September 6, 2025
Los Angeles Rams running back
Kyren Williams has been the topic of many backfield discussions this offseason, and there was plenty of speculation that the team could look to bring in running back competition. While the presence of
Blake Corum and
Jarquez Hunter can't be ignored, there's no doubt that this backfield belongs to Williams and that he should continue to have an every-down role. That will benefit him this week against the Texans, who allowed the sixth-fewest rushing touchdowns to running backs last year. Therefore, a high-volume role is necessary to justify starting a running back against the Texans in fantasy football. Williams fits that description, and he also has a track record of scoring touchdowns against stingy defenses. He belongs in fantasy lineups this week.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
James Conner has quietly built a solid career as he enters year No. 9 in the NFL. The former Pitt Panther is only 30 yards away from 6,000 and one touchdown shy of 60, which he could reach in the first week of the season, making him the 55th running back in NFL history to reach those marks (fifth on the active RB list). To open up the 2025 season, the Cardinals take on the New Orleans Saints, who finished as the No. 22 defense last season and come into this year projected as the No. 23 D. Conner should be able to find some running room and will likely continue to receive red-zone touches despite
Trey Benson being projected to get some more work. RotoBaller's rankers have him projected as the RB19 this year with a very enticing 17 fantasy point prediction in Week 1.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Miami Dolphins wide receiver
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine came to Miami this past offseason on a two-year, $6.5 million contract, but he doesn't look like he'll be very involved in Week 1. Westbrook-Ikhine showed a nose for the end zone in his five seasons in Tennessee and had nine touchdowns last year on just 32 catches for 497 yards. He's a big red-zone target that could emerge as a goal-line favorite for
Tua Tagovailoa, but he doesn't have a clear path to a role coming into the year. One potential spot he could step into would be to fill in for
Darren Waller (hip), since the Dolphins don't have any obvious pass-catching options at tight end. He's a long shot to be involved, though, so Westbrook-Ikhine is the WR99 coming into the week in the RotoBaller rankings, since he's behind at least
Tyreek Hill,
Jaylen Waddle, and
Malik Washington in the Dolphins' receiver room.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
September 6, 2025
Los Angeles Rams quarterback
Matthew Stafford is healthy for the 2025 season, and he'll have some low-end fantasy appeal when he takes the field in Week 1 against the Houston Texans. While Stafford lacks the rushing upside needed to be a top fantasy quarterback, his strong and accurate arm puts him in the conversation as a starter in two-quarterback leagues. The Texans ranked near the middle of the league in most metrics against quarterbacks last year, although their 19 interceptions did rank second-most in the NFL. However, Stafford has a track record of playing clean, turnover-free football, so this matchup isn't a major concern. The presence of
