RADIO
Quinshon Judkins Better Left on the Bench in Week 1
Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins opens the season in a rough spot against Jacksonville. Judkins is first on Cleveland's depth chart after running 230 times for 827 yards and seven touchdowns in 14 games as a rookie, so the early-down work should still be there. The matchup is the problem. Jacksonville led the NFL by allowing only 85.6 rushing yards per game last season and did not allow any opposing player to run for more than 75 yards. Cleveland is also a sizable road underdog, which could work against Judkins if the Browns have to throw. Dylan Sampson handled more of the obvious passing-down work last season, and that matters in this kind of game script. The Browns will also start five new offensive linemen, with rookie Austin Barber replacing the injured Teven Jenkins at right guard. RotoBaller has Judkins at RB23 for Week 1, but this is a week to look elsewhere if a solid alternative is available. His volume keeps him usable in deeper leagues, but the ceiling looks limited.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jahan Dotson Atlanta's No. 2, but Not On Flex Radar in Week 1
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jahan Dotson will be Atlanta's No. 2 receiver on Sunday for the team's Week 1 road matchup against the Steelers. While that can be a potentially fantasy-friendly role on many teams, the former first-rounder could realistically be the fourth option, likely behind Drake London, Kyle Pitts Sr., and Bijan Robinson in the receiving hierarchy. Additionally, with third-string quarterback Cooper Rush under center in Week 1 for Atlanta, that could mean that a very quiet game could be in store for the Penn State product. The 26-year-old projects as the No. 90 wide receiver overall this week at RotoBaller, and with the Falcons having one of the lowest implied point totals in Week 1 (17.5), he's off of the Flex radar altogether.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Charlie Kolar Has Fantasy Appeal in Deeper Leagues in Week 1
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Charlie Kolar is coming off a strong offseason filled with under-the-radar hype after signing a lucrative three-year, $24.3 million contract in free agency. The 27-year-old was named the TE1 on the team's first unofficial depth chart over David Njoku and Oronde Gadsden II and saw limited work during preseason games with the rest of the offensive starters. Kolar is RotoBaller's PPR TE32 heading into Week 1 and should remain out of lineups in standard 12-team leagues. However, he is a sneaky touchdown-dependent tight end option with upside in deep tight end premium leagues. Kolar will face a Cardinals defense that allowed the sixth-most passing touchdowns (31), ninth-most completions (375), 10th-most passing yards (4,128), and the 11th-highest completion percentage (65.6) last season. In a favorable matchup, he could have a productive fantasy outing and is a name to monitor on waivers to begin the year.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Nicholas Singleton Should be Ignored in Starting Week 1 Lineups
Tennessee Titans rookie running back Nicholas Singleton, the 165th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft in April in the fifth round from Penn State, enters his first year in the NFL as the team's No. 3 RB behind Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. Singleton is not rostered in most standard-sized, single-year fantasy leagues, but an injury to either Pollard or Spears could quickly make him attractive off the waiver wire in the Titans' new-look offense this year under coordinator Brian Daboll. The 22-year-old had two 1,000-yard rushing campaigns in his four collegiate seasons with the Nittany Lions and added 45 rushing touchdowns in 53 total games. He was also proficient as a receiver out of the backfield, catching 102 passes for 987 yards and another nine touchdowns as a pass-catcher. A broken foot limited him to 549 rushing yards in his senior season, but he still added a career-high 13 touchdowns on the ground. Singleton is fully healthy now as Tennessee's RB3, but he should be on benches in deeper fantasy leagues for his NFL debut against the New York Jets this Sunday.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Tre' Harris Remains Hidden in Crowded Offense for Week 1
Los Angeles Chargers wideout Tre' Harris had a quiet offseason heading into his sophomore campaign, even though his offense was often discussed with the arrival of Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator. McDaniel is viewed as an offensive guru who has called plays for some of the most explosive offenses over the last few seasons. However, Harris has been overlooked by analysts even as they have attempted to get as much exposure to the offense as possible. The 24-year-old will likely be deployed as the WR3 in the Chargers' offense that has heavy target competition with Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Charlie Kolar, Omarion Hampton, and Keaton Mitchell all vying for targets. Harris is RotoBaller's PPR WR72 in a favorable matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The Cardinals defense allowed the sixth-most passing touchdowns (31), ninth-most completions (375), and 10th-most passing yards (4,128) last season. Harris should remain out of fantasy lineups in Week 1 and should be viewed only as a touchdown-dependent flex option for managers in a tough spot in deeper leagues.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Deshaun Watson Hard to Trust in Week 1 Return
