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11 fantasy football sleepers, busts, risers and fallers after preseason Week 1 games in 2025. Rob's biggest takeaways for Travis Etienne, Calvin Ridley, Matthew Golden, R.J. Harvey, Travis Hunter, more.
In this article, we'll break down the 11 most important fantasy football takeaways from the Saturday and Sunday preseason games from Week 1 of 2025. I'm looking to identify fantasy football sleepers, busts, risers and fallers for players like Travis Etienne, Calvin Ridley, Matthew Golden, R.J. Harvey, Travis Hunter, and others.
More information is always better than less. That's why we want to pay attention to preseason games. However, we must be cautious not to overreact. Everything needs to be taken with a grain of salt, and we want to be careful not to double-count things. For example, now this didn't happen, but say Quentin Johnston played and dropped a pass. We know, from last year, he has had issues with drops. That is already reflected in his price. Don't count it again.
We also want to be open to the fact that many opinions are incorrect. We may be Tank Bigsby truthers and think he's better than Travis Etienne, but the way they were utilized in their first preseason game should be something we react to. Winning is more important than being right, so don't be afraid to admit, "Man, I was wrong on this." We want to be fluid and adjust to new information. Preseason games give us some new information.
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1. Calvin Ridley Will be a Target Monster and Is a Great Value Pick
Ridley finished as the WR40 last year in half-PPR PPG. However, after DeAndre Hopkins was traded in Week 8, Ridley was the WR24 thereafter. As of right now, Ridley's ADP on FantasyPros is WR30.
As the undisputed No. 1 receiver for the Titans, he finished as the WR24, and that was despite awful quarterback play from Mason Rudolph and Will Levis. In this year's draft, the Titans selected Cameron Ward with the No. 1 overall pick, and fantasy managers should expect him to be more competent than what Ridley dealt with last year.
Calvin Ridley was the WR27 w/ historically bad QB Play last year yet still goes outside the Top-30 WRs
Preseason Week 1: 42% tgt share, 86% yardage share w/ 3 rec for 50 yards in a drive
Cam Ward gushes about Ridley daily & looks-at minimum-competent
Huge value & upside
— Wolf of Roto Street (@RotoStreetWolf) August 13, 2025
Then, in their first preseason game, Ward targeted Ridley over and over and over again. During his playing time with Ward, Ridley had a 42% target share and had 86% of the team's receiving yards during Ward's snaps. Ridley is going to be a target monster for Tennessee. They have two veterans, who are at the end of their careers - Van Jefferson and Tyler Lockett - and two day three rooks - Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike.
Don't be surprised if Ridley finishes as one of the most targeted receivers this season.
2. Marvin Mims Jr. Looks to be Denver's WR2
Mims came on late last season. Over the final seven games of the regular season, Mims had 33 targets, 28 receptions, 434 yards, and six touchdowns. During this stretch, he was the WR21 with a 13.5 half-PPR PPG. He won't consistently run hot on touchdowns throughout the season, but Mims played well and was incredibly efficient with the routes and targets he was given. That seems to have carried over to 2025.
Marvin Mims Jr. played on 16-of-19 snaps with Bo Nix in Preseason Week 1. Just as notably is that he played out wide on 15-of-16 snaps. Only 50% of his snaps last year were outside.
They are asking him to play normal WR.
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) August 12, 2025
Mims was Denver's primary No. 2 receiver opposite Courtland Sutton. Mims was also pigeonholed as a slot receiver last year, but from his utilization in Week 1 of the preseason, the Denver coaching staff seems to be willing to expand what they're asking him to do. Sean Payton had Brandin Cooks in New Orleans, who compares to Mims in terms of size and speed.
It'll be interesting to see how this depth chart continues to shake out, but as of right now, Mims looks to be in the lead for No. 2 duties, which would make him a massive bargain at his current ADP.
3. Tyrone Tracy Jr. is Undervalued
Cam Skattebo has been dealing with various soft tissue issues throughout training camp, which has allowed Tracy to put a stranglehold on the starting running back job in New York. Skattebo was a late-round favorite for fantasy managers earlier in the summer, but as of right now, Tracy has a firm grasp on the starting role.
Latest take from @JordanRaanan on the Tyrone Tracy vs. Cam Skattebo split. pic.twitter.com/jsmLn2tbd6
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) August 14, 2025
Devin Singletary returns this season, but Tracy completely leapfrogged him last year. Tracy has been one of the biggest fantasy winners of the summer, and his ADP hasn't quite caught up to that. If Russell Wilson or Jaxson Dart can get this offense to at least be competent, Tracy could provide solid returns this season.
