Fantasy QB Rankings Week 1: Who to start, sit at quarterback in fantasy football

Nick Musial

Fantasy QB Rankings Week 1: Who to start, sit at quarterback in fantasy football image

The NFL is finally back, and it's time to lock in your starting fantasy football lineup. Our Week 1 fantasy QB rankings will help answer any lingering questions you may have surrounding some start 'em, sit 'em debates. If you drafted one of the top-tier quarterbacks like Josh Allen (@ Rams), Justin Herbert (vs. Raiders), or Patrick Mahomes (@ Cardinals), you’re clearly not worrying about who to start, but some of the middle-tier "sleepers" like Trey Lance (@ Bears), Jameis Winston (vs. Falcons), and Tua Tagovailoa (vs. Patriots) warrant a discussion.

Our Week 1 QB rankings don't differ too much from our initial preseason rankings, but a few matchups and injuries to key skill players will always be a factor in a QB's projected performance. On the injury front, Jets QB Zach Wilson is still recovering from a bone bruise and meniscus tear in his right knee. Joe Flacco (vs. Ravens) will start in his place against his former team. Flacco shouldn’t be on your fantasy radar unless you're in a superflex or two-QB league. The same goes for guys like Marcus Mariota (vs. Saints) and Davis Mills (vs. Colts), who also have high two-QB appeal because of matchups that were favorable a year ago.

WEEK 1 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em

Trevor Lawrence (@ Commanders) is primed for a more consistent second season now that he’s in a new offensive system that has upgraded weapons. Additionally, the Commanders' defense allowed the most fantasy points per game to QBs last season (23.3), and there’s a decent chance that carries over to the early part of 2022. Jameis Winston (@ Falcons), Matt Ryan (@ Texans), and Derek Carr (@ Chargers) also have nice matchups based on last year's stats, but Carr might be the only that one single-QB owners "need" to take a chance with.

WEEK 1 STANDARD FANTASY RANKINGS:
RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker

Meanwhile, some borderline QBs who might be in line for a rougher Week 1 performance include Matthew Stafford (vs. Bills), Tua Tagovailoa (vs. Patriots), and Baker Mayfield (vs. Browns). Stafford is dealing with a sore throwing elbow and faces an elite Bills defense, making him riskier than usual. If you have an upside or matchup-based option, like Trey Lance (@ Bears) or Carr, you might strongly consider them over Stafford even with Tre'Davious White (knee) out. He's the only upper-tier QB you should really worry about this week, as other guys with tough matchups like Joe Burrow (vs. Steelers), Patrick Mahomes (@ Cardinals), and Tom Brady (@ Cowboys) can still put up big numbers.

WEEK 1 FANTASY PPR RANKINGS:
RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker

Tagovailoa is playing his first regular season game within a new offensive scheme and is matched up against a Patriots defense that held QBs to the second-fewest FPPG output in 2021 (13.5). Mayfield is in a prime revenge spot against his former team, but Cleveland’s an under-the-radar defense that’s capable of holding him in check. Don't take the risks.

WEEK 1 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKingsFanDuel | Yahoo

As always, Week 1 is one of the toughest weeks to project, but we considered the key factors when building our QB rankings. This list will matter more or less to you depending on your league size and scoring formats, but in general, QBs see less movement than the other positions with PPR vs standard differences. Week 1 is a time to (mostly) start your studs!

WEEK 1 DFS: Best values | Best stacks

Note: We'll be updating these QB rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes.

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Fantasy QB Rankings Week 1: Who to start, sit at quarterback in fantasy football

These rankings are based on four-point passing TD scoring

Rank Player
1 Josh Allen, Bills @ Rams
2 Justin Herbert, Chargers vs. Raiders
3 Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs @ Cardinals
4 Jalen Hurts, Eagles @ Lions
5 Lamar Jackson, Ravens @ Jets
6 Kyler Murray, Cardinals vs. Chiefs
7 Joe Burrow, Bengals vs. Steelers
8 Russell Wilson, Broncos @ Seahawks
9 Dak Prescott, Cowboys vs. Buccaneers
10 Tom Brady, Buccaneers @ Cowboys
11 Aaron Rodgers, Packers @ Vikings
12 Derek Carr, Raiders @ Chargers
13 Trey Lance, 49ers @ Bears
14 Matthew Stafford, Rams vs. Bills
15 Jameis Winston, Saints @ Falcons
16 Kirk Cousins, Vikings vs. Packers
17 Matt Ryan, Colts @ Texans
18 Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars @ Commanders
19 Ryan Tannehill, Titans vs. Giants
20 Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins vs. Patriots
21 Justin Fields, Bears vs. 49ers
22 Baker Mayfield, Panthers vs. Browns
23 Daniel Jones, Giants @ Titans
24 Carson Wentz, Commanders vs. Jaguars
25 Marcus Mariota, Falcons vs. Saints
26 Mac Jones, Patriots @ Dolphins
27 Jared Goff, Lions vs. Eagles
28 Mitchell Trubisky, Steelers @ Bengals
29 Davis Mills, Texans vs. Colts
30 Jacoby Brissett, Browns @ Panthers
31 Joe Flacco, Jets vs. Ravens
32 Geno Smith, Seahawks vs. Broncos

Nick Musial

Nick Musial Photo

Nick Musial is a Content Producer at The Sporting News. He recently joined the team after studying sport management and journalism at the University of Kansas. Nick’s an avid sports bettor who’s always looking for value.