NFL

    Fantasy Football Big Board: Complete PPR Player Rankings for Week 1

    Gary Davenport@@IDPSharksX.com LogoNFL AnalystSeptember 8, 2021

    Fantasy Football Big Board: Complete PPR Player Rankings for Week 1

    0 of 6

      Butch Dill/Associated Press

      Fantasy football season is here.

      On Thursday evening, the focus for fantasy managers shifts. The time for assembling teams is over—now it's time to turn rosters into lineups.

      And potential into wins.

      Just as I helped you assemble a team that you are (hopefully) entering the season confident about, I'll be here throughout the 2021 campaign to assist you in navigating the schedule by providing weekly point-per-reception player rankings and highlighting some matchups to target and others to avoid.

      Let's huddle up and get down to business.

    Quarterbacks

    1 of 6

      Chris Szagola/Associated Press

      There's a theme during this inaugural in-season edition of the fantasy football big board for 2021.

      Don't.

      Sure, fantasy managers who spent an early pick on Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen would rather he open the season against, say, the New York Jets instead of the Pittsburgh Steelers. No team in the AFC allowed fewer fantasy points per game to quarterbacks in 2020 than the Steelers.

      But while matchups play a larger role for fantasy managers who are streaming quarterbacks or platooning, if you drafted a signal-caller as a clear-cut weekly starter, Week 1 isn't the time to get the yips and bench them.

      Don't worry. There will be plenty of time to panic later.

               

      GOOD MATCHUPS

      Jimmy Garoppolo, SF (at DET) [DraftKings DFS Value $5,500]

      Garoppolo's fantasy value carries an expiration date—at some point, just about everyone expects Trey Lance to take over as the starting quarterback in San Francisco. But there has been no indication that will be in Week 1, offering Garoppolo an opportunity to feast on a Detroit defense that gave up a league-worst 23.13 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks last year. 

              

      Jalen Hurts, PHI (at ATL) [DraftKings DFS Value $6,400]

      Hurts was one of the more polarizing quarterbacks in fantasy this summer, with supporters lauding his rushing ability and detractors pointing to his low 52.0 completion percentage as a rookie. But in Week 1, at least Hurts is set up to succeed: Only one team in the NFL surrendered more fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2020 than the Falcons.

              

      BAD MATCHUPS

      Justin Herbert, LAC (at WAS) [DraftKings DFS Value $6,700]

      Quite a few fantasy managers are expecting big things from Herbert in his second season. But the scheduling gods didn't do him any favors—in Week 1, Herbert and the Chargers travel to the nation's capital to face a Washington defense that is one of the league's best.

             

      Dak Prescott, DAL (at TBB) [DraftKings DFS Value $6,200]

      Like Allen, Prescott is the kind of player fantasy managers don't have much choice but to start. But Prescott will have his hands full in his first start since breaking his ankle last October. When last we saw the Tampa Bay defense, it was making Patrick Mahomes miserable for the entirety of Super Bowl LV.

                 

      SLEEPER

      Sam Darnold, CAR (vs. NYJ) [DraftKings DFS Value $5,000]

      They say that revenge is a dish best served cold. If that is the case, then you can bet the rent that Sam Darnold will do his best to make Bank of America Stadium as frosty as possible when his old team comes calling in Week 1. Last year, the New York Jets were very kind to opposing quarterbacks, allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to the position.

                 

