RADIO
Philadelphia Defense/Special Teams Ranks in the Top-Five Entering Week 1 vs. Washington
The Philadelphia Eagles take on the Washington Commanders in Week 1 of the 2026 season. Philadelphia enters the campaign ranked as RotoBaller's No. 5 defense/special teams unit for the opening week. The Eagles enter the campaign healthy, but edge rusher Jonathan Greenard (pectoral) has been ruled out after practicing in a limited capacity this week. In 2025, the Eagles finished right in the middle in total fantasy points, checking in at 16th in the NFL. Last season, the Eagles ranked 13th in the NFL in total yards allowed (314.2 per game), eighth in passing yards allowed (189.8 per game), 22nd in rushing yards allowed per game (124.4), and fifth in points allowed (19.1 per game). Philadelphia also recorded 21 takeaways in 2025 (12 interceptions and nine fumble recoveries). The Commanders, meanwhile, had one of the better ground attacks in 2025, averaging 134.7 rushing yards per game. However, Washington struggled to pass the ball (184.1 yards per game) and put up points (20.9) with quarterback Jayden Daniels missing 10 games. Daniels is healthy entering the 2026 season and will challenge the Eagles. Still, the Philadelphia defense is expected to have the advantage over Washington. Special teams-wise, the Eagles list rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon as the starting punt returner, while Will Shipley and Tank Bigsby will handle kick return duties. Philadelphia did not return a kickoff or a punt for a touchdown in 2025.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Kicker Trey Smack In the Week 1 Streaming Conversation
Green Bay Packers kicker Trey Smack looks to start his career off on the right foot as the team heads to Minneapolis to take on the Vikings in the season opener for both teams. Smack, Green Bay's sixth-round pick in last April's NFL Draft, was a perfect 9-of-9 on field goals during the preseason, with a long of 59 yards. He also booted home all seven extra points and looked every bit like a kicker that has some staying power for the Packers. Of course, kicking in actual games that count is a different story entirely, but Smack seems up to the task. With the Packers being an above-average offense, Smack should get plenty of chances to score points, so for that, he's in the streaming conversation for fantasy kickers against Minnesota in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Woody Marks Can Be a Deep-League Flex Sleeper
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks will be in a timeshare to start his second season in the NFL, but he could work his way into a large enough role that he has fantasy value. Last year, as a rookie, Marks finished the year with three receiving touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns, 208 receiving yards, and 708 rushing yards. The Texans went out and added veteran David Montgomery to the mix this offseason, but Marks is still likely to be involved on receiving downs. He seemed to wear down at times last season and could benefit from the shared workload, but he could also lose valuable red zone work, raising his risk factors. For Week 1's matchup against the Bills, Marks is only the No. 45 RB in RotoBaller's rankings, but he could get close to a 50-50 split in the timeshare, which could make him a deep-league sleeper in PPR leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
DK Metcalf Healthy, Ready for Big Role vs. Atlanta
Wide receiver DK Metcalf will be a big piece of the Pittsburgh Steelers' aerial attack in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons. The 28-year-old wideout was sidelined for the final few weeks of training camp with an undisclosed ailment, but came off the injury report less than a week before the Steelers' season opener. Metcalf's numbers dipped in his first season in Pittsburgh, and he finished the 2025 campaign with 59 receptions for 850 yards and six touchdowns in the air. Though Michael Pittman Jr. will be competition for targets this season, quarterback Aaron Rodgers told reporters on Sept. 2 that he "needs to get the ball" to Metcalf, so that effort should start on Sept. 13. Metcalf is a solid WR3 in fantasy headed into Week 1 and should flex his muscle as a red-zone threat against Atlanta.