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will make his first regular-season start in nearly two years when the Browns visit Jacksonville on Sunday. There is not much reason for fantasy managers to take the same chance. Watson missed all of 2025 after undergoing a second surgery on his right Achilles, then had an uneven preseason after returning this summer. He opened 11-for-15 for 126 yards against Chicago before completing just five of 12 passes for 36 yards with an interception against Buffalo. Jacksonville picked off 22 passes last season, so this is not an especially comfortable spot for a quarterback trying to get settled again. Cleveland also enters the opener with five new starters along the offensive line, including rookie Austin Barber replacing the injured Teven Jenkins at right guard. RotoBaller has Watson at QB32 for Week 1. He should stay on the bench in one-quarterback leagues and is only a desperation option in deeper Superflex or two-quarterback formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Titans D/ST a Top-12 Fantasy Unit Against Jets in Week 1
The Tennessee Titans defense/special teams unit is not projected to be a defense that fantasy managers will want to be starting each and every week in 2026, but in their Week 1 matchup against the New York Jets, they are squarely in the streaming conversation. New Titans head coach Robert Saleh, who comes from a defensive background, will be looking to turn Tennessee around on that side of the ball after they allowed 28.1 points per game (fifth-most in the league) and 345.1 yards per game in 2025. Respected defensive coordinator Gus Bradley should be able to help Saleh get more out of this Titans unit, which is anchored by star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. They upgraded the defense in the offseason with John Franklin-Myers, Jermaine Johnson II, and Solomon Thomas. Against the new-look Jets offense led by veteran QB Geno Smith, who threw 17 interceptions with the Raiders last year, the Titans defense has upside as a streaming sleeper out of the gate in 2026.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Andrei Iosivas Tough to Trust Despite Favorable Matchup
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas opens the year as a starter, but that still does not make him easy to trust in fantasy. Cincinnati lists him with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and Tampa Bay was vulnerable through the air last season, allowing 4,049 net passing yards and 30 passing touchdowns. The matchup is not the problem. The targets are. Iosivas saw 58 targets in 17 games last year and turned them into 33 catches for 435 yards and two touchdowns. Chase and Higgins are both on track to play, so it is hard to project much more than a handful of opportunities unless Cincinnati gets Iosivas involved near the goal line or the game turns pass-heavy. RotoBaller has him at WR81 in its Saturday update. That puts him well outside normal starting range. Managers in deeper leagues can take a shot if they need a receiver from a strong passing offense, but Iosivas is better left on the bench in most formats for Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brian Robinson has Flex Appeal with Potential Goal-Line Work
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson will complement Bijan Robinson in the backfield for Sunday's road matchup against the Steelers. That role could be a lucrative one, as last year's RB2 in Atlanta, Tyler Allgeier, racked up eight rushing touchdowns, much to the dismay of Bijan Robinson managers. Though Robinson Jr. had a career-low 400 rushing yards in San Francisco last season, he averaged 776 rushing yards per season from 2022 to 2024 with Washington, despite playing in no more than 15 games during that time, and totaled a career-high eight rush TDs in 2024, so he has legitimate goal-scoring ability. Even so, he projects as more of a low-end flex play this week, with Atlanta (+6) having an implied point total of just 17.5 and potentially needing to lean on the pass later in the contest as they try to play catch-up. The 27-year-old ranks as a low-end flex/RB5 at RotoBaller, but is still one of the top RB handcuffs heading into Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Gunnar Helm has TE2 Streaming Potential in Season Opener Against Jets
Tennessee Titans second-year tight end Gunnar Helm is not going to be considered a TE1 yet in any fantasy football leagues as he begins his second year in the NFL, but there is intriguing potential with the former fourth-rounder from the University of Texas now that Chig Okonkwo is no longer in town in 2026. In 16 games with the Titans as a rookie in 2025 while sharing snaps and targets with Okonkwo, Helm caught 44 of 55 targets for 357 yards and two touchdowns. The 24-year-old will be looking to build on those numbers as a sophomore in a new offense led by coordinator Brian Daboll. The 6-foot-5, 241-pounder gradually took over as Tennessee's primary tight end late last year and has a path to a much bigger year under Daboll, especially if second-year QB Cam Ward can take the necessary steps towards improvement in his second season. In a Week 1 matchup against the New York Jets on Sunday, fantasy managers in deeper two-TE leagues can absolutely use Helm in a starting spot as he looks to get his second season started on the right foot.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Ryan Flournoy A Bench Stash For Week 1