4. Jaxson Dart, J.J. McCarthy, and Cameron Ward All Looked Good
McCarthy didn't play long, but he went 4-for-7 for 30 yards. It doesn't seem like much, but the training camp reviews on him have been positive. Then he went out in his first NFL action and played well. It wasn't amazing. It didn't blow you away, but he made some strong throws. He highlighted many reasons why Kevin O'Connell feels comfortable with him.
JJ McCarthy 2025 Preseason Wk 1 Analysis pic.twitter.com/O8XCpb7f4O
— The QB School (@theqbschool) August 14, 2025
Ward also did well in his first performance. He finished 5-for-8 for 67 yards with zero touchdowns or interceptions. He showed poise, and he looks like he'll be far better than what Tennessee trotted out last year.
Ward may not be truly fantasy-relevant this season in one-quarterback leagues. Still, he looks like he has the potential to support several fantasy options for the Titans, such as Ridley and Tony Pollard.
"I saw a little bit of Jordan Love in Cam Ward."@MSpears96 highlights Cam Ward's confidence during the Titans' preseason game. pic.twitter.com/1paG4kpYD8
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 11, 2025
No quarterback performance was more impressive than Jaxson Dart's. He finished 12 of 19 for 154 yards and one touchdown. He made plenty of big-time throws and gave Giants' fans reason for optimism.
Preseason... but still, fantastic film from Jaxson Dart
+ Pocket presence vs. pressure
+ Recognizing blitz, finding "hot" target
+ Scramble creation ability
+ Throwing with anticipation https://t.co/NyjgcBvXOX— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) August 11, 2025
It's the preseason, and it's only one preseason game, but the early returns from these young signal-callers were very positive. Each respective fan base should be optimistic about what these young quarterbacks showed.
5. Dawson Knox is Still a Problem for Dalton Kincaid
You remember Kyle Pitts last year? Pitts had other problems in play, but one of the most significant issues for Pitts was that he was splitting playing time with the other tight ends on the roster. His inability to play in base personnel negatively impacted his total number of routes. That ultimately led to a decrease in the target share.
Dalton Kincaid continues to get Dawson Knox’d
50% snap share and 60% route participation rate with the first team offense today
📸 @PFF_NateJahnke pic.twitter.com/ImLwk66UmK
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) August 9, 2025
Kincaid had a similar problem last year with Knox. Their committee approach at tight end led to Kincaid not playing enough snaps despite an elite target rate. The hope was that heading into Year 2, Kincaid's role would expand and they would trust him in more situations. That doesn't seem to be the case through one preseason game.
6. You're Probably Too Low on Travis Hunter
Hunter's ADP has been kept in check largely because fantasy managers don't know what to expect from his playing time. Will he play defense? How much? Will that negatively impact the number of snaps on offense? Well, if the first week of the preseason game was any indication, the reason for that final question is no.
Travis Hunter was on the field for 91% of Trevor Lawrence's snaps in the first preseason game
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) August 10, 2025
Hunter was the clear No. 2 receiver for the Jaguars. Based on comments from Liam Coen throughout training camp, it seems as though Hunter's priority will be first and foremost on the offensive side of the ball. That should be music to all fantasy managers' ears.
“Travis Hunter lined up in slot on five of his 11 snaps, tying Thomas at five of 12 snaps. This is significant because Coen’s top wide receivers, from a fantasy perspective, have primarily played out of the slot.” https://t.co/KM1AlARXcO
— Ben Cummins (@BenCumminsFF) August 10, 2025
Coen also has a history of heavily utilizing his slot receiver, and Tampa Bay was one of the offenses that most utilized screens. That kind of offense could really tap into Hunter's skill set and what he does best. Coen's offense had Chris Godwin playing like a top-5 receiver last year before a tragic ankle injury. Through the first preseason game, it seems as though Brian Thomas Jr. and Hunter will share those slot duties.
That'll be enough, combined with his full-time offensive role, to solidly outplay his current ADP. Not to mention, the upside is through the roof.
7. Chig Okonkwo is "the" Deep Sleeper Tight End of the Summer
Okonkwo was a sleeper tight end last year, and for the most part, he disappointed. Most sleeper tight ends do, but very late in the year, Okonkwo caught fire. From Weeks 15-17, Okonkwo had 28 targets, 22 receptions, and 182 yards. Although it was just a three-game sample, his yard-per-game average equates to over 1,000 yards over 17 games. He left Week 18 with under a 5.0% snap share.
