Fantasy Football Week 1 Rankings Released
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ESPN has released its fantasy football rankings for Week 1 of the 2026 season.
The rankings cover several formats, including PPR (Point Per Reception), IDP (Individual Defensive Player) and superflex leagues.
In PPR leagues, players earn extra points for every pass they catch, which makes wide receivers and running backs who catch a lot of passes more valuable.
IDP leagues add another layer, allowing fantasy managers to also draft real defensive players like linebackers and safeties, not just offensive stars.
Superflex leagues let managers start a second quarterback in a normally single-quarterback slot, which increases the importance of top quarterbacks.
One of the most notable parts of the rankings is that star quarterback Patrick Mahomes was placed outside the top 15 quarterbacks for Week 1. Given his usual status as one of the league's top passers, this ranking has been described as a major surprise.
Alongside the position rankings, ESPN also published a Start 'Em, Sit 'Em guide. This feature suggests which players fantasy managers should play or benches based on their matchups for the week.
The guide also highlighted sleepers, lesser-known or underrated players who could outperform expectations in Week 1's opening games.
Together, the rankings and advice are meant to help fantasy football players make decisions about their rosters as the new season begins.
Vocabulary9 words
- fantasy football
- a game where people build teams using real football players' performances
- PPR
- a scoring format that gives points for every catch
- IDP
- a format that lets you include real defensive players on your team
- superflex
- a format that allows a second quarterback in your lineup
- Start 'Em, Sit 'Em
- advice about which players should play or sit out
- sleepers
- players expected to do better than most people think
- rankings
- an ordered list showing which players are considered best
- matchups
- the games or opponents a player will face
- quarterback
- the offensive player who mainly throws the ball
Quiz
Answer key
1. PPR, IDP and superflex 2. He usually ranks as one of the top quarterbacks 3. Choosing which players to play or bench
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
ESPN has released its _____ rankings for Week 1 of the 2026 season.
The rankings cover several formats, including PPR, _____ and superflex leagues.
In PPR leagues, players earn extra points for every _____ they catch.
IDP leagues allow fantasy managers to also draft real _____ players.
Superflex leagues let managers start a second _____ in their lineup.
One notable part of the rankings is that Patrick Mahomes was placed outside the top _____ quarterbacks for Week 1.
ESPN also published a Start 'Em, Sit 'Em guide to suggest which players to _____ or bench.
The guide also highlighted _____, players who could outperform expectations.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think scoring formats like PPR change how valuable a player is?
- What might explain why an experienced quarterback like Mahomes could rank lower than expected?
- How useful do you think 'Start 'Em, Sit 'Em' advice is for fantasy football players?
- Would you rather play in a superflex league or a standard league? Why?
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