Week 1 Wide Receiver Preview: Jaylen Waddle Highlights WRs Set to Score
Top Fantasy WRs for Week 1
Let's break down the key usage notes and matchups that are driving our Week 1 WR Rankings.
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1. Puka Nacua, LAR
Played Thursday Night
2. Ja'Marr Chase, CIN
Chase gave us an injury scare when he dinged his knee at practice, but the two-time All-Pro will be a full-go for Sunday. He ended last season with 100+ yards or a TD in each of his final four games and remains an elite option vs. Tampa Bay.
3. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET
ARSB delivered seven top-12 weeks among his 17 outings last year, with six of those landing him among the top 7.
4. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA
Played Wednesday Night
5. CeeDee Lamb, DAL
Last season was the first time CeeDee Lamb had been out-targeted on his own offense since Amari Cooper out-targeted him in his rookie year. So it's reasonable to project Lamb reverting back to the target hog we've come to expect. Lamb as the top WR in a Dak Prescott offense holds a top five WR projection opening week.
6. Justin Jefferson, MIN
Jefferson had a disappointing 2025 with a rotation of poor QBs. He went 84-1048-2, his career lows in each category. He ended the season as WR32 in points per game. Introducing Kyler Murray should help Jefferson bounce back. The Packers pass defense was weak last year, ranking 25th in DVOA and they will be without Micah Parsons to force quicker passes. Jefferson is a must start due to his talent.
7. Chris Olave, NO
Expect a dominant target share for Olave in a Week 1 matchup that finds New Orleans' opponent heavily favored. Detroit's soft secondary -- two starting safeties on PUP; CB Terrion Arnold released over criminal charges -- further boosts the big-play potential and overall upside.
8. Nico Collins, HOU
Collins has a chance to dominate Texans targets, especially early on this season, in a shaky WR corps. He opens against a Bills defense that was tough against No. 1 WR under former HC Sean McDermott. But it's first-time DC Jim Leonhard running the defense now. Buffalo doesn't have a CB capable of sticking with Collins.
9. Zay Flowers, BAL
Flowers has trended up throughout his career. Last year was his strongest season yet, catching 86 passes for 1,211 yards last year. He had six total TDs, but still lacked heavy usage in the red zone. New OC Declan Doyle should prioritize Flowers in the pass game. The Colts struggled against the pass last year ranking 19th against the pass last season.
10. A.J. Brown, NE
Played Wednesday Night
11. Drake London, ATL
Pittsburgh struggled against WRs last season, allowing the seventh-most PPR points per game to the position. The issue for London is QB play, especially after Tua Tagovailoa suffered another injury in practice on Thursday. If he’s out, that’d put Cooper Rush in the starting lineup and add more risk to London’s WR1 outlook.
12. George Pickens, DAL
In George Pickens first season with the Cowboys he produced a career-high 16.6 PPR points per game, good for eighth highest among all WRs last year. But when CeeDee Lamb was active, Pickens produced just 14.9 PPR points per game compared to the 24.2 he achieved in the four games without Lamb. Pickens opens week one with a fringe WR1 projection.
13. DeVonta Smith, PHI
Smith gets his first shot at leading Philly in targets since his rookie year. He opens against a Washington D that ranked just 21st in coverage DVOA vs. No. 1 WRs in 2025.
14. Tee Higgins, CIN
Higgins was limited at times this summer by a heel injury, but it never put his Week 1 status in doubt. With a 15.9% TD rate over the past two seasons and a healthy Joe Burrow, Higgins is one of the slate’s best scoring candidates at WR.
15. Tetairoa McMillan, CAR
McMillan was inconsistent as a rookie on a run-heavy team, but it appears the Panthers are trying to find more ways to utilize him this season. McMillan could see more slot work this season. 40% of his preseason snaps were from the slot, and that could mean more short and easy targets for PPR. Bryce Young struggled pushing the ball down the field last season, so that would bode well for TMac to get shorter targets. The Bears were 22nd in pass defense DVOA last season and will still be without one of their top CBs in Kyler Gordon.