      WEEK 1 QUARTERBACK RANKINGS

      1. Patrick Mahomes, KC (vs. CLE)
      2. Kyler Murray, ARI (at TEN)
      3. Lamar Jackson, BAL (at LV)
      4. Josh Allen, BUF (vs. PIT)
      5. Tom Brady, TB (vs. DAL)
      6. Russell Wilson, SEA (at IND)
      7. Aaron Rodgers, GB (vs. NO)
      8. Dak Prescott, DAL (at TB)
      9. Jalen Hurts, PHI (at ATL)
      10. Ryan Tannehill, TEN (vs. ARI)
      11. Matthew Stafford, LAR (vs. CHI)
      12. Justin Herbert, LAC (at WAS)
      13. Kirk Cousins, MIN (at CIN)
      14. Matt Ryan, ATL (vs. PHI)
      15. Ben Roethlisberger, PIT (at BUF)
      16. Joe Burrow, CIN (vs. MIN)
      17. Jimmy Garoppolo, SF (at DET)
      18. Jameis Winston, NO (vs. GB)
      19. Ryan Fitzpatrick, WAS (vs. LAC)
      20. Baker Mayfield, CLE (at KC)
      21. Tua Tagovailoa, MIA (at NE)
      22. Sam Darnold, CAR (vs. NYJ)
      23. Trevor Lawrence, JAX (at HOU)
      24. Mac Jones, NE (vs. MIA)
      25. Teddy Bridgewater, DEN (at NYG)
      26. Zach Wilson, NYJ (at CAR)
      27. Derek Carr, LV (vs. BAL)
      28. Carson Wentz, IND (vs. SEA)
      29. Daniel Jones, NYG (vs. DEN)
      30. Jared Goff, DET (vs. SF)

    Running Backs

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      Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

      For the most part, the whole "don't get cute" mantra for Week 1 carries over to running backs. Some big names have ugly matchups, but if you spent a first- or second-round pick on a back, the smart play remains rolling them out there and hoping they can break through.

      However, there is at least one notable exception.

      Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, after a summer spent mostly watching practices as he rehabbed an ACL tear, New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley is on the verge of being cleared to face the Denver Broncos in Week 1.

      In the long term, Barkley being cleared is good news for fantasy managers who invested an early pick in the 24-year-old. But we're talking about a back who has barely practiced this summer. There could easily be rust to knock off. New York could scale back Barkley's workload as a precaution. And the Broncos are no joke defensively.

      Barkley may well regain his RB1 status relatively early in the season.

      But in Week 1, he's a risky RB2 play—and one who might merit a week of observation if you have a viable Plan B.

               

      GOOD MATCHUPS

      Raheem Mostert, SF (at DET) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,800]

      Given Mostert's injury history and rookie Trey Sermon nipping at his heels, his fantasy value may not last the entire 2021 season. But in Week 1, Mostert should be ready to rock and roll—the Lions allowed 134.9 rushing yards per game on the ground in 2020 and led the NFC in fantasy points surrendered to running backs.

            

      James Robinson, JAX (at HOU) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,400]

      With Travis Etienne Jr. out for the season following Lisfranc surgery, Robinson has regained his status as the featured running back for the Jaguars. That could mean big things this week in Houston—last year the Texans allowed more yards per game on the ground than any team in the league, and no team gave up more PPR points per game to running backs.

           

      BAD MATCHUPS

      Austin Ekeler, LAC (at WAS) [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,000]

      Ekeler was a popular young man in fantasy drafts this summer, and with good reason—he has top-10 upside, especially in leagues that award a point for receptions. He should have an excellent season, but his Week 1 matchup is bummer-city. While Washington was a middling run defense in terms of yards allowed, only two teams gave up fewer fantasy points to backs last year.

          

      Ezekiel Elliott, DAL (at TB) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,700]

      Elliott was a top-five pick in more fantasy leagues than not, and as such, most managers have little recourse but to start him. But it will take a herculean effort for Elliott to approach RB1 status in Week 1. The Buccaneers gave up 80.6 rushing yards per game in 2020 and allowed the fifth-fewest PPR points to the position.

            

      SLEEPER

      Tevin Coleman, NYJ (at CAR) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,900]

      The Jets have made it no secret that they intend to employ a committee attack in 2021—one that robs all their backs of much of their fantasy luster. But for now at least, Tevin Coleman appears to be the leader of that committee, and he draws a top-10 fantasy matchup to open the season with the Panthers.

