Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em, Early NFL Week 1: Trevor Lawrence, Drake Maye Headline QBs

Most fantasy football managers are locked and loaded for the 2026 NFL season, as Week 1 kicks off on Wednesday, September 9, with the Patriots vs. Seahawks. The time to craft your lineups starts now.

Trails and tribulations throughout the 2026 fantasy football season surely await, from leaving the 30.0-point outburst on your bench to making the right call with your latest waiver wire addition. The Playbook has you covered with weekly Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em takes all season long.

Let’s kick off the fantasy football season with our early Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em for NFL Week 1.

Make NFL picks for Week 1 on PrizePicks! 

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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em, Early NFL Week 1

We’ll cover the good and bad for each major position group for full-PPR leagues, including quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends.

Here’s who you should start and who should warm the bench for this week’s edition of Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em.

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence: Start ‘Em

Game: Browns vs. Jaguars – Sunday, September 13, 1:00 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 233.5 Pass Yards, 0.5 Pass TDs, 18 Fantasy Score

Despite finishing as QB4 in fantasy football last season, Trevor Lawrence only fetched a QB10 rank in FantasyPros’ average draft position (ADP). Is it managers simply not buying into Sunshine’s ability to take over? 

From Week 15 to Week 18 in 2025, T-Law posted 44.3 (QB1), 31.2 (QB2), 24.1 (QB5), and 23.3 (QB3) fantasy points to close the season. That’s 30.7 fantasy points per game, and for context, Bills QB Josh Allen’s 22.0 FPPG topped the position in 2025.

Lawrence’s blazing-hot finish is difficult to ignore, especially when it was in his first season under head coach Liam Coen—who has built a reputation as an offensive savant. I’d even go to the lengths to label the Jaguars a sleeper for the 2026 season, but that’s a conversation for another time.

Considering Lawrence’s trajectory, why run away from a Week 1 matchup against the Browns? No offense to Jared Verse, but he’s no Myles Garrett. Cleveland’s defense is likely to take a step back, and the unit gave up 22.3 PPG (13th) and 4.8 yards per play (fifth-fewest) last season.

The Browns were anchored by a 9.81% sack rate (third-highest), but that’s likely to fall with one of this generation’s best defensive players now calling Los Angeles home. Further aiding T-Law, ESPN gave Jacksonville a strong 68.0% pass block win rate (ninth-highest) in 2025.

If Lawrence is given time, he could shred the Cleveland secondary, and WRs Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter are entering Week 1 healthy. Plus, WR Parker Washington may be due for a breakout, as seen in our 10 fantasy football sleepers, giving Lawrence a bevy of weapons.

Add Trevor Lawrence to your PrizePicks lineup for Week 1’s action.

Patriots QB Drake Maye: Sit ‘Em

Game: Patriots vs. Seahawks – Wednesday, September 9, 8:20 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 226.5 Pass Yards, 1.5 Pass TDs, 16.5 Fantasy Score

Maybe we’re coming out of the gate a little too hot, but Patriots QB Drake Maye is tasked with a difficult test right off the bat. I know, this is probably the last thing you want to hear for a player who fetched a QB3 price in FantasyPros’ ADP.

This isn’t about Maye’s ability, as he tallied 21.2 FPPG (QB2) last season, paired with a league-best 0.322 adjusted EPA per play, per RBSDM. The reigning Super Bowl champions pose a serious problem, as the Seahawks yielded -0.15 EPA per passing attempt (tied for seventh) last season, via Sumer Sports.

Adding to the equation, Seattle gave up only 16.9 points per game (the fewest) and 4.7 yards per play (fourth-fewest) during the 2025 campaign. New England finished 2025 by allowing a 9.97% sack rate (fourth-highest), and ESPN credited the Seahawks with the seventh-highest pass rush win rate (41.0%).

As we saw in Super Bowl LX when the Pats scored only 13 points, Seattle is more than capable of frustrating Maye, who posted 295 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, and 2 INTs in the 29-13 loss. The fantasy season was well over at this point, but Maye’s stat line translated to 17.5 fantasy points.

The Seahawks defense could be a fade for most QBs this season, proven by allowing only 15.9 fantasy points per game (ninth-fewest) to signal-callers in the 2025 season, per Football Database. 

Make Drake Maye picks on PrizePicks now!

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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Running Backs

Chargers RB Omarion Hampton: Start ‘Em

Game: Cardinals vs. Chargers – Sunday, September 13, 4:25 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 64.5 Rush Yards, 0.5 Player TDs (Goblin), 14 Fantasy Score

Plenty of managers were bitten by the rookie hype surrounding Omarion Hampton in 2025. Listen, we’ve all been there.

