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Week 1 Fantasy Football Rankings: Standard and PPR Analysis

What's up RotoBallers. We've finally made it, the NFL and fantasy football seasons are right around the corner. To celebrate, today we are bringing you our Week 1 fantasy football rankings to help prepare you for your opening weekend matchups. Below you will find both PPR rankings and standard league rankings for Week 1, brought to you by Zach Wilkens (@LopsidedTrades) and Edward Gorelik (@EdwardGorelik).

Lead fantasy football columnist Zach Wilkens also highlights some rankings analysis for Week 1, broken out by position, and draws some matchup conclusions. He tells you who he likes, who he doesn't, and most importantly who he thinks you should be starting in Week 1. You can also check out our 2015 fantasy football ranking dashboard, for more in depth rankings analysis on all positions including rookies and dynasty leagues.

Editor’s Note: RotoBaller's NFL Premium Subscriptions are your secret weapon. Sign up now and get access to our in-house developed tools including the DFS matchups tool, lineup sleepers/streamers tool, live expert Q&A chats, DFS lineups picks newsletter, ADP draft sleepers tool & much more. 

Editor's Note: Stay on top of your draft prep with RotoBaller’s fantasy football rankings, featuring expert analysis, ADPs, and draft insights for both PPR and non-PPR leagues.

 

Week 1 Fantasy Football Rankings - All Positions



powered by FantasyPros

 
 

Week 1 Quarterback (QB) Rankings Analysis

By Zach Wilkins (@LopsidedTrades)

There aren’t too many quarterbacks I am far off from the consensus on. One QB that I am all-in on is Sam Bradford. His consensus rank is QB10, but I have him at QB5 against the lowly Falcons defense this week. This is one of the Eagles' best match-ups on paper all season, so I am expecting big things for Bradford and the Eagles.

Another guy I like is Cam Newton at QB7. His receivers may be lacking, but Cam himself is healthy. I expect him to run all over the Jaguars. The Jaguars defense is definitely improving but Cam should be able to do alright passing as well. That coupled with 5+ fantasy points he'll get from his legs should make him a solid QB1.

The one player I seem to like way more than the expert consensus is Andy Dalton. It’s no secret I like this offense, and they have a good matchup to start off the season. With A.J. Green, Marvin Jones, Tyler Eifert and Giovani Bernard all healthy, I expect Dalton to enter QB1 territory at QB10.

On the negative side, I’m not big on Ben Roethlisberger in Week 1. The losses of Martavis Bryant and especially Le’Veon Bell will be huge. His receivers aren’t bad (Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton and Heath Miller should be the main targets) but without a strong run game I’m wary of Big Ben. I have him at QB15 this week.

One QB I’ll be very interested to watch is Tyrod Taylor. His receivers aren’t bad at all and he can run a lot. I have to think the Bills will be playing from behind early, so this will be a big test. I have him at QB23 but depending on how much he runs he could be a lot higher.

 

Week 1 Running Back (RB) Rankings Analysis

By Zach Wilkins (@LopsidedTrades)

These first few weeks are so much fun because we don’t always know what to expect--this is especially true at the running back position. For the most part in the rankings, things remain status quo at the top with Lacy, Peterson, Charles and Forte. Jeremy Hill does have the potential to achieve elite status this year, but his consensus rank as the RB3 surprises me this week. I have him a little lower at RB7 because I do think the Raiders defensive front is tougher than the secondary. Either way the Bengals should grab a lead and lean on Hill in the second half.

Chris Ivory is a guy I like a lot this week (and for the season). With Joe Haden in the secondary and Ryan Fitzpatrick at the helm, expect the Jets to try and run a lot. The Browns allowed a ton of yardage to RBs last year and I do expect that to be the weakness of their defense once again. I have Ivory as RB14.

There are a number of intriguing rookie RBs set to see a good amount of action this week. The one I am highest on compared to the consensus is Tevin Coleman. The Eagles really struggled against the run last year, especially in the second half, allowing 10 rushing touchdowns to RBs over the final eight games. If that continues it will mean big things for Coleman, who was recently announced as the Falcons starter. T.J. Yeldon is another rookie starter, and he'll be going up against the Panthers. I like him but I’m tempering expectations against a stout run defense, even though the Panthers are missing Star Lotulelei. I have him and Coleman as low-end RB2s or decent flex options, but I prefer Coleman this week.

I am also high on rookie Dion Lewis at RB30. With no LeGarrette Blount (and Jonas Gray released) I expect Lewis to get most of the action. It’s far from a guarantee, but if you are in a deeper league or if you have injuries at the position, Lewis offers nice upside.

 

Week 1 Wide Receiver (WR) Rankings Analysis

By Zach Wilkins (@LopsidedTrades)

Probably the only mild surprise in my top ten WRs this week is Jordan Matthews. It makes sense given that I am so high on Sam Bradford. The Falcons defense should be very weak and Matthews will be the focus of the Eagles passing game.

