Mon Sep 14th 2026

Week One Review

What an incredible week one of the fantasy season! It was the highest-scoring first week in the NFL ever, and dynasty lineups reflected it! Dynasty managers had to score a ton of points to win games this week. Most of the high scores in my leagues were near 200 points. With the Monday night game still to go, the median score in one of my leagues where you get a win or loss against the median, which is 154 points. It was a crazy week.

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Injury Report

• As fun as it was watching all the games this week and following our dynasty teams, it was a terrible week on the injury front, with stars going down and many already being placed on IR. It’s the worst when quarterbacks get injured because it affects the whole team. Cooper Rush brought down the entire Falcons passing game, Drew Lock at least kept the offense moving, and Carson Wentz may have improved the Vikings’ offense. Hopefully Michael Penix will return soon in Atlanta. It sounds like Sam Darnold will be back sooner rather than later, and I assume the same will be true for Kyler Murray. Drake London and Kyle Pitts are not startable if Rush is their quarterback, but I think Lock and Wentz played well enough not to downgrade their pass catchers if they need to start more games.
• On the receiver front, several key players will miss significant time after sustaining injuries this week. AJ Brown has already been placed on IR. Roomeo Doubs will have to prove himself quickly after a terrible debut with the Patriots. I expect him to get a lot more targets with Brown out. Zay Flowers reaggravated his hamstring after going ballistic in the first half of the game Sunday. Lamar Jackson will always find a way to produce. Still, his passing yardage is capped with Flowers out, especially since Ja’Kobi Lane broke his wrist and will miss significant time along with fellow rookie hopeful, De’Zhaun Stribling. Mark Andrews will have to step up in the Ravens’ passing game, and Demarcus Robinson for the 49ers, but I’ll write more about him in the waiver wire portion of the article. Finally, I’ll discuss Ladd McConkey and his injury in the players I was wrong about.

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Victory Lap

Christian Watson

• Watson was one of the players I targeted most in trades this offseason after the Packers let Romeo Doubs and Dontavion Wicks sign with other teams. I was convinced that he would be the team’s top receiver and best playmaker this season and for years to come. Thankfully, I was able to trade for him in one of my leagues, though I could not get a deal done in the others. He was in my starting lineup this week and scored the second-most wide receiver points of the week with six catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns, including an amazing breakaway touchdown where he blew past the entire defense. Matthew Golden got more targets and had a great game too, but Watson is their playmaker. I was thrilled to see my bet pay off this week and only wish I had tried harder to get more deals done this offseason.

Jaxson Dart

• I’m very pleased that I had Dart ranked far higher than other dynasty managers and analysts last year. As a result, I drafted him in three of my leagues. Many dynasty managers had question marks on Dart after his rookie season, but I always believed in him. Many questioned the repeatability of his production last season because so much of it came in the running game and involved what felt like many broken plays. The question going into this season was: could he grow and play in a more controlled way? He answered that question with a solid “yes” on Sunday night. Dart looked like a completely different quarterback in game one of his second season. He was much calmer in the pocket and in control of the offense. He even completed 80% of his passes. The coaching staff changes and a year of maturity have contributed to a more complete quarterback, at least after one game. Hopefully he'll keep growing and developing all year. If so, he will cement himself as a top-tier dynasty quarterback.

Antonio Williams

• Williams was one of my most drafted rookies this year. I was admittedly bummed when Stefon Diggs signed with the Commanders, but I was still confident that he would earn a starting role in the slot. He did just that, and in his first NFL game, he led the team in receiving yards and scored a touchdown and should have scored a second. He looked awesome on his routes and his run after the catch. He’s made an immediate impact and can play a significant role this season and overtake Terry McLaurin and Diggs (if they keep him) next year. I’m very pleased with Williams’s performance in week one.

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Walk of Shame

Jalen Coker

• I was terribly wrong on Coker. I never grabbed a share of Coker later in rookie drafts or off the waiver wire when he burst onto the scene last year. Worse, he was on the waiver wire in one of the leagues I joined this year to take over an orphan team, and I still didn't add him to my roster. Sadly, I still have almost all of my Xavier Legette shares and none of Coker. This week he scored the most fantasy points for a receiver. He’s made a believer out of me, and I can now gladly drop my shares of Legette when picking up players on the waiver wire early this season. Coker is the WR-2 for Carolina, and he’s become a great player even though he’s from a small school and went undrafted.

Dalton Kincaid

• I didn’t buy the hype that was building over this offseason about the Bills’ plans to make Kincaid a focus of the passing attack. He’s never done so, and he’s not even played the majority of snaps. I did not think he ever would, even though the Bills have a new coaching staff. He’s not a traditional tight end, so I expected his snaps to be limited again this year. I was proved wrong, though, when he led the team in receiving this week with 130 yards and played 72% of the snaps. One week is not a trend, but if he stays in this role all season, I will wish I had believed the offseason hype and tried to add him to some of my teams.