                  

      WEEK 1 RUNNING BACK RANKINGS

      1. Christian McCaffrey, CAR (vs. NYJ)
      2. Dalvin Cook, MIN (at CIN)
      3. Derrick Henry, TEN (vs. ARI)
      4. Alvin Kamara, NO (vs. GB)
      5. Aaron Jones, GB (at NO)
      6. Nick Chubb, CLE (at KC)
      7. Jonathan Taylor, IND (vs. SEA)
      8. Antonio Gibson, WAS (vs. LAC)
      9. Raheem Mostert, SF (at DET)
      10. Joe Mixon, CIN (vs. MIN)
      11. Gus Edwards, BAL (at LV)
      12. James Robinson, JAX (at HOU)
      13. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL (at TB)
      14. Austin Ekeler, LAC (at WAS)
      15. Miles Sanders, PHI (at ATL)
      16. Najee Harris, PIT (at BUF)
      17. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC (vs. CLE)
      18. Damien Harris, NE (vs. MIA)
      19. David Montgomery, CHI (at LAR)
      20. Chris Carson, SEA (at IND)
      21. Saquon Barkley, NYG (vs. DEN)
      22. Mike Davis, ATL (vs. PHI)
      23. Darrell Henderson Jr., LAR (vs. CHI)
      24. Kareem Hunt, CLE (at KC)
      25. Josh Jacobs, LV (vs. BAL)
      26. Chase Edmonds, ARI (at TEN)
      27. Javonte Williams, DEN (at NYG)
      28. D'Andre Swift, DET (vs. SF)
      29. Myles Gaskin, MIA (at NE)
      30. Melvin Gordon III, DEN (at NYG)
      31. James Conner, ARI (at TEN)
      32. Phillip Lindsay, HOU (vs. JAX)
      33. Jamaal Williams, DET (vs. SF)
      34. Zack Moss, BUF (vs. PIT)
      35. Ronald Jones II, TB (vs. DAL)
      36. Tevin Coleman, NYJ (at CAR)
      37. Trey Sermon, SF (at DET)
      38. Leonard Fournette, TB (vs. DAL)
      39. Devin Singletary, BUF (vs. PIT)
      40. J.D. McKissic, WAS (vs. LAC)
      41. Michael Carter, NYJ (at CAR)
      42. James White, NE (vs. MIA)
      43. Rhamondre Stevenson, NE (vs. MIA)
      44. AJ Dillon, GB (vs. NO)
      45. Devontae Booker, NYG (vs. DEN)
      46. Sony Michel, LAR (vs. CHI)
      47. David Johnson, HOU (vs JAX)
      48. Nyheim Hines, IND (vs. SEA)
      49. Ty'Son Williams, BAL (at LV)
      50. Malcolm Brown, MIA (at NE)

    Wide Receivers

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      Ashley Landis/Associated Press

      It's not often that the first game of the NFL season contains more fantasy-relevant wide receivers than you can count on one hand. But that's the case with Thursday's opener between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

      For Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown of the Buccaneers, it should be a solid start to the season. The Dallas defense was decent in passing yards allowed per game but had trouble on the scoreboard, surrendering 34 touchdown passes (tied for third-most) and the fifth-most PPR points to receivers.

      It's hardly a nightmarish assignment for CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and the Cowboys. The Buccaneers weren't nearly as formidable against the pass as they were versus the run in 2020, ranking ninth in PPR points given up to wideouts.

      Start 'em if you've got 'em Thursday—especially Lamb, Cooper, Evans and Godwin.

               

      GOOD MATCHUPS

      Julio Jones, TEN (vs. ARI) [DraftKings DFS Value $6,800]

      Jones' debut with the Titans is one of the more anticipated happenings of Week 1. Both he and A.J. Brown should be set up well to thrive in Tennessee's season opener—the Cardinals were a slightly above-average matchup for receivers last year, and the team has major questions at cornerback after Malcolm Butler's sudden retirement.

              

      Deebo Samuel, SF (at DET) [DraftKings DFS Value $5,900]

      With Brandon Aiyuk (hamstring) nicked up, Samuel could be set for a bump in target share against the Lions. All of the San Francisco pass-catchers could be in for a nice stat line against Detroit's miserable defense—the Lions allowed the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers last year and ranked 30th in pass defense.

               

      BAD MATCHUPS

      Keenan Allen, LAC (at WAS) [DraftKings DFS Value $6,900]

      In 2020, Allen was targeted 147 times—more than all but four wide receivers. That target share will probably carry over into 2021, and Allen is a good bet to finish the year inside the top 15 receivers in PPR points. But the Washington defense won't make things easy for him in Week 1. A slow start is a genuine possibility.