Source: Yahoo! Sports
Source: Yahoo! Sports
Bryce Young Mainly an Option in Superflex Leagues for Week 1
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young will look to kick off the season on a high note in Sunday's Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears. The Panthers offense struggled this preseason as Young completed eight of 11 passes for 67 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions in four drives. The former No. 1 overall pick threw for 3,011 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions over 16 games in 2025. He failed to crack 200 passing yards in 12 of 16 games. Despite the inconsistencies, Young is on the Superflex or 2QB league radar against a Bears defense that was 19th against the pass, allowing 234.5 passing yards per game. He comes in as RotoBaller's QB26, and with an over/under of 47.5 points, the 25-year-old might have to air it out to help keep up with the Bears' high-octane offense. Despite the decent matchup, Young is mainly an option in Superflex and 2QB formats and is considered a risky streamer in single-QB leagues heading into Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
David Montgomery a Strong Flex Play vs. Buffalo
Houston Texans running back David Montgomery is ready for his debut with his new team against the Bills in Week 1, and it will be exciting to see how the team rotates him and Woody Marks in the backfield. Montgomery is expected to handle most of the early-down work, and the always valuable touches near the end zone. The Texans struggled in the red zone last year, so they added Montgomery from the Lions this offseason. The veteran is expected to serve as the closer, while Marks is a home-run threat and third-down specialist. The uncertainty of the timeshare keeps Montgomery from ranking even higher, but for Week 1, he's the No. 21 RB in RotoBaller's PPR rankings. While he can be a low-end RB2 in many leagues, he's a very strong FLEX play, since the Texans will look to rely on the running game and their defense in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tucker Kraft A Mid-Range TE1 Against Vikings
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft looks to continue his early-season momentum from last season into Week 1 as the Packers head to Minnesota to take on the Vikings. From Week 1 through Week 8 of last season, Kraft was TE1 in fantasy points per game and had five weeks of TE10 or better in those weeks, including two overall TE1 weeks. Kraft suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 9 against Carolina that shut his breakout season down, but he's off the Packers' injury report and is good to go for Week 1. It's possible Kraft's workload may be a bit more managed in the season's first few weeks, but when he's on the field, he's arguably the team's most dynamic receiver and YAC threat. Kraft is a no-brainer TE1 for fantasy against the Vikings in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
C.J. Stroud Is a Low-End QB2 in Week 1
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud will host the Bills in Week 1, as Stroud tries to prove he's worth a contract as a true franchise QB. He struggled down the stretch last season and in the playoffs, and he has lots of unanswered questions coming into his fourth NFL season. Last year, he threw 19 touchdowns and reached 3,041 passing yards in 14 regular-season games. His passer rating and adjusted QBR both improved last year compared to 2024, but his rough ending to the season leaves questions about his effectiveness. The Texans will look to rely on their defense and running game again this year, leaving Stroud as a low-volume, touchdown-reliant option in most matchups. The Bills were a top-10 defense against QBs last year, so Stroud is RotoBaller's No. 22 QB in Week 1, leaving him on the bench in all but the deepest two-QB leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Alvin Kamara Not Expected to Have a Big Role in Week 1
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (knee) practiced fully on Friday and is cleared for the Week 1 season opener on Sunday in Detroit against the Lions, but NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill is not expecting a huge role for Kamara, even if he does play. Even with Audric Estime (thigh) ruled out for Week 1, Underhill believes that the Saints have enough depth behind starter Travis Etienne Jr. with Kendre Miller for the Saints to take it easy on Kamara, who missed most of training camp with an MCL sprain in his knee. The Saints officially listed Kamara as questionable for the season opener this weekend, but he will likely be active in a limited role, which makes him an easy fade in starting fantasy lineups. The 31-year-old five-time Pro Bowler is no longer the Saints' lead back in 2026 after the addition of Etienne, but once he is fully back, Kamara should handle the primary pass-catching role, which will give him some flex appeal on a weekly basis in PPR leagues. But in Week 1, fantasy managers should leave Kamara on their bench.
