Fantasy football is officially back, and after an offseason of waiting, it's important to start the year off right with a big win. Even this early in the season, lineup decisions aren't easy, and the more expert analysis, opinions, and stats you can take in, the better it will make your Week 1 start 'em, sit 'em choices.
To prove we truly believe in the "more is better" approach to fantasy football research, we’re happy to offer SN Fantasy readers an exclusive look at Draft Sharks’ award-winning weekly rankings and projections. We'll also highlight players at each position who stand out in our rankings compared to theirs so you get multiple perspectives on a few of the biggest start-or-sit headaches. To see Draft Sharks' exclusive Week 1 3D floor-to-ceiling projections, become a Draft Sharks member today at the link below!
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Week 1 Fantasy Football Projections, Rankings from Draft Sharks
Week 1 fantasy QB projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Anthony Richardson, Colts vs. Jaguars (SN Ranking: 23 | DS Ranking: 15)
There are definitely reasons to be excited about Richardson, but there are just as many reasons to be leery. Draft Sharks is clearly more confident in the rookie, pushing him to fringe-starter status. We're taking the more cautious approach and basically saying he should only be considered in 2-QB and superflex leagues. With the Colts expected to be playing from behind, there's a real chance Richardson puts up enough garbage-time stats to finish in the top 15, but we want to see him first before moving him that high in our rankings.
SN's WEEK 1 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 1 fantasy RB projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Najee Harris, Steelers vs. 49ers (SN PPR Ranking: 10 | DS Ranking: 22)
Harris is a sure starter either way, but we're a little higher on the third-year back despite a tough matchup. Our optimism mostly boils down to our belief that the Steelers' offense will be better as a whole, thus providing Harris with more room to operate and more scoring chances. We also think he'll be more involved in the passing game again, thus improving his PPR potential.
Spotlight Player: Ezekiel Elliott, Patriots vs. Eagles (SN PPR Ranking: 32 | DS Ranking: 48)
Zeke's usage is still a mystery, but if there was ever a time for him to get ample touches, it's Week 1 when he's at his healthiest. The veteran back won't catch many passes in New England, which is likely why Draft Sharks doesn't even see him as a flex in most leagues, but we still think he has fairly high TD potential and will likely get more carries than most are expecting.
SN's WEEK 1 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 1 fantasy WR projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Courtland Sutton, Broncos vs. Raiders (SN PPR Ranking: 36 | DS Ranking: 23)
It makes sense for Sutton to be viewed as a borderline WR2 with Jerry Jeudy (hamstring) likely out, but we just have a tough time trusting him after three-straight down years. Yes, injuries played a role, but most fantasy owners probably don't realize Sutton has failed to top 829 yards or two TDs in a season since 2019. The pieces are in place for a comeback under Sean Payton, but we're going to view Sutton as more of a WR3/flex until he gives us a reason to think otherwise.
Spotlight Player: Adam Thielen, Panthers @ Falcons (SN PPR Ranking: 53 | DS Ranking: 40)
UPDATE: Draft Sharks moved Thielen down to No. 50 during the week, perhaps as a reaction to his sore hamstring.
Thielen is probably as healthy as he's going to be all season -- and DJ Chark (hamstring) is no sure thing to play -- but we're hesitant to trust Thielen with a rookie QB on the road. Atlanta's defense isn't the most intimidating, but it definitely improved in the offseason. As such, we're downgrading Thielen in our rankings, but it's entirely possible that he pays off Draft Sharks' faith based on volume alone.
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Week 1 fantasy TE projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Juwan Johnson, Saints vs. Titans (SN PPR Ranking: 19 | DS Ranking: 12)
Johnson seems to be everyone's sleeper this week, but we're not quite buying the hype. He had some great stretches last year, but consistency was a big issue. Matchups didn't seem to matter much either, as Johnson would often go off against good TE defenses and disappear against bad ones. On paper, everything lines up for Johnson -- improved QB, increased role, favorable matchup based on last year's stats -- but with Michael Thomas healthy, we expect Derek Carr to focus more on his wide receivers.
Week 1 fantasy defense projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Green Bay Packers @ Bears (SN Ranking: 17 | DS Ranking: 7)
Draft Sharks clearly doesn't trust Justin Fields to avoid sacks and turnovers, something he struggled with last year, including against Green Bay (three INTs, zero TD passes in two games). Fields is always a threat to blow a game open with his legs, though, and if he's simply a little more efficient in the passing game with his improved weapons, it will greatly limit Green Bay's ceiling.