               

      Allen Robinson II, CHI (at LAR) [DraftKings DFS Value $6,100]

      Robinson is about as matchup-proof as wide receivers get. But this isn't just any bad matchup. On Sunday night, Robinson will not only face a Los Angeles Rams team that was the league's stingiest in both passing yards and fantasy points given up to wide receivers in 2020, he'll also probably spend the evening being shadowed by Jalen Ramsey.

             

      SLEEPER

      DeVonta Smith, PHI (at ATL) [DraftKings DFS Value $4,500]

      Smith was drafted to be the go-to wide receiver for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles in 2021. As it happens, his first game sets up well for an excellent professional debut—the Falcons gave up the most passing yards per game overall and the fourth-most PPR points to the position last year.

               

      WEEK 1 WIDE RECEIVER RANKINGS

      1. Tyreek Hill, KC (vs. CLE)
      2. Davante Adams, GB (vs. NO)
      3. DeAndre Hopkins, ARI (at TEN)
      4. Calvin Ridley, ATL (vs. PHI)
      5. Justin Jefferson, MIN (at CIN)
      6. A.J. Brown, TEN (vs. ARI)
      7. Stefon Diggs, BUF (vs. PIT)
      8. Mike Evans, TB (vs. DAL)
      9. DK Metcalf, SEA (at IND)
      10. CeeDee Lamb, DAL (at TB)
      11. Chris Godwin, TB (vs. DAL)
      12. Terry McLaurin, WAS (vs. LAC)
      13. Keenan Allen, LAC (at WAS)
      14. Cooper Kupp, LAR (vs. CHI)
      15. Robert Woods, LAR (vs. CHI)
      16. Amari Cooper, DAL (at TB)
      17. Allen Robinson II, CHI (at LAR)
      18. Julio Jones, TEN (vs. ARI)
      19. Adam Thielen, MIN (at CIN)
      20. DJ Moore, CAR (vs. NYJ)
      21. Tyler Lockett, SEA (at IND)
      22. Diontae Johnson, PIT (at BUF)
      23. Tee Higgins, CIN (vs. MIN)
      24. Robby Anderson, CAR (vs. NYJ)
      25. Odell Beckham Jr., CLE (at KC)
      26. Brandon Aiyuk, SF (at DET)
      27. DJ Chark Jr., JAX (at HOU)
      28. Courtland Sutton, DEN (at NYG)
      29. Chase Claypool, PIT (at BUF)
      30. Corey Davis, NYJ (at CAR)
      31. Antonio Brown, TB (vs. DAL)
      32. Deebo Samuel, SF (at DET)
      33. Ja'Marr Chase, CIN (vs. MIN)
      34. Brandin Cooks, HOU (vs JAX)
      35. DeVonta Smith, PHI (at ATL)
      36. Jerry Jeudy, DEN (at NYG)
      37. Marquez Callaway, NO (vs. GB)
      38. Michael Pittman Jr., IND (vs. SEA)
      39. JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT (at BUF)
      40. Kenny Golladay, NYG (vs. DEN)
      41. Tyler Boyd, CIN (vs. MIN)
      42. Jakobi Meyers, NE (vs. MIA)
      43. Michael Gallup, DAL (at TB)
      44. Jarvis Landry, CLE (at KC)
      45. DeVante Parker, MIA (at NE)
      46. Marvin Jones Jr., JAX (at HOU)
      47. Laviska Shenault Jr., JAX (at HOU)
      48. Russell Gage, ATL (vs. PHI)
      49. Darnell Mooney, CHI (at LAR)
      50. Marquise Brown, BAL (at LV)

    Tight Ends

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      Paul Sancya/Associated Press

      There isn't a position where staying the course at the beginning of the season is more self-evident than at tight end.

      If you drafted one of the Big Three (Travis Kelce of the Chiefs, Darren Waller of the Raiders and George Kittle of the 49ers), then you're rolling them out every week except the bye. Matchup isn't a factor. Maybe it helps. Maybe it hurts. But it doesn't change the call even a little.

