Week 1, here we go!
Bye Weeks: NONE
Week 1 Rides, Fades and Sleepers
For those who are familiar with this column, you know the drill. For everyone else: The Rides, Fades, and Sleepers is an analysis of players that I think are primed for an especially strong or poor performance, often as compared to consensus expectations. This isn’t a straight-up Start/Sit exercise. As a general rule, start your studs. I’ll rarely list the most obvious names at a position as “Rides” because those players are almost always expected to have strong performances. You don’t need me or anyone else telling you to start Puka Nacua. While this analysis is intended for season-long play, it works for DFS formats too. Half PPR scoring and Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) are used for the column.
Each week, I’m picking a Ride, Fade,and Sleeper of the Week. The rules: The Ride of the Week can’t be a truly elite option, the Fade can’t be someone who nobody is starting anyway, and the Sleeper must be an actual sleeper, from down in the rankings.
***NOTE: Because there’s a Wednesday game in Week 1, this column is posting early. Be sure to check the latest player news before setting your lineups.***
Ride of the Week: Chris Olave (@DET). This game should have fireworks, with two fast-paced offenses squared off against two suspect defenses. The 49.5 game total is the second highest on the board. Detroit is banged up in the secondary and especially at the safety spot, and it’s not like they were already good against the pass – they allowed the fifth most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to opposing wide receivers last season. With first-round rookie Jordyn Tyson out, the Saints have limited options at receiver, and Olave should see a massive target share. A Top-5 wide receiver finish from him in Week 1 is on the table.
Fade of the Week: Drake Maye (@SEA). Look, I’m a big Drake Maye fan, and if you drafted Maye (the QB2 last season), you spent real draft capital and you aren’t considering sitting him. I get that. He struggled mightily against the league’s top defenses in his final three games last season, and that includes the Super Bowl, where he was stymied by Seattle until very late in the contest. Now he’s got to face them again, on the night their banner goes up, in one of the NFL’s loudest and most hostile stadiums.
Maybe he was more banged up than we knew, maybe Will Campbell was so injured he shouldn’t have played, and A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs are massive upgrades. Seattle’s secondary is also not at 100% at the moment. I get all that. I also know what Mike McDonald’s defense can do to good offenses. I see this being a pretty low-scoring game (the total is 44.5). I think Maye’s numbers will be OK, but pedestrian for a player of his caliber.
Sleeper of the Week: Mike Washington, Jr. (vs. MIA). Sleepers are a little silly in Week 1, since few fantasy managers need to start players ranked outside the overall Top-100. My pick is Washington, making his NFL debut after a stellar preseason. I have no idea if Ashton Jeanty is going to play Sunday, but even if he does, I think Washington will get plenty of work against what might be the NFL’s worst defense. It’s certainly the most inexperienced. Miami allowed the seventh most FPPG to opposing backs last season, and there’s no reason to think they’ll improve on that. If the Raiders are comfortably ahead, expect to see Washington, and not the recovering Jeanty, eating the clock in the second half. If you need a reach in Week 1, he’s a good option.
Quarterback:
Elite options this week – Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and Dak Prescott; the analysis starts below them.
Rides:
QB is loaded this season, and there are lots of good choices in Week 1. Quarterbacks ranked inside the Top-15 for the week who I think could beat their weekly rankings are Jaxson Dart (vs. DAL), Jared Goff (vs. NO), and Baker Mayfield (@CIN). All have favorable matchups for fantasy, in games with shootout potential.
Sleepers:
If you need a second QB in a Superflex, there are nice options, including Tyler Shough (@DET), who finished last season on a tear, and Malik Willis (@LV). Willis is risky but the rushing upside is tantalizing.
In a pinch? I think you can also go with Bryce Young (vs. CHI), and believe it or not, Geno Smith (@TEN) and Kirk Cousins (vs. MIA), who have tasty matchups against defenses that were Bottom-8 in FPPG allowed to opposing quarterbacks last season. The 1972 undefeated Dolphins had the legendary “no-name defense”, which didn’t allow a point in Super Bowl VII. The 2026 fish actually have a no-name defense.
Fades:
Brock Purdy (@LAR, Australia). I don’t like this matchup, halfway around the world, and with the 49ers’ offense (and Head Coach) coming off one of the most bizarre and injury-plagued summers you’ll ever see. Oh, and they’re facing the first defense in league history featuring two guys with 100 career sacks and a 20-sack season on the resume. I’ll also fade Patrick Mahomes (vs. DEN) in his first game back off a torn ACL, against a stingy defense that allowed just 18 TD passes last season.
Others: Lower-ranked quarterbacks that you might be considering, but who I’d try to avoid in Superflex this week include Jordan Love (@MIN, fewest FPPG allowed to opposing quarterbacks last season), Daniel Jones (vs. BAL), and Jacoby Brissett (@LAC).
Running back:
Elite options this week – Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, Jonathan Taylor, and Christian McCaffrey; the analysis starts below them.
Rides:
Give me Javonte Williams (@NYG), coming off by far his best season, against a Giants’ defense that ranked 31st against the run last season and traded away Dexter Lawrence. I also like Travis Etienne, Jr. (@DET) and D’ Andre Swift (@CAR), as both could be without much competition for work this week, in games that should be high scoring.
Others ranked inside the Top-25 this week who I think have a good chance to outperform their rankings are Saquon Barkley (vs. WAS), Omarion Hampton (vs. ARI, third most FPPG allowed to opposing running backs last season) Breece Hall (@TEN), and David Montgomery (vs. BUF, eighth most FPPG and most rushing TDs (18) yielded to opposing RBs last season).
