The Fantasy Footballers Podcast Recap: Week 1 (Fantasy Football)
The NFL season is underway, and Andy, Mike, and Jason deliver the news and advice you need to make a playoff push! Remember to listen to The Fantasy Footballers podcast, available wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Tuesday – Undrafted Gems + ALMOST Football Time!
News
Josh Jacobs’ court hearing was moved from November 17th to September 10th, expediting the timeline for an official ruling on his suspension. Until then, Marshawn Lloyd will be the Green Bay Packers’ starting RB. It is worth monitoring the split between Lloyd, Chris Brooks, and Kaleb Johnson against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1.
Undrafted Gems
Andy has a strong conviction in Malik Willis as a QB2 you can stash at the end of your bench. Willis should give you a preview of what his season outlook could be with a matchup against an uninspiring Raiders’ defense. Jason also mentioned Tyler Shough’s potential as a fantasy QB, despite missing first-round WR Jordyn Tyson.
All 32 starting RBs were probably drafted in your leagues, but there could be a high-end insurance RB on your waiver wire. Guys like Blake Corum, Jonathon Brooks, and Kenneth Gainwell (who are all rostered above 80% on Sleeper) all have standalone value, but would be worth a FAAB dump or use of a high waiver priority, should the starter miss time.
Keep an eye out for rookie WRs on waivers. While guys like Ja’Kobi Lane and Chris Bell have been pumped up as potential fantasy darlings, Jason thinks Malachi Fields and Caleb Douglas are more likely to have Week 1 impacts.
Andy, Mike, and Jason all agreed that Dontayvion Wicks is worth a stash as a veteran WR who should have a role in the Philadelphia Eagles’ offense.
Jason believes Terrance Ferguson and Greg Dulcich are two TEs who could be difference-makers at the position, but also could be fantasy irrelevant, so monitor their Week 1 usage. All three Ballers agree that Charlie Kolar is another TE to watch out for his Week 1 usage, as he is listed as the TE1 on the depth chart for the LA Chargers.
WNF Breakdown
The New England Patriots seek revenge against the Seattle Seahawks in a Super Bowl rematch to kick off the 2026 NFL Season. TreVeyon Henderson will miss this game with an ankle injury, making Rhamondre Stevenson a must-start. Drake Maye, AJ Brown, and JSN are auto-starts, with Jadarian Price as a potential FLEX option.
Wednesday – It’s FOOTBALL TIME + Super Bowl Picks
News
TreVeyon Henderson was ruled out for Wednesday night’s season-opener against the Seahawks. Rhamondre immediately plugs in as a volume-based RB2 for Week 1. Patrick Mahomes expects to play with no limitations against the Denver Broncos in the Chiefs’ season opener on Monday Night Football.
Thursday Night Preview
Both Brock Purdy and Matthew Stafford rank as worthy streaming candidates at QB in their matchup in Australia. Kyren and CMC are must-starts at RB, along with Puka Nacua at WR. Davante Adams’ involvement in the red zone last season was historically high, ending the season with the most targets inside the five since targets were tracked in 1992. Mike Evans probably lines up as a FLEX play based on where you had to draft him. The biggest question in this game is whether or not you should start George Kittle. He ranks as the Ballers TE15, meaning there might be a couple of TEs on the waiver wire worth starting over him in Week 1 while we see if he looks like himself post-Achilles injury.
Thursday – Starts of the Week + Week 1 Breakdown, Injury Panic
News
Brock Bowers underwent a meniscus trim surgery and will reportedly miss “a game or two.” However, the Ballers are skeptical. Stay up to date with the latest injury news all season with Matthew Betz’ Injury Blitz podcast on jointhefoot.com. Jason changed his opinion on Chris Bell’s potential short-term fantasy impact Bell being a full-time starter in Week 1.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
WNF Recap
Sam Darnold‘s hip was injured on the Seahawks’ first drive of the 2026 NFL season. No reports have provided a definitive diagnosis or timetable for Darnold’s return, but he will likely miss at least a week or two.