I also really like Larry Fitzgerald this week at WR19. The dude can still play at a very high level, and averaged 80 yards per game with Carson Palmer last year. Look for that to continue this season. The Saints defense should be improved but I’m not really worried about Fitz at all.

I’ll be watching the Jets WR situation very closely, specifically Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall. I’m actually high on both at WR23 and WR24. One is likely to struggle against Joe Haden, but the other should see plenty of targets. I’m thinking that both will get their opportunities in this game.

A couple young guys I don’t like as much are Jarvis Landry and Amari Cooper. Landry is no longer the main focus of the passing game, with Greg Jennings, Kenny Stills and Jordan Cameron all vying for snaps. He can still be a PPR machine but I’m not sure I see a whole lot of improvement in his low YPR numbers from last year. I’m taking a wait and see approach with Amari Cooper, as I’m not exactly a big fan of Derek Carr and the Bengals have a solid secondary. Even for a player with such high expectations, it may take a few weeks for Cooper to get adjusted to full-speed NFL games.

I think Kendall Wright enters potential flex territory at WR33. He’s certainly a bit of an unknown with a new QB in Marcus Mariota, but I’ve always liked Wright and the Bucs don’t exactly have a good defense. At the very least I think Wright will be targeted heavily and have some nice PPR value.

 

Week 1 Tight End (TE) Rankings Analysis

By Zach Wilkins (@LopsidedTrades)

I am pretty high on Jordan Reed this week at TE10, as I believe he’s going to produce as long as he is healthy. He also has no competition at the position with Niles Paul out for the season. Due to injuries, Reed only had one full game with Cousins last year, but he saw 11 targets and ended with 92 receiving yards. It’s a small sample size, but it’s definitely promising.

I’m also a big believer in Richard Rodgers, and Week 1 will be a good test for him. He is expected to see a lot of snaps, and the Bears allowed the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends last year. Rodgers could emerge as a red zone favorite of Aaron Rodgers this year.

There aren’t any top tight ends that I am particularly low on, but I do have Larry Donnell five spots below his consensus rank (TE15). Donnell wasn’t relevant in the second half of last season, averaging just over 30 yards per game with one touchdown total. There are a lot of decent targets on this offense and Donnell is just one of many.

 

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Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Yordan Alvarez

Resumes Swinging -- Return Imminent?
Jake Burger

to Miss an Additional 2-3 Weeks
TreVeyon Henderson

Signs Rookie Contract
Christian Watson

Goes on PUP List
Austin Riley

Hopes to be Activated Next Week
Ketel Marte

Lands on Restricted List After Burglary
Ricky Pearsall

Heads to PUP List
Brandon Aiyuk

Placed on PUP List
Luther Burden III

Signs Rookie Deal
Washington Nationals

Eli Willits Expected to Sign Contract on Saturday
Grayson Rodriguez

Being Shut Down Again - Will We See Him Again This Year?
Ezequiel Tovar

Activated and Back in Lineup on Friday
Max Fried

"Hopeful" to Pitch Next Week - Looks Like He'll Avoid IL Stint
Steven Kwan

Receives Injection in Wrist, Considered Day-to-Day
CJ Abrams

Back to Start Second Half
Alec Bohm

Back From Rib Injury on Friday
Trey Hendrickson

Holdout to Spill into Regular Season?
Jalen McMillan

Bucs Offensive Coordinator Not Forgetting About Jalen McMillan
Levi Onwuzurike

to Miss at Least Four Games
Nick Emmanwori

Seahawks, Nick Emmanwori Reach Agreement on Rookie Deal
Max Holloway

Set For Main Event
Brandon Lowe

Back From 10-Day Injured List
Dustin Poirier

Set For His Final UFC Fight
Roman Kopylov

Set For Co-Main Event
Paulo Costa

Returns At UFC 318
Luis L. Ortiz

to Remain on Leave for Another Month - Will he Pitch Again?
Daniel Rodriguez

Looks For Third Win In A Row
Kevin Holland

Set For His Fourth Fight This Year
Dan Ige

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Patricio Freire Set For His Second UFC Fight
Daniel Zellhuber

Set To Open Up UFC 318 Main Card
Michael Johnson

Looks For Third Consecutive Win
Elijah Arroyo

Signs Rookie Deal
Jaydon Blue

Described as "Borderline Lazy"
T.J. Sanders

Bills Sign T.J. Sanders to Rookie Deal
Christian Wilkins

Raiders Put Christian Wilkins on PUP List
Jabari Small

Lions Add Jabari Small to Backfield
Quinshon Judkins

Remains Unsigned, Won't Report With Rest of Rookies
Mason Taylor

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Jets
Hendon Hooker

Leading Lions QB2 Battle Entering Training Camp
Ozzy Trapilo

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Bears
Tate Ratledge

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Lions
Jack Bech

Signs Rookie Contract with Raiders
Yegor Chinakhov

Requests Trade
Dakota Joshua

Maple Leafs Acquire Dakota Joshua
Lukas Dostal

Signs Five-Year Extension with Ducks
Shemar Stewart

Not Practicing With College Team
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Expected Back Friday
Damian Lillard

