September 6, 2025
The Chicago Bears defense enters the 2025 season with a new identity after a major offseason shakeup. Following the midseason firing of head coach and defensive play-caller Matt Eberflus, Chicago brought in former Saints head coach Dennis Allen to take over defensive duties. Last year, the Bears were a rollercoaster on defense, finishing 13th in points allowed and 11th in turnovers forced, but just 27th in yards surrendered. Their Week 1 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings isn't ideal, as Minnesota scored 30 points in both meetings last season, averaging 391 yards per game. The Vikings are handing the keys to the offense to rookie quarterback
J.J. McCarthy, who makes his first career start under the bright lights of Monday Night Football. While the spotlight could lead to mistakes, McCarthy inherits a strong supporting cast and a favorable system, making it tough to count on Chicago's defense as a fantasy option. The Bears open the week ranked as the D/ST15 in RotoBaller's rankings, outside the typical starting range. Fantasy managers should treat them as a sit in Week 1 until Allen's defense proves it can be more than a matchup-dependent streamer.
--Nathan HarveySource: Courtney Cronin - ESPN
September 6, 2025
Los Angeles Rams running back
Jarquez Hunter is an intriguing dynasty stash given his draft capital, but he lacks short-term fantasy value. As a result, he can be left on your bench (or redraft waivers) heading into his Week 1 matchup against the Houston Texans. There are plenty of reasons to avoid Hunter this week. First, the Texans' run defense was very strong last year, allowing the sixth-fewest rushing touchdowns and fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. Additionally, he is buried on the Rams' depth chart.
Kyren Williams and
Blake Corum are both ahead of him for now, and there's additional concern that he could drop to the fourth rung after Los Angeles elevated
Cody Schrader from the practice squad on Saturday. The difference between third- versus fourth-string is the difference between being active or inactive on gameday, so it will be interesting to see his status when the inactives report comes out. Regardless, Hunter is not a startable fantasy option in Week 1.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals kicker
Evan McPherson appeared to be on his way to becoming one of the league's best at the position. However, McPherson's production has gone in the wrong direction since his rookie year, and he finished the 2024 campaign by making only 72.7% of his attempts, a career-low. He was also limited to 12 games due to injury. The Bengals offense can move down the field quickly, which should give the 26-year-old chances to produce for fantasy managers. Still, until McPherson proves he can be trusted to capitalize on his opportunities, managers may want to consider other kickers for the Week 1 AFC North clash with the Browns.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
September 6, 2025
Los Angeles Rams running back
Blake Corum should be avoided in most fantasy leagues ahead of his Week 1 matchup against the Houston Texans. While Corum projects to open the year as the direct backup to
Kyren Williams, he's more of a handcuff at this time and is unlikely to surpass more than five or six carries. With lower volume, Corum should be left on the bench (or waivers in leagues with smaller rosters). That's especially true this week against the Texans, who allowed the sixth-fewest rushing touchdowns and fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Tutu Atwell enters the season listed third on the depth chart, which likely leaves him off the fantasy radar for the time being. Although this week's matchup against the Houston Texans is enticing for receivers specifically, Atwell's volume will likely be impacted by the presence of
Puka Nacua and
Davante Adams, two star pass-catchers who could each command at least 10 targets. Atwell figures to be the primary deep threat option in Los Angeles, which means that he will have some big plays and touchdowns, but he'll also have his fair share of dud games. As long as he's in the No. 3 role, it will be too difficult to predict when those boom or bust games will happen. For now, he can be left on waivers in most leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals tight end
Mike Gesicki finished the 2024 campaign with 65 catches (83 targets) for 665 yards. He also had two touchdowns, although they both came during the Week 7 matchup with the Browns. Gesicki and quarterback
Joe Burrow built a strong rapport, resulting in the 29-year-old agreeing to a three-year, $25.5 million contract in March to remain in Cincinnati. The Bengals brought in
Noah Fant this offseason. However, Gesicki is projected to lead the position in targets. That's not saying he will receive consistent attention from Burrow throughout the season, especially with
Ja'Marr Chase,
Tee Higgins, and
Chase Brown in the mix. Still, the Bengals explosive offense makes Gesicki a starting option in two-tight end setups versus Cleveland.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
September 6, 2025
Cleveland Browns running back
Quinshon Judkins is scheduled to meet with the NFL this week regarding his ongoing domestic battery case, according to PFT's Mike Florio. Judkins recently signed his rookie contract and is expected to join the team this week, but he still faces potential league discipline. The timing, length, or likelihood of a suspension remains uncertain, but Judkins could miss more time beyond Week 1. If he is suspended,
Jerome Ford and
Dylan Sampson are poised to absorb the bulk of the workload in Cleveland's backfield. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor this situation closely, as Judkins' availability will directly impact running back target shares and value for Ford and Sampson. While the holdout has ended, Judkins' status remains a significant question mark for the beginning of the 2025 season.
--Nathan HarveySource: Mike Florio - Pro Football Talk
September 6, 2025
The Miami Dolphins elevated running back
Jeff Wilson Jr. from the practice squad ahead of Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts. Wilson Jr. was initially signed to the practice squad after
Jaylen Wright (knee) underwent a small procedure on his knee. He is expected to serve as the RB3 behind starter De'Von Achane and rookie
Ollie Gordon II. With depth thin in the Dolphins' backfield and lingering questions about Achane's calf, Wilson is primarily a depth piece for Week 1. While unstartable in fantasy this week, Wilson Jr. is likely to see some touches in the offense, making him a player to watch if injuries persist.
