Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season runs Sep 8 – Sep 14. Rankings below are matchup-adjusted PPR projections: every player's own weekly baseline moved by the defense he faces and the offense he plays in. The injury section is a contingency board — what each start is worth per week, and who absorbs the touches if he cannot go.
Week 1 takeaways
- Saquon Barkley is the week's top-ranked running back at 20 projected points, drawing vs WAS.
- Ja'Marr Chase heads the receiver board at 20.8 projected points.
- Biggest matchup swing: Malik Nabers gains about 2.4 points on a normal week vs DAL.
- Hardest spot on the slate: Jaxon Smith-Njigba loses roughly 1.5 points vs NE.
- No teams are on bye this week, so the waiver pool stays shallow.
Week 1 player rankings by position
Matchup-adjusted PPR projections. Swing is the difference from that player's own normal week.
Quarterback rankings — Week 1
| # | Player | Matchup | Proj | Swing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jalen Hurts (PHI) | vs WAS | 24.5 | +2.5 |
| 2 | Lamar Jackson (BAL) | @ IND | 24.2 | +1.2 |
| 3 | Baker Mayfield (TB) | @ CIN | 23.3 | +2.8 |
| 4 | Joe Burrow (CIN) | vs TB | 22.7 | +1.5 |
| 5 | Justin Fields (NYJ) | @ TEN | 20.8 | +1.9 |
| 6 | Jayden Daniels (WAS) | @ PHI | 20.7 | -1.8 |
| 7 | Josh Allen (BUF) | @ HOU | 20.6 | -2.7 |
| 8 | Patrick Mahomes (KC) | vs DEN | 19.5 | -2 |
| 9 | Justin Herbert (LAC) | vs ARI | 19 | +2.3 |
| 10 | Jordan Love (GB) | @ MIN | 18.4 | -1.6 |
| 11 | Kyler Murray (ARI) | @ LAC | 18.4 | -1.2 |
| 12 | Caleb Williams (CHI) | @ CAR | 17.8 | -0.4 |
Running back rankings — Week 1
| # | Player | Matchup | Proj | Swing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saquon Barkley (PHI) | vs WAS | 20 | +2.1 |
| 2 | Bijan Robinson (ATL) | @ PIT | 18.3 | -0.4 |
| 3 | Jahmyr Gibbs (DET) | vs NO | 17.8 | +0.4 |
| 4 | De'Von Achane (MIA) | @ LV | 16.5 | +0.5 |
| 5 | Bucky Irving (TB) | @ CIN | 16.1 | +1.9 |
| 6 | Ashton Jeanty (LV) | vs MIA | 15.6 | +0.4 |
| 7 | Christian McCaffrey (SF) | @ LAR | 14.7 | -0.5 |
| 8 | Chase Brown (CIN) | vs TB | 14.3 | +0.9 |
| 9 | Jonathan Taylor (IND) | vs BAL | 14.1 | -0.4 |
| 10 | Omarion Hampton (LAC) | vs ARI | 13.5 | +1.7 |
| 11 | Derrick Henry (BAL) | @ IND | 13.4 | +0.6 |
| 12 | Kyren Williams (LAR) | vs SF | 12.8 | -0.4 |
Wide receiver rankings — Week 1
| # | Player | Matchup | Proj | Swing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ja'Marr Chase (CIN) | vs TB | 20.8 | +1.3 |
| 2 | Malik Nabers (NYG) | vs DAL | 18.6 | +2.4 |
| 3 | CeeDee Lamb (DAL) | @ NYG | 18.2 | +0.6 |
| 4 | Justin Jefferson (MIN) | vs GB | 17.3 | -0.9 |
| 5 | Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET) | vs NO | 16.9 | +0.4 |
| 6 | A.J. Brown (PHI) | vs WAS | 16.3 | +1.7 |
| 7 | Puka Nacua (LAR) | vs SF | 16.2 | -0.5 |
| 8 | Ladd McConkey (LAC) | vs ARI | 15.4 | +1.9 |
| 9 | Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX) | vs CLE | 15.2 | -0.2 |
| 10 | Tee Higgins (CIN) | vs TB | 14.6 | +1 |
| 11 | Garrett Wilson (NYJ) | @ TEN | 14.6 | +1.3 |
| 12 | Drake London (ATL) | @ PIT | 14.5 | -0.3 |
Tight end rankings — Week 1
| # | Player | Matchup | Proj | Swing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brock Bowers (LV) | vs MIA | 14.2 | +0.3 |
| 2 | Trey McBride (ARI) | @ LAC | 12.4 | -0.8 |