Titans TE Chig Okonkwo played 100% of the Cam Ward snaps. He's a quality late-round TE in best ball. Played more down the stretch last year. No target competition.
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) August 10, 2025
After the first preseason game, Okonkwo is back on the menu as a sleeper tight end again in 2025. The addition of Ward in the draft makes this offense much more appealing. The same reasons he was appealing still exist, too. After Ridley, there's virtually no target competition. One of the things that held him back at times last year was a committee approach and inconsistent playing time.
In the first preseason game, Okonkwo was the undisputed starting tight end. If that continues, he could finish as a top-12 tight end, especially if Ward is as good as the No. 1 overall pick would suggest he is.
8. It's Tony Pollard SZN
Tyjae Spears suffered a high-ankle sprain in the first week of the preseason game. Although this is not considered a long-term injury and he'll surely return this year, possibly even by Week 1, these types of injuries tend to linger. It could lead to another season where Pollard is Tennessee's workhorse back.
Tyjae Spears dreaded high-ankle sprain. Pain
Tony Pollard combined carries + targets and snap rate in with Spears sidelined in 2024:
-22, 89%
-24, 82%
-31, 86%
-29, 94%
-22, 73%O-line rough in recent years but did upgrade this offseason. 11th-most expensive group entering 2025
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) August 11, 2025
He finished last year as the RB21, and this year and is being drafted as the RB28. With Spears on the shelf, along with upgrades at offensive line and quarterback, Pollard could be even better in 2025. He is a great value right now and has become a running back to target.
9. It's Matthew Golden SZN
The praises for Golden have been nonstop since he put on a Packer jersey. He has played well throughout training camp, consistently making a "wow" play in practice. The drumbeat has been loud and consistent. Considering the play of the Packers' receivers last year, knowing no one separated from the others, maybe that would've been enough to make him an intriguing fantasy prospect. However, there is much more working in his favor.
Helps that Matthew Golden has had clean offseason of health.
Jayden Reed (week to week, sprained foot), Christian Watson (PUP, ACL), Romeo Doubs (day to day, back), Dontayvion Wicks (day to day, calf) all hurt right now. https://t.co/43tByE79HV
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) August 13, 2025
Jayden Reed had been wearing a boot, but recently shed it. Christian Watson is on the PUP with a torn ACL. Dontayvion Wicks hasn't practiced for weeks due to a calf injury. Savion Williams has been in and out of practice throughout the summer, and now, Romeo Doubs sustained a back injury. The Packers hadn't selected a receiver in the first round since 2002, not until Golden.
He's becoming a must-have, and you can read more about why here.
10. R.J. Harvey Will Be a Vital Part of Denver's Offense
Before the first game, Denver released its first depth chart, and Harvey was listed as the No. 5 running back. Since the team signed J.K. Dobbins, Harvey's ADP has been on the decline. If the first preseason game is any indication, Harvey shouldn't be forgotten about. Not that he was forgotten about, but Harvey was written off a bit.
RJ Harvey Usage w/ Broncos Starters
63% snaps
45% route share
20% target share
100% of carriesTouched ball on 47% of starter snaps
Not bad for the 5th RB on the depth chart!
— Wolf of Roto Street (@RotoStreetWolf) August 10, 2025
Harvey played 12 out of the 13 snaps on first and second downs. He was also the only running back who received a carry with Bo Nix under center. Even though Dobbins came in on third down, it was still Harvey who ran more routes and received more targets. This backfield will be a committee of sorts to start, but Harvey should be the primary target, as his upside seems to be higher based on the role he held in the first preseason game.
11. Travis Etienne Jr. Starts and Plays the Entire First Drive
Throughout training camp, beat writers couldn't stop talking about Tank Bigsby. It seemed as though he was gonna be the No. 1 starter. Then the preseason game occurred, and the opposite happened. Etienne handled all of the snaps with Lawrence under center.
Travis Etienne played 100% of the Trevor Lawrence snaps, then was done for the day. Picked up a 1st down on a screen.
Tank Bigsby entered with Mullens and played the entire next drive, which ended with a 3rd-and-5 drop from him.
Bhayshul Tuten played into the 4th QTR.
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) August 10, 2025
Etienne struggled last year, but he also played through injuries, and the offensive line was in shambles. Not to mention, the coaching was subpar at best. From 2022 to 2023, Etienne had just under 3,000 scrimmage yards, over 90 receptions, and 17 touchdowns.
Don't forget about that. He also has the highest draft capital of any running back on the team. This backfield is still very much fluid, but many were writing Etienne, and it's clear that we definitely should not be doing that.
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