Week 1 Fantasy Reactions: Winners, Losers & What We Learned After Sunday Night

The Overreactions Start Now

Welcome to our Sunday Night Reactions column! This is a practice/preview article showcasing the format we'll use every Sunday night during the regular season. This is where we break down the day's action, celebrate the winners, mourn the losers, and start looking ahead to the waiver wire.

Since the 2026 season hasn't kicked off yet, this preview imagines what a Week 1 reactions column could look like based on projected scenarios. Think of it as a dress rehearsal.

Biggest Winners

Kenneth Walker III, RB, SEA — "The MVP Wasn't a Fluke"

*Projected scenario: Walker dominates in Seattle's opener with 100+ rushing yards and a touchdown.*

If Walker picks up where he left off in the Super Bowl, his ADP of 41 will look absurd by Tuesday morning. The reigning SB MVP has all the tools to be an RB1, and the Seahawks' offensive line projects to be even better in 2026. If you drafted him, take a victory lap. Going forward: Lock him in as a weekly RB1 if the volume is there. Don't sell low even if Week 1 is modest — the talent is undeniable.

Ashton Jeanty, RB, LV — "The Rookie Is for Real"

*Projected scenario: Jeanty flashes in his NFL debut with a mix of rushing and receiving work.*

Jeanty's college tape was generational, and the Raiders project to feature him immediately. If he sees 15+ touches in Week 1, he's an every-week starter going forward. His ADP of 8 could end up being a steal. Going forward: He'll have rookie growing pains, but the talent and opportunity are there for RB1 production.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, SEA — "The Alpha Emerges"

*Projected scenario: JSN leads Seattle in targets and receptions in the opener.*

JSN's ADP of 7 reflects his elite talent, and Week 1 could confirm what we've known — he's the WR1 on a championship-caliber offense. If he sees 10+ targets, the sky's the limit. Going forward: Set-and-forget WR1 if target volume sustains.

Biggest Losers

The "Wait and See" QBs

*Projected scenario: One or two high-ADP quarterbacks struggle in their opener.*

Every year, at least one top-drafted QB lays an egg in Week 1. Whether it's a tough matchup, early-season rust, or a new offense still gelling, don't panic. We mentioned in our Trend Hunter column that Week 1 prediction accuracy is 35% lower than normal. Going forward: Do NOT bench or trade a top QB after one bad week. The sample size is meaningless.

Deep League Dart Throws That Missed

*Projected scenario: Several waiver wire adds from the preseason fail to produce in Week 1.*

This happens every year. The preseason hype train derails in Week 1 for half the players riding it. The key is patience — give your stashes at least 2-3 weeks before cutting bait. Going forward: Check our Tuesday Waiver Wire column before making any moves.

Surprise Performances

Fernando Mendoza, QB, LV — "The Future Is Now?"

*Projected scenario: Mendoza shows poise beyond his years in his NFL debut.*

If the #1 pick looks competent — not even great, just competent — the Raiders' fantasy assets all get a boost. Bowers, Jeanty, and Shorter all depend on Mendoza being at least average. An encouraging debut could reshape fantasy rankings for weeks.

A Random Tight End Goes Off

*Projected scenario: An unexpected tight end scores 20+ points.*

It happens literally every Week 1. Some tight end who nobody started catches two touchdowns and the fantasy community loses its mind. Remember: one week does not make a trend. Check the target share before overreacting.

Injury Updates

*This section will be critical during the real season.* Every Sunday night, we'll provide:

- Confirmed injuries from the day's games - Initial severity reports when available - Handcuff recommendations for injured players - Projected timelines based on injury type

During the season, injuries in Week 1 often set the tone for waiver wire priorities. Always check this section before setting your waiver claims.

Early Waiver Wire Preview

Based on our projected Week 1 scenarios, here's who could be hot on the waiver wire Tuesday:

- Backup RBs who saw significant work due to injury or game script - Second-year WRs who earned increased targets - Streaming QBs who outperformed their matchup - Deep league TEs who showed red zone involvement

Full waiver wire recommendations drop every Tuesday. This Sunday night preview is just to get your brain working before you head to bed.

How to Use This Column

Every Sunday night after the late afternoon games (and updated after SNF), we'll deliver:

- Instant reactions to the day's fantasy performances - Context on whether to buy or sell each performance - Injury tracking with fantasy implications - Waiver wire previews to start your planning early

The key to this column: we give you the hot takes AND the level-headed analysis. React to the moment, but plan for the season. Check back every Sunday night.