After producing an exciting 21.8 FPPG from Week 3 to Week 5 last season, Hampton suffered an ankle injury and would miss seven consecutive games from the setback. His 14.7 FPPG over his final four games was fine, but probably not the level of boom we all hope for.

Now, enter year-two Hampton. Los Angeles has essentially cleaned house in the backfield, meaning a huge workload will likely await the former first-round pick. Backup RB Keaton Mitchell has recently missed four practices due to an undisclosed injury. Furthermore, Hampton’s play in training camp has added fuel to the fire.

The Chargers have generated hype throughout the offseason, mainly due to bringing in Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator. More scoring opportunities could await for a unit that posted only 20.6 PPG last season (24th).

Arizona is a solid Week 1 matchup for Hampton, with the Cardinals conceding 4.4 yards per carry (24th) and 126.9 rushing yards per game (25th) in 2025. We know head coach Jim Harbaugh loved to run the rock during his days with Michigan, and perhaps that elevates with Hampton healthy.   

Predict More or Less for Omarion Hampton’s rush yards projection on PrizePicks! 

Titans RB Tony Pollard: Sit ‘Em

Game: Jets vs. Titans – Sunday, September 13, 1:00 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 51.5 Rush Yards, 0.5 Player TDs (Demon), 9.5 Fantasy Score

The Tennessee Titans are debuting sick new uniforms. The former No. 1 pick QB Cam Ward will throw to rookie WR Carnell Tate, who was the No. 4 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Most importantly, head coach Robert Saleh is an exciting hire who could finally provide direction. 

However, not everything is sunshine and rainbows for a team that went a dreadful 3-14 in the last two seasons. The offensive line still has clear questions, mainly in the run game after posting a 70.0% run block win rate (26th) last year. According to Pro Football Focus, the unit also posted a 57.5 run block grade (23rd).

As expected, this led to underwhelming numbers in the run game with 4.2 yards per carry (21st), though Tony Pollard recorded a solid 3.21 yards after contact per rushing attempt. He still managed to reach 10.9 FPPG, but Pollard also benefited from RB Tyjae Spears missing four games.

Tennessee featured starters plenty during the preseason, including 22 and 19 snaps for Ward. When the starting QB was in, Spears took 59% of the snaps compared to Pollard’s 42% mark. There’s real smoke Spears could carve into Pollard’s touches, making the room unclear for Week 1.

Make Tony Pollard picks on PrizePicks now!

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Wide Receivers

Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba: Start ‘Em

Game: Patriots vs. Seahawks – Wednesday, September 9, 8:20 p.m. ET 

Projections via PrizePicks: 82.5 Receiving Yards, 6.5 Receptions, 17.5 Fantasy Score

After posting a jaw-dropping 119 receptions and 1,793 receiving yards last season, this one may be a no-brainer. Jaxon Smith-Njigba has established himself as one of the league’s best, leading to elite fantasy production with 21.2 FPPG (WR2) in 2025.

Despite ranking eighth overall and as WR3 in FantasyPros’ ADP, perhaps some managers could hesitate due to this week’s matchup. The Patriots held opponents to 6.3 yards per passing attempt (third-fewest) last year, and JSN was held to 4 receptions for 27 receiving yards in Super Bowl LX.  

New England CB Christian Gonzalez, who has established himself as one of the league’s top cover corners, is the straw that stirs the drink. However, Gonzalez and the Pats have been in contract negotiations for an extension, leading to rumors of the CB1 sitting out of Week 1.

Frankly, I’m not buying Gonzalez opting out of a high-profile Super Bowl rematch. Regardless, Smith-Njigba’s underwhelming stats from Super Bowl LX could be an anomaly. New England gave up 27.4 FPPG to wideouts last season (13th-fewest).

PlayerProfiler gave JSN a lofty 35.9% target share (first) and 33.8% target rate (second) in 2025. Seattle brings back the same receiving corps, with WRs Rashid Shaheed and Cooper Kupp behind its WR1. Don’t overthink this one; start one of the league’s top-flight wideouts.

Add Jaxon Smith-Njigba to your PrizePicks lineup for Week 1’s action.

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Bears WR Rome Odunze: Sit ‘Em

Game: Bears vs. Panthers – Sunday, September 13, 1:00 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 47.5 Receiving Yards, 6.5 Receiving Targets, 10 Fantasy Score

Rome Odunze enjoyed an excellent start to the 2025 campaign, amassing 14.9 FPPG over his first four games. However, he fell off a cliff following Chicago’s Week 5 bye, tallying 5.3 FPPG over his final eight appearances.