      If you drafted one of the Tier 2 guys (T.J. Hockenson of the Lions, Kyle Pitts of the Falcons and Mark Andrews of the Ravens) it's a similar story—it's much too early to go second-guessing the decision to use a middle-round pick on them.

      Add in the injuries that have already felled Irv Smith Jr. of the Vikings (meniscus surgery) and Evan Engram of the Giants (calf), and odds are—provided they are available—the first tight end you drafted is the one you will be starting in the first week of the fantasy campaign.

              

      GOOD MATCHUPS

      Dallas Goedert, PHI (at ATL) [DraftKings DFS Value $4,800]

      Some of the shine has come off Goedert with Zach Ertz still on the team, but the fourth-year pro is still set up for a strong start. Sunday in Atlanta, Goedert and the Eagles will face a struggling Falcons secondary that was kind to opposing tight ends a year ago, having allowed the most fantasy points in the NFC to the position.

             

      Tyler Higbee, LAR (vs. CHI) [DraftKings DFS Value $3,900]

      Higbee's 2020 was a disappointment for fantasy managers after he finished the season before on a roll. But with Gerald Everett in Seattle, Higbee should be in for a bump in target share, and last year at least the Bears struggled to defend tight ends. Among NFC teams, only the Falcons gave up more PPR points per game to the position.

               

      BAD MATCHUPS

      Mike Gesicki, MIA (at NE) [DraftKings DFS Value $4,500]

      As Gesicki showed last year, he can serve as a capable starter for fantasy managers, finishing seventh at the position in PPR points. But he's not immune to a bad matchup. This week's opener against the rival Patriots is just such a matchup, as New England was the third-stingiest in points allowed to tight ends last season.

                 

      T.J. Hockenson, DET (vs. SF) [DraftKings DFS Value $4,900]

      Hockenson could be on the verge of both a massive target share and a career year for a Lions team that will play catch-up on a weekly basis. But from a matchup perspective, the season is starting off on a rotten note. Last year, no team in the NFL surrendered fewer fantasy points to tight ends than the Niners.

              

      SLEEPER

      Eric Ebron, PIT (at BUF) [DraftKings DFS Value $3,900]

      Ebron was essentially a fantasy non-factor in 2021 drafts—he is sitting on the waiver wire in as many leagues as not as Week 1 approaches. But there's some matchup potential to be had with the 28-year-old Sunday against the Bills. Buffalo gave up the third-fewest PPR points to wideouts in 2020, but allowed the seventh-most points per game to tight ends.

              

      WEEK 1 TIGHT END RANKINGS

      1. Travis Kelce, KC (vs. CLE)
      2. Darren Waller, LV (vs. BAL)
      3. George Kittle, SF (at DET)
      4. Mark Andrews, BAL (at LV)
      5. Kyle Pitts, ATL (vs. PHI)
      6. T.J. Hockenson, DET (vs. SF)
      7. Dallas Goedert, PHI (at ATL)
      8. Noah Fant, DEN (at NYG)
      9. Logan Thomas, WAS (vs. LAC)
      10. Tyler Higbee, LAR (vs. CHI)
      11. Robert Tonyan Jr., GB (vs. NO)
      12. Rob Gronkowski, TB (vs. DAL)
      13. Jonnu Smith, NE (vs. MIA)
      14. Jared Cook, LAC (at WAS)
      15. Mike Gesicki, MIA (at NE)
      16. Hunter Henry, NE (vs. MIA)
      17. Gerald Everett, SEA (at IND)
      18. Blake Jarwin, DAL (at TB)
      19. Kyle Rudolph, NYG (vs. DEN)
      20. Adam Trautman, NO (vs. GB)
      21. Anthony Firkser, TEN (vs. ARI)
      22. Zach Ertz, PHI (at ATL)
      23. Eric Ebron, PIT (at BUF)
      24. Cole Kmet, CHI (at LAR)
      25. Jack Doyle, IND (vs. SEA)
      26. Jimmy Graham, CHI (at LAR)
      27. Austin Hooper, CLE (at KC)
      28. Chris Herndon, MIN (at CIN)
      29. Tyler Kroft, NYJ (at CAR)
      30. Pat Freiermuth, PIT (at BUF)

    Defenses and Kickers

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      Gregory Payan/Associated Press

      Here's a bit of wisdom for fantasy managers where team defenses are concerned.