Returning to Portland
Paul Skenes

Pirates Could Preserve Paul Skenes in Second Half
Brooks Barnhizer

Grabs 19 Points, Nine Boards in Summer League Win
Jeremiah Fears

Scores 22 Points in Summer League Loss to Thunder
Isaiah Collier

Collects 17 Points In Summer League Win
Caleb Houstan

Joins Hawks
AJ Johnson

Erupts for 25 Points in Summer League Loss
Washington Wizards

Leaky Black Logs Double-Double in Loss to Jazz
Connor Norby

Undergoes Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Trey Alexander

Tallies 25 Points in Losing Effort
Johni Broome

Records Second Consecutive Double-Double
Jahmir Young

Has Historic Summer League Outing
Rob Dillingham

Plays Big Role in Wednesday's Win
Tyrese Proctor

Erupts for 35 Points Against Kings
Cody Williams

Leads Jazz to Victory Against Wizards
LeBron James

Mavs Not Interested in "Gutting its Roster" For LeBron James
Josh Hart

Undergoes a Procedure on Right Finger
Jake Burger

Goes on 10-Day Injured List With Quad Strain
Sal Frelick

Dealing With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain, TBD for Start of Second Half
Chris Sale

Plays Catch
Los Angeles Clippers

Bradley Beal Heading to Los Angeles to Join Clippers After Contract Buyout
Rayan Rupert

Scores 24 Points in Summer League Win
Derik Queen

Collects Third Consecutive Double-Double in Summer League Loss
GG Jackson II

Records 13 Points in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Johni Broome

Logs Double-Double Against Wizards
DaRon Holmes II

Records Double-Double in Summer League Loss to Raptors
Kyle Schwarber

Named All-Star Game MVP
Harris English

Takes Stellar 2025 Performance to The Open Championship
Aldrich Potgieter

Seeks Better Result in Northern Ireland
Cameron Young

Likely to Hang Around at The Open Championship
Cameron Smith

Just Trying to Make the Cut at Royal Portrush
Jordan Spieth

Is Jordan Spieth Still a Natural for Links Style Golf?
Patrick Reed

a Viable Option at The Open Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound from Last Experience at Royal Portrush
Xander Schauffele

Looks to Defend His Claret Jug at Royal Portrush
Tony Finau

Trying to Turn Tide at Royal Portrush
Daniel Brown

Seeks a Rebound at The Open Championship
Rory McIlroy

Will be the Most Watched Player This Week at Royal Portrush
Daniel Berger

Trending Poorly as The Open Championship Looms
Clayton Kershaw

Retires Both Batters In ASG Appearance
Robert MacIntyre

Hoping to Bounce Back at Open Championship
Shane Lowry

Hopes to Repeat at Royal Portrush
Brian Harman

Hopes to Rekindle Some Magic at the 153rd Open
UTA

Michael Carcone Returns to Utah on One-Year Contract
Bowen Byram

Signs Two-Year Deal with Sabres
Morgan Barron

Jets Re-Sign Morgan Barron for Two Years
PGA

Chris Gotterup Punches Ticket to Royal Portrush With Win at Scottish Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Hopes to Reverse Links Golf Struggle at the 153rd Open
Keegan Bradley

Needs to Find The Weekend at Royal Portrush for Ryder Cup Hopes
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied For 22nd at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Genesis Scottish Open
Jon Rahm

Finishes in Second at LIV Andalucia
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round TKO
Derrick Lewis

Scores First-Round TKO
Stephen Thompson

Loses Controversial Split Decision
Gabriel Bonfim

Wins Controversial Split Decision
Calvin Kattar

Gets Outclassed At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Extends His Win Streak
Nate Landwehr

Gets Knocked Out
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Scores Third-Round Knockout
Austen Lane

Suffers Submission Loss
Vitor Petrino

Scores First-Round Submission In Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Earns His First UFC Win
Chase Elliott

Charges to A Finish of Third At Sonoma
Chase Briscoe

Finishes Second With his First Career Road-Course Top-Five at Sonoma
Christopher Bell

Rollercoaster Day Ends With Top-5 Finish at Sonoma
William Byron

Maintains the Regular-Season Points Lead
Kyle Busch

Earns A Hard-Fought Top-10 Finish At Sonoma
Alex Ovechkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
PIT

Penguins Acquire Arturs Silovs
NHL

Nikolai Kovalenko Returns to Russia
Tyler Reddick

Evades Near Upset to Remain Alive in In-Season Challenge
Ty Gibbs

One of Three Tylers to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinals
Kyle Larson

Curiously Mediocre at Sonoma Before Late-Race Crash
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek Edges Out Teammate to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Alex Bowman

Ty Dillon Bumps Alex Bowman to Advance to In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma
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