Week 1 has finally arrived. As we look for every advantage this season, the x-factor position is the FLEX. To break it all down, analyst Joel Smyth goes through 10 players in five tiers for your flexes, double flexes, or even third WR slots.
Set & Forget
CHI WR, Luther Burden III
Burden logged a full practice Wednesday ahead of Game 1 of the season, while teammate Rome Odunze still practiced in a limited fashion. Although the Panthers were a tough matchup against the position last season, Burden is less matchup-dependent than his counterpart, getting lots of easy targets underneath and fewer one-on-one matchups on the outside with Jaycee Horn.Join a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2026 NFL season
Ben Johnson has had all summer to cook something up, and I believe we’ll see plenty of work early for the second-year WR, with a solid floor via the quick passing attack, while having the same explosive ability as the rest. I wouldn’t think of benching your fourth-to-fifth round pick because of a couple missed weeks of practice.
GB WR, Christian Watson
Watson was drafted to be a clear starter as well, and although it’s a tough Week 1 matchup, the Green Bay WR should have a less volatile season, which can be showcased versus Minnesota. The Vikings pressure the quarterback more than anyone, which is an issue for Green Bay's shaky offensive line, as it was in the last Vikings game they played in 2025.In the past, Watson would be banking on his deep shots that can make him a hit in one play. His versatility in 2025, however, leaped, as he became much more of an all-around WR. In an evolving offense that is going to push the pace, I expect Watson to get some easy underneath targets that he may not have gotten in years past, especially with the now vacated targets in the WR room.Matchup Starts
CAR RB, Chuba Hubbard
The best time for Chuba Hubbard all season may be this week. Both Panther RBs are off the injury report, but I fully expect Hubbard to be the lead back as the experienced veteran. Last season, Carolina was in a very similar spot with Rico Dowdle, and Chuba Hubbard logged 21 opportunities in Week 1, for 89 yards and a TD. He continued that volume over the next three weeks to begin the season. Even if there is a bit more of an immediate split, the Chicago defense is nothing to be scared of, and it gives Hubbard a Week 1 spot that makes him more trustworthy.TB WR, Chris Godwin Jr.
In those double-flex/3WR leagues, I believe Godwin can step in for you Week 1. After his gruesome injury in 2024, Godwin had limited production in 2025. He’ll start the year off versus the Cincinnati defense that struggled to stop the interior receivers in the passing game last season, where Godwin will get the majority of his targets out of the slot. With DB D.J. Turner on Emeka Egbuka for a majority of snaps, Godwin can start strong in a bounce-back year.Vanilla Tier (~okay)
CLE RB, Quinshon Judkins
It’s difficult to bench a Round 5 RB in Week 1, which is why Judkins is still in the Vanilla Tier for me, as an okay option, but below he’s average. Judkins last season scored under 10 fantasy PPG when the Browns lost by 14+ points (six games), which they are set up in a similar game script as 10-point road underdogs versus Jacksonville.The Jaguars were second-best against rushing fantasy production and should be steadily in the lead throughout this one, moving Cleveland into more passing situations that take Judkins off the field. He’s a fine flex because of his volume, but better matchups are ahead.GB RB, MarShawn Lloyd
There are two sides to MarShawn Lloyd. One tells you he’s the RB1 on a good offense, with very little competition for carries. The other brings up that he has six carries in two career years. The combination of the latter with the Minnesota defense makes him more of an average flex play for this week as we figure out his long-term role. However, I still think if you drafted him before filling out your bench, he’s a worthy start. In Green Bay’s preseason, Lloyd was getting 100% of the snaps with the starters. They included him in the passing game, and with only Kaleb Johnson as true competition for early down work, I’d expect Lloyd to have that important role.Booby Traps
IND WR, Alec Pierce
In his first game back from ankle surgery, Alec Pierce will face off against the Baltimore Ravens. What would have looked like a good matchup in 2025 will likely not be the same in 2026, specifically for Pierce’s style. New Ravens head coach Jesse Minter is known for his creativity that causes quarterback pressures, which is concerning for a QB off an Achilles injury and Pierce who is a deep threat WR recovering himself.It’s not that it can’t work, just that there is also a high likelihood Pierce ends his day without a big play to mask the issues.
TEN WR, Carnell Tate
Carnell Tate was still being drafted in Round 7 after zero preseason receptions. Although New York isn’t a defense to be fearful of, I’d rather wait on Tate than force him into the lineup and pray he doesn’t bust. Sometimes we get Emeka Egbuka out of the gate, but often times, the first career game isn’t something to write home about, with the only other WR being Xavier Worthy (somehow?) to have 13 fantasy points in Week 1 the last couple of seasons.Tate’s situation is not as kind as Egbuka’s or Worthy’s, or even Puka Nacua’s going back further, leading me to take the patient route to begin the year.
