Fantasy Football Week 1 Expert Picks: Gibbs, Dart, and Others With Positive and Negative Outlooks

The best time of the year is here: the start of the NFL season! It has been seven long months since the Super Bowl, and while we have had two games take place this week, there's really nothing like a regular season Sunday (I've been dreaming about RedZone).

The excitement of fantasy football is also palpable, as every team currently has a shot at winning the championship. Some dreams will fade faster than others (hang in there Drake Maye owners), but no one is a loser yet! Your team could have a big performance in Week 1.

The opening slate of games usually brings more questions than answers, but luckily, the experts at FantasySP are here to help. Morgan Rode and Daniel Hepner answered five questions related to fantasy football in advance of the first weekend of NFL football in the 2026 season.

Use FantasySP's fantasy assistant tool to link your teams and get advice on roster moves, lineup decisions, and more!

1. Which quarterback is in position to start the season strong based on a good matchup?

Morgan: I think Justin Herbert is lined up to start his season strong. He gets the Cardinals in Week 1. Arizona was a pretty average matchup last year, but I see the Chargers controlling the game, leading to a big fantasy showing from the team's quarterback.

Daniel: Jaxson Dart starts the season against the Cowboys, a team that allowed the second-most yards per pass attempt and the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks last season. Dart was drafted in the back half of the top 10 among QBs this season, but he could be a must-start guy by the end of the season if he continues to run how he did last year while improving his passing.

2. Is there a running back who might be set up for failure right away due to a tough matchup?

Morgan: Cleveland's Quinshon Judkins has a stiff test against the Jaguars to kick off the season. Jacksonville allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to RBs last season, and in a game the Jaguars are likely to control, the Browns' top running back isn't likely to fare too well. 

Daniel: Judkins is a great pick, but I'll point out another guy just to switch things up. Kenneth Walker signed a hefty contract with the Chiefs this offseason, and many surely expect him to take a bellcow role with the team. While he might get the carries, he is also facing one of the best run defenses in football from last season, as the Broncos allowed the third-fewest yards per rush attempt and the fewest fantasy points to running backs. The volume could be there to make up for it, but yards might also be hard to come by for the reigning Super Bowl MVP.

3. Give us a wide receiver who will shock fantasy owners and be a major add heading into Week 2.

Morgan: I think Las Vegas' Tre Tucker is the guy to keep tabs on. Las Vegas is lacking a No. 1 wideout, and Tucker may very well earn that honor with his play in Week 1 against Miami. Brock Bowers is still likely to lead the pass catchers when healthy, but Tucker could emerge as a flex-level starting option in all leagues in a hurry if Kirk Cousins can even be decent at the start of the year.

Daniel: The Chicago Bears did great work forcing turnovers last year, but that masked the fact that they allowed the fifth-most yards per pass attempt and the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers. While Tetairoa McMillan is the top receiver in Carolina, Jalen Coker finished 2025 strong by tallying at least four catches and/or 47 yards in five of his last seven games. He also had a huge playoff performance with nine receptions, 134 yards, and a touchdown. A big Week 1 would have owners scrambling to add him as a WR3/flex option.

4. How about a tight end who could have a big Week 1?

Morgan: Aside from the obvious guys, I'll say Philadelphia's Dallas Goedert shines in Week 1. Philly needs pass catchers to step up this season, and the veteran tight end might be the biggest beneficiary from a fantasy aspect. Look for him to shine in a favorable fantasy matchup against Washington.

Daniel: Morgan mentioned Tucker of the Raiders above, and he will have more chances with Bowers out for a week or two. That also leaves a chance for Michael Mayer, a player who entered the league with high expectations, to take on a bigger role. Miami allowed the seventh-most yards per pass attempt and the third-most fantasy points to tight ends last season, and they are likely to be one of the worst teams in football this year.

5. Who will be the fantasy MVP of the opening week of the 2026 season?

Morgan: Give me Jahmyr Gibbs for the Week 1 fantasy MVP. He's got a bit of a below-average test against the Saints but should be the backfield workhorse for Detroit, so I see him racking up a big fantasy score to open the season. It could be the start of an overall fantasy MVP season for Gibbs.

Daniel: I mentioned Dart above in the quarterback section and see him as a darkhorse candidate here, especially with Josh Allen facing a tough Houston defense to open the year. I'll also point out DeVonta Smith, the newly minted WR1 for Philadelphia with A.J. Brown in New England (and currently dealing with a sprained ankle). Morgan just talked about Goedert having a good matchup against Washington, and that extends to Smith, who will now get plenty of looks with less competition for targets.