Fantasy Football Week 1 Rankings: Reviewing All Positions Before Season Openers

The start of the 2022 NFL season is almost here. That means so is the fantasy football season.

And after months of research and drafting, it's time to set those lineups and prepare for another fall of fantasy fun.

There are some thrilling matchups set to take place in Week 1, beginning with Thursday's game featuring the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills. That should be an exciting way to kick off the new season, especially with numerous fantasy stars on both teams.

Then, 14 games will highlight Sunday's slate, followed by a Monday night matchup between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks. With regular-season games so close, it'll be important for fantasy managers to have their lineups in order and ready to go.

As the NFL action nears, here are position-by-position fantasy rankings for Week 1.

1. Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert (vs. LV)

2. Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (at NYJ)

3. Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen (at LAR)

4. Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (at ARI)

5. Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson (at SEA)

6. Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow (vs. PIT)

7. Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray (vs. KC)

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady (at DAL)

9. Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (at DET)

10. Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (at MIN)

It hasn't taken Justin Herbert long to emerge as one of the top fantasy quarterbacks in the league, as he's been impressive over each of his first two NFL seasons.

However, the 24-year-old may put up even bigger numbers in 2022, beginning with the Chargers' opener vs. the Raiders.

Los Angeles and Las Vegas are both strong teams that are part of a stacked AFC West, and each has a passing attack capable of really airing it out.

Herbert may need to keep throwing the ball late into what could be a competitive game, which will allow him to rack up fantasy points.

Don't be surprised if the Oregon product's third season begins with him as the fantasy QB1 for Week 1.

1. Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (at HOU)

2. Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry (vs. NYG)

3. Los Angeles Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (vs. LV)

4. Carolina Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey (vs. CLE)

5. New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara (at ATL)

6. Minnesota Vikings RB Dalvin Cook (vs. GB)

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette (at DAL)

8. Cincinnati Bengals RB Joe Mixon (vs. PIT)

9. Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones (at MIN)

10. Pittsburgh Steelers RB Najee Harris (at CIN)

It's time for the fantasy managers who drafted Jonathan Taylor No. 1 overall to immediately reap the rewards. He's one of the best running backs in the league and has a favorable Week 1 matchup against the Texans that should allow him to rack up yardage.

Last season, the 23-year-old fared quite well against Houston. In Week 6, he ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns, and he rushed for 143 yards and two scores in Week 13.

The Colts should cruise to victory against the Texans again, meaning Taylor will get plenty of opportunities to keep running the ball. It should be a strong opening statement by the talented RB.

1. Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson (vs. GB)

2. Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp (vs. BUF)

3. Las Vegas Raiders WR Davante Adams (at LAC)

4. Buffalo Bills WR Stefon Diggs (at LAR)

5. Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase (vs. PIT)

6. San Francisco 49ers WR Deebo Samuel (at CHI)

7. Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb (vs. TB)

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans (at DAL)

9. Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. (at HOU)

10. Philadelphia Eagles WR A.J. Brown (at DET)

The top wide receivers on this list are capable of performing at a high level even when facing a challenging matchup. They're talented enough to top the best cornerbacks in the league, so there should never be any concern about playing them.

For example, Justin Jefferson may get covered by Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander on Sunday. But the Vikings WR is still capable of having a strong performance, especially in a Green Bay-Minnesota matchup that could feature plenty of offense from both sides.

The 23-year-old may even end up as the best wide receiver in fantasy this year, taking over the top spot from Cooper Kupp.

Jefferson should have some impressive performances right away in 2022.

1. Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews (at NYJ)

2. Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce (at ARI)

3. San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle (at CHI)

4. Las Vegas Raiders TE Darren Waller (at LAC)

5. Dallas Cowboys TE Dalton Schultz (vs. TB)

6. Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts (vs. NO)

7. Philadelphia Eagles TE Dallas Goedert (at DET)

8. Chicago Bears TE Cole Kmet (vs. SF)

9. Arizona Cardinals TE Zach Ertz (vs. KC)

10. Detroit Lions TE T.J. Hockenson (vs. PHI)

The Ravens don't have a ton of top-tier talent at wide receiver, with Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay set to be their two starters and not much depth behind them. That's why Mark Andrews should again have a huge role in their offense.

And there aren't many better season-opening matchups out there than the Jets. So, the 27-year-old has a good chance of getting into the end zone right away this season.

If 2022 is anything like 2021, then Andrews and Travis Kelce will again be the clear top tier at tight end. There's a strong possibility that will be made clear right away in Week 1, too.

1. Baltimore Ravens K Justin Tucker (at NYJ)

2. Kansas City Chiefs K Harrison Butker (at ARI)

3. Los Angeles Rams K Matt Gay (vs. BUF)

4. Buffalo Bills K Tyler Bass (at LAR)

5. Cincinnati Bengals K Evan McPherson (vs. PIT)

6. Indianapolis Colts K Rodrigo Blankenship (at HOU)

7. Las Vegas Raiders K Daniel Carlson (at LAC)

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers K Ryan Succop (at DAL)

9. Los Angeles Chargers K Dustin Hopkins (vs. LV)

10. Denver Broncos K Brandon McManus (at SEA)

It can always be challenging to find the best fantasy kickers. There's not always a rhyme or reason for why one kicker unexpectedly has a big fantasy day and one projected top kicker makes no impact whatsoever.

However, with the Rams and Bills likely to put up a lot of points on Thursday night, Matt Gay and Tyler Bass could quickly rack up some fantasy points. Both should be safe plays for managers who drafted them.

1. Denver Broncos (at SEA)

2. Indianapolis Colts (at HOU)

3. Baltimore Ravens (at NYJ)

4. San Francisco 49ers (at CHI)

5. New Orleans Saints (at ATL)

6. Philadelphia Eagles (at DET)

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at DAL)

8. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. PIT)

9. Tennessee Titans (vs. NYG)

10. Cleveland Browns (at CAR)

Russell Wilson is going to Seattle as a visitor on Monday night, while the Seahawks' offense will be led by Geno Smith. That sets up a great Week 1 matchup for the Denver defense, which may have a chance to capitalize on Seattle's expected QB woes.

Smith turned the ball over too frequently when he got consistent playing time early in his career, and the Broncos have plenty of impact players on defense who can create havoc.

So, Denver's DST is a strong one to turn to for Week 1.