Sleepers:
Kenneth Gainwell (vs. CIN) can be a Flex if you need him, against a defense that allowed the most total yards and FPPG to opposing RBs last season. Others ranked outside the Top-25 who I think can be in lineups this week as needed include Rhamondre Stevenson (@SEA, with TreVeyon Henderson banged up), Tony Pollard (vs. NYJ), Jordan Mason (vs. GB), and Chris Rodriguez, Jr. (vs. CLE), who might end up being the lead back for the Jaguars.
Fades:
I’d be careful with Jeremiyah Love (@LAC) this week, if he’s active. It’s a tough matchup (the Chargers allowed the second fewest FPPG and fourth fewest total yards to opposing running backs last season) and he could be on a pitch count if he plays. If he’s a game time decision, the late start time makes him especially dicey.
Others ranked in the Top-30 who are fades for me: Cam Skattebo (vs. DAL), as I want to see the running back usage before relying on him, Bhayshul Tuten (vs. CLE, ditto), Quinshon Judkins (@JAC, third fewest FPPG yielded to opposing RBs last season, and as long as Deshaun Watson is under center I’m nervous about all Browns), and TreVeyon Henderson (@SEA, if he even plays).
Wide receiver:
Elite options this week – Puka Nacua, Ja’Marr Chase, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba; the analysis starts below them.
Rides:
Five Rides this week, all ranked inside the weekly Top-20, and all with favorable matchups: George Pickens (@NYG), DeVonta Smith (vs. WAS), Ladd McConkey (vs. ARI), Garrett Wilson (@TEN), and Tet McMillan (vs. CHI). Washington, Tennessee, the Giants, and Chicago were all Bottom-10 in FPPG allowed to WRs last season.
Moving down to those ranked between 21 and 30 for the Week, I like all of these guys as a WR2/WR3 or Flex play this week, if you need them: Davante Adams (vs. SF, Australia), Luther Burden III AND Rome Odunze (@CAR), and Chris Godwin, Jr. (@CIN).
Sleepers:
Wide receivers ranked outside the Top-30 this week that I think you can plug into lineups if you’re in need include Michael Pittman, Jr. (vs. ATL), the forgotten Brian Thomas, Jr. (vs. CLE), Quentin Johnston (vs. ARI), Josh Downs (vs. BAL), and Jalen Coker (vs. CHI).
Nobody should need to go outside the Top-45 WRs in Week 1, but if you want deeper sleepers for DFS, of if you’re truly stuck, consider: Wan’Dale Robinson (vs. NYJ), Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor (vs. MIA), A.D. Mitchell (@TEN), and Dontayvion Wicks (vs. WAS).
Fades:
I can’t recommend starting any of the rookie receivers in Week 1, and that includes No. 4 overall pick Carnell Tate (vs. NYJ) and preseason darling De’Szhaun Stribling (@LAR, Australia). I’m sure one or more of the rookies will do well this week, and there will definitely be rookie receivers who are fantasy-relevant at different points this season. Be patient with them.
Malik Nabers (@DAL) is a tough call this week, assuming he suits up. The Cowboys did a lot to improve their defense this offseason, but they were last (or close to it) in almost every pass defense statistic last season. It was the fantasy gift that never stopped giving. But how ready is Nabers for a full workload? Complicating matters is the start time of the game (if his status is uncertain). Be careful out there.
Drake London (@PIT) is ranked inside the Top-10 this week and I think he’ll struggle to finish there with a shaky Tua as his quarterback.
Other WRs ranked inside the Top-30 and/or who should be starting options this season and who I’m lower than consensus on this week include Emeka Egbuka (@CIN, if he suits up), Christian Watson (@MIN), and Mike Evans (@LAR, Australia).
Tight end:
Elite options this week – Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, and Colston Loveland; the analysis starts below them.
Rides:
Tyler Warren (vs. BAL). Warren was a different player when Daniel Jones was under center last season. I expect a busy day for the second-year tight end, with the Colts probably playing from behind.
Kyle Pitts, Sr. (@PIT) should be peppered with short-area targets while Tua is the starter. The Steelers allowed the second most receptions and third most FPPG to opposing tight ends last season.
Other TEs in the Top-15 who I’m high on this week: Dallas Goedert (vs. WAS), Isaiah Likely (vs. DAL), Mark Andrews (@IND), and Juwan Johnson (@DET).
Sleepers:
TEs to consider if you’re stuck (ranked outside the Top-14 this week): Cade Otton (@CIN, whose defense was historically atrocious vs TEs last season, and I especially like him if Egbuka is limited or out), A.J. Barner (vs. NE), and Terrance Ferguson (vs. SF).
Fades:
Harold Fannin, Jr. (@JAC) is an outstanding player. Unfortunately, his QB (for now) is Deshaun Watson.
George Kittle (@LAR, Australia). His team plays Thursday, so you’ll know if he’s active for the game. What you won’t know is how many snaps he’ll play, or how close he is to 100%. I’d wait a week.
Dalton Schultz (vs. BUF) is probably in for a decent season, with the receiving corps fairly thin, but I’m scared off by how Buffalo smothered opposing TEs last season (fewest catches, yards, and FPPG allowed).
PK and D/ST Streamers (ranked outside the Top-12 for the week):
PK: W. Reichard (vs. GB), W. Lutz (@KC), H. Butker (vs. DEN).
D/ST: LV (vs. MIA), NYJ (@TEN).
Good luck in Week 1!