      If you took the plunge and invested significant draft capital in a high-end defense in 2021, then patience is your friend.

      The schedule wasn't drawn up in secrecy, so fantasy managers knew going in that more than one of this year's higher-end defenses would start the season with a rough matchup. It's possible (even likely) that at least one of those units will have a rough go of it in Week 1.

      Still, nothing good ever came from a panic drop—at any spot. Given what it cost you to obtain the services of that high-end defense, the best course is to start them and then forget anything unpleasant.

      If we get a month-plus into the season and that defense is still struggling, that's another kettle of fish.

                           

      GOOD MATCHUPS

      Denver Broncos Defense (at NYG) [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,300]

      The Denver defense has looked like a value play all summer, and it's time to start reaping the rewards. The Giants allowed the second-most sacks and third-most fantasy points to defenses last season, and if the preseason was any indication, that shaky O-line isn't one bit better in 2021.

             

      Dustin Hopkins, WAS (vs. LAC)

      It's hard to determine good matchups for kickers this early in the season. But last year at least, the Chargers gave up the seventh-most fantasy points to the position. An improved Washington offense should move the ball against the Chargers, but not so well that the team will just bang out touchdown drives at will.

              

      BAD MATCHUPS

      Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense (vs. DAL) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,000]

      The Tampa defense really set the stage for the Buccaneers' win in Super Bowl LV, and the Bucs won't make things easy for the Dallas offense Thursday night. But with Dak Prescott back following ankle surgery and shoulder trouble, the Cowboys possess one of the league's most potent offenses, and this game has more than a little shootout potential.

              

      Daniel Carlson, LV (vs. BAL)

      Carlson will have his good weeks for fantasy managers—he's got a strong leg, kicks indoors and plays on a team with a good (but not great) offense. But this week's matchup with the Baltimore Ravens isn't likely to feature one of those weeks—there isn't a team in the league that gave up fewer fantasy points to kickers in 2020 than the Ravens.

                  

      SLEEPER

      Carolina Panthers Defense (vs. NYJ) [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,600]

      That the Panthers have a higher salary this week at DraftKings than the Broncos should give some idea of how favorable their matchup with the Jets is. Rookie quarterback Zach Wilson has looked good in the preseason, but he's still taking over the league's worst offense from last season and a team that allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to defenses.

                             

      WEEK 1 TEAM DEFENSE RANKINGS

      1. Los Angeles Rams (vs. CHI)
      2. San Francisco 49ers (at DET)
      3. Baltimore Ravens (at LV)
      4. Denver Broncos (at NYG)
      5. Miami Dolphins (at NE)
      6. New England Patriots (vs. MIA)
      7. Minnesota Vikings (at CIN)
      8. Washington Football Team (vs. LAC)
      9. Pittsburgh Steelers (at BUF)
      10. Green Bay Packers (vs. NO)
      11. Seattle Seahawks (at IND)
      12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. DAL)
      13. Los Angeles Chargers (at WAS)
      14. Carolina Panthers (at NYJ)
      15. Philadelphia Eagles (at ATL)
      16. New York Giants (vs. DEN)
      17. Buffalo Bills (vs. PIT)
      18. Jacksonville Jaguars (at HOU)
      19. Indianapolis Colts (vs. SEA)
      20. New York Jets (vs. CAR)
      21. Chicago Bears (at LAR)
      22. Cleveland Browns (at KC)
      23. Atlanta Falcons (vs. PHI)
      24. Houston Texans (vs. JAX)
      25. New Orleans Saints (vs. GB)

                    

