Colts Defense a Middling Option in Week 1
Tua Tagovailoa on Sunday. That being said, Miami still has plenty of dangerous skill players on its roster and the Indy defense isn't talented enough to lock in as a top option. Treat them as a mid-range fantasy defense heading into Week 1.
Source: NFL.com
The Indianapolis Colts defense will open the season with a home matchup against the Miami Dolphins. The Colts will look to start fast against a Dolphins offense that is a bit of an unknown in a game with a 46.5-point over/under. The offensive line is a concern for the Dolphins, which could lead to a lot of pressure on Source: NFL.com
Jaylen Waddle Starts the Season as a WR3 with Upside
Jaylen Waddle (undisclosed) missed practices during this training camp, but he was able to play in the preseason and is ready to start the season healthy in Week 1 against the Colts. He spent most of the offseason working as the team's top receiver since Tyreek Hill (wrist, oblique) was dealing with injury issues of his own. Waddle inked a big contract before last season, but he had his lowest output of his career, totaling 58 catches, 744 receiving yards, and 2 touchdowns. There have been rumblings that his strong connection with Tua Tagovailoa and improved hands could lead to him becoming the primary receiver in Miami, but with both Hill and De'Von Achane (calf) healthy, his workload is uncertain. He's the WR30 in RotoBaller's Week 1 rankings, making him a WR3 against the Colts, although he has a higher ceiling than some other options in that range.
Source: NFL.com
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Source: NFL.com
Stefon Diggs a Worthy Fantasy Starter in Week 1
Stefon Diggs will make his team debut during Sunday's Week 1 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. The veteran receiver is expected to operate as the Patriots' WR1, providing plenty of support to second-year quarterback Drake Maye. The Raiders sneakily had an above-average pass defense last year, but Diggs should still see enough volume to justify starting him as a WR3/FLEX in fantasy. After all, outside of Hunter Henry, Diggs doesn't face a whole lot of competition for targets. Managers should feel confident deploying the veteran as a low-end WR3/FLEX in leagues with at least 12 teams.
Source: RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receiver Source: RotoBaller
Quinshon Judkins Signs Fully Guaranteed Deal with Cleveland
Quinshon Judkins has signed a fully guaranteed deal with the Cleveland Browns. After being arrested earlier in the offseason on domestic assault charges, Judkins was finally able to agree to a contract with the team that selected him in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. With Judkins signing his deal, all draft picks are now under contract. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network noted that even though no charges were filed against Judkins, the league is still conducting its own investigation. For the time being, Judkins should not face any potential suspension. The 36th overall pick played a key role in Ohio State's National Championship last season as he ran for 1,060 yards and punched in 16 total touchdowns. While Judkins is not expected to play in Week 1, he is expected to take over the Cleveland backfield eventually and potentially as early as Week 2. On Sunday, fantasy managers should expect Jerome Ford to operate as the RB1 while fellow rookie Dylan Sampson is deployed behind him.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Rookie running back Source: Ian Rapoport
Tre'Veyon Henderson Could Need a Big Play in Week 1
Rhamondre Stevenson. That should change once Henderson has just a few NFL games under his belt, but for now, we're tempering expectations with the assumption that he'll have a lower-volume role in Week 1. Even against a below-average Raiders run defense, Henderson likely needs to break off a big run or score a touchdown to justify starting him in 12-team fantasy leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
New England Patriots rookie running back Tre'Veyon Henderson might need a big play, such as a large run or touchdown, to be a worthwhile fantasy starter in Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders. While Henderson is the franchise running back in New England, the Patriots will likely open the year with him operating as the No. 2 option behind Source: RotoBaller
Spencer Shrader a Low-End Option in Week 1
Spencer Shrader will open the year against the Miami Dolphins at home in Week 1. Shrader takes over for Matt Gay, whom the Colts released back in April, with the team indicating that their belief in Shrader was part of the reason they made the move. The Dolphins were generous to opposing kickers last year as they allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to the position. That being said, it remains to be seen just how well the Colts are able to move the ball with Daniel Jones under center.
Source: NFL.com
Indianapolis Colts kicker Source: NFL.com
Rhamondre Stevenson a Fine RB3 for Season Opener
Rhamondre Stevenson remains a fine RB3/FLEX option for fantasy football heading into Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders. While the writing is on the wall for rookie Tre'Veyon Henderson to eventually take over this backfield from Stevenson, the Patriots' unofficial depth chart lists Stevenson as its No. 1 running back for the season opener. This could be an elaborate smokescreen, but it's more likely that the Patriots open the year with Stevenson leading their backfield while Henderson gets acclimated to the NFL. The window is closing fast for Stevenson, but he does still have a couple of weeks left as a solid RB3/FLEX.