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Nick Underhill
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Nick Underhill
Jonathon Brooks Emerging as a Flex Option For Week 1
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (groin) doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Sunday's Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears. Brooks was cleared to play after practicing throughout the week. According to Panthers head coach Dave Canales, he will face "no limitations" in reps. The 23-year-old missed all of last season with a torn ACL and has only logged three games over his two-year career. He will likely split carries with backfield teammate Chuba Hubbard (hamstring), who was also cleared after dealing with a hamstring injury since mid-August. Brooks will face a Bears defense that allowed 134.5 rushing yards per game, ranking 27th in the NFL last year. With a positive matchup, Brooks emerges as a FLEX option and is ranked 75th overall (RB32) for Week 1. Even with the split with Hubbard, Brooks should produce enough to be a solid option for fantasy managers in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tre Tucker to Lead Raiders' Aerial Assault in Week 1
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker is expected to see the most targets for the Silver and Black against the visiting Miami Dolphins in Week 1. The fourth-year wideout was a top target in the receiving corps last season, but stands to inherit an even heavier workload with star tight end Brock Bowers (knee) sidelined for Sunday's home opener. Tucker had 57 catches for a team-leading 696 yards and five touchdowns last season. He also showed chemistry with new starting QB Kirk Cousins during the preseason, catching five passes for over 50 yards on three drives together. Even with star running back Ashton Jeanty's ability to catch short passes, Klint Kubiak will lean on Tucker to man the air game in Bowers' absence. Tucker is a high-upside flex option against a weak Dolphins defense to kick off the 2026 campaign.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Dallas Goedert Looks to Keep Momentum Going in 2026 Following 11-touchdown Campaign
After a couple of down seasons, Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert reestablished himself as a top fantasy football tight end in 2025. Last season, Goedert recorded career highs in receptions with 60 and touchdowns with 11, while amassing 591 receiving yards. The 11 touchdowns tied Trey McBride of the Arizona Cardinals for the most in the league by a tight end. Goedert finished the 2025 campaign ranked as the No. 3 tight end in total fantasy points in half-PPR formats. He enters the 2026 season atop the Eagles' depth chart, with Johnny Mundt listed as the team's second tight end, and rookie Eli Stowers and returning player E.J. Jenkins behind them. Goedert currently ranks as RotoBaller's No. 7 tight end. With a Week 1 matchup with the Washington Commanders to kick off the 2026 season, Goedert should be in line for plenty of targets, but will compete with DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, and Saquon Barkley, among others, for touches. According to Pro Football Reference, the Commanders gave up the second-most fantasy points (184.1) and second-most touchdowns (12) to tight ends in 2025. Goedert is a strong Week 1 start in all formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Makai Lemon Earns Starting Spot, But Role Unclear in Week 1
Rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon is listed as a starting wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles heading into the team's Week 1 matchup versus the Washington Commanders. Lemon is expected to operate out of the slot, with DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks working on the outside. Additionally, Philadelphia lists Lemon as its starting punt returner. The Eagles selected Lemon out of USC in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft (20th overall). Lemon hasn't had it easy since then. He suffered a hamstring injury in early August and missed several practices before returning to full participation on Aug. 24. He also missed Philadelphia's first two preseason games before having a rough outing in his preseason debut against the Cincinnati Bengals on Aug. 28. Lemon was also recently instructed by his coaching staff to mirror the preparation of Smith, who is highly regarded in that aspect. Now healthy and with immediate playing time available, Lemon will have an opportunity to make an early impact. Lemon's exact role is unclear, though, and it will be interesting to see whether he can make a difference early on. Lemon is currently rostered in 73% of Yahoo leagues and ranks as RotoBaller's No. 68 wide receiver. He is probably better to leave on the bench for Week 1 in redraft leagues, but is certainly worth monitoring as the season moves forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Matthew Golden Has Loads of Fantasy Upside In Week 1
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden looks to hit the ground running in Week 1 when the Packers face the Minnesota Vikings in both teams' season opener. Last season's first-round pick, Golden was just a few complete deep passes from a whole different discussion about him for fantasy football this season. With just 40 targets and 29 receptions in 2025, along with sporadic time on the field, Golden was a bust on the stat sheet and for fantasy managers. This season, things could be different in the Packers' receiver room with Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks in new locations, so Golden will get every opportunity to stay on the field this season and produce. For fantasy, Golden is an immediate flex-worthy upside play against the Vikings in Week 1, who struggled to contain outside receivers as they allowed the third-most fantasy points to that cohort last season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dontayvion Wicks With Big Opportunity as No. 2 WR for Eagles
Dontayvion Wicks enters Week 1 of the 2026 season against the Washington Commanders as a starting wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, with Wicks working on the outside alongside DeVonta Smith and rookie Makai Lemon operating out of the slot. Wicks will likely serve as the No. 2 wideout for Jalen Hurts, with Smith being the No. 1 target in the passing game. Wicks is poised for a potential breakout season with plenty of opportunities coming his way. Philadelphia acquired Wicks in April in a trade with the Green Bay Packers. While Smith, Lemon, Dallas Goedert, and Saquon Barkley, among others, will all be involved in the passing game, Wicks could put together his most productive NFL season yet. In 2025 with the Packers, Wicks recorded 30 receptions for 332 yards (11.1 yards per reception) and two touchdowns. He has tallied 108 receptions for 1,328 yards (12.3 yards per catch) and 11 touchdowns in 46 career games. Wicks is currently ranked as RotoBaller's 65th wide receiver, but he has a chance to outplay that spot. He is rostered in just 15% of Yahoo leagues right now. As for Week 1 against the Commanders, Wicks is more of an option in deep leagues and is ranked WR64 in the latest RotoBaller rankings. The former Packer is somebody to monitor and could be a strong waiver wire option in the early part of the season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