16. Garrett Wilson, NYJ
Garrett Wilson has earned at least a 23% target share every season since being drafted, but his production has been the victim of poor QB efficiency. Unfortunately for Wilson heading into his fifth season, the QB efficiency is still projected to be poor. That leaves Wilson with a WR2 projection to open the season.
17. Jaylen Waddle, DEN
Waddle makes his Broncos debut against a re-made Chiefs secondary that will be starting Nohl Williams and rookie Mansoor Delane at outside CB. It's a doable matchup for Waddle, who was much-buzzed-about all summer.
18. Rashee Rice, KC
It was a tumultuous offseason for Rice on and off the field. But we thought he looked totally fine in his lone preseason appearance. Rice remains a good bet to lead the Chiefs in targets in the opener, and his slot role will keep him away from stud CB Patrick Surtain.
19. Davante Adams, LAR
Played Thursday Night
20. Christian Watson, GB
Watson missed the early part of last season recovering from an ACL tear, but he had a great year overall. Watson’s 18.0-yard average depth of target (third among WRs) pointing to a true vertical role. He was third in yards before catch per reception and fourth in QB rating when targeted (122.6). With Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks gone, Watson should be a strong WR2 this week.
21. Luther Burden III, CHI
Burden has a preseason groin injury but appears good to go for Week 1. D.J. Moore is gone and that opens up space for Burden to have a breakout season. Burden led the Bears with 324 yards last season in the five games Rome Odunze missed and should be the primary slot WR in HC Ben Johnson’s offense. He has top-12 upside this week against a Panthers defense that ranked 23rd in pass defense DVOA last season.
22. Jameson Williams, DET
This might be an optimistic projection for Williams, who saw just 4.8 targets per game in nine shared outings with TE Sam LaPorta last year vs. 7.4 targets per game over eight contests without him. But if you drafted Williams, you likely did so in starting-WR range. And there's nothing about his matchup that downgrades the Week 1 outlook. That his team carries the second-highest implied total for the week, on the other hand, gives reason to lean Lions in your lineup. We'll see whether Williams' target numbers can improve this season, with a new OC in place.
23. Ladd McConkey, LAC
We'll get our first look at McConkey's role in OC Mike McDaniel's attack on Sunday. But there's upside all over this offense with the Chargers implied for a week-high 28.5 points.
24. Chris Godwin, TB
Godwin enters 2026 looking to rebound from back-to-back injury-shortened seasons. Mike Evans’ departure should help stabilize the target volume if Godwin can recapture anything close to his early-2024 form. Cincinnati also provides an excellent scoring environment, with a slate-high 50.5-point over/under.
25. Parker Washington, JAC
Washington hits Week 1 as the bets Jaguars target bet after a summer of seemingly non-stop buzz. Washington finished last season just 35th among WRs in PPR points per game but ranked 16th in that category from Week 8 on.
26. D.K. Metcalf, PIT
QB Aaron Rodgers recently shared his desired to feed Metcalf targets. “Well, we have to get the ball to DK,” Rodgers said. “He is our No. 1 for a reason. He’s had an incredible camp…” It’s nice to hear ahead of Year 2 with Rodgers, while a matchup with a thin Atlanta defense brings ample scoring potential. The Falcons also allowed the third-most receiving TDs to WRs last season.
27. Mike Evans, SF
Played Thursday Night
28. Jayden Reed, GB
Reed fractured his collarbone in Week 2 last year, so he only played seven games. He caught 19 passes for 207 yards and remained locked in as the slot WR. He rarely played with one or two WRs on the field. Losing Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks could lead to more snaps for Reed, and that gives him some upside. Treat Reed as a WR3 this week.
29. Emeka Egbuka, TB
Egbuka battled a summer toe injury, but he put in full practices ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Bengals. While the Cincy defense looks improved, this game environment could easily turn into a shootout with an over/under of 50.5. That makes Egbuka appealing as a low-end WR2/WR3.
