Week 1 Fantasy Football K Rankings

Peppers & Picks ranks Brandon Aubrey (DAL K), our K1 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 10.1 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. 99% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Aubrey clears the K bar by about 35%, which is why he sits this high on my board. 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 Cameron Dicker (LAC K), our K2 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 9.5 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. 9.5 projected points is roughly 27% more than the K baseline, and that gap is the entire argument for the spot at K2. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. 96% 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 Harrison Mevis (LAR K), our K3 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 9.4 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. I have him at K3 because the projection lands about 25% clear of what a typical K banks in a week. 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. 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 Jason Myers (SEA K), our K4 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 9.3 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. 94% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. The math is unsexy and convincing: 9.3 points, 24% 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 Ka'imi Fairbairn (HOU K), our K5 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 9.3 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. 91% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Fairbairn clears the K bar by about 24%, 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. Hot 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 Eddy Pineiro (SF K), our K6 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 9.1 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. 79% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. The math is unsexy and convincing: 9.1 points, 21% 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 Harrison Butker (KC K), our K7 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 8.8 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. The math is unsexy and convincing: 8.8 points, 17% above what the position pays out on average. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. 73% 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 Cam Little (JAX K), our K8 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 8.6 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. 83% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. The math is unsexy and convincing: 8.6 points, 15% 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 Jake Bates (DET K), our K9 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 8.6 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. 66% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Bates clears the K bar by about 15%, 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. Hot 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 Tyler Loop (BAL K), our K10 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 8.6 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. Only 52% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. I have him at K10 because the projection lands about 15% clear of what a typical K banks in a week. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. Hot 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 Cairo Santos (CHI K), our K11 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 8.5 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. Only 34% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. I have him at K11 because the projection lands about 13% clear of what a typical K banks in a week. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. Hot 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 Trey Smack (GB K), our K12 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 8.5 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. Only 14% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. 8.5 projected points is roughly 13% more than the K baseline, and that gap is the entire argument for the spot at K12. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. Hot 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 Chris Boswell (PIT K), our K13 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 8.4 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. Only 39% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. 8.4 projected points is roughly 12% more than the K baseline, and that gap is the entire argument for the spot at K13. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. Hot 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 Will Reichard (MIN K), our K14 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 8.4 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. Only 32% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. I have him at K14 because the projection lands about 12% clear of what a typical K banks in a week. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. 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 Chase McLaughlin (TB K), our K15 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 8.4 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. 8.4 projected points is roughly 12% more than the K baseline, and that gap is the entire argument for the spot at K15. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. Only 16% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. 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 Evan McPherson (CIN K), our K16 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 8.3 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. Only 22% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. McPherson clears the K bar by about 11%, 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. 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 Nick Folk (ATL K), our K17 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 8.3 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. Folk clears the K bar by about 11%, 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. Only 5% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. 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 Spencer Shrader (IND K), our K18 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 8.2 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. Only 4% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. I have him at K18 because the projection lands about 9% clear of what a typical K 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 Tyler Bass (BUF K), our K19 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 8.1 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. Only 5% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. 8.1 projected points is roughly 8% more than the K baseline, and that gap is the entire argument for the spot at K19. 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 Daniel Carlson (NO K), our K20 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 8.1 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. 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. 8.1 projected points is roughly 8% more than the K baseline, and that gap is the entire argument for the spot at K20. 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 Jake Elliott (PHI K), our K21 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 8.0 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. Only 9% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. The math is unsexy and convincing: 8 points, 7% above what the position pays out on average. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. 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 Wil Lutz (DEN K), our K22 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 8.0 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. Only 6% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. The math is unsexy and convincing: 8 points, 7% above what the position pays out on average. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. 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 Drew Stevens (WSH K), our K23 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 7.9 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. Only 1% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. The math is unsexy and convincing: 7.9 points, 5% above what the position pays out on average. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. 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 Dominic Zvada (NYG K), our K24 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 7.8 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. I have him at K24 because the projection lands about 4% clear of what a typical K banks in a week. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. Only 2% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. 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 Andy Borregales (NE K), our K25 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 7.6 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. Only 3% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. The math is unsexy and convincing: 7.6 points, 1% above what the position pays out on average. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. 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 Jason Sanders (NYJ K), our K26 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 7.6 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. Sanders clears the K bar by about 1%, 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. 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 Riley Patterson (MIA K), our K27 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 7.5 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. I have him at K27 because the projection lands about 0% clear of what a typical K 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 Matt Gay (LV K), our K28 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 7.4 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. 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. 7.4 points is roughly 1% short of the K 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 Joey Slye (TEN K), our K29 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. Only 1% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. He grades 3% below the average weekly K number, which is a floor problem more than a ceiling one. 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 Ryan Fitzgerald (CAR K), our K30 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 7.3 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. Only 1% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. The projection sits about 3% under what a startable K 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.