Should I start A.J. Brown in Week 1?
WR · NE · Bye 11
Week 1 · 2026 season · Consensus updated September 14 at 6:11 PM EDT
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Consensus WR12 this week — a locked-in WR1.
The experts split on him this week: at least one has him at #7 and at least one at #19 — the widest kind of disagreement on the board, usually a role or injury read.
Week 1 consensus by format
| Format | WR rank | Best | Worst | Split | Flex rank | Proj. pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPR | WR12 | 7 | 19 | ±2.2 | #26 | 15.2 |
| Half PPR | WR12 | 5 | 19 | ±2.3 | #31 | 12.6 |
| Standard | WR12 | 6 | 19 | ±2.5 | #35 | 9.9 |
Expert consensus and ownership data via FantasyPros · rostered in 100% of ESPN and Yahoo leagues
IR
IR weeks: 1
Latest news
- A.J. Brown (ankle) out at least six weeks
A.J. Brown (ankle) is expected to miss at least six weeks for the New England Patriots according to Ian Rapoport.
Chris Schommer · FantasyPros · Sep 13, 9:57 AM EDT
- A.J. Brown (ankle) placed on injured reserve
A.J. Brown (ankle) has been placed on injured reserve by the New England Patriots according to Adam Schefter.
Chris Schommer · FantasyPros · Sep 11, 12:45 PM EDT
- A.J. Brown (ankle) expect to miss at least four weeks
A.J. Brown (ankle) is expected to miss at least four weeks with a high ankle sprain that he sustained early in the third quarter of the Patriots game against the Seahawks on Wednesday night.
Garrett Ball · FantasyPros · Sep 10, 7:26 PM EDT
- A.J. Brown (ankle) believed to have suffered high-ankle sprain on Wednesday
A.J. Brown (ankle) is believed to have suffered a high ankle sprain in last nights game against the Seahawks. He will have an MRI today to determine the extent of the injury and how much time he will miss.
Garrett Ball · FantasyPros · Sep 10, 10:00 AM EDT
- A.J. Brown (ankle) ruled out against Seattle
A.J. Brown (ankle) has been ruled out for the rest of the Patriots game against Seattle.
Garrett Ball · FantasyPros · Sep 9, 10:42 PM EDT
What the analysts are saying
“Brown was placed on injured reserve after suffering the ankle injury in New England's Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks Wednesday night, leaving head coach Mike Vrable without his top pass-catching option for the foreseeable future. In the wideout's absence Mack Hollins, Romeo Doubs, and DeMario Douglas will need to step up for quarterback Drake Maye early in the season.”
Ranked around him this week
The WRs directly above and below on the Week 1 consensus board — the players you're actually choosing between.
- #8Nico CollinsStart
- #9George PickensStart
- #10DeVonta SmithStart
- #12A.J. BrownStart
- #12Zay FlowersStart
- #13Garrett WilsonStart
- #14Tee HigginsStart
See the full boards
Frequently Asked Questions
- Should I start A.J. Brown in Week 1?
- Start. Consensus WR12 this week — a locked-in WR1. The expert range runs from #7 to #19. The consensus projection is 15.2 PPR points.
- Where is A.J. Brown ranked for Week 1?
- The FantasyPros expert consensus has A.J. Brown at WR12 for Week 1, and flex #24 among RB/WR/TE in PPR. The expert range runs from #7 to #19.
- Is A.J. Brown playing in Week 1?
- A.J. Brown is listed IR. Check the status again before kickoff.