Fantasy Football Week 1 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em WR: Nabers expectations tempered, Burden boasts top-10 upside

Jamey Eisenberg projects Malik Nabers' Week 1 return and highlights Luther Burden and Parker Washington Sep 9, 2026 at 12:05 pm ET • 1 min read Imagn Images Imagn Images The last time Malik Nabers faced the Cowboys was Week 2 last year. He had nine catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns on 13 targets. It was awesome.Two weeks after that game, Nabers suffered a torn right ACL and was lost for the season. We're hopeful Nabers will play in Week 1 against Dallas, but his snap count remains a mystery.Fantasy managers who drafted Nabers are excited to have him back, but he might not post standout production in Week 1. I still have him ranked as a No. 2 Fantasy receiver, but I'm not expecting a huge game.For starters, the Cowboys defense has improved since Nabers last saw them. Dallas added Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, Malachi Lawrence, Von Miller, Dee Winters and Caleb Downs, and that group should make things tough on the Giants. Nabers also lacks significant game action with Jaxson Dart, as Nabers was injured during Dart's first NFL start in Week 4 against the Chargers. I don't expect that to be a huge issue, but it could take time for Dart to help Nabers maximize his production.I'm hopeful that Nabers will be fantastic in Week 1 and destroy this Dallas defense. But I'm also going to be realistic about the fact that he's still coming back from a tough injury.You should start Nabers in the majority of leagues. Just don't be surprised if he's average in his first game back on the field. Now, here are other wide receivers to start and sit for Week 1. Projections powered by Sportsline Projections powered by Sportsline Projections powered by Sportsline Projections powered by Sportsline