Week 1 Fantasy Football DST Rankings

Peppers & Picks ranks Broncos D/ST (DEN DST), our DST1 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 7.7 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. 85% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. The math is unsexy and convincing: 7.7 points, 18% above what the position pays out on average. Hot heat, high rank: reliable points without the fireworks.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Texans D/ST (HOU DST), our DST2 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 7.6 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. D/ST clears the DST bar by about 17%, which is why he sits this high on my board. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. 82% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Sally keeps the Pepper Meter at Hot here because the ceiling is capped, not the role.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Steelers D/ST (PIT DST), our DST3 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 7.4 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. I have him at DST3 because the projection lands about 14% clear of what a typical DST banks in a week. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. 92% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Sally keeps the Pepper Meter at Hot here because the ceiling is capped, not the role.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Rams D/ST (LAR DST), our DST4 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 7.3 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. 89% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. I have him at DST4 because the projection lands about 12% clear of what a typical DST banks in a week. Spicy heat, high rank: reliable points without the fireworks.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Ravens D/ST (BAL DST), our DST5 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 7.1 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. 81% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. 7.1 projected points is roughly 9% more than the DST baseline, and that gap is the entire argument for the spot at DST5. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. Spicy on the Pepper Meter reflects a steady weekly floor rather than a boom week — that's still a start.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Seahawks D/ST (SEA DST), our DST6 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 7.0 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. 7 projected points is roughly 8% more than the DST baseline, and that gap is the entire argument for the spot at DST6. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. 91% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Sally keeps the Pepper Meter at Spicy here because the ceiling is capped, not the role.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Eagles D/ST (PHI DST), our DST7 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 6.3 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. He's still in 79% of lineups at 88% rostered, which is exactly the trap I'm trying to talk you out of. 6.3 points is roughly 3% short of the DST baseline, and I rank on output, not name recognition. Spicy heat, high rank: reliable points without the fireworks.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Lions D/ST (DET DST), our DST8 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 6.3 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. He's still in 65% of lineups at 73% rostered, which is exactly the trap I'm trying to talk you out of. 6.3 points is roughly 3% short of the DST baseline, and I rank on output, not name recognition. Spicy heat, high rank: reliable points without the fireworks.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Browns D/ST (CLE DST), our DST9 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 6.1 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. He's still in 46% of lineups at 54% rostered, which is exactly the trap I'm trying to talk you out of. He grades 6% below the average weekly DST number, which is a floor problem more than a ceiling one. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. The Pepper Meter cools him to Spicy, and that reading is doing its job.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Patriots D/ST (NE DST), our DST10 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 6.0 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. He's still in 52% of lineups at 66% rostered, which is exactly the trap I'm trying to talk you out of. The projection sits about 8% under what a startable DST returns, so I can't pretend the price tag matches the output. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. The Pepper Meter cools him to Spicy, and that reading is doing its job.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Chiefs D/ST (KC DST), our DST11 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 5.9 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. He grades 9% below the average weekly DST number, which is a floor problem more than a ceiling one. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. Only 35% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. Spicy on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Chargers D/ST (LAC DST), our DST12 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 5.5 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. He's still in 55% of lineups at 60% rostered, which is exactly the trap I'm trying to talk you out of. 5.5 points is roughly 15% short of the DST baseline, and I rank on output, not name recognition. Sally keeps him at Spicy until the usage says otherwise.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Buccaneers D/ST (TB DST), our DST13 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 5.4 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. The projection sits about 17% under what a startable DST returns, so I can't pretend the price tag matches the output. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. Only 13% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Packers D/ST (GB DST), our DST14 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 5.3 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. Only 16% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. The projection sits about 18% under what a startable DST returns, so I can't pretend the price tag matches the output. Sally keeps him at Mild until the usage says otherwise.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Vikings D/ST (MIN DST), our DST15 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 5.3 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. Only 13% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. He grades 18% below the average weekly DST number, which is a floor problem more than a ceiling one. Sally keeps him at Mild until the usage says otherwise.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Saints D/ST (NO DST), our DST16 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 5.2 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. He grades 20% below the average weekly DST number, which is a floor problem more than a ceiling one. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. Only 3% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Jets D/ST (NYJ DST), our DST17 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 4.8 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. He grades 26% below the average weekly DST number, which is a floor problem more than a ceiling one. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. Only 5% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks 49ers D/ST (SF DST), our DST18 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 4.7 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. Only 7% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. He grades 28% below the average weekly DST number, which is a floor problem more than a ceiling one. Sally keeps him at Mild until the usage says otherwise.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Giants D/ST (NYG DST), our DST19 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 4.7 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. 4.7 points is roughly 28% short of the DST baseline, and I rank on output, not name recognition. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. Only 2% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Jaguars D/ST (JAX DST), our DST20 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 4.5 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. The projection sits about 31% under what a startable DST returns, so I can't pretend the price tag matches the output. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. He's still in 64% of lineups at 68% rostered, which is exactly the trap I'm trying to talk you out of. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Cowboys D/ST (DAL DST), our DST21 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 4.5 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. 4.5 points is roughly 31% short of the DST baseline, and I rank on output, not name recognition. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. 8% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Colts D/ST (IND DST), our DST22 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 4.3 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Nothing in the projection defends him — 34% below positional par is a bench line for me. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. 1% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Bears D/ST (CHI DST), our DST23 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 4.2 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. 4.2 points is roughly 35% short of the DST baseline, and I rank on output, not name recognition. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. 7% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Panthers D/ST (CAR DST), our DST24 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 4.2 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Nothing in the projection defends him — 35% below positional par is a bench line for me. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Bengals D/ST (CIN DST), our DST25 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 4.1 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. 1% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Nothing in the projection defends him — 37% below positional par is a bench line for me. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. The Pepper Meter cools him to Mild, and that reading is doing its job.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Titans D/ST (TEN DST), our DST26 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 4.0 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. 10% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Nothing in the projection defends him — 38% below positional par is a bench line for me. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. The Pepper Meter cools him to Mild, and that reading is doing its job.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Commanders D/ST (WSH DST), our DST27 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 3.6 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. 1% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. He grades 45% below the average weekly DST number, which is a floor problem more than a ceiling one. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. The Pepper Meter cools him to Mild, and that reading is doing its job.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Bills D/ST (BUF DST), our DST28 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 3.5 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. He grades 46% below the average weekly DST number, which is a floor problem more than a ceiling one. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. 3% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Falcons D/ST (ATL DST), our DST29 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 3.4 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. Nothing in the projection defends him — 48% below positional par is a bench line for me. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. 1% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Mild on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Raiders D/ST (LV DST), our DST30 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 3.1 projected points with a mild Pepper Meter rating. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. 2% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. He grades 52% below the average weekly DST number, which is a floor problem more than a ceiling one. Sally keeps him at Mild until the usage says otherwise.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.