      WEEK 1 KICKER RANKINGS

      1. Justin Tucker, BAL (@ LV)
      2. Harrison Butker, KC (vs. CLE)
      3. Ryan Succop, TB (vs. DAL)
      4. Robbie Gould, SF (@ DET)
      5. Matt Prater, ARI (at TEN)
      6. Greg Zuerlein, DAL (at TB)
      7. Younghoe Koo, ATL (vs. PHI)
      8. Mason Crosby, GB (vs. NO)
      9. Matt Gay, LAR (vs. CHI)
      10. Rodrigo Blankenship, IND (vs. SEA)
      11. Jake Elliott, PHI (at ATL)
      12. Jason Sanders, MIA (at NE)
      13. Jason Myers, SEA (at IND)
      14. Brandon McManus, DEN (at NYG)
      15. Greg Joseph, MIN (at CIN)
      16. Tyler Bass, BUF (vs. PIT)
      17. Joey Slye, CAR (vs. NYJ)
      18. Aldrick Rosas, NO (vs. GB)
      19. Chase McLaughlin, CLE (at KC)
      20. Daniel Carlson, LV (vs. BAL)
      21. Chris Boswell, PIT (at BUF)
      22. Dustin Hopkins, WAS (vs. LAC)
      23. Josh Lambo, JAX (at HOU)
      24. Ka'imi Fairbairn, HOU (vs. JAX)
      25. Graham Gano, NYG (vs. DEN)

    Top 100 Overall/Flex Rankings

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      Jacob Kupferman/Associated Press

      Before we dive into the top 100 players for Week 1, a quick note and an admonition.

      The note is that our top flex options don't include quarterbacks. If you play in a league that allows you to put a QB in a flex spot and you have a halfway-capable starter under center you can put in that spot, that's the play. This week and every other.

      The admonition is one simple word that all too often is forgotten by fantasy managers this time of year: patience.

      Odds are, you spent considerable time and effort on draft preparation. You assembled the team you did for a reason. And admittedly, notching a Week 1 win beats the alternative.

      But it's still just one week. Your RB1 having a rough go doesn't portend doom. Neither does your starting quarterback having a slow game. Or your sleeper wide receiver catching one pass for eight yards.

      This isn't to say you shouldn't hit the waiver wire after Week 1 in an effort to improve your team. But panicking and dropping a guy after one week or trading a player for 40 cents on the dollar is a lot more likely to prolong the losing than end it.

      So relax.

      It's a long season.

              

