Week 1 Start/Sit Suggestions for Your Lineup

Setting your fantasy football lineup in Week 1 is always a challenge. Between uncertain roles, new coaching schemes, and tricky matchups, those tough decisions can make or break your opener.

In this Start/Sit guide, I’m not going to tell you to start your studs or sit your bench depth because you already know that. Instead, we’ll focus on the borderline players who are right on the cusp of your lineup. These are the tough calls that can swing your Week 1 matchup.

Quarterbacks (QB)

Quarterback decisions often come down to matchups and game script. If you didn’t grab an elite option, these borderline QBs could decide your Week 1.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs Carolina Panthers – Sunday 1:00PM EST

Trevor Lawrence has been a borderline startable player in fantasy the last few seasons. What should be a clear-cut quarterback that you leave in your lineup and forget about has been less than desirable. This week, Lawrence will be facing a Carolina defense that is sub-par and gives up around 225 passing yards and 2 passing touchdowns per game. The matchup is the reason I’d be starting Trevor Lawrence this week.

San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks – Sunday 4:05PM EST

The San Francisco 49ers are starting the season against a divisional foe that has been rebuilding their defense to be a stronger unit. This is a middle of the road game for Purdy. He’s down a few of his weapons, but Jauan Jennings looks to be a go in Week 1. The Seahawks defense could be tough in Seattle, which makes me lean toward not starting Purdy in Week 1.

Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles – Thursday 8:20PM EST

This might be one of the toughest matchups for a quarterback that you likely drafted to be a starter for you. Dak is expected to have a monster elite year and the Cowboys added George Pickens in the off-season to expand on that. However, going up against the elite Eagles defense in Philadelphia to open the season does not bode well for the Cowboys. I am sitting Dak in every league I roster him, this week at least.

Carolina Panthers @ Jacksonville Jaguars – Sunday 1:00PM EST

Remember how I said to start Trevor Lawrence this week because of his matchup. This is the same for Bryce Young who has turned it around since his benching in the middle of the season last year. The Jaguars give up a lot in the passing game, including over 250 passing yards and just about 2 passing touchdowns per game. Bryce should be a start this week if you have some questions on in your lineup.

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Running Backs (RB)

Running backs are the backbone of most fantasy teams, but depth and usage vary wildly. These RBs sit right on the start/sit bubble. This might be the widest range in the weekly player rankings that I am going to pull.

Tennessee Titans @ Denver Broncos – Sunday 4:05PM EST

Tony Pollard might just be the running back that everyone has forgotten about. Just one season removed from having two amazing seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Pollard finished the season as RB21 on the season. That was with a very bad Tennessee offense led by Will Levis and company. This should be a different Titans offense, but they have a tough matchup with the Denver Broncos on the road. I lean toward starting him, for the sole purpose that Cam Ward will need a safety net early and often.

Washington Commanders vs New York Giants – Sunday 1:00PM EST

It’s 2025 and we are still talking about Washington Commanders RB1 Austin Ekeler. I know they hype was behind the rookie sensation Jacory Croskey-Merritt, but he is listed as the 4th option in Washington heading into Week 1. After trading away Brian Robinson Jr, Ekeler is now poised to lead that backfield. Don’t forget how much of a weapon he can actually be on that offense, but he’s going up against a very stout New York Giants defensive line. I lean toward sitting Ekeler this week.

New England Patriots vs Las Vegas Raiders – Sunday 1:00PM EST

There has been a lot of talk about how rookie TreVeyon Henderson is going to lead this backfield and take all of the work from Rhamondre. However, I can still see them splitting that backfield for just a few weeks until Henderson proves he is the back to go with. This is even a juicy matchup against the Raiders, but I am still sitting Stevenson until further notice.

Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals – Sunday 1:00PM EST

I had to get one rookie in this week and this is by far the furthest down the list I wanted to reach, but Sampson actually has the ability to make an impact in week 1. With no contract between the Cleveland Browns and fellow-rookie Quinshon Judkins, the Browns running back room seems to be Jerome Ford and Sampson. I like Sampson in this matchup against a weak Cincinnati defense. I am taking the risk and starting the rookie where I can.

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Wide Receivers (WR)

With so many wideouts in play, the difference between WR2 and WR5 can be razor thin. Here are the receivers worth considering for Week 1 lineups.