George Holani’s involvement in Seattle’s offense reminded Mike of when Zach Charbonnet would get in the way of Ken Bone Walker. The Ballers project a similar workload for Price while Charbonnet recovers from a torn ACL. Mike also mentioned Emanuel Wilson lined up on the goal line before a delay of game moved the Seahawks to the 8-yard line. Andy stood up for Rhamondre, noting that although he seemed sluggish in comparison to Price, Stevenson actually reached a higher top speed
Starts of the Week
QBs
Andy: Jared Goff vs NO
Andy’s start of the week at QB is Jared Goff. The Saints led the league in pace of play last season, giving this game the potential to be a high-scoring indoor matchup for the Lions.
Mike: Jaxson Dart vs DAL
Mike has confidence in Jaxson Dart to produce against the Dallas Cowboys as his QB start of the week. The Cowboys were last versus fantasy QBs last season.
Jason: Baker Mayfield @ CIN
Jason’s starts of the week begin with Baker Mayfield at QB. The Bucs will either have to match the Bengals’ high-powered offense or will stroll down the field against one of the worst defenses in the NFL last season, making Laser Mayfield a must-start.
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
RBs
Andy: Omarion Hampton vs ARI
Although you’re likely to be starting him based on his ADP, Andy gives you a boost in confidence in starting Hampton against the Cardinals in Week 1. Hampton should get plenty of opportunities in a game where the Chargers are a 9.5-point favorite.
Mike: Bucky Irving @ CIN
The Bengals’ defense doesn’t project to be very good this season, making Bucky the Bucs’ second start of the week. Irving ranks as Mike’s RB15 in Week 1.
Jason: Breece Hall @ TEN
Hall will play despite suffering a groin injury a few weeks ago. Jason projects Breece for about 20 opportunities against an uninspiring Titans defense.
WRs
Andy: DeVonta Smith vs WAS
Smith averaged a 37% target share in games without AJ Brown over the past four seasons. Smith ranks as Andy’s WR9 in a matchup against the Commanders, who ranked last in yards allowed per game last season.
Mike: Tetairoa McMillan vs CHI
McMillan is one of eight rookie WRs over the last decade to finish with a 26% target share. Mike gives confidence to fantasy managers starting McMillan as he faces off against a Bears defense that ranked bottom-5 in schedule-adjusted points allowed to WRs, yards per game, and pressure rate last season.
Jason: Davante Adams vs SF
Adams was the most targeted receiver inside the 5-yard line in NFL history last season. Jason projects Adams to be featured in the Rams’ high-powered offense in Australia.
Getty Images / NurPhoto
TEs
Andy: Sam LaPorta vs NO
Andy doubled up on Lions players in their matchup against the Saints in Week 1. The shootout potential for this game gives Sam LaPorta a high likelihood of finding himself in the end zone, giving you a quality start.
Mike: Kyle Pitts @ PIT
The Steelers ranked 30th in schedule-adjusted points allowed to TE’s last season, making last season’s TE2 Kyle Pitts a great start in Week 1. Tua’s oblique injury could affect the Falcons’ overall willingness to throw the ball in Week 1.
Jason: Isaiah Likely vs DAL
Likely’s career average of 12.5 PPR ppg when playing without Mark Andrews led Jason to choose Likely as his start of the week. The likelihood of Malik Nabers being fully healthy in this game is low, making Likely a candidate to be the Giants’ leader in Week 1 targets.
Fantasy Forecast
TB @ CIN (CIN -3.5, O/U 50.5)
Almost every fantasy-relevant player in this game is startable in the game with the highest Week 1 O/U. Laser Mayfield and Bucky were starts of the week for Jason and Mike, while both Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin are WR2/FLEX plays. On the other side of the ball, Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Higgins, and Chase Brown are all easy starts for the Ballers.
NO @ DET (DET -7, O/U 49.5)
Andy had both Jared Goff and Sam LaPorta as his starts of the week at the onesie positions. Gibbs and Amon-Ra are obvious starts, and Jaymo ranks as the Ballers’ consensus WR20. Tyler Shough has the third-highest passing yards projection, making him a streamable QB in Week 1. Travis Etienne and Chris Olave’s priority in the offense should lead to both of them finishing as solid high-volume plays.
