Finally -- we’ve reached Week 1 of the fantasy football season, where every team in your league seemingly believes they have what it takes to win it all. Nothing quite beats the power of hope, but as the adage goes, “That’s why they play the game”. If you aren’t prepared for the first week of the fantasy season, reality can quickly set it, derailing your hopes for a playoff-bound season. Although the opening week is far and away the most challenging week to project, our Week 1 fantasy WR rankings for standard leagues aim to help you start your season 1-0.
As fantasy owners, it’s essential to avoid overthinking in Week 1. Start your studs, avoid running out high-variance wide receivers in murky situations, and try to play it safe. You drafted your players in their spots for a reason; just because they have a “tough matchup” doesn’t mean you should replace them with a bench option in a “more favorable” situation.
It’s a long season; getting the kinks out will take a couple of weeks. We’re all in the same boat. Trust your gut (and our rankings), don’t tinker, and let it all play out.
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Who are the best fantasy WRs Week 1?
It's no surprise to see Vikings WR Justin Jefferson (vs. Buccaneers) atop the Week 1 rankings after his historic 2022 season. His 1,809-yard campaign reiterated that he's matchup-proof, and in a pass-friendly offense like Kevin O'Connell's, "JJettas" is on his way to another dominant fantasy season, starting with a strong showing against the Buccaneers.
He hasn't had as much practice time with his QB1 as he'd probably prefer, but Ja'Marr Chase (@ Browns) owns the No. 2 spot in our standard rankings. In his last meeting against the Browns in the Battle of Ohio, Chase caught 10-of-15 targets for 119 yards and a touchdown.
WEEK 1 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
The rest of our top five is rather straightforward, with Tyreek Hill (@ Chargers), Davante Adams (@ Broncos) and A.J. Brown (@ Patriots), all profiling as set-it-and-forget-it WR1s. If any of these wideouts could have a "down week" it would be Adams, as we're worried about Jimmy Garoppolo's effectiveness against a sound Broncos defense. Regardless, there's no reason even to contemplate benching a top-tier WR like Adams, but don't be surprised if he doesn't quite match the projection listed on your fantasy app.
WEEK 1 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Who are the best fantasy WR waiver pickups Week 1?
It’s purely speculative, but we think fantasy owners will flock to the waiver wire to acquire Denver’s Marvin Mims (30% rostered via Yahoo), Carolina’s Jonathan Mingo (14% rostered), New Orleans’ Rashid Shaheed (12% rostered), and Minnesota’s K.J. Osborn (11% rostered) after surprising Week 1 showings.
Mims has quietly vaulted up the Broncos’ WR depth chart, with his fellow wideouts dropping like flies. Mingo’s a day-one starter with the potential to see a 20-percent target share from Bryce Young, while Shaheed’s field-stretching abilities pair nicely with Derek Carr. Osborn’s a perpetually undervalued wideout in a pass-heavy offense capable of supporting multiple fantasy-caliber pass-catchers.
Who are the best fantasy WR sleepers Week 1?
With a new QB1 and play-caller, Jahan Dotson (vs. Cardinals) is a prime WR3/flex play in a plus-matchup against what should be an exploitable Cardinals’ secondary.
Lamar Jackson has the most talented WR corps of his career, but some fantasy owners are overlooking Rashod Bateman’s (vs. Texans) return to the field after a foot injury cut his 2022 season short. He’s a legit threat to be the team’s second-leading receiver behind Mark Andrews, starting his season with a solid stat line against a subpar Texans’ defense.
Speaking of the Texans, someone will have to emerge as a trusted option for C.J. Stroud, and third-year wideout Nico Collins (@ Ravens) fits the bill as the team’s potential WR1. He doesn’t have nearly as much appeal in standard formats as he does PPR ones, but Elijah Moore’s (vs. Bengals) a prime bounce-back candidate serving as the presumptive WR2 for the Browns.
What are the biggest WR injuries Week 1?
On the injury front, notable WRs who could potentially be sidelined in Week 1 outside of Cooper Kupp (hamstring, @ Seahawks) include, Jerry Jeudy (hamstring, vs. Raiders), Terry McLaurin (toe, vs. Cardinals), Kadarius Toney (hamstring, vs. Lions), Christian Watson, and Romeo Doubs (hamstring, @ Bears).
We're not too optimistic about Jeudy's prospects of being ready to go in Week 1. We already mentioned how Mims could step up in Jeudy's absence, but it's a little less clear which under-the-radar receivers would benefit on the other teams. Look for Van Jefferson and Puka Nacua to see more targets for L.A.. (Update: Jayden Reed could step up for the Packers against the Bears with Watson out.)