--Nathan HarveySource: Miami Dolphins
September 6, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals running back
Samaje Perine agreed to a two-year deal in March, marking his third stint with the team. He spent last season with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he accounted for only two touchdowns. It's safe to say Perine was most productive during his previous tenure with the Bengals. However,
Chase Brown is the undisputed No. 1 option on the depth chart, and he isn't projected to leave many snaps for Perine or rookie
Tahj Brooks. Fantasy managers can expect the 29-year-old to get the bulk of his opportunities as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. He may also get a few carries alongside Brooks. With that said, Perine likely won't get enough work to make him a viable fantasy option versus the Cleveland Browns, so managers should keep him out of the lineup.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
September 6, 2025
Denver Broncos kicker
Wil Lutz enters his ninth NFL season as the Broncos prepare to face the Tennessee Titans. Lutz has spent eight of his nine seasons under head coach Sean Payton and is coming off his best campaign since 2018, making 91.2% of his field goals and finishing as K8 in 2024. Week 1 presents a favorable matchup, with the Broncos heavily favored (-9) over the Titans. Lutz thrived in winning games last season, averaging 10.6 fantasy points per contest when Denver came out on top. RotoBaller currently ranks Lutz as K10 for Week 1, making him a strong start in fantasy this week, especially in games where Denver is projected to dominate.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 6, 2025
Miami Dolphins kicker
Riley Patterson was elevated from the practice squad ahead of Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts. With
Jason Sanders (hip) on injured reserve, Patterson is set to handle kicking duties for the early part of the season. In his four-year career, Patterson has made 63 of 74 field-goal attempts and will be playing for his sixth NFL team in five seasons. The Dolphins vs Colts matchup is projected to score the sixth-most points (46) in Week 1, giving Patterson a potential opportunity for fantasy production. That said, Patterson is currently ranked K23 in Week 1 by RotoBaller, making him a high-risk fantasy option. He's best used as a streaming kicker or a short-term fill-in until Sanders returns.
--Nathan HarveySource: Miami Dolphins
September 6, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Andrei Iosivas finished last season with 36 catches for 479 yards and six touchdowns, all a career-high. He combined for three touchdowns in Weeks 2 and 3, although he would add just three more throughout the remainder of the 2024 campaign. Granted, he was able to take advantage of extra work, considering
Tee Higgins was limited to only 12 contests. Higgins and
Ja'Marr Chase are both healthy for the Week 1 showdown with the Cleveland Browns, meaning Iosivas is expected to have trouble being involved at a level that justifies his presence in any fantasy lineup. That's not to say he won't sneak in a touchdown grab (he's been known to do that every so often). However, he's not a trustworthy starting fantasy option. That's not going to change unless Higgins or Chase goes down with an injury.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
September 6, 2025
Chicago Bears running back
Kyle Monangai (hamstring) is trending toward being available for Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings, according to Courtney Cronin. Monangai has been limited in practice after injuring his hamstring before the final preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs. With
Roschon Johnson sidelined in practice due to a foot injury, the Bears' backfield depth behind starter D'Andre Swift is thin. Monangai enters Week 1 as the RB3 on the depth chart, behind Swift and Johnson, meaning he could see meaningful snaps if Johnson is inactive. Minnesota's defense is formidable against the run, allowing the second-fewest rushing yards in 2024. While Monangai is not a startable fantasy option in Week 1, he should receive some touches, which is key for the seventh-round rookie that's trying to carve out a bigger role.
--Nathan HarveySource: Courtney Cronin - ESPN
September 6, 2025
Denver Broncos wide receiver
Troy Franklin enters his second NFL season with a chance to carve out a bigger role against the Tennessee Titans. The 2024 fourth-round pick struggled in his rookie year, finishing with 28 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns, ranking WR97 in half-PPR formats. Much of that underperformance came with former college teammate
Bo Nix under center. This offseason, the Broncos cleared the path for Franklin to earn meaningful snaps by trading De'Vaughn Vele and letting Lil'Jordan Humphrey walk in free agency. The second-year receiver enters Week 1 as the WR3 on Denver's depth chart and should see more opportunities in the passing game. Still, Franklin faces a tough matchup. The Titans allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in 2024, limiting upside for any emerging Broncos pass-catcher besides
Courtland Sutton. For now, Franklin remains a waiver-wire stash until he proves he can produce consistently at the next level.
--Nathan HarveySource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
The Denver Broncos defense enters 2025 as one of the premier units in football. After an ugly 2023 season that they allowed the sixth-most points in the league (including a 70-point debacle vs. Miami), they bounced back in 2024 in dominant fashion, finishing as the top-scoring fantasy D/ST. This year, they're not just looking to repeat; they've gotten even better. Denver bolstered its defense by signing S Talanoa Hufanga and LB Dre Greenlaw (who's out Week 1 due to a quad injury), while adding first-round cornerback Jahdae Barron to a secondary already led by Patrick Surtain II. Week 1 sets up perfectly for fantasy managers as the Broncos face rookie QB
Cam Ward and the Tennessee Titans. With
Will Levis and
Mason Rudolph under center, the Titans led the NFL in turnovers and ranked bottom six in points scored last season. RotoBaller has Denver ranked as the No. 1 projected D/ST for the week, and with a rookie quarterback making his first career start on the road, the Broncos defense is a must-start in all formats.
--Nathan HarveySource: Denver 7
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