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy flashed serious potential last season, especially when his teammate, WR CeeDee Lamb, was out with an ankle injury. Aside from a few big games, though, he didn't produce much, as the target competition was simply too fierce. Lamb shares the field with wide receiver George Pickens, one of the best in the NFL, and tight end Jake Ferguson, who's capable of playing well in any given week. Flournoy is more likely the odd man out, though he could see a few games here and there with nice production. It's simply impossible to predict when these might happen, even in good schematic matchups on paper. The New York Giants will face Dallas in Week 1, and their soft pass defense should allow Dallas' receivers plenty of space to get open and make catches. But it will likely be Lamb and Pickens absorbing most of the productive targets for fantasy football. Flournoy is an intriguing start in very deep dynasty leagues, but in typical redraft leagues, it's tough to trust him in starting lineups. He's a bench stash for now.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brenton Strange Limited to TE2 Status Against Browns
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange may struggle to produce much in fantasy this season, starting with a Week 1 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Strange has shown signs of being a solid tight end, which the Jaguars also believe, signing him to a three-year contract extension back in June. However, the 25-year-old tight end has lots of target competition from his fellow wide receivers. Parker Washington, Brian Thomas Jr., and Jakobi Meyers all should be heavily involved, and even Travis Hunter, who will primarily be playing cornerback, could be involved a bit as well. Fantasy tight ends need volume to thrive, so things will be difficult for Strange barring injuries. The Jaguars offense provides Strange with some opportunity to produce in fantasy, but in Week 1, he should be viewed as a low-upside TE2 that should only be started in deep TE-premium formats.
Source: Brenton Strange RotoBaller
Source: Brenton Strange RotoBaller
Brandon Aubrey An Elite Fantasy Football Kicker Option For Week 1
Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey is one of the best kickers in the NFL playing on one of the best offenses in the NFL. He was a top-3 ranked kicker in each of his three seasons in the NFL so far, and unless he severely drops off this season, he should remain as one of the best starting options at his position. He did miss a kick in the preseason, but his accuracy remains excellent in the regular season, as he boasts an 88 percent career field goal percentage. He's also made 35 field goals from 50 or more yards out, averaging over 58 fantasy points per season on those field goals alone. The kicker position isn't exactly high-scoring when compared to QB, RB, or WR, but Aubrey deserves a start in all leagues nonetheless. The Cowboys will take on the New York Giants in Week 1. Last season, when the Cowboys debuted against the Giants, Aubrey racked up 23 PPR fantasy points. The fourth-year pro is RotoBaller's No. 1 overall kicker in its half-PPR fantasy football rankings. He's set for a big day against a defense that Dallas has ran the score up on numerous times in recent years.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cam Little Among Top Fantasy Kickers Entering Week 1
Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little has a chance to pick up where he left off last season in a Week 1 matchup with the Cleveland Browns. Little finished as a top-five kicker last year and can easily do so again this season given the potential of the Jacksonville offense. While the Browns do have a solid defense even after losing Myles Garrett, the Jaguars should still have no problem scoring points and, at the very least, getting into field-goal range plenty of times. Little showed last season that field-goal range is a longer range than most after setting the record for the longest kick in NFL history. The combination of elite leg strength and a high-powered offense should make Little an elite fantasy kicker all season. He should start strong in Week 1 against the Browns.
Source: Cam Little RotoBaller
Source: Cam Little RotoBaller
Chris Brooks in the Mix for a Week 1 Role in Green Bay
The Green Bay Packers' backfield is in flux entering their Week 1 season-opening matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, with starting running back Josh Jacobs on the commissioner's exempt list for the foreseeable future due to legal issues. That will give Chris Brooks a bigger opportunity than usual to begin the regular season, but as the likely RB3 behind MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson, fantasy managers in deeper leagues probably should not be too excited about using him as a flex to begin the year. The 26-year-old former undrafted free agent from BYU has not seen more than 36 carries in any of his first three seasons in the NFL, combining for 82 rushing attempts for 395 yards and only one rushing touchdown in his 41 games played (zero starts) for the Packers and Miami Dolphins (2023). The best thing going for Brooks is that he has more NFL experience than Lloyd and Johnson combined, but that will not guarantee him a fantasy-relevant role with the Packers in the absence of Jacobs. For now, he remains merely a deep-league bench stash, especially if you have Jacobs rostered as well.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
