Week 1 can make fantasy managers question an entire summer of research. A first-round receiver disappears, a breakout candidate misses his projection and suddenly the trade block looks tempting. The better approach is to separate disappointing box scores from genuinely concerning roles. Ja’Marr Chase and George Pickens hurt lineups in Week 1, but neither performance provided a good reason to panic.

Ja’Marr Chase will rebound

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) restrains wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) after an altercation with officials during the second half of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Chase delivered the most shocking dud of the opening weekend, catching two of four targets for only 12 yards in Cincinnati’s 33-27 victory over Tampa Bay. He finished behind Mike Gesicki, Tee Higgins and Chase Brown in targets despite entering the week as fantasy football’s consensus top wide receiver.

The four targets were frustrating, but the result looks more like an outlier than a changing offensive hierarchy. Chase’s 3.2 PPR points represented the second-worst fantasy performance of his career. He has also averaged 5.5 fewer fantasy points in September than during every other month, demonstrating that slow starts are nothing new.

Ja'Marr Chase fantasy points scored in Week 1 over the last 4 years:

2023: 6.6
2024: 9.2
2025: 3.6
2026: 2.2 pic.twitter.com/wM8OhKOh1A

— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) September 14, 2026

Joe Burrow still threw for 254 yards, and Cincinnati scored 33 points, so this was not a broken offense. Chase simply did not receive his normal share of the production. Trading him now would mean selling an elite player at his lowest possible value. Keep him locked into lineups and treat any nervous offer from another manager as a buy-low opportunity.

Pickens and Cook still have volume

George Pickens was another expensive receiver who failed to reward managers, producing three catches for 28 yards on six targets in Dallas’ 28-20 loss to the Giants. That stat line was ugly against a vulnerable secondary, but six targets are enough to keep concern under control. Pickens also opened last season with just three receptions for 30 yards before finishing with career highs of 93 catches, 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.

Dallas’ entire passing game struggled, as Dak Prescott finished with only 175 yards. Even CeeDee Lamb was limited to 44 yards, although his touchdown rescued his fantasy day. Pickens remains a major piece of this offense and one of the NFL’s premier downfield threats. His production will always carry some weekly volatility, but nothing about Week 1 suggested his role has disappeared. Continue starting him as a WR2.

GEORGE PICKENS JUST DROPPED AN EASY 80-YARD TOUCHDOWN.

This is the second big drop of the game by Pickens.

😳

ONE OF THE WORST DROPS YOU WILL SEE. pic.twitter.com/kf8bj7HYe2

— MLFootball (@MLFootball) September 14, 2026

James Cook’s 9.9 PPR points against Houston were disappointing rather than alarming. He handled 16 touches, carrying 13 times for 57 yards and catching three passes for 12 yards in Buffalo’s 36-31 win. Cook averaged a respectable 4.4 yards per carry; he simply missed the touchdowns while Josh Allen accounted for four scores. The Bills generated 36 points, and Cook retained clear lead-back volume. Fantasy managers should chase that usage instead of overreacting to one touchdown-free afternoon.

Trust McCaffrey and Herbert

Christian McCaffrey’s managers expected more than 88 scrimmage yards and no touchdowns in San Francisco’s 27-7 win over the Rams. However, he averaged 6.8 yards on his 10 carries and caught five of eight targets. The 49ers controlled the game, allowing them to limit his rushing workload, while his eight targets confirmed that the valuable receiving role remains intact. With no significant injury emerging from the opener, McCaffrey remains an automatic RB1.

Christian McCaffrey suddenly looking 10 years YOUNGER pic.twitter.com/nAJrLjQkMq

— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) September 11, 2026

Justin Herbert also fell short of lofty expectations in the Chargers’ upset loss to Arizona. He completed 17 of 27 attempts for 209 yards, one touchdown and one interception, adding 29 rushing yards and finishing with 13.3 fantasy points. The offense committed penalties, lost a fumble and had a punt blocked, creating a chaotic game Herbert could never control.

There may be growing pains under Mike McDaniel, but Herbert’s rushing contribution and established passing ability still give him weekly QB1 potential. Chase, Pickens, Cook, McCaffrey and Herbert all disappointed, yet their talent and roles remain secure. Week 1 punished their managers; it did not invalidate the reasons they were drafted.

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