Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings: Week 1 2026

Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings: Week 1 2026 appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Fantasy football managers have their draft-day performances fresh on their minds, and now they are ready to see how their rosters perform during the 2026 NFL season. Of course, drafting is only half of the battle in fantasy football. Successfully managing a roster by ensuring the right players are in the lineup is of the utmost importance, too. After all, the draft really means nothing by the time that the boys are ready to suit up on the gridiron. Week 1 will determine a lot for fantasy football outlooks for the rest of the season, but which quarterbacks are the best options for the opening week of action? Week 1 top Fantasy Football QBs Joe Burrow, CIN (vs. TB)Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals have made a bad habit of starting off seasons poorly. They desperately need to change that this year if they are to get back into the postseason. A big Week 1 performance from the team's quarterback would ensure the team doesn't dig themselves into a hole. Last season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers allowed the fourth most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. The team's secondary isn't all that improved, so Burrow could tear the defense a part. At his best, Burrow has played at an MVP level. It has really just been injury issues that have slowed him down. With Burrow at 100%, he could make a statement to the rest of the league against the Buccaneers. Lamar Jackson, BAL (@ IND) Lamar Jackson is no stranger to being the best QB in fantasy football. He crushed his peers with 434.4 total fantasy points back in 2024. Jackson has two MVPs to his name. With 6,522 career rushing yards, the Baltimore Ravens star has already established himself as arguably the best running QB ever. The two-time MVP has become one of the best overall players in the league because he is equally as potent with his arm, though. Jackson had 41 passing touchdowns the last time he was fully healthy. He should return to his dominant form against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1. The Colts do have Sauce Gardner, but the cornerback struggled with injuries last season. Zay Flowers has big-time confidence because of his new contract, and Derrick Henry will open up the passing game because of his threat level as a ball carrier. Expect a big Week 1 game from Jackson. Trevor Lawrence, JAC (vs. CLE) Trevor Lawrence entered the NFL as one of the most highly touted quarterback prospects ever. For years, he fell short of reaching the lofty expectations placed on him, but Lawrence was actually one of the best quarterbacks in fantasy football over the back half of last season. The Jacksonville Jaguars' signal caller could carry that momentum into this year, especially because he is facing the Cleveland Browns in Week 1. While Lawrence was once the number one overall pick, the Browns seem susceptible to many blowout losses this year with Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Taylen Green as the team's quarterback options. The defense shouldn't be good either, considering Myles Garrett and his sack record kept them afloat last year. Garrett was traded in the offseason. Furthermore, Lawrence has one of the best receiving corps in the NFL with Travis Hunter, Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers, and Parker Washington to throw the ball to. Lawrence wasn't one of the top fantasy quarterbacks taken in most leagues this year, but he is a must-start in Week 1. Sleeper quarterbacks for Week 1 Jaxson Dart, NYG (vs. DAL) Jaxson Dart is one of the most polarizing quarterbacks in fantasy football this year. On the one hand, he has the potential to combine big rushing plays with big passing plays like few others in the NFL. On the other hand, Dart has exposed himself to injuries far too often early in his career, and some of his top options, Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo, may be working off the rust of their own injuries in Week 1. Even so, games against the Dallas Cowboys tend to be high-scoring, so Dart and the New York Giants might be able to put up big numbers. A shootout could see Dart air the ball out to Nabers and rack up the rushing yards en route to a top-five fantasy finish. Baker Mayfield, TB (@CIN) As mentioned above, the Bengals are notorious slow starters. That is even more so the case for their defense, and Baker Mayfield could take advantage. Furthermore, the Buccaneers' quarterback is playing with a chip on his shoulder this season, and he will certainly be eager to prove himself during the first game of the season. The Buccaneers refused to hand Mayfield a contract extension, and the former number one overall pick always plays better when he has extra motivation. Look for Mayfield to go off this week, just to spite his own front office that didn't give him the money he feels he deserves. Mayfield has taken his game to new heights in Tampa Bay, twice surpassing the 4,000-yard mark and totaling 95 passing touchdowns over three seasons. Malik Willis, MIA (@ LV) Malik Willis was one of the biggest high-risk, high-reward quarterback options in fantasy drafts this year. He will surely have some bad games for a Miami Dolphins team that is stripped down to the bones of talent, but Week 1 is one matchup in which the team's new signal caller could thrive. Willis has a cannon for an arm and is an incredible rushing quarterback. Those physical traits could stand out against a fellow league bottom dweller like the Las Vegas Raiders. Just last year, the Raiders were the worst team in the NFL. There is hope for the future in Las Vegas, but there will surely be some growing pains that Willis can take advantage of, proving he was worth his new contract in the process. Week 1 Fantasy Football quarterback rankings 1. Joe Burrow, CIN (vs. TB) 2. Lamar Jackson, BAL (@ IND) 3. Trevor Lawrence, JAC (vs. CLE) 4. Jaxson Dart, NYG (vs. DAL) 5. Jalen Hurts, PHI (vs. WAS) 6. Justin Herbert, LAC (vs. ARI) 7. Josh Allen, BUF (@ HOU) 8. Caleb Williams, CHI (@ CAR) 9. Bo Nix, DEN (@KC) 10. Dak Prescott, DAL (@ NYG) 11. Baker Mayfield, TB (@ CIN) 12. Malik Willis, MIA (@ LV) 13. Jared Goff, DET (vs. NO) 14. Aaron Rodgers, PIT (vs. ATL) 15. Matthew Stafford, LAR (vs. SF) Related: Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings: Week 1 2026 Related: Fantasy Football Kicker Rankings: Week 1 2026