Source: RotoBaller
New England Patriots running back Source: RotoBaller
Tyler Warren a Low-End TE1 in Week 1
Tyler Warren will make his NFL debut at home against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1. Warren will draw a decent matchup against a Miami defense that allowed the 11th-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends in 2024. The first-round rookie out of Penn State drew rave reviews throughout training camp and should be a big piece of the Indy offense starting in Week 1. He can be slotted into starting lineups as a low-end TE1 and even as a flex option in tight-end premium leagues for Sunday's contest.
Source: NFL.com
Indianapolis Colts tight end Source: NFL.com
Drake Maye Begins Second Season with Favorable Matchup
Drake Maye will open his second pro season against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Maye showed several flashes of potential last year, and there's optimism that his accurate passing skills and mobility could make him a fringe top-12 quarterback this year. He definitely has top-12 upside in Week 1 against the Raiders, who allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks last year. It also helps that Maye is playing with the best receiver group of his career, headlined by veteran Stefon Diggs. Maye should be started in all two-quarterback formats, and he's even a strong option in deeper single-quarterback leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
New England Patriots quarterback Source: RotoBaller
Tyreek Hill Has No Injury Designation for Week 1
Tyreek Hill (oblique/calf) has been limited in training camp and did not play in the preseason. He was diagnosed with an oblique injury in August but was able to put in limited practices all week until returning to a full practice on Friday. Since he doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game at Indianapolis, Hill should be ready for a full workload in Week 1. He's coming off a disappointing season last year, when he only had 81 catches for 959 yards and six touchdowns. There was plenty of drama at the end of the season and offseason, but the team seems ready to put that behind them and play ball this season. The Colts' secondary should be a good matchup for him to start a potential bounce-back season against, and Hill is WR15 in the RotoBaller rankings. He profiles as a strong WR2 in standard leagues with a potential high ceiling if he breaks out for a big play or two.
Source: NFL.com
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Source: NFL.com
Adonai Mitchell Not a Strong Fantasy Choice in Week 1
Adonai Mitchell will open the 2025 season with a home matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Mitchell finds himself buried on the team's depth chart behind Josh Downs, Michael Pittman Jr., and Alec Pierce to open the year. The wideout showed some flashes in his rookie season last year, but he is unlikely to see enough opportunities to be a difference-maker in fantasy, at least early in the season. Mitchell is not a recommended fantasy option at the moment, but remains a solid stash in dynasty formats.
Source: NFL.com
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Source: NFL.com
Joey Slye a Low-End Streamer for Week 1
Joey Slye should generate some interest as a low-end fantasy streamer ahead of his Week 1 matchup with the Denver Broncos. While Denver has a good defense, Slye stands to benefit because the Titans' offense could be more likely to stall out in scoring position, leading to field goal opportunities. Additionally, the veteran kicker has a very strong leg, converting from as long as 63 yards out last season with the Patriots. His kicking power could translate nicely to this week's matchup, as the thin altitude at Mile High Stadium is a kicker's best friend. While we'd prefer a highly dependable kicker in a high-powered offense, managers looking for last-minute replacements should be content with the idea of streaming Slye this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans kicker Source: RotoBaller
Keenan Allen Looks Like Former Self in Chargers Return
Keenan Allen dominated in his return to his former club on Friday evening during their victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Allen saw a team-high 10 targets and was able to bring in seven of them for 68 yards and a touchdown. Despite entering his age-33 campaign, Allen was able to emerge as a top option in this offense, alongside second-year wideout Ladd McConkey. Allen found the back of the end zone in the third quarter on an 11-yard strike from Justin Herbert. Despite playing on a subpar Chicago offense last season, Allen remained productive, totaling 744 yards and scoring seven touchdowns on 70 receptions. Even though he is playing in a crowded offense with McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and a strong running back room, Allen appears to have WR3 upside going forward. He should be started in most 12+ team leagues heading into a Week 2 tilt against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Source: ESPN.com
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Source: ESPN.com
Alec Pierce a Low-End Option in Week 1
Alec Pierce will open the 2025 season with a home matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Pierce missed some time over the preseason with a groin injury, but he is off the injury report and ready to roll for Week 1. The speedy wideout will operate as the team's WR3 behind Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr. in a Daniel Jones-led attack. Pierce has shown the ability to break off explosive plays over his career, but his consistency isn't always there. He sets up as a low-end flex/WR6 heading into Week 1.
Source: NFL.com
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Source: NFL.com
Titans Defense Not a Viable Option in Week 1
Bo Nix, expects big things from wide receiver Courtland Sutton this year, welcomed a huge tight end upgrade in Evan Engram, and added youth and proven track record at running back with R.J. Harvey and J.K. Dobbins, respectively. The Broncos' offense can attack teams with a variety of its skill position players, and Tennessee might not have an answer for it. They rank outside the top 20 fantasy D/ST units this week.
Source: RotoBaller
The Tennessee Titans defense should be avoided ahead of their Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Tennessee didn't make many additions on the defensive side of the ball over the offseason, and they're relatively ill-prepared to face off against a Broncos offense that exceeded expectations last year. Denver has a young star at its quarterback position in
Source: RotoBaller