Should I start Justin Herbert in Week 1?

QB · LAC · Bye 7

Week 1 · 2026 season · Consensus updated September 3 at 1:20 PM EDT

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StartConsensus QB5 · range #1–#9

Consensus QB5 this week — a starter in every 1QB league.

The experts split on him this week: at least one has him at #1 and at least one at #9 — the widest kind of disagreement on the board, usually a role or injury read.

Week 1 consensus by format

FormatQB rankBestWorstSplitFlex rankProj. pts
PPRQB519±1.718.5
Half PPRQB519±1.718.5
StandardQB519±1.718.5

Expert consensus and ownership data via FantasyPros · rostered in 94% of ESPN and Yahoo leagues

Latest news

What the analysts are saying

HC Jim Harbaugh told reporters that Herbert and most of the team's starters are going to play in their final preseason game on Thursday night, with the exception of a few veterans. It remains unlikely that the starting unit will see more than a quarter or two of action, however.

Leo Sells, FantasyPros · Justin Herbert, starters will play Thursday

Ranked around him this week

The QBs directly above and below on the Week 1 consensus board — the players you're actually choosing between.

See the full boards

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Justin Herbert in Week 1?
Start. Consensus QB5 this week — a starter in every 1QB league. The expert range runs from #1 to #9. The consensus projection is 18.5 PPR points.
Where is Justin Herbert ranked for Week 1?
The FantasyPros expert consensus has Justin Herbert at QB5 for Week 1. The expert range runs from #1 to #9.