Fantasy Football Start/Sit Week 1: Who to Start and Sit This Week

Nailing your start/sit calls in a given week can be the difference between winning and losing

Using our fantasy football projections as a guide, let’s get you prepped for this week’s fantasy football decisions.

This article is geared toward 12-team, half-PPR scoring formats with only one starting quarterback -- though the general advice can be loosely applied to most formats. Injury information may change after this article is published. You can stay up to date with this week’s injury news via our NFL player news page.

All betting references refer to the NFL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. All statistics via NFL Next Gen Stats and Pro Football Focus unless otherwise stated.

Fantasy Football Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em for Week 1

Start: Javonte Williams, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Javonte Williams is coming off the best season of his career, and Week 1 gives him an appealing opportunity to pick up where he left off.

Williams handled 252 carries for 1,201 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns across 16 games last season, averaging a career-best 4.8 yards per carry. He also caught 35 passes and scored twice through the air, giving him 13 total touchdowns.

Now he gets a road matchup with the New York Giants. New York surrendered 145.3 rushing yards per game last season, ranking 31st in the NFL, and Williams already produced 97 rushing yards, 33 receiving yards and a touchdown against the Giants in 2025.

Williams enters the season with a secure role in an offense that ranked second in the NFL in total yards per game last year. He's a strong RB2 for Week 1.

Start: Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants

There are understandable questions surrounding New York's offense entering the season, and it’s also fair to be worried about Malik Nabers' snap count in his first game back from injury. But assuming he plays, which it sounds like he will, Nabers’ combination of talent and volume makes him difficult to leave on the bench.

The Giants' decision to move on from Darius Slayton is another positive indicator for Nabers' health and place atop the receiving hierarchy. More importantly for Week 1, Nabers draws a friendly matchup with the Dallas Cowboys.

Dallas' defense was a major problem last season, finishing 30th in yards allowed while surrendering more points than any other team.

There will probably be weeks when New York's quarterback situation makes Nabers uncomfortable for fantasy, but this doesn't look like one of them. His big-play ability and expected target volume make him a player to start in Week 1.

Start: Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots

Rhamondre Stevenson gets an immediate boost for the season opener against Seattle.

TreVeyon Henderson has officially been ruled out with an ankle injury, leaving Stevenson positioned to handle a much larger share of the New England Patriots‘ backfield work. Henderson did not participate in practice before being ruled out, so there’s a chance Henderson is out Week 2, as well.

Stevenson's value here is more about opportunity than matchup. With Henderson unavailable, New England has significantly fewer established options to take early-down carries and goal-line opportunities away from Stevenson, who profiles as a high-end RB2 now.

Fantasy Football Sits for Week 1

Sit: Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers

Brock Purdy is certainly capable of overcoming a difficult matchup, but quarterback is deep enough in one-QB leagues that fantasy managers don't necessarily need to take that chance in Week 1.

Purdy was excellent when healthy last season, averaging 19.7 fantasy points per game while throwing 20 touchdowns in nine appearances. He also added three rushing touchdowns.

The concern is Thursday's matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. Los Angeles allowed only three quarterbacks to exceed 300 passing yards last season.

Purdy remains a quality season-long fantasy quarterback, so this isn't a reason to panic about his 2026 outlook. But if you drafted another viable starter with a softer matchup — potentially someone like Malik Willis (at Vegas) — Purdy is someone I'd consider leaving on the bench this week.

Sit: Carnell Tate, WR, Tennessee Titans

Carnell Tate has the talent to make a rookie-year fantasy impact, but starting a rookie wideout in his NFL debut carries plenty of uncertainty.

The Tennessee Titans selected Tate fourth overall after he averaged 18.0 yards per reception during his final season at Ohio State. He's one of the most exciting young receivers in football, and he'll begin his career with a fairly nice matchup against the New York Jets.

But there is natural uncertainty that comes with Tate playing his first regular-season game while working with Cameron Ward in a passing attack that underwent significant changes during the offseason.

Tate could quickly become a weekly fantasy starter, and his long-term outlook remains exciting. For Week 1, though, I'd rather see what his target share and role look like before putting him into a starting lineup as long as I have other viable options.

Sit: Khalil Shakir, WR, Buffalo Bills

Khalil Shakir was a reliable part of the Buffalo Bills‘ passing attack last season, but his limited ceiling and a difficult matchup make him someone I'd rather leave on the bench in Week 1.

Shakir finished 2025 with 72 receptions for 719 yards and four touchdowns across 16 games, averaging just 44.9 receiving yards per contest. He also averaged only 10.0 yards per reception, so his fantasy production often requires substantial target volume or a touchdown.

That volume could be harder to come by this season after Buffalo added D.J. Moore to a pass-catching corps that also features Dalton Kincaid. Shakir has also missed practice time recently with an undisclosed injury, although there is optimism he'll be available for Week 1.

The matchup doesn't help at all. Houston allowed only 183.5 passing yards per game in 2025, the sixth-fewest in the NFL, and the Texans were particularly effective against slot receivers down the stretch.

Fantasy Football Start/Sit FAQ

Who should I start in fantasy football this week?

The best starts are typically players with strong recent usage, favorable matchups and a reliable path to touches or targets. Matchup-specific factors and changes in workload should also be considered before setting your lineup.

Who should I sit in fantasy football this week?

Players can be worth sitting when they face difficult matchups, have seen their role decrease or carry significant risk due to injuries or inconsistent usage. Even proven players can be matchup-based sits in a given week.

How do you decide who to start or sit in fantasy football?

Start/sit decisions should account for a player's expected volume, recent production, matchup, offensive role and game environment. Comparing those factors against your other lineup options can help determine which player offers the best combination of floor and upside.

Should I start a player with a difficult matchup?

It depends. A difficult matchup can lower a player's expected production, but high-volume players can still deliver strong fantasy performances regardless of the matchup. The player's role and expected opportunity should usually carry more weight than matchup alone. Another huge factor is whether or not you have quality alternatives on your roster.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.