Fantasy Football Start/Sit Today: Who to Start and Sit in Week 1

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 Today (Week 1)

Fantasy Football Starts for Week 1

Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans

Tony Pollard is someone I'd feel comfortable getting into lineups against the New York Jets.

While the Tennessee Titans‘ backfield could become more complicated as the season progresses, Pollard enters Week 1 coming off an encouraging finish to 2025. Over his final five games last season, he averaged 19.6 touches and 107 scrimmage yards per game.

The matchup makes that workload particularly appealing. The Jets surrendered the second-most fantasy points to running backs last season and also ranked second-worst in rushing yards after contact allowed to the position. Nine running backs scored at least 16 fantasy points against New York over its final eight games.

Pollard's combination of rushing and receiving work should give him a solid floor, and this is the kind of matchup where a touchdown could push him comfortably into RB2 territory.

Parker Washington, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Parker Washington is one of my favorite borderline receivers to start this week.

He quietly emerged as a significant piece of the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ passing game during the second half of last season. When Washington shared the field with Brian Thomas Jr. and Jakobi Meyers, he led the Jaguars with a 29.4% target rate while producing 3.2 yards per route run.

That production makes his role entering 2026 especially intriguing. Washington also drew positive reviews throughout training camp and the preseason, giving us additional reason to believe his late-season breakout wasn't a fluke.

Jacksonville opens at home against the Cleveland Browns, and Washington doesn't necessarily need a massive play to deliver fantasy value if his target volume carries over. I'd be willing to deploy him as a WR3 or flex in Week 1.

Jaxson Dart, QB, New York Giants

If you waited at quarterback or are looking for a Week 1 streamer, Jaxson Dart deserves consideration against the Dallas Cowboys.

Dart's rushing ability gives him the kind of fantasy ceiling we want from a quarterback outside the elite tier. He showed that upside as a rookie, and a matchup with Dallas gives the New York Giants an opportunity to open the season aggressively on offense.

There's some uncertainty surrounding Malik Nabers, who carries a questionable designation due to a knee injury. That's something fantasy managers should monitor leading up to Sunday night's kickoff.

Even so, Dart's legs can compensate for some inefficiency through the air. In leagues where you don't have an every-week QB1, he's a viable Week 1 starter.

Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Jaylen Warren is another running back I like as a flex option in Week 1.

His efficiency was excellent last season. Warren generated a 34.7% missed-tackle rate across 251 touches, the best mark among qualified running backs.

That ability to create yards independently of his blocking is particularly useful for fantasy purposes, and Warren's receiving involvement gives him another path to production in PPR formats.

The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, and Warren enters the week ranked in the RB2/flex range rather than as an automatic starter. That's exactly the type of player we're looking for in a start/sit article. I'd lean toward getting him into the lineup if you're choosing between Warren and other committee backs.

Fantasy Football Sits for Week 1

Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

I'm excited about Bhayshul Tuten‘s long-term potential, but Week 1 isn't necessarily the time to force him into fantasy lineups.

Travis Etienne Jr.'s departure opened a significant amount of work in Jacksonville's backfield, but Tuten isn't guaranteed to inherit all of it. The Jaguars added Chris Rodriguez Jr., and coach Liam Coen has indicated the backfield could operate as a committee.

Rodriguez also produced some impressive efficiency numbers last season, outperforming Tuten in several rushing metrics, including EPA per carry and explosive-run rate.

Tuten could eventually emerge as Jacksonville's clear lead back, but I'd rather see the workload distribution once before relying on him. If you have another reasonable RB2 or flex option, I'd keep Tuten on the bench for Week 1.

Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders

Terry McLaurin is a recognizable name, but his matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles makes him a player I'd consider sitting if you have good alternatives.

The veteran is coming off a frustrating 2025 campaign in which injuries limited him to 10 games. He averaged 11.4 fantasy points per game in those appearances and scored only three touchdowns after finding the end zone 13 times in 2024.

Now he has to open 2026 on the road against Philadelphia. The Eagles surrendered only six touchdowns to wide receivers last season, tied for the fewest in the NFL.

McLaurin remains the Washington Commanders‘ top receiver and is going to be difficult to bench in deeper formats. But in shallow leagues where you have multiple strong WR3/flex candidates, I'd look elsewhere this week.

Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers‘ backfield is one I'd prefer to avoid until we get some clarity.

Chuba Hubbard missed the preseason with a hamstring injury before returning to practice, while Jonathon Brookshas dealt with his own issues leading into Week 1. That leaves questions about both the health and workload distribution of the Panthers' running backs.

Hubbard was useful for fantasy managers last season, but we're dealing with considerably more uncertainty entering Sunday's matchup with the Chicago Bears.

Rather than guessing how Carolina divides its touches in Week 1, I'd leave Hubbard on the bench if you have a comparable alternative and reevaluate the backfield after seeing the Panthers' first regular-season game.

T.J. Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings

Sitting a recognizable tight end is never easy given how thin the position can be, but T.J. Hockenson carries enough Week 1 concerns that I'd temper expectations.

The Minnesota Vikings host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon, and Hockenson enters the season as more of a borderline fantasy starter than an automatic TE1. The uncertainty surrounding Minnesota's passing game makes it difficult to project a particularly high ceiling in the opener.

That's reflected in the early Week 1 rankings, where Hockenson sits outside the top 20 tight ends in FantasyPros' consensus-based start/sit grades.

You don't need to drop Hockenson, and managers in deeper leagues may not have a better option. But if you drafted another viable tight end with a more secure Week 1 role, I'd be comfortable keeping Hockenson on the bench and seeing how Minnesota uses him before putting him back into the starting lineup.

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.