Josh Larky's Week 1 Rankings

Below, you'll find my Week 1 Rankings: Top-32 Quarterbacks, Top-36 Running Backs, Top-48 Wide Receivers, and Top-20 Tight Ends. Assume these rankings are valid for PPR/Half-PPR formats.

Along with the player's matchup, you can also view each player's Half-PPR projection for Week 1, courtesy of our partner, Sports Info Solutions. Some of my rankings will differ from the projections, and below each positional chart, I'll provide additional thoughts to help you navigate these tricky situations.

Top-32 QB Rankings

Week 1 QB Rankings

Trey Lance is nearly impossible to project for Week 1. The 49ers could have a conservative game plan against an atrocious Bears team. Or, they could prioritize Lance's confidence and play more up-tempo and aggressively. Range of outcomes for his rush attempts is between 4-12. Range of outcomes with his pass attempts is 20-30. I would start him this week in fantasy since the floor should be high, and the ceiling is massive.
I'd tread carefully with Aaron Rodgers this week. With such a weak WR depth chart, the Packers could opt for a run-heavy approach in Week 1. Rodgers' floor is incredibly low in this divisional matchup.

Top-36 RB Rankings

Week 1 RB Rankings

It's tough to know exactly what McCaffrey's workload will be in 2022, but I don't want to whiff on the guy who has been the most automatic fantasy points-scoring RB of this generation.
I'm slightly pessimistic towards Joe Mixon. The Steelers had a porous run defense last year, but have a strong history of elite defensive schemes. This game could also get ugly quickly, with Mitch Trubisky a large unknown heading into Week 1.

Week 1 RB Rankings

I'm exercising caution with Dameon Pierce in Week 1. The Texans' run game was abysmal last year, and Pierce never commanded any type of high volume in college.
Assuming JK Dobbins is ruled out for Week 1, Mike Davis should function like Devonta Freeman did last season, and is start-able in a pinch.

Top-48 WR Rankings

Week 1 WR Rankings

The Bills are down their top Cornerback Tre'Davious White in this matchup, and I expect a significant amount of mismatches for both Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson, in what projects to be a high-scoring affair. Start Allen Robinson with confidence when you see his place in these Week 1 Rankings.
Russell Gage should be the WR2 for Tom Brady, in a game with a high Vegas game total. There is some chance he's the WR3 behind Julio Jones, but I'd lean into this uncertainty and start both of these Buccaneers WRs. Brady frequently supported three or four fantasy relevant skill players in each game last season.
I want to start Brandon Aiyuk this week. It's unclear what the pecking order is between Deebo Samuel and Aiyuk, and George Kittle is likely OUT with a groin injury. The Bears' defense is below average, and should have difficulty stopping the 49ers' offense.
Josh Palmer has a solid chance to be in on all the Chargers' 3-WR sets. Against a mediocre Raiders pass defense, in what looks to be a shootout (Chargers are down their top Cornerback JC Jackson), Palmer has a high floor and ceiling, and should warrant flex consideration this week.

Top-20 TE Rankings

Week 1 TE Rankings

Zach Ertz is practicing again, and projects as the clear No. 2 pass game option for the Cardinals. The Chiefs are favored by nearly a touchdown on the road, so the Cardinals should be trailing early and often in this one. Expect a healthy dose of targets for Ertz.
Greg Dulcich is on IR, and Albert Okwuegbunam has the potential to be a nearly every-down TE for the Russell Wilson-led Broncos. Albert O has been more efficient per route than Travis Kelce over his first two seasons in the league. While that efficiency will drop as the routes increase, there is still enough room here for a difference-making fantasy asset to emerge in Week 1.

These Week 1 Rankings will be updated throughout the week and weekend to account for injury news.

For a different perspective on rankings, we'd also recommend viewing Kev Wheeler's Week 1 Rankings, too.