New York Jets vs Pittsburgh Steelers – Sunday 1:00PM EST

This might seem like a no brainer and you have to start the elite level players you drafted early to shape your roster. But what if that elite level player was being thrown to by Justin Fields? Do we trust that Fields will get the ball to Wilson as much as he should be? Fields is a player that needs to play the short game a but more and will take off running if he needs to. With a game against his former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, I’m just not as confident in week 1 with the Jets offense that most people are. I’m going to sit Wilson if I have other options available.

Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals – Sunday 1:00PM EST

Many people might forget that Jerry Jeudy finished as WR12 last year, thanks to some very high scoring games late in the season. In fact, he probably won you some playoff games. Did you know that Jeudy had three games last year where he didn’t finish as a top 80 WR? Two of those games came against a weak Cincinnati Bengals team, who the Browns just so happen to play this week. I am sitting Jeudy with absolute confidence, especially since Joe Flacco is back with his buddy David Njoku.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Atlanta Falcons – Sunday 1:00PM EST

Rookies never pan out in week 1 unless they are the cream of the crop. Emeka might just be that this year and could go down as the best rookie wide receiver in this class because of the opportunity he has. Post draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were looking at Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, and now Emeka Egbuka. Godwin is still out and McMillan recently hit the IR leaving Egbuka a clear shot at making a huge impact. Start Emeka with absolute confidence this week.

Miami Dolphins @ Indianapolis Colts – Sunday 1:00PM EST

I cannot believe I am writing about Jaylen Waddle this week because he has been so inconsistent with either being good or being really bad. Last year, he only had two top 12 finishes, one WR16 finish, and then the rest were WR39 and above – that’s awful. But with Tyreek Hill limited with an injury and facing an Indianapolis Colts defense that has nothing super exciting, Waddle is going to be the WR1 this week in Miami to take the load. Start him if you have no one else.

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Tight Ends (TE)

Outside of the elites, tight end is a weekly puzzle. These borderline TEs could sneak into your lineup or leave you wishing you had streamed.

Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions – Sunday 4:25PM EST

The Green Bay Packers have a minefield of receiving options on the offense, but which one actually stands out the most? Tucker Kraft has been the consistent tight end play for the Packers offense with the plethora of mid-range receiver options. The Packers did add Matthew Golden, who is set to be the WR1 for that offense, but that doesn’t make me fearful for Kraft’s production. Start him with confidence this week.

Indianapolis Colts vs Miami Dolphins – Sunday 1:00PM EST

Another rookie is in the mix of players that are being considered in starting lineups this week. With such a volatile position where you only have a few options to really be comfortable with, many are streaming the position on a week-to-week basis, including in week 1. Tyler Warren has a tough matchup even at home against the Miami Dolphins, he is still one of the top targets for the Colts offense. I have been on record stating that Tyler Warren will finish as a top 6 fantasy tight end this year. Start him in week 1.

Philadelphia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys – Thursday 8:20PM EST

Man, did Dallas Goedert have a weird year last year. Finished as TE27, which is not great, but a lot of that was due to injuries. He didn’t help you in the playoffs, because he missed weeks 14-17, which could have killed you. But He was TE22 in week 12 and TE15 in week 13, so you likely weren’t needing him at that point. With a few good pops early in the season, Goedert actually finished as TE11 in PPG last year. But even with the moderate upside and low chance at busting, I’m not starting him this week.

Buffalo Bills vs Baltimore Ravens – Sunday 8:20PM EST

In the record books of a tight end with such a high ceiling in his rookie year falling to TE30 the next, Dalton Kincaid might be one of one. How did he fall off so much in just one year? The crazy thing about Kincaid is that people still drafted him as TE13 this year because he has such a high ceiling, but he also has such a high chance to bust. I want to see Kincaid perform at a high level multiple weeks in a row before I start him again. He hasn’t had two consistent top 12 finishes since week 3 and 4 last year.

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Fantasy football is full of tough lineup calls, and no article can cover every possible scenario. If you’re still debating a decision or want real-time feedback, jump into our FantasyNow+ Discord community. We’re talking starts, sits, trades, and everything in between all week long—so you’ll never have to set your lineup alone.

I’ll be holding myself accountable this season and posting my season-long record for these picks! Follow along throughout the season to see how I am doing and how I can help you win more matchups!