As the 2026 NFL season kicks off on September 13, 2026, fantasy football managers are scrambling to set their Week 1 lineups. With a fresh campaign underway, the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk brings you an in-depth breakdown of the top start and sit recommendations from renowned fantasy expert Justin Boone. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer, these insights will give you a competitive edge in your league. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, this week's slate is packed with high-scoring potential and tricky matchups that could make or break your opening week.
Quarterbacks to Start: Goff, Herbert, Murray
Leading the charge is Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions, who faces the New Orleans Saints in the friendly confines of Ford Field. Despite being drafted outside the top-12 fantasy quarterbacks, Goff is poised for a strong start. Over the past four years, he has averaged over 5.0 more fantasy points per game at home than on the road, and this matchup features two of the fastest-paced offenses in the league. The Lions boast the second-highest projected team total, making Goff a solid QB1 play. As highlighted on Vulius, other quarterbacks to consider include Justin Herbert, who faces the Arizona Cardinals with a high projected point total, and Kyler Murray, who takes on a Green Bay Packers defense missing Micah Parsons. Murray, a former top-12 fantasy QB, could bounce back in Kevin O'Connell's offense.
Running Backs to Start: Swift, Montgomery, Warren/Dowdle
In the backfield, D'Andre Swift of the Chicago Bears is a must-start RB2 with RB1 upside. Despite Kyle Monangai's return from a knee injury, Swift's production actually improved when Monangai saw more snaps last season. The Bears are expected to challenge the single-season points record under Ben Johnson, and a matchup against a Panthers defense that allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to running backs in 2025 sets Swift up for a big day. Other notable starts include David Montgomery against the Buffalo Bills, who struggled against the run last year, and the Pittsburgh Steelers' duo of Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle, who face a weak Atlanta Falcons defensive line. Rookie MarShawn Lloyd of the Green Bay Packers is also a name to watch as he steps into a starting role.
Wide Receivers to Start: McMillan, McConkey, Williams
At wide receiver, Tetairoa McMillan of the Carolina Panthers is a top-15 option this week. Coming off a 1,014-yard rookie season, McMillan faces a banged-up Bears secondary missing key defensive backs. The Vulius NFL Analysis Desk also likes Ladd McConkey, the No. 1 receiver in a Chargers offense projected to score the most points in Week 1, and Jameson Williams, who should thrive in a high-scoring Lions-Saints matchup. Parker Washington of the Jacksonville Jaguars is a deeper league gem, especially with Brian Thomas Jr. likely shadowed by Denzel Ward.
Tight Ends to Start: Mayer, Goedert, Johnson
With Brock Bowers sidelined due to a meniscus trim, Michael Mayer of the Las Vegas Raiders steps into a starting role against a Dolphins defense that allowed the third-most fantasy points to tight ends last year. In four games without Bowers in 2025, Mayer averaged 4.5 catches and 49 yards per game, finishing as a top-five fantasy TE twice. Dallas Goedert of the Philadelphia Eagles and Juwan Johnson of the New Orleans Saints are also viable streaming options. Goedert should be the No. 2 pass-catcher in Philadelphia, while Johnson benefits from the absence of rookie wideout Jordyn Tyson.
Quarterbacks to Sit: Mahomes, Nix, Love
On the flip side, Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs is a tough sell in Week 1. Despite a bounce-back season in 2025, Mahomes is returning from a torn ACL and may be hesitant to use his legs. He faces a Broncos defense that has held him in check for two straight seasons. Bo Nix and Jordan Love also find themselves on the sit list due to difficult road matchups and poor historical performances against their respective opponents.
Running Backs to Sit: Judkins, Dobbins, Jones
Quinshon Judkins of the Cleveland Browns faces a daunting Jacksonville Jaguars run defense that was third-stingiest against fantasy running backs in 2025. With uncertainty at quarterback and an 8.5-point road deficit, Judkins is no more than a risky flex. J.K. Dobbins of the Denver Broncos is in a crowded backfield, and Aaron Jones Sr. of the Minnesota Vikings has been volatile, failing to top 15 fantasy points in his last 10 games.
Wide Receivers to Sit: Moore, Thomas, Sutton
DJ Moore of the Buffalo Bills draws a tough Houston Texans secondary that was second-worst for fantasy wideouts last season. Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars must prove himself against the Browns' elite outside corners, and Courtland Sutton of the Denver Broncos has struggled against Steve Spagnuolo's defense. These receivers are best left on your bench in Week 1.
Tight Ends to Sit: Ferguson, Schultz, Okonkwo
Jake Ferguson of the Dallas Cowboys is a touchdown-or-bust TE2 with CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Ryan Flournoy all healthy. Dalton Schultz of the Houston Texans faces a tough Bills defense, and Chig Okonkwo of the Tennessee Titans is off the fantasy radar against an Eagles defense that allowed the fewest fantasy points to tight ends last year.
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