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Michael Florio's fantasy football sneaky starts, pivot plays, and post-waiver waiver pickups for Week 1 of 2025. Start 'em as under-the-radar fantasy sleepers.
We are officially back with our sneaky starts, pivot plays and waiver wire pickups for Week 1 of the 2025 season! Every week, you can get sneaky starts and pivot options for your fantasy football starting lineups right here.
The one caveat for this week is that you should not have to dive too deeply. You should not be in a position where you need to pick someone off waivers and get them in your lineup. It is Week 1; use your team as you drafted it!
There will be plenty of weeks where byes and injuries pile up, and we need to dive really deep. For Week 1, though, the players will be options you could consider elevating from your bench if you need a flier or hate one of your starters' matchups.
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Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options for Fantasy Football Week 1
Bryce Young can run. Last season, he averaged 18 fantasy PPG once he became the starter again. That was because he was simply running more. He had numerous games where he topped 60 rushing yards and scored five rushing TDs in the final six weeks. He has improved weapons around him now and is in Year 2 of Dave Canales' fantasy-friendly system. If you need a streamer, Young is in play.
I asked #Panthers quarterback Bryce Young if he notices anything different in his personal mindset as he enters his third season compared to where he was mentally a year ago pic.twitter.com/Wp6hD9ueEB
— Danielle Stein (@Danielle_Stein9) September 3, 2025
Trevor Lawrence is coming off a disappointing season, but he was the QB12 in total points just two years ago. This is more about believing in the pieces around him as Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter provide a great one-two punch. He will also be facing the Panthers, who last year allowed the fourth-most fantasy PPG to opposing QBs. Lawrence is certainly in play in two-QB formats, but is a streamer in one-QB leagues for those who waited on the position in drafts.
J.K. Dobbins is expected to handle third downs and other passing situations, which is a very valuable role in Sean Payton’s offense. There is also a chance he could be the goal-line back. Plus, you can expect him to handle at least some carries. He also has a strong matchup against the Titans, who allowed the seventh-most rushing touchdowns and most receiving to running backs last year. The game script is likely to be on the Broncos' side as well. I am flexing Dobbins in some spots, and you could do the same.
Austin Ekeler is the one sure thing in the Commanders backfield. He will handle passing downs and likely some carries on the ground. I am not ruling out his seeing action near the goal line, either. The Giants have a stout defensive line, and we could see the Commanders look to throw to the RB a bit more as an extension of the run game. Ekeler may not bring the upside he once did, but the floor feels safe for Week 1.
Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby are in play if you are diving a bit deeper. The duo has a fantastic matchup against the Panthers, who allowed the most fantasy PPG to RBs last year and have just been run all over the past couple of years. They also play in a very fantasy-friendly system with new head coach Liam Coen now in Duval. The issue is that we do not have clarity on how the work will be distributed. Etienne brings a higher ceiling as the passing option, but Bigsby brings the safer floor. Etienne brings the upside, but the game script could make this a Bigsby week.
Dylan Sampson and Jerome Ford are options for those diving a bit deeper at RB, which hopefully you are not in Week 1. The Bengals were middle of the pack last year against running backs, but we know this defense can be had. Plus, Joe Flacco is not afraid to check it down to his backs. Ford feels a little safer as the coaching staff knows him, and oftentimes teams will lean on a veteran more early on. Sampson, though, has more juice and is the upside play in this backfield.
Josh Downs could easily be a top 24 receiver in PPR formats this week. Why? Because Daniel Jones loves to target slot receivers. Downs showed he can be a reliable fantasy option with consistent volume last season. He should get plenty of that with Jones as his QB. Especially this week, as the Colts could easily be chasing points against Miami and forced to throw much more than they intend to. Downs brings sneaky upside in Week 1.
A big matchup in this game will be Josh Downs vs. rookie nickel Jason Marshall Jr.
Miami will have ways like Split Field Bracket coverage to "double" Downs.
This can create opportunities for big plays elsewhere. pic.twitter.com/jI1g7GwH4c
— Colts Film Room (@ColtsFilmRoom) September 3, 2025
Keon Coleman is my preferred option, but Josh Palmer is also in play if you are diving deep. These two will be the perimeter receivers for Josh Allen and the Bills. Coleman is the safer bet for volume and should be the go-to guy in the red/end zone. Palmer, though, is a better separator out wide and downfield than anyone the Bills had last year. The Ravens last season allowed the third-most fantasy PPG to receivers. In what could be a shootout, these two bring big-play upside.
Marquise Brown should see a boost with Rashee Rice sidelined. I am also expecting the Chiefs to stick to their word and try and air it out more. Last year, after having the lowest air yards per attempt of QBs with 400 attempts, Mahomes averaged over 10 air yards per attempt in the preseason. I expect a deep shot or two to go Brown’s way. Plus, we saw a lot of points last year in Brazil.
Darnell Mooney is kind of a forgotten man at the moment due to missing most of the preseason. He is expected to suit up in Week 1, though. Do not forget that last year he was just shy of 1,000 yards. With Michael Penix Jr. at the helm, I expect the Falcons to air it out much more, which raises the weekly ceiling for their pieces. He may be a bit boom-or-bust early on, but you could do a lot worse than Mooney if you are diving deeper at receiver.
Hunter Henry led the Patriots in targets and receiving yards last season. He had a 30 percent red-zone target share with Drake Maye, which was double any other Patriots player. They have other pieces this year, but it will be Stefon Diggs’ first game back from a torn ACL after not playing in the preseason. Kyle Williams is a rookie. We could see Maye once again leaning on his tight end early in the season. Plus, the Raiders allowed the fourth-most fantasy PPG to tight ends last season. Henry is a safe streaming option to open the year.
Brenton Strange could be the No. 3 target for Trevor Lawrence and the Jags. He showed flashes last season and should get consistent snaps. Plus, the Panthers allowed the sixth-most fantasy PPG to opposing tight ends last season. Strange is in play for those diving deeper at tight end in Week 1.
Make sure to follow Michael on X, @MichaelFFlorio.
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