Ladd McConkey

• I was convinced that Quentin Johnston would be the most targeted player for the Chargers this season and be the receiver coach McDaniels would center his passing game around him this season. After week one, I could not be more wrong. It was McConkey who got peppered with targets and perhaps got one too many since he left the game with an internal injury after a huge hit. If he misses time, maybe my Johnston bets will come true, but if he’s healthy, he’s their top target, and I was terribly wrong and will regret the one trade I made for Johnston this offseason to give myself at least one share of who I thought would break out this year.

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Stock Up

DeAndre Swift

• Swift signed a new contract just before week one, and then tore up the Panthers in game one, scoring the fourth-most running back points this week, with 124 yards rushing and three touchdowns! The contract signed was an even bigger deal than the fantastic play in game one. The contract shows they are committed to Swift for the future, and he’s attached to one of the league's best offenses, which plans to score the most points in NFL history this season. They are well on their way after hanging 59 on the Panthers in game one. His contract puts a cap on the dynasty stock of Kyle Monangai, who also had an excellent game in mop-up duty. They will be a great 1-2 punch, but Monangai will never be their top back now that Swift has signed his new deal.

Javonte Williams

• Williams has done it again. He fought off all the training camp reports of how Jaydon Blue was playing so well, and the Cowboys cut Blue. Then Malik Davis, his backup, was lost for the season last week. Williams is the present and the future of the Cowboys’ running game. What’s more, this week he showed he can be effective in the passing game, too, which has been the knock on Williams since he entered the NFL. He caught five passes on five targets Sunday night and had a touchdown in the passing game and running game. The Cowboys’ offense struggled Sunday night, but they will get back to their high-scoring ways this season, and Williams will be along for the ride.

Isaiah Likely

• Likely was the subject of much debate this offseason, especially after his low snap count and rotation in the preseason games made his dynasty managers question his role. Well, Sunday night’s game alleviated their fears because his role is to be a prime target of Jaxson Dart on third downs and in the red zone. He only played 49% of the snaps, but he had eight targets, caught all eight, and two were for touchdowns. As a result, he was the top-scoring tight end this week. He’ll be a fast riser up the tight end rankings if he continues to play as a primary target on key passing downs.

Stock Down

Jonathan Brooks

• I could have added Chuba Hubbard to the stock up list, but decided instead to add Brooks to the stock down because Hubbard was the most productive and most used back in the committee this week. Hubbard played 71% of the snaps and had two touchdowns, one on the ground and one in the air. Brooks may have been limited since he was recovering from “general soreness” last week, but still, week one did him no favors. He did have one long catch-and-run, so it was nice to see that in him, but for now I believe this is Hubbard’s backfield. I tried to sell two of my Brooks shares last week after growing more confident Hubbard would lead this backfield this year, but I couldn't get a deal done. Things can still change for him. Carolina, after all, did a lot of “hot-hand” approach last season with Hubbard and Dowdle, but for now Brooks’s stock has to fall.

Quinshon Judkins

• Everyone knew the Cleveland offense would be bad this year. Thus, we should expect less of Judkins, but my goodness, they were even worse than expected. I still love Judkins as a player, and he’s arguably a buy if his stock does fall as I expect, but my hopes for his production this season have tanked after watching that mess on Sunday. He can’t be productive when the team is trailing every game from the get-go, and that’s what I expect this season, even more than I did before week one. I hope Shedeur Sanders can make the offense a little better once he’s given the starting role, but I’m not banking on it.

Davante Adams

• Adams was surprisingly not used in the red zone on Thursday night, which was where he made his mark in fantasy last season. If that role is taken away from him, he becomes an unstartable receiver. In my mind, he was a perfect WR-3 in dynasty lineups this season, with touchdown upside greater than most anyone, but if this is the Rams' new plan for their goal-line offense, then he becomes a dynasty roster depth piece only. Things can change since it’s only week one, but if the pattern continues, Adams’ already dwindling dynasty stock will fade away. I drafted him in a win-now start-up draft this season and may deeply regret that, but at least I traded him last year for Cam Skattebo when a team wanted Adams for their playoff run.

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Young Guns

Ashton Jeanty

• Jeanty was finally used ot his full capacity with 23 carries and 6 receptions. In his second year, he finally has a competent coach, and he will capitalize on it. Fears of his injured ankle and Mike Washington cutting into his workload were both eliminated as Jeanty looked fully healthy and got 71% of the snaps compared to Washington’s 19%. The Raiders’ line has also improved, finally letting Jeanty live up to his rookie 1.1 status. He’s on his way this season.

Kaelon Black

• Black appears to be in full control of the backup position in San Francisco. He looked great on his 14 carries Thursday night. He had 43% of the snaps in the first game of his career and averaged 4.6 yards per carry. I expect the 49ers to continue to split the load to preserve McCaffrey this season, so his role will be capped. When games are tight and matter most, I am sure McCaffrey’s snap percentage will increase. Still, he has the RB-2 role locked down and can put himself in line as the starter if McCaffrey gets injured or, more importantly, prove that he’s the future lead back for the 49ers when McCaffrey is one day unable to produce.