      WEEK 1 TOP 100/FLEX RANKINGS

      1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, CAR (vs. NYJ)
      2. Dalvin Cook, RB, MIN (at CIN)
      3. Derrick Henry, RB, TEN (vs. ARI)
      4. Alvin Kamara, RB, NO (vs. GB)
      5. Tyreek Hill, WR, KC (vs. CLE)
      6. Davante Adams, WR, GB (vs. NO)
      7. Aaron Jones, RB, GB (at NO)
      8. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, ARI (at TEN)
      9. Calvin Ridley, WR, ATL (vs. PHI)
      10. Justin Jefferson, WR, MIN (at CIN)
      11. A.J. Brown, WR, TEN (vs. ARI)
      12. Nick Chubb, RB, CLE (at KC)
      13. Stefon Diggs, WR, BUF (vs. PIT)
      14. Jonathan Taylor, RB, IND (vs. SEA)
      15. Mike Evans, WR, TB (vs. DAL)
      16. Antonio Gibson, RB, WAS (vs. LAC)
      17. DK Metcalf, WR, SEA (at IND)
      18. CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL (at TB)
      19. Raheem Mostert, RB, SF (at DET)
      20. Chris Godwin, WR, TB (vs. DAL)
      21. Travis Kelce, TE, KC (vs. CLE)
      22. Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS (vs. LAC)
      23. Joe Mixon, RB, CIN (vs. MIN)
      24. Keenan Allen, WR, LAC (at WAS)
      25. Gus Edwards, RB, BAL (at LV)
      26. Cooper Kupp, WR, LAR (vs. CHI)
      27. James Robinson, RB, JAX (at HOU)
      28. Robert Woods, WR, LAR (vs. CHI)
      29. Amari Cooper, WR, DAL (at TB)
      30. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, DAL (at TB)
      31. Austin Ekeler, RB, LAC (at WAS)
      32. Allen Robinson II, WR, CHI (at LAR)
      33. Darren Waller, TE, LV (vs. BAL)
      34. Julio Jones, WR, TEN (vs. ARI)
      35. Miles Sanders, RB, PHI (at ATL)
      36. Adam Thielen, WR, MIN (at CIN)
      37. Najee Harris, RB, PIT (at BUF)
      38. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, KC (vs. CLE)
      39. D.J. Moore, WR, CAR (vs. NYJ)
      40. George Kittle, TE, SF (at DET)
      41. Damien Harris, RB, NE (vs. MIA)
      42. Tyler Lockett, WR, SEA (at IND)
      43. David Montgomery, RB, CHI (at LAR)
      44. Diontae Johnson, WR, PIT (at BUF)
      45. Chris Carson, RB, SEA (at IND)
      46. Tee Higgins, WR, CIN (vs. MIN)
      47. Saquon Barkley, RB, NYG (vs. DEN)
      48. Robby Anderson, WR, CAR (vs. NYJ)
      49. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, CLE (at KC)
      50. Mike Davis, RB, ATL (vs. PHI)
      51. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, SF (at DET)
      52. DJ Chark Jr., WR, JAX (at HOU)
      53. Darrell Henderson Jr., RB, LAR (vs. CHI)
      54. Mark Andrews, TE, BAL (at LV)
      55. Kareem Hunt, RB, CLE (at KC)
      56. Kyle Pitts, TE, ATL (vs. PHI)
      57. Courtland Sutton, WR, DEN (at NYG)
      58. Josh Jacobs, RB, LV (vs. BAL)
      59. Chase Claypool, WR, PIT (at BUF)
      60. Chase Edmonds, RB, ARI (at TEN)
      61. Javonte Williams, RB, DEN (at NYG)
      62. T.J. Hockenson, TE, DET (vs. SF)
      63. Corey Davis, WR, NYJ (at CAR)
      64. Antonio Brown, WR, TB (vs. DAL)
      65. D'Andre Swift, RB, DET (vs. SF)
      66. Deebo Samuel, WR, SF (at DET)
      67. Myles Gaskin, RB, MIA (at NE)
      68. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, CIN (vs. MIN)
      69. Melvin Gordon III, RB, DEN (at NYG)
      70. Brandin Cooks, WR, HOU (vs JAX)
      71. DeVonta Smith, WR, PHI (at ATL)
      72. Jerry Jeudy, WR, DEN (at NYG)
      73. Dallas Goedert, TE, PHI (at ATL)
      74. James Conner, RB, ARI (at TEN)
      75. Marquez Callaway, WR, NO (vs. GB)
      76. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, IND (vs. SEA)
      77. Phillip Lindsay, RB, HOU (vs. JAX)
      78. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, PIT (at BUF)
      79. Kenny Golladay, WR, NYG (vs. DEN)
      80. Jamaal Williams, RB, DET (vs. SF)
      81. Zack Moss, RB, BUF (vs. PIT)
      82. Tyler Boyd, WR, CIN (vs. MIN)
      83. Ronald Jones II, RB, TB (vs. DAL)
      84. Noah Fant, TE, DEN (at NYG)
      85. Tevin Coleman, RB, NYJ (at CAR)
      86. Jakobi Meyers, WR, NE (vs. MIA)
      87. Trey Sermon, RB, SF (at DET)
      88. Michael Gallup, WR, DAL (at TB)
      89. Leonard Fournette, RB, TB (vs. DAL)
      90. Devin Singletary, RB, BUF (vs. PIT)
      91. Jarvis Landry, WR, CLE (at KC)
      92. DeVante Parker, WR, MIA (at NE)
      93. Marvin Jones Jr., WR, JAX (at HOU)
      94. JD McKissic, RB, WAS (vs. LAC)
      95. Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, JAX (at HOU)
      96. Logan Thomas, TE, WAS (vs. LAC)
      97. Michael Carter, RB, NYJ (at CAR)
      98. Russell Gage, WR, ATL (vs. PHI)
      99. Darnell Mooney, WR, CHI (at LAR)
      100. James White, RB, NE (vs. MIA)

                  

      Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com for details.

      Fantasy points allowed data courtesy of My Fantasy League.

      Gary Davenport is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Follow him on Twitter at @IDPSharks.

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