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
September 6, 2025
Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver
Pat Bryant enters Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans as a deep sleeper to monitor. The third-round pick brings size and physicality to the Broncos' offense and profiles as a future red-zone threat alongside
Courtland Sutton. Long term, his role should grow, but in the short term, his path to playing time is blocked by Sutton,
Marvin Mims Jr., and fellow rookie
Troy Franklin. Even if Bryant sees the field, this isn't the week to roll the dice. The Titans' defense allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in 2024, making Denver's passing attack a tough bet. For now, Bryant belongs on the waiver wire watchlist rather than in fantasy lineups.
--Nathan HarveySource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson listed linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring) as doubtful for Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. Edwards popped up on the injury report Thursday and missed the entire week of practice, putting him on track to miss his first game since 2020. The veteran linebacker has been a stabilizing force in the middle of Chicago's defense and finished 2024 as PFF's fifth-best linebacker in run defense. With Edwards listed as doubtful, fourth-round rookie Ruben Hyppolite is expected to step into the rotation. His inexperience could open the door for the Vikings' backfield. Both Aaron Jones and
Jordan Mason get a subtle boost in fantasy value, particularly in the run game, against a Bears defense missing its top run-stopping linebacker. - Nathan Harvey
--Nathan HarveySource: Chicago Bears
September 6, 2025
Denver Broncos wide receiver
Marvin Mims Jr. enters his third season when the Broncos host the Tennessee Titans. Mims showed real growth in 2024, posting 545 yards and six touchdowns, both were sizable jumps from his rookie campaign. Part of the reason why Mims' numbers were too low for fantasy was due to his low snap count, playing just 27% of the offensive snaps in 2024. However, the Broncos gave him a full run with the first-team offense in their preseason finale against the Saints and then traded away last year's WR2, De'Vaughn Vele. The role is there for Mims, but fantasy managers shouldn't rush him into Week 1 lineups. Tennessee allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers last year, making this a brutal opening matchup. For now, Mims belongs on the bench, but his snap share and usage this week will be critical indicators of whether he can become a breakout flex option moving forward.
--Nathan HarveySource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
The Cleveland Browns have been granted a two-game roster exemption for rookie running back
Quinshon Judkins, who officially signed his rookie deal on Saturday after a lengthy contractual process. Judkins remains under NFL investigation for domestic violence and battery allegations stemming from the summer, and a suspension is still possible. The exemption allows the Browns to keep him on the roster without cutting another player, though he is ineligible to play in games until the team ends the exemption. He can practice with the team during this period. Judkins is not expected to suit up in Week 1, but finally having him under contract and back with the organization provides a boost to his long-term fantasy outlook. Once active, Judkins could carve out a meaningful role in Cleveland's backfield, with
Jerome Ford and
Dylan Sampson returning to their reserve roles.
--Nathan HarveySource: Tom Pelissero - NFL Network
September 6, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Xavier Worthy is undergoing an MRI on Saturday to determine the severity of his shoulder injury. Head coach Andy Reid offered no update following the Chiefs' 27-21 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The injury occurred on the first drive, when Worthy collided with
Travis Kelce on a crossing route and left the field in visible pain. A trainer appeared to pop his shoulder back into place on the sideline, but Worthy still went to the locker room and did not return. The timing is tough for Kansas City, who are already without
Rashee Rice. If Worthy misses time,
Marquise Brown and
JuJu Smith-Schuster would see expanded opportunities, while
Patrick Mahomes could face a slight dip in fantasy upside without his explosive rookie playmaker stretching the field.
--Nathan HarveySource: Kansas City Chiefs
September 6, 2025
The New York Giants are showing strong confidence in rookie quarterback
Jaxson Dart, naming him the primary backup behind
Russell Wilson. According to Albert Breer, the team feels comfortable putting Dart into live game action already, an impressive endorsement for the rookie. Dianna Russini of The Athletic added that head coach Brian Daboll even threw Dart into practice reps this week specifically to test how he'd handle pressure situations. Dart rewarded that trust with an excellent preseason, posting 424 passing yards, four touchdowns, and no turnovers. His rise to QB2 is notable, especially with former No. 1 overall pick
Jameis Winston still on the roster. While Dart isn't on the fantasy radar for Week 1, his talent and quick ascension make him a potential waiver-wire sleeper if Wilson were to struggle or miss time.