Jadarian Price

• Price was limited in workload with just 48% of the snaps, though he was very productive and looked great when he touched the ball. He looked fast and explosive, offering way more athleticism than the other Seattle backs. He’ll need to prove himself in the passing game as a protector and receiver, but he can progress in those areas to get more touches and snaps. He was not a bellcow, but he looked great in his debut.

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Old-Man Strength

David Montgomery

• The experiment in Houston has worked again. Montgomery seems poised for a Joe Mixon-like season from two years ago as the veteran back they signed to lead the backfield this season. Montgomery scored three touchdowns in the back-and-forth battle with Buffalo on Sunday. He only received 49% of the snaps and averaged just 3 yards per carry, so there is some concern there, but he received the red-zone role, as expected. His dynasty managers, as I am one, could not have asked for a better debut. In a league where I am weak at running back, his move to Houston made me feel like I won the lottery and now have a solid RB-2. I am sure other managers feel the same.

Derrick Henry

• When will Henry get over the hill? He won’t! He scored three touchdowns and moved into third place all-time in running back touchdowns. Henry was the top-scoring running back in week one. I traded for Henry in two leagues last year as I made my run to the Super Bowl. I won the championship in one, so I was happy enough with that. I feel like I have at least one more year of Henry's dominance to carry my teams far into the playoffs again. He’s one of a kind in his old-man strength.

Mike Evans

• Mike Evans did Mike Evans things again with his new team in San Francisco. Brock Purdy has already learned that when Evans is man-to-man in the red zone, throw him a catchable ball and he will come down with it. Beyond his red-zone target and touchdown, Evans was unlimited in his role with 75% of the snaps and was highly targeted as a third-down converter. Odds are that he will get injured eventually, too, but like Henry, he continues to produce every year and defy the odds. His dynasty managers have to start him every week that he’s healthy and enjoy the last portion of his incredible dynasty life.

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Waiver Watch

Drew Lock and Carson Wentz

• In superflex leagues, Lock and Wentz are the top targets on waivers this week. In deeper leagues, I am sure they are rostered already, but in shallower leagues, they are available. I'd add Lock first because I expect Darnold to miss more time than Murray, but Wentz would be a great add this week since Murray is more likely to get injured again given his history and size.

Michael Maher

• The Raiders say that Brock Bowers can return any time, but the injury could linger. Even if he returns, Maher has a role in this new offense. The Raiders proved it this week by giving him a new contract. If you’ve followed me for long, you remember that Maher was one of “my guys” in his rookie class. He’s never lived up to my expectations, but I expect him to this season, whether Bowers is healthy or not.

Emari Demercado

• Demercado is the backup to Javonte Williams after Malik Davis was injured last week. He was the clear backup on Sunday night, so he’s a player that needs to be added to every dynasty roster. I expect him to be the player that goes for the most FAAB this week in most one-quarterback dynasty leagues.

Kendrick Bourne

• Is it possible that Bourne is a better fit for the Cardinals offense than even Marvin Harrison Jr.? It sure looked like it on Sunday. He led the Cardinals receivers in targets, catches, and yards in week one, so he needs to be on the radar of dynasty managers.

Demarcus Robinson

• Robinson played 63% of the snaps for the 49ers after Stribling left the game. He’s the de facto WR-3 for the team so long as Stribling is out, so he’s worth adding in the deepest of dynasty leagues.

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Dynasty Trades

D.J. Moore <=======> 2027 2^nd round pick

• This was one of my trades. A team declared that they are going into a hard rebuild mode. I’m a top contender, so I offered him Jonathan Brooks for Moore, or a 2027 second-round pick for Moore. He chose the pick over the player. I have three fantastic starting receivers with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Malik Nabers, and Drake London. Still, I wanted another great depth piece, especially given Nabers’s uncertain injury status and London’s terrible quarterback play. I think it was a win-win trade.

DeVonta Smith and Jordan Mason <=======> 2027 1^st round pick

• The same rebuilding team added a first-round pick for a solid dynasty asset, Smith, and a player who could see his dynasty value rise this year, Mason. I like this trade much better than the one I made, but I already traded away my 2027 first-round pick. It’s a steep price to pay for a single first-round pick, but sometimes when you’re rebuilding, you have to take the best offer you can get because you also need your team to lose a lot of games, too. I was a rebuilder two years ago in this league and made similar trades to acquire picks, and now I am a solid contender.

TreVeyon Henderson <=======> Jameson Williams

• This trade is petty even between two big-play makers. At this point in his career, I think dynasty managers know what Williams is. He’s a WR-3 in dynasty lineups, which serves a good purpose. Henderson, however, is still an unknown, and the news on him at the time of this trade was trending down. That’s a great time to buy if you want an unknown player over a known one. It will be fun to see how this trade plays out in the next few years.

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