We'll be updating these standard WR rankings throughout the week, so check back for the latest player movement and analysis.
Fantasy WR Rankings Week 1: Who to start, sit at wide receiver
Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring
Rank Player
1 Justin Jefferson, Vikings vs. Buccaneers
2 Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals @ Browns
3 Tyreek Hill, Dolphins @ Chargers
4 Davante Adams, Raiders @ Broncos
5 A.J. Brown, Eagles @ Patriots
6 CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys @ Giants
7 Stefon Diggs, Bills @ Jets
8 Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions @ Chiefs
9 Garrett Wilson, Jets vs. Bills
10 Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins @ Chargers
11 Chris Olave, Saints vs. Titans
12 Amari Cooper, Browns vs. Bengals
13 DeVonta Smith, Eagles @ Patriots
14 Deebo Samuel, 49ers @ Steelers
15 Tee Higgins, Bengals @ Browns
16 DeAndre Hopkins, Titans @ Saints
17 Terry McLaurin, Commanders vs. Cardinals
18 Calvin Ridley, Jaguars @ Colts
19 Keenan Allen, Chargers vs. Dolphins
20 DK Metcalf, Seahawks vs. Rams
21 Mike Williams, Chargers vs. Dolphins
22 Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers @ Steelers
23 DJ Moore, Bears vs. Packers
24 Mike Evans, Buccaneers @ Vikings
25 Tyler Lockett, Seahawks vs. Rams
26 Drake London, Falcons vs. Panthers
27 Christian Kirk, Jaguars @ Colts
28 George Pickens, Steelers vs. 49ers
29 Chris Godwin, Buccaneers @ Vikings
30 Michael Pittman Jr., Colts vs. Jaguars
31 Gabe Davis, Bills @ Jets
32 Brandin Cooks, Cowboys @ Giants
33 Diontae Johnson, Steelers vs. 49ers
34 Courtland Sutton, Broncos vs. Raiders
35 Jahan Dotson, Commanders vs. Cardinals
36 JuJu Smith-Schuster, Patriots vs. Eagles
37 Marquise Brown, Cardinals @ Commanders
38 Jordan Addison, Vikings vs. Buccaneers
39 Michael Thomas, Saints vs. Titans
40 Romeo Doubs, Packers @ Bears
41 Rashod Bateman, Ravens vs. Texans
42 Treylon Burks, Titans @ Saints
43 Kadarius Toney, Chiefs vs. Lions
44 Jakobi Meyers, Raiders @ Broncos
45 Zay Flowers, Ravens vs. Texans
46 Quentin Johnston, Chargers vs. Dolphins
47 Allen Lazard, Jets vs. Bills
48 Zay Jones, Jaguars @ Colts
49 Elijah Moore, Browns vs. Bengals
50 Marvin Mims Jr., Broncos vs. Raiders
51 Odell Beckham Jr., Ravens vs. Texans
52 Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chiefs vs. Lions
53 Rondale Moore, Cardinals @ Commanders
54 Nico Collins, Texans @ Ravens
55 Michael Gallup, Cowboys @ Giants
56 Van Jefferson, Rams @ Seahawks
57 Skyy Moore, Chiefs vs. Lions
58 Darnell Mooney, Bears vs. Packers
59 Tyler Boyd, Bengals @ Browns
60 Donovan Peoples-Jones, Browns vs. Bengals
61 Adam Thielen, Panthers @ Falcons
62 Curtis Samuel, Commanders vs. Cardinals
63 Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks vs. Rams
64 Jonathan Mingo, Panthers @ Falcons
65 Jayden Reed, Packers
66 Joshua Palmer, Chargers vs. Dolphins
67 Marvin Jones Jr., Lions @ Chiefs
68 Isaiah Hodgins, Giants vs. Cowboys
69 Hunter Renfrow, Raiders @ Broncos
70 Puka Nacua, Rams @ Seahawks
71 K.J. Osborn, Vikings vs. Buccaneers
72 Alec Pierce, Colts vs. Jaguars
73 Rashee Rice, Chiefs vs. Lions
74 Jalin Hyatt, Giants vs. Cowboys
75 Rashid Shaheed, Saints vs. Titans
76 Josh Downs, Colts vs. Jaguars
77 Terrace Marshall Jr., Panthers @ Falcons
78 Robert Woods, Texans @ Ravens
79 Allen Robinson II, Steelers vs. 49ers