--Nathan HarveySource: Albert Breer
September 6, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back
Bucky Irving heads into 2025 with a chip on his shoulder and breakout potential. The former fourth-round pick says he still draws motivation from his draft-day slide: "I kept that anger and used it as motivation. I was pissed. I was waiting for three days, so just being there and seeing everybody get drafted, it lit a fire in me." That fire fueled an electric finish to his rookie year. From Week 13 on (excluding the Raiders game he exited early), Irving averaged 20 attempts for 123.3 scrimmage yards and scored five touchdowns in eight games, scoring 17.6 half-PPR fantasy points during that span. Now entering his second season, Irving is being hyped as a prime breakout candidate in 2025. With clear RB1 usage and the Buccaneers' offense leaning on his explosiveness, he'll look to pick up right where he left off when Tampa Bay opens against the Atlanta Falcons.
--Nathan HarveySource: Brianna Dix - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
September 6, 2025
Atlanta Falcons running back
Tyler Allgeier remains one of the top running back handcuffs in the league, but doesn't garner enough touches to make him startable in season-long fantasy most weeks. The BYU product was awarded double-digit carries just five times last season, and is a relative non-factor in the passing game, with
Bijan Robinson handling the bulk of both the running and receiving touches for the Falcons. Sunday's matchup with Tampa Bay pits Atlanta against a defense that is much more stout against the run than the pass, further dampening the 25-year-old's prospects for fantasy. Allgeier should be considered a low-end Flex play as an RB5.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
September 6, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals running back
Tahj Brooks was selected in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft after a lengthy collegiate career at Texas Tech. While he didn't do much in his two preseason contests, he reportedly looked good throughout training camp. With that in mind,
Chase Brown is the undisputed No. 1 option out of the backfield.
Samaje Perine is back in the mix after signing a two-year deal in the offseason. That leaves little room for Brooks, who will likely get the residual scraps left over by Brown and Perine in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns. That arrangement will likely extend moving forward. Unfortunately, that won't him a viable option in any format on Sunday and beyond, so he shouldn't be starting in any fantasy lineup.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
September 6, 2025
New York Jets placekicker
Nick Folk is set for an unfavorable matchup this Sunday when his team squares off against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers. Folk appeared in 14 games for the Titans last season, boasting an excellent 95.5% (21-of-22) rate on field goal tries and knocking through all 25 of his extra-point attempts. The 40-year-old was a perfect 6-for-6 on tries of 50+ yards in 2024 and should be a reliable asset for the Jets this year. However, New York could have a difficult time moving the ball against the Steelers in Week 1. Furthermore, Pittsburgh allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to kickers last season, and their matchup features the lowest opening-week combined point total in five years (38.5). Folk clocks in as RotoBaller's K31 to kick off 2025.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
September 6, 2025
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
Jalen Nailor is expected to settle back into his WR3 role in 2025. Nailor flashed last year with career-best numbers, 28 receptions, 414 yards, and six touchdowns. With
Jordan Addison suspended for the first three games, there was speculation that Nailor might see an expanded role. Instead, Minnesota traded for veteran
Adam Thielen, who remains a trusted target and is expected to step in as the WR2 behind
Justin Jefferson in Addison's absence. That leaves Nailor as a complementary piece rather than a fantasy-relevant option in Week 1. Facing a Chicago Bears defense that allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in 2024, Nailor should be left on the waiver wire this week.
--Nathan HarveySource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
The Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, which serves as a great matchup for the entire offense. That includes tight end
Brenton Strange, who had a solid year last season despite the organizational dysfunction. Especially in PPR leagues, Strange seems like a solid streaming option at TE this season. The Panthers serve as a great matchup to stream against, making Strange a decent option for managers in need of a tight end in Week 1. He has a ton of target competition, but given Liam Coen now running the offense and other new faces joining the pass-catcher room, Strange could be in for a good day. Stream Strange in Week 1 with the expectation of a solid floor.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBaller
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