Six Week 1 Fantasy Football Smash Starts Highlighted by Analysts

Analysts have identified six players they consider strong Week 1 fantasy football starts. Quarterback Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay) faces a Cincinnati defense that allowed 19.4 fantasy points per game to QBs last season, and Mayfield posted 16 fantasy points per game in 2025. Running back Tony Pollard (Tennessee) is projected to receive a sizable workload against a New York Jets defense that surrendered 27.7 fantasy points per game to running backs in 2025. Wide receiver Malik Nabers (New York Giants) is expected to return from injury and will play against a Dallas Cowboys secondary that gave up 25.4 fantasy points per game to receivers in the previous season. Wide receiver Tre Tucker (Las Vegas) benefits from a Miami Dolphins defense that allowed 29.5 fantasy points per game to receivers last year. Wide receiver Jalen Coker (Carolina) steps into a slot-receiver role against a Chicago Bears secondary that yielded 15.7 fantasy points per game to slot receivers in 2025. Tight end Kyle Pitts (Atlanta) faces a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that was among the most fantasy-friendly to tight ends, conceding 16.7 PPR points per game in 2025.

"Mayfield finished as the QB12 last season, averaging 1.5 passing touchdowns and 16 fantasy points per game," the analyst noted.

"Pollard ranked as the RB10 from Week 14 through Week 17, averaging 113 rushing yards and 17 PPR points per game," the analyst added.

"Nabers posted 17.7 PPR points per game over his first three games last season," the analyst said.

"Tucker was the WR38 last season, averaging 9.5 PPR points per game," the analyst reported.

"Coker recorded 14.6 PPR points per game in his final five games of the regular season," the analyst observed.

"Pitts was a mid-TE1 draft pick and connected with Tua Tagovailoa in preseason warm-ups," the analyst concluded.