RADIO
Justin Herbert Carries QB1 Overall Upside in Fantasy-Friendly Week 1 Matchup
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will make his 2026 debut in Mike McDaniel's offense with a favorable home matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The 28-year-old is coming off a solid fantasy football campaign, finishing as the QB10 in overall scoring and points per game (18.7) last year. Herbert is expected to get a statistical boost this season with McDaniel's as the offensive coordinator, who has orchestrated one of the league's most explosive offenses and has led the league in passing yards before. The quarterback-coordinator duo will face a Cardinals pass defense that finished near the bottom in most passing stats last year. They allowed the sixth-most passing touchdowns (31), ninth-most completions (375), 10th-most passing yards (4,128), 11th-highest completion percentage (65.6), and had the third-fewest sacks (30). In addition, the Cardinals will deploy a similar defensive scheme after keeping Nick Rallis as their defensive coordinator and making no big additions on defense this offseason. Herbert is RotoBaller's QB4 in a dream matchup and has it within his realm of outcomes to be the QB1 overall in Week 1.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Rome Odunze Not Yet Medically Cleared to Play in Week 1
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (calf) is not yet medically cleared to play in his team's season opener against the Carolina Panthers, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Odunze has been battling a calf strain and is officially listed as questionable to play. The 24-year-old told reporters on Friday that he feels "ready to go," but Fowler reports that the team will ultimately be making the call on whether to have him suit up on Sunday. Odunze had the tail end of his 2025 campaign disrupted by a nagging foot injury, so Chicago's decision-makers may be looking to avoid a similar situation where the calf issue lingers in 2026. If Odunze is active, he profiles as a flex option for fantasy managers in Week 1. If he's unable to go, Bears tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III would both likely see increased workloads.
Source: ESPN - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN - Jeremy Fowler
Xavier Legette Off the Injury Report, Deep-League FLEX Vs. the Bears
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (ankle) was not listed on the team's injury report and will suit up against the Chicago Bears in Week 1. Legette injured his ankle during practice a few weeks ago but has been cleared and will be active for the regular season opener. The 25-year-old is set to be Carolina's WR3 behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker after catching 35 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns last season. The Bears' secondary is banged up heading into Week 1 and will be without safety Coby Bryant and cornerback Kyle Gordon. Chicago also allowed the third most fantasy points to wideouts last year, giving Legette a plus matchup for this week. Despite the positive matchup and game script (47.5 points over/under), Legette is an option in very deep leagues and is ranked WR90 in the latest RotoBaller rankings for Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Greg Dulcich Is a Sleeper to Watch in Week 1
Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich has the potential to develop into a top target in his team's passing game this season. With new QB Malik Willis expected to lead a run-heavy and conservative offense, Dulcich is expected to be the team's top pass-catching tight end. The team could also rotate rookies Will Kacmarek, Seydou Traore, and Justin Joly in what could be an interesting timeshare to monitor. Dulcich had 26 catches for 335 yards and a touchdown while playing 10 games for the Dolphins last year. He's the lone veteran in the tight end room coming into the year, and even though he has the potential to fill a growing role, he's a very high-risk start in Week 1, despite a favorable matchup against the Raiders in Las Vegas. Dulcich is the No. 30 TE in RotoBaller's Week 1 rankings, so even though he has sleeper potential, it's best to see how the timeshare works out before using any of the Dolphins' tight ends for fantasy.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Daniel Jones is a Possible Superflex Option in Week 1
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) is set to take the field Sunday afternoon at home against the Baltimore Ravens for the first time since going down in Week 14 amidst a breakthrough season last year. He was QB13 in fantasy points per game through the first 13 weeks of the 2025 season and was a starter/streaming option for many fantasy managers prior to his injury. Jones' mobility in his first live NFL snap since his right Achilles tear will be a major item of interest in Week 1, but it is unclear how the new Ravens defense will apply pressure. Last year, the Ravens generated the fourth-lowest pressure rate (27.0%) on plays using a four-man pass rush, their lowest mark since 2017. According to Next Gen Stats, in 2025, Jones averaged 8.6 yards per attempt when facing a four-man pass rush through the first 13 weeks prior to suffering his season-ending injury, trailing only Drake Maye (8.9). However, newly acquired Ravens edge rusher Trey Hendrickson has aligned as the right edge on 94.2% of his snaps since 2021, projecting a matchup with Colts left tackle Bernhard Raimann. In their lone prior meeting in Week 14 of 2023, Hendrickson generated seven pressures, including two sacks, across 21 pass-rushing matchups against Raimann, resulting in a 33.3% pressure rate, also according to Next Gen Stats. Admittedly, plenty has changed since that duel almost three years ago, but that potential pressure coupled with the uncertainty surrounding Jones' post-Achilles injury mobility is a concern for his overall fantasy value this week. Jones is Rotoballer's QB23 heading into Sunday, putting him on the edge of superflex consideration in 12-person or larger leagues for Week 1.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