Apparently that severe drop in production wasn’t enough for managers to fade Odunze, as the Bears’ WR1 for fantasy is a coin flip entering the season. In fact, FantasyPros’ ADP has Odunze as WR27, slightly behind WR Luther Burden III (WR23).

Remember, WR D.J. Moore is now with the Buffalo Bills, and he demanded 85 targets and 50 receptions for 682 receiving yards last season. Volume is open in Chicago, but will Odunze be the one to benefit? 

The Panthers allowed 25.7 FPPG to WRs in 2025 (10th-fewest), aided by holding opponents to 209.0 passing yards per game (15th). Odunze’s likely to draw Carolina’s top CB Jaycee Horn, and Burden (groin) is headed in the right direction to be available in Week 1.

Burden may benefit from Odunze getting the WR1 treatment, and he ended his rookie season by posting 15.2 FPPG over the final four games. Odunze could take a backseat to Burden to open the 2026 season. 

Pick More or Less for Rome Odunze’s receiving yard projection on PrizePicks for Week 1. 

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Tight Ends

Eagles TE Dallas Goedert: Start ‘Em

Game: Commanders vs. Eagles – Sunday, September 13, 4:25 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 34.5 Receiving Yards, 3.5 Receptions, 8.5 Fantasy Score

After playing in only 10 games while finishing as TE27 in 2024, Dallas Goedert bounced back in a big way by finishing as TE7 last season. WR A.J. Brown is gone, making his Patriots debut on Wednesday, and that should be more reason to back the veteran tight end.

Sure, Philadelphia added new faces by acquiring WR Dontayvion Wicks and drafting WR Makai Lemon with the 20th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Eagles also spent a second-round pick on TE Eli Stowers, but he had a poor training camp and could be a gameday inactive.

Furthermore, Lemon missed some time in the offseason from a hamstring injury and didn’t have the best preseason appearance. The rookie totaled 3 receptions for 3 receiving yards on 5 targets, paired with a drop leading to an interception.

With Stowers no longer a threat to Goedert’s role while Lemon is still getting his feet wet, now could be the time to take advantage of the vet’s prowess. The Commanders were a dream matchup a season ago, yielding 8.1 yards per passing attempt (30th) and 15.1 FPPG to tight ends (fifth-most).

Washington mainly looked to beef up its defense by selecting LB Sonny Styles with the No. 7 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. If Goedert is given one-on-one matchups against a rookie in Week 1, that could further add to this matchup. 

Following last season’s 20.0% target share (eighth), another prominent role may await Goedert in 2026.

Make Dallas Goedert picks on PrizePicks now!

Packers TE Tucker Kraft: Sit ‘Em

Game: Packers vs. Vikings – Sunday, September 13, 4:25 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 45.5 Receiving Yards, 4 Receptions, 10.5 Fantasy Score

Tucker Kraft had a dream start to the 2025 season, racking up 16.2 FPPG over his first seven outings of the season. But that campaign was unfortunately cut short by a torn ACL suffered in Week 9.

Despite the injury occurring about nine months ago, Kraft is preparing to suit up for Week 1 in the latest injury update. 

Kraft’s 14.6 FPPG (fourth) from 2025 drives plenty of hype. Furthermore, his fantasy stock is experiencing some addition by subtraction, with WRs Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks departing in the offseason. RB Josh Jacobs is now on the commissioner exempt list, potentially adding to Kraft’s scoring upside, too.

However, this would be his first game back from an ACL injury. Most of us assume NFL players are not of this world, with mecha bodies and instant healing factors. Of course, Kraft is a world-class athlete, but he’s likely to see limited snaps with potential rust coming off a major injury.

Furthermore, the Vikings are a tough matchup, as they held tight ends to only 9.9 FPPG (sixth-fewest) in the 2025 season. Brian Flores is still Minnesota’s defensive coordinator, meaning this will likely remain one of the NFL’s best defenses.

Green Bay is in a road environment against a defense that gave up only 4.7 yards per play (third) and -0.17 EPA per passing attempt (fifth) last season. Perhaps Kraft can keep your bench toasty to open the 2026 season.

Add Tucker Kraft to your PrizePicks lineup for Week 1’s action.

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Week 1 always brings uncertainty for roles, and that applies to players like Tony Pollard and Rome Odunze. Elsewhere, offseason moves usually signify increased roles ahead, like Omarion Hampton’s case. 

Keep tuned, as the Playbook has another edition of Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em on the way for Week 1’s action! 

The NFL regular season begins on September 9, and users can make NFL predictions for the upcoming 2026 season, such as the Super Bowl winner, divisional winners, and win totals, on PrizePicks Team Picks—available in 36 states!

Stay locked in on Playbook for daily fantasy football coverage and NFL picks throughout the 2026 season.