Top 100 Flex Rankings & Tiers (Week 1)

Bench candidate with high upside only if he takes the job from Kareem Hunt, but has never done that before; Cook recommends benching him for Week 1.

Breece Hall faces the Tennessee Titans in what is projected to be the lowest-scoring game of the week, but will safely see every touch in the backfield. He appears 100% healthy from his groin injury based on recent reports.

Out with ankle sprain; if fully healthy, would be an A-tier tight end, but injury forces a downgrade in Week 1 expectations. James Cook notes that without the ankle sprain, Bowers would probably be an A-tier option, so the injury discount is meaningful.

Bucky Irving has a really good game environment in the Buccaneers-Bengals matchup, which is projected to be the highest-scoring game of the week. However, James Cook notes a small risk that the Cincinnati Bengals run away with the game, which could lead to Kenneth Gainwell seeing more work in the second half and reduce Irving's opportunities.

Cook likes Cardell Tate's rest-of-season upside but prefers to wait for a breakout before starting him in Week 1; his strategy is to bench rookie wide receivers until they prove themselves rather than start them early.

Ranked 76th in flex rankings for Week 1 in a super low-scoring game environment; Cook likes Carnell Tate's rest-of-season upside but prefers to be a week late starting rookies than five weeks early, so benching him until he breaks out.

Ranked in S tier for Week 1 flex rankings. Last season was unusable, but now benefits from Mike Evans' absence while facing Cincinnati Bengals in a perfect game environment, creating significantly improved opportunity and upside.

Colston Loveland is ranked at 44 and should be started at tight end rather than flex in standard leagues; James Cook expects him to perform well, stating he 'should crush' in Week 1.

Jaylen Waddle's presence may help draw defensive attention but likely steals targets instead. Facing a crappy matchup.

Typically ranked higher, but discounted due to facing Houston's tough defense, described as one of the toughest matchups possible. James Cook applies a slight discount to DJ Moore's ranking due to this unfavorable defensive matchup.

Fallen down rankings since the running back rankings video release earlier in the week due to Kyle Manungai returning from injury. While Swift should get the vast majority of Week 1 opportunities due to better playbook familiarity after Manungai missed significant time, the workload is not at the same level as if Manungai had remained sidelined.

Expected to see every touch in the Texans backfield with high confidence in his workload; however, ranked lower due to poor game environment facing Buffalo Bills. The Texans are typically favored in their games but will not be in this matchup, creating an unfavorable scoring environment.

Metcalf has a good matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, but the Falcons offense is probably really bad, which caps his ceiling despite the favorable matchup.

Week 1 outlook significantly downgraded due to scary injury to starting quarterback Tua in practice. If Falcons forced to use third-string quarterback because Michael Pennix isn't ready, the offense will be garbage and Drake London must be lowered considerably.

Garrett Wilson is a must-start player in the D tier and above, regardless of league settings, despite the game being projected as horribly low-scoring; the reason is that new additions Kenyan Drake and Omar Cooper Jr. (round one pick) will have no role whatsoever at the start of the year, concentrating targets on Wilson.

Ranked in favorable Week 1 matchup. Dallas Cowboys-New York Giants game has over-under of 48 points, creating really good game environment where you want to get as many Cowboys and Giants players into your lineup as possible.

Ranked 79th in Week 1 flex rankings; James Cook cites no receiving role and a garbage matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs as reasons for the low ranking.

Typically ranked much higher but placed lower in B tier due to tough Week 1 matchup against Houston Texans. Buffalo Bills are only one-point favorites with an implied team total of 28.5 points, creating a much tougher spot than his usual elite ranking.

Jameson Williams is ranked at 43 in E tier, but James Cook expresses strong enthusiasm for the player, stating he wants to rank him higher; the Detroit Lions project to be the best offense in the league this week with a phenomenal matchup against the New Orleans Saints; Cook keeps him in E tier rather than promoting to D tier to avoid accusations of bias since he has Williams on his own fantasy team, but emphasizes extreme excitement about starting him.

Three-point favorite in 48-point over-under game environment. Positioned to get every touch in backfield, making him ideal running back target for Week 1.

Favorable Week 1 matchup; the New York Jets are three-point favorites with a 48-point over/under, creating a perfect game environment for a running back that will get every touch. James Cook emphasizes this is the ideal scenario for a bell-cow back.

