September 6, 2025
Indianapolis Colts kicker
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.
--Matt TerelleSource: NFL.com
September 6, 2025
New England Patriots running back
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.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Indianapolis Colts tight end
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.
--Matt TerelleSource: NFL.com
September 6, 2025
New England Patriots quarterback
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.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Miami Dolphins wide receiver
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.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
September 6, 2025
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
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.
--Matt TerelleSource: NFL.com
September 6, 2025
Tennessee Titans kicker
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.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
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.
--Andy SmithSource: ESPN.com
September 6, 2025
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
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.
--Matt TerelleSource: NFL.com
September 6, 2025
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
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.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Josh Downs will host the Miami Dolphins to kick off the 2025 NFL season in Week 1. Downs dealt with a hamstring injury for much of August, but he is off the injury report and ready to go on Sunday. The veteran receiver will take on a Dolphins secondary that is considered a team weakness and could struggle to slow opposing pass-catchers. Downs is likely to operate as
Daniel Jones' top target this season, provided he can stay on the field and shake the injury bug that has plagued him over his career. Fantasy managers can treat Downs as a solid WR3/flex option heading into Week 1.
--Matt TerelleSource: NFL.com
September 6, 2025
Tennessee Titans tight end
Chig Okonkwo could carve out a fantasy-relevant role during Week 1 against the Denver Broncos. While the Broncos have a strong defense and could strategize to rattle rookie quarterback
Cameron Ward, Okonkwo is in a favorable position as a tight end, because he should serve as a short- to medium-yardage security blanket for Ward. Plus, while Denver was spectacular against running backs and wide receivers last year, they were merely average against tight ends and allowed the ninth-most receptions to the position. Okonkwo isn't a household name at the tight end position, but he could be a top-18 option this week and therefore warrants some consideration for your lineups in deeper leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Miami Dolphins running back
Ollie Gordon II is set to be the primary backup for the team when they open the season on Sunday afternoon against the Colts. Gordon had a strong preseason with 126 rushing yards and a touchdown, along with three catches for 48 receiving yards over his three preseason games. Gordon was a sixth-round pick of the Dolphins out of Oklahoma State, and he was the biggest running back in the draft class. He showed off his power running style this preseason and could grow into a nice complement and change-of-pace option behind
De'Von Achane.
Jaylen Wright (knee) has been ruled out for Week 1, leaving Gordon as the primary backup behind Achane. Gordon is the RB41 in RotoBaller's rankings for Week 1, making him one of the best backups on the board, but a long-shot starter in most standard formats. He's definitely an exciting rookie to watch in Week 1, but his role isn't big enough to start him as a FLEX play quite yet.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
September 6, 2025
Tennessee Titans wide receiver
Elic Ayomanor is set to make his NFL debut against the Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon. The rookie out of Stanford projects to operate as the team's No. 3 receiver behind
Calvin Ridley and
Tyler Lockett. On one hand, Ayomanor could see a bump in opportunities if Ridley is smothered by Patrick Surtain II and simply becomes a non-factor in the passing attack. On the other hand, though, many of those targets will be funneled to Lockett, and the Broncos' generally strong defense could rattle Ward enough to the point where he's ineffective passing to all of his receivers. Ayomanor is a fine fantasy stash, but he should be left on your bench until we have a clearer understanding of his exact role and usage in the Titans' offense.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs running back
Kareem Hunt was inefficient during their loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday evening. Hunt ran the ball five times for a mere 16 yards, averaging a low 3.2 yards per carry. Through the air, Hunt was able to bring in two of his three targets for 10 yards. Despite his modest showing on the ground, Hunt saw the same amount of carries (five) as presumed starter
Isiah Pacheco. However, given Hunt's underwhelming production, the Chiefs may look to decrease his workload later in the season as Pacheco averaged 5.0 YPC in this contest. In 2024, Hunt replaced the injured Pacheco and served as the lead option for most of the campaign, but carried a low ceiling as he posted a similar 3.2 YPC on 200 attempts. For now, managers in deeper formats should view Hunt as low-range, touchdown-dependent RB3 heading into their Week 2 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
--Andy SmithSource: ESPN.com
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