BUF @ HOU (BUF-1.5, O/U 44.5)
Josh Allen ranks as the Ballers consensus QB9 behind some names that may be on your waiver wire. However, the Ballers recommend starting Allen over names like Stafford and Goff, who rank above him this week. DJ Moore ranks as a potential FLEX play, but lower your expectations against Houston’s defense. Buffalo has been a run-funnel defense over the past few seasons, making David Mopportunity a solid RB2 in Week 1.
Friday – Week 1 Matchups + Fantasy FACEOFF
News
AJ Brown will miss at least four weeks after being placed on IR with a high ankle sprain. Look out for Tuesday’s waiver show where the Ballers will discuss whether other Patriots WRs are worth FAAB or waiver priorities. De’Zhaun Stribling suffered an ankle injury on TNF in Australia, which is relatively positive news when the initial fear was an Achilles injury. There has been no official diagnosis or timetable set for Stribling’s return.
Tua Tagovailoa has been ruled out for the Falcons’ Week 1 matchup against the Steelers. London, Bijan, and Pitts all still rank as must-starts for the Ballers, despite Cooper Rush finding himself as a Week 1 starting NFL QB.
Malik Nabers continues to flip-flop on who’s decision it is to play against the Cowboys on SNF. Remember to keep Nabers in your FLEX spot to give you extra flexibility should he be a late scratch on Sunday.
Fantasy Forecast
David Banks-Imagn Images
GB @ MIN (MIN -1.5, O/U 46.5)
This NFC North matchup has plenty of fantasy storylines that could lead to overreactions post-Week 1. Marshawn Lloyd is slated to be the Packers’ RB1 despite only having six career carries across two seasons. Green Bay will likely throw the ball more without Josh Jacobs, and Christian Watson and Tucker Kraft are both startable pieces, while Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden’s involvement in the offense should be monitored. The Ballers see the split between former Packers RB Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason as even, making neither RB project as a top-32 RB this week.
ARI @ LAC (LAC-9.5, O/U 47.5)
In Andy’s almost of the week, the Chargers host the Cardinals in one of the matchups with the biggest Week 1 spread in recent memory. Hampton was Andy’s start of the week, and Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey are must-starts against the Cardinals’ defense. The Chargers’ usage of Charlie Kolar, David Njoku, and Oronde Gadsden should be monitored. While Trey McBride is a must-start, there are serious questions around the rest of the Cardinals. Love’s ankle injury lowers his Week 1 floor, making him more of a risky FLEX play than a high-end RB. The WR room with Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr. is murky as well.
DAL @ NYG (DAL -3, O/U 48.5)
Jaxson Dart and Isaiah Likely were starts of the week for Mike and Jason in the first SNF game of the season. The Ballers recommend starting both Javonte Williams and Cam Skattebo, despite this being Skatt’s first game back from the ankle injury that ended his 2025 season. CeeDee and George are simple starts, while Nabers is riskier as his status and snap count are in question.
Fantasy Faceoff
This week’s picks:
Andy
QB: Baker Mayfield more than 161.5 passing yards
RB: Bucky Irving more than 2 receptions
WR: Jerry Jeudy less than 3 receptions
TE: Dallas Goedert more than 34.5 receiving yards
Mike
QB: Malik Willis more than 179.5 passing yards
RB: Quinshon Judkins less than 59.5 rushing yards
WR: Tetairoa McMillan more than 58.5 receiving yards
TE: Kyle Pitts more than 2.5 receptions
Jason
QB: Jordan Love more than 2.5 rushing attempts
RB: David Montgomery more than 1.5 receptions
WR: Garrett Wilson more than 60.5 receiving yards
TE: Darren Waller more than 17.5 receiving yards
Don’t forget to join Mike this season for Sunday Live to get all of your last-minute lineup decisions answered.
Good luck in Week 1, FootClan!