Ranked at 51 but expected to be much better later in season; currently recovering from high ankle sprain with uncertainty about workload split with Tyler Algier. Arizona Cardinals are 9.5-point underdogs, which may force heavy passing in second half, but the injury recovery timeline and role uncertainty limit Week 1 upside.

Super low floor with no clarity on his role in the offense.

James Cook is excited to start Jordan Addison in Week 1. Caveat: in deeper formats he may not be a starter until bye weeks or injuries occur.

Probably the starter with a good matchup, but unproven as a player; Cook recommends waiting a week to see the split between him and Aaron Jones before committing to starting him.

Ranked 80th in Week 1 flex rankings; James Cook is not a big believer in Downs and expects Tyler Warren to take over his role and targets, stating Warren will 'snatch his chain' in the offense.

Ranked 81st in Week 1 flex rankings; James Cook notes Gainwell could be used as a receiving back in a game where the Buccaneers are trailing big time, providing potential upside in negative game script.

Faces very tough Week 1 matchup against Denver Broncos. Game has low over-under of 43.5 points, suggesting a lower-scoring environment that could limit his upside.

Kyle Pitt ranked 78th in flex rankings for Week 1. Ranked 78 in flex rankings for Week 1.

Ranked 78th in James Cook's Week 1 flex rankings.

Healthy with new coaching staff; Ravens project to be a top-two scoring offense of the week, supporting elevated expectations for pass catchers like Zay Flowers.

Ranked at 48 but ranking is contingent on Roma Dunce's injury status as of September 10th; if Dunce misses, Burden jumps to D-tier must-start category. Benefits from strong 25-point implied team total for Chicago Bears, which provides upside if he gains opportunity.

James Cook expects to move Marvin Harrison down to the tier below in future ranking updates; when comparing Harrison to Chris Godwin or Mike Evans, Cook wouldn't consider Harrison at the same tier level.

Safer play than Jonathan Brooks but lacks ceiling case. Brand new team situation creates low floor.

Ranked at 54; missed significant training camp time but team reports he is 100% healthy. James Cook questions whether absence was veteran rest strategy or sign of concern given new offense, new team, and new quarterback context, creating uncertainty around his Week 1 readiness and role.

Should have expanded target share in Week 1 due to absence of Jaden Higgins and Tank Dell on injured reserve. Kahan Booty was brought in as number two target but will take time to ramp up, leaving Collins as primary option.

Playing his first game back; James Cook suggests some hesitation about optimism for his receivers in Week 1 due to the return from injury.

Johnston plays for the Los Angeles Chargers, who project to score a ridiculous amount of points this week; unlike some other receivers, Johnston won't blindside you with a super small role, providing floor safety alongside ceiling potential.

Placed in G-tier by James Cook, representing very shaky starts for flex where Cook would rather avoid starting him if possible.

LaPorta's ceiling may be capped despite Detroit's expected increased passing volume due to lack of running backs; the Lions-opponent game has a 50-point over/under, which is high, but James Cook notes the ceiling constraint limits upside despite wanting to get as many Lions in his lineup as possible.

Horrible matchup playing in Philadelphia; Cook characterizes him as a super old wide receiver with no ceiling in an offense that was much better last year.

Ranked in F tier; set up to get crushed by Philadelphia Eagles. Commanders have 19.5-point implied team total, and McLaurin operates deep downfield, making him more vulnerable to matchup impact than shorter-route receivers like Stefon Diggs.

Characterized as a safe play with a defined role. Tennessee Titans are favored in the matchup.

Must-start player in a 50.5-point over/under game environment against the Jaguars; James Cook has him on his fantasy team and desperately needs a big game after Drake Maye's poor Thursday night performance. Ranked at 28 in flex rankings. The high game total creates a perfect environment for attacking with a running back.

Ranked at 19 as tight end one with no Brock Bowers. Chargers are favored by 9.5 points and projected to boat race Arizona Cardinals, forcing the Cardinals to throw in the second half and creating favorable game environment for McBride.

James Cook expects Tyler Warren to take over Josh Downs' role and targets in the offense, saying Warren will 'snatch his chain.' Ranked at 55 overall. Cook likes the setup in a game projected for high scoring, though notes Warren is better suited as tight end flex rather than pure flex play.

Zay Flowers is a must-start player in a 48-point over/under dome game against the Arizona Cardinals. He plays with a healthy Lamar Jackson under the new coaching staff, and the Ravens project to be a top-two scoring offense of the week.