If Active, Darren Waller a Dart Throw in Week 1 Vs. the Bears
Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller signed a one-year contract with the Panthers this offseason and is expected to be the team's starting tight end. Waller practiced all week and recently worked with the first-team offense, with the plan to play in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. According to Steve Reed of the Associated Press, Waller is not on the injury report for Week 1, but continues to ramp up his conditioning after joining the team in mid-August. The 33-year-old caught 24 passes for 283 yards and six touchdowns in nine games for the Dolphins last season. He gives quarterback Bryce Young a red zone weapon, but the Bears were stingy against tight ends last year, allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to the position. Waller ranks 31st in our tight end rankings and is mainly an option in deep-league TE premium leagues heading into Week 1. Even if Waller is active, he should be left on the bench and is a dart throw at best for the regular season opener.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chris Bell Has the Potential to Emerge in Miami's Offense
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chris Bell was named as one of the team's starting receivers in his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders. An ACL tear ended his college career at Louisville and caused him to slide to the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Even though he missed most of his first training camp while rehabbing, he has made a splash right away with a quick acclimation to the Dolphins' offense. He only played one preseason game, but he was targeted five times in about 10 minutes of game action. In Week 1, Bell is RotoBaller's WR73, just behind teammates Caleb Douglas and Malik Washington. Bell could end up being the top fantasy receiver in Miami's offense at some point this season, and he has a huge opportunity ahead of him. He's extremely high risk for Week 1, but he's a rookie to monitor moving forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malik Washington Could Be In Position for a Larger Role
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington is his team's most proven option at wide receiver coming into the season, which will be the team's first year under new head coach Jeff Hafley and QB Malik Willis. The offense is expected to be very run-heavy, which could leave limited receiving production for anyone in the offense. Washington will be joined by rookies Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell, along with veteran Jalen Tolbert as the team's top receivers. Washington is coming off 46 catches for 317 receiving yards and three scores in addition to 110 rushing yards and another score last season. With Jaylen Waddle out of the picture, he could end up as the team's top receiver this season, but with a new QB and offense, his role is still very uncertain. He's RotoBaller's No. 71 WR in Week 1 despite a favorable matchup against the Raiders, so he's best left on the bench until his workload is clearer.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Alec Pierce is Cleared to Play, but a Risky Start in Week 1
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) shed his injury designation Friday afternoon and will play against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. Fantasy managers should still exercise some caution, however, as Pierce logged limited practices all week and missed the entirety of training camp while on the Physically Unable to Perform list after undergoing offseason ankle surgery. As of Friday afternoon, it is unclear if the veteran receiver, who led the NFL for two consecutive years in most air yards per reception, will be on a snap count. Even though Pierce finished the 2025 season as the WR23, his injury woes during the off-season pushed him into the later draft rounds, and he was drafted around WR40. Therefore, he is probably not in many starting lineups outside of deep leagues, 3WR leagues, or knockout formats. Additional uncertainty surrounds Pierce's connection with quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles). It is true that Pierce had two top-five finishes last season after Jones went down with a torn Achilles in Week 14. However, Pierce logged five top-24 finishes with Jones under center, showing a level of familiarity that translates to fantasy success. Pierce managers who don't need a WR4/flex option are best served keeping him on the bench, if possible, for Week 1 to build confidence in his recovery and observe his rapport with Jones.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Tyler Warren Set to Lead Colts Pass Catchers in Week 1
Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren will face the Baltimore Ravens at home on Sunday in the season opener. Even though Warren draws a stout Ravens defense that held the tight end position to an average of 8.9 fantasy points per game last season, the second-year first-rounder looks to once again dominate the team's target share and receiving lines. With wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. moving on during the offseason, Warren is primed to lead the team in targets and receptions this year. Wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel), Warren's primary competition for targets, will play on Sunday after logging limited practices all week, but his overall level of involvement is still unclear. Even though Warren gave managers a slight scare in August with a minor groin strain, he is fully off the Colts injury report and will probably play his usual complement of over 80% of offensive snaps and enjoy at least a 20% target share, judging from his usage last year. Lastly, the game has a decent over/under of 47.5, and the Colts are expected to be playing from behind, which should benefit Warren and other Colts pass catchers. Warren is ranked 3rd in Rotoballer's Week 1 tight end rankings, but has the talent, opportunity, and game environment to be the week's overall TE1.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Caleb Douglas Could Be Miami's Top Receiver in His NFL Debut
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Caleb Douglas had an impressive training camp and will likely step directly into a large role against the Raiders in his NFL debut in Week 1. The Dolphins drafted Douglas in the third round out of Texas Tech, and since he's a tall, perimeter receiver with big hands and long arms, he could become a favorite target for new QB Malik Willis. The Miami offense is expected to be very run-heavy, though, so it is unclear exactly how much receiving work will be available for any of the Dolphins' receiving corps. In RotoBaller's Week 1 rankings, Douglas is the highest-rated of all the Dolphins WRs, but he still checks in as the No. 66 WR, meaning he is well outside the starting tier in most standard-sized leagues. Douglas is an unproven option in an unknown offense, but his long-term upside still makes him worth watching closely as a potential emerging option as the season goes on. He's a solid stash going into the season even though he's only a desperation Week 1 starter.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ollie Gordon II Healthy for Week 1 But in an Uncertain Role
Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II (rib) was able to shed his non-contact jersey earlier this week and is not on the injury report for his team's Week 1 matchup against the Raiders. While the second-year running back will be available in that favorable matchup, the backfield rotation in Miami under new head coach Jeff Hafley is still a huge unknown. Star running back De'Von Achane will get plenty of work while Jaylen Wright is set to be the primary backup. Gordon brings a different, more physical running style than Wright or Achane, and the second-year back does have potential upside if he gets on the field. Hafley praised Gordon's all-around work early in training camp, and Gordon could mix in enough to be a FLEX play down the road. For Week 1, though, Gordon is only the No. 78 RB in RotoBaller's rankings, so he should be left on the bench or waiver wire until his role is more defined.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Wright Set for a Primary Backup Role in Week 1
Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright will open the season as the second running back on the team's depth chart behind fantasy star De'Von Achane. Achane is expected to carry a heavy load in the team's new-look, run-heavy attack this season, and Wright could rotate in as a change-of-pace option or when Achane gets a breather. Wright has flashed upside when he's gotten opportunities after the Dolphins drafted him in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Tennessee, but his workload in this new offense when Achane is healthy is very uncertain. Most of his value in dynasty leagues or deep leagues is as Achane's handcuff. Even in a favorable matchup against the Raiders, Wright is only the No. 58 RB in RotoBaller's Week 1 rankings
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
De'Von Achane Set to Star in a Run-Heavy Offense
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane is lined up for a massive workload as the Dolphins turn to Malik Willis as their starting quarterback and Bobby Slowik as offensive coordinator. The team is expected to lean heavily on the run game, with Achane and Willis both getting plenty of chances to run the ball. Achane agreed to a four-year extension this past offseason worth $68 million after running for 1,350 rushing yards last season. He averaged an NFL-high 5.7 yards per carry and scored 12 touchdowns, and as the focus of the team's offense, he has both a high floor and a high ceiling since he should get so much volume. Achane is the No. 6 RB in RotoBaller's Week 1 rankings, and this favorable matchup against the Raiders should give us a better idea of what to expect from the Dolphins' new-look offense. With Achane featured in the middle of the action, he is a strong RB1 out of the gate this year.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malik Willis Is a Solid Start in Two-QB Leagues
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis is ready to make his first start for his new team as the Dolphins kick off their first season under head coach Jeff Hafley with a road game in Las Vegas. Willis signed a three-year, $67.5 million contract this offseason and will replace Tua Tagovailoa as the team's starter this season. Willis played with the Packers, where Hafley was Defensive Coordinator, for the last two seasons, and the offense is expected to rely heavily on his rushing ability in a ground-focused attack. Willis does have upside since he brings so much rushing potential, and he brings a very high ceiling in a favorable matchup against the Raiders' defense. In Week 1, Willis is the No. 19 QB in RotoBaller's rankings, making him a solid second QB in dual-quarterback leagues but a reach to start in most single-QB formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