| 3 | George Kittle (SF) | @ LAR | 11.7 | -0.4 |
| 4 | Sam LaPorta (DET) | vs NO | 11.7 | +0.2 |
| 5 | Mark Andrews (BAL) | @ IND | 11 | +0.5 |
| 6 | Dallas Goedert (PHI) | vs WAS | 9.9 | +1 |
| 7 | Travis Kelce (KC) | vs DEN | 9.8 | -1.1 |
| 8 | T.J. Hockenson (MIN) | vs GB | 9.5 | -0.5 |
| 9 | Evan Engram (DEN) | @ KC | 8.8 | -0.7 |
| 10 | Tucker Kraft (GB) | @ MIN | 7.9 | -0.7 |
| 11 | Colston Loveland (CHI) | @ CAR | 7.9 | -0.2 |
| 12 | Jake Ferguson (DAL) | @ NYG | 7.9 | +0.3 |
Week 1 risers
- Malik Nabers (WR) vs DAL grades smash spot — worth about 2.4 points above a normal week.
- Saquon Barkley (RB) vs WAS grades good matchup — worth about 2.1 points above a normal week.
- Bucky Irving (RB) @ CIN grades smash spot — worth about 1.9 points above a normal week.
- Ladd McConkey (WR) vs ARI grades smash spot — worth about 1.9 points above a normal week.
- A.J. Brown (WR) vs WAS grades good matchup — worth about 1.7 points above a normal week.
- Omarion Hampton (RB) vs ARI grades smash spot — worth about 1.7 points above a normal week.
Week 1 fallers
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR) vs NE grades nightmare — about 1.5 points below a normal week.
- James Cook (RB) @ HOU grades nightmare — about 1.4 points below a normal week.
- Nico Collins (WR) vs BUF grades tough — about 1.2 points below a normal week.
- Kenneth Walker III (RB) vs NE grades nightmare — about 1.2 points below a normal week.
- Josh Jacobs (RB) @ MIN grades nightmare — about 1.1 points below a normal week.
- Travis Kelce (TE) vs DEN grades nightmare — about 1.1 points below a normal week.
Week 1 injury report and contingency plans
What each start is worth per week, and who absorbs the work if he cannot go.
Josh Allen · QB · BUF23.3 pts/week at stake
With Josh Allen out you lose about 23.3 points and there is no obvious in-house replacement — look to the waiver wire rather than the depth chart.
Lamar Jackson · QB · BAL23 pts/week at stake
With Lamar Jackson out you lose about 23 points and there is no obvious in-house replacement — look to the waiver wire rather than the depth chart.
Jayden Daniels · QB · WAS22.5 pts/week at stake
With Jayden Daniels out you lose about 22.5 points and there is no obvious in-house replacement — look to the waiver wire rather than the depth chart.
Jalen Hurts · QB · PHI22 pts/week at stake
With Jalen Hurts out you lose about 22 points and there is no obvious in-house replacement — look to the waiver wire rather than the depth chart.
Patrick Mahomes · QB · KC21.5 pts/week at stake
With Patrick Mahomes out you lose about 21.5 points and there is no obvious in-house replacement — look to the waiver wire rather than the depth chart.
Joe Burrow · QB · CIN21.2 pts/week at stake
With Joe Burrow out you lose about 21.2 points and there is no obvious in-house replacement — look to the waiver wire rather than the depth chart.
Baker Mayfield · QB · TB20.5 pts/week at stake
With Baker Mayfield out you lose about 20.5 points and there is no obvious in-house replacement — look to the waiver wire rather than the depth chart.
Jordan Love · QB · GB20 pts/week at stake
With Jordan Love out you lose about 20 points and there is no obvious in-house replacement — look to the waiver wire rather than the depth chart.