30. Rome Odunze, CHI
Odunze started last season with four straight games of 15+ fantasy points. But he only hit that mark two more times over the course of the season. D.J. Moore leaving town should help Odunze be a bit more consistent. Odunze led the team with 23.7% of the targets before injuring his foot in Week 13. Odunze can be a top-30 WR this week against a Panthers defense that ranked 23rd in pass defense DVOA last season.
31. Terry McLaurin, WAS
McLaurin managed a 5-130-1 receiving line against the Eagles in his lone meeting with them last season. That marked the fourth straight time he caught 5+ balls against Philly.
32. Marvin Harrison Jr., ARI
We'll see if Harrison plays a more diverse role in new HC Mike LaFleur's offense. There should at least be plenty of passing volume to go around on Sunday with the Cardinals 10.5-point underdogs to the Chargers.
33. D.J. Moore, BUF
Moore opens against one of the toughest CB groups in the league, led by Derek Stingley and Kamari Lassiter. The Texans ranked third in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs and fourth in receiving yards per game allowed to No. 1 WRs last year.
34. Josh Downs, IND
Downs has been limited to three WR sets as a slot option for his career thus far, but the team traded away Michael Pittman Jr. this offseason. Alec Pierce also is still recovering from an ankle injury while Keenan Allen will also have a role. Downs could be the lead WR this week with all of these factors included, and that makes him a solid WR3.
35. Jordan Addison, MIN
Addison struggled last year with the poor QB play for the Vikings. He ranked poorly in various areas. Among 52 WRs with 70+ targets, Addison ranked 42nd in catch rate, 47th in target per route run, and 42nd in yards per route run. Adding Kyler Murray should help, but Addison sits as a low-end WR3 this week.
36. Malik Nabers, NYG
Malik Nabers produced the second highest PPR points per game by a rookie WR ever and was averaging 17.7 PPR points per game in the three games before having his season cut short due to an ACL tear last year. It's fair to expect Nabers to return to that form at some point, but the first week following a major injury leaves him as a risk/reward fantasy start.
37. Courtland Sutton, DEN
Jaylen Waddle and Pat Bryant hogged the hype this summer, but Sutton should open the season in an every-down role. The matchup is tough in Kansas City against a good Chiefs defense, but Sutton is a viable WR3 in Week 1 fantasy lineups.
38. Michael Wilson, ARI
Wilson rolls in to Week 1 with a three-year, $75 million extension in hand. He's clearly set to play a significant role in this passing game. And there should be plenty of passing volume to go around on Sunday with the Cardinals 10.5-point underdogs to the Chargers.
39. Michael Pittman Jr., PIT
Pittman missed most of training camp with an injury, making for a less-than-ideal start to his first season with Aaron Rodgers. The matchup with Atlanta is favorable, but the missed reps add enough uncertainty to keep Pittman in the Flex range or as a WR3 in deeper leagues.
40. Carnell Tate, TEN
Top ten pick Carnell Tate makes his debut as the projected WR1 of his own team. Tate posted a 20.6% target share last season alongside projected 2027 WR1 Jeremiah Smith last season. Unfortunately even with a high target count, production projects hard to come by in this offense. He begins week one with a ranking just outside of WR3 range.
41. KC Concepcion, CLE
We're treating Concepcion as the expected target leader among Cleveland WRs after HC Todd Monken said he hopes to get him the ball as often as we can." The bad QB situation
42. Quentin Johnston, LAC
We'll get our first look at Johnston's role in OC Mike McDaniel's attack on Sunday. But there should be plenty of points to go around with the Chargers implied for a week-high 28.5 points. Consider Johnston an upside WR4 in Week 1 fantasy lineups.
43. Matthew Golden, GB
Golden struggled as a rookie catching only 29 pass for 361 yards. He also did not find the end zone during the regular season. He had a strong playoff performance going 4-84-1 against the Bears. He should be a full time player with Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks out of town, and showcased that in the preseason with the starters. Golden could be a low floor, high ceiling player this week as a WR4.
44. Stefon Diggs, WAS
Diggs upgraded Washington's No. 2 WR spot when he arrived, but he played a career-low 54.7% of the offensive snaps with the Patriots last year. If that doesn't rebound, it'll limit the ceiling on Diggs' production. The difficult matchup with Philly makes it even easier to go wait-and-see with Diggs in Week 1.
45. Tre Tucker, LVR
We project Tucker as Vegas’ No. 1 WR after a career-best 57-696-5 line last season. Brock Bowers’ recent knee surgery only thins the target competition further, putting Tucker in the deep-league Flex mix. The concern: As home favorites against Miami, the Raiders could lean heavily on the run.
46. Brian Thomas Jr., JAC
Thomas is reportedly healthier than last year and looking to rebound. But Thomas also needs to overcome a volume issue. He ranked just 39th among WRs in target share last season; that dropped to 60th after Jakobi Meyers' Week 10 arrival.
47. Devaughn Vele, NO
Vele has a shot at providing sneaky value in a favorable matchup as a heavy road underdog. But he also averaged just 1.9 catches per game for his first season with the Saints and exceeded 3 receptions in a game only twice. He's a high-risk play outside of deep leagues.
48. Jakobi Meyers, JAC
We'll see how targets get spread in a crowded Jacksonville pass offense. Meyers hits Week 1 near Brian Thomas Jr. but well behind Parker Washington in our rankings. Washington easily generated the most buzz of the group throughout the offseason. Meyers' thumb injury adds risk.
49. Romeo Doubs, NE
Played Wednesday Night
50. Wan'Dale Robinson, TEN
Wan'Dale Robinson's 28.3% target share ranked seventh among all WRs last season. He opens this season a part of a new offense but remains coached by Brian Daboll. That familiarity helps Robinson, but with his opening week game holding a low-scoring projection, he ranks just outside of WR4 range.
51. Xavier Worthy, KC
A healthy Rice has bounce-back appeal this season. But he opens in a brutal spot against CB Patrick Surtain and the Broncos, who ranked fourth in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs last year.
52. Deebo Samuel, SF
Played Thursday Night
53. Khalil Shakir, BUF
Shakir battled an undisclosed injury for much of the summer but is tentatively expected to be ready for the opener. He draws a tough Texans defense, although slot CB Jalen Pitre is the weakest piece in the secondary. Shakir caught 8 balls for a season-high 110 yards vs. Houston last year.
54. Jalen Coker, CAR
Coker signed a three-year extension this offseason and appears locked in as the Panthers No. 2 WR this year. He had a strong finish to last season matching targets (40) with Tetairoa McMillan over the final seven games. Bryce Young certainly isn’t a QB to trust, making Coker a deep league play at best this week.
55. Keenan Allen, IND
Allen was a part time player for the Chargers last season playing 68.6% of snaps. Alec Pierce is still recovering from an ankle injury. That could give Allen room to play more snaps than we saw last season. That can make Allen a flex play in very deep leagues.
56. Rashid Shaheed, SEA
Played Wednesday Night
57. Jalen McMillan, TB
A summer knee injury cost McMillan roughly two weeks, although his limited practices suggest he’ll be available Sunday. That doesn’t guarantee a useful role, especially with Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin healthy and rookie Ted Hurst potentially involved. McMillan belongs on benches until Tampa Bay’s target distribution becomes clearer.
58. Adonai Mitchell, NYJ
Adonai Mitchell was one of 24 WRs to earn at least a 23.0% target rate last season. But he's still left as the WR2 behind Garrett Wilson on a Geno Smith passing offense where it's hard to envision multiple high-scoring WRs. Mitchell opens the season with a WR5 projection.
59. Alec Pierce, IND
Pierce is still recovering from an ankle injury. That could limit his snaps this week. He could even aggravate the injury during the game. That makes him a weak start in nearly any format. If Pierce is a full go, he may struggle anyway. The Ravens ranked 13th in pass defense DVOA last season, so Pierce likely remains a bad play without good news about his usage.
60. De’Zhaun Stribling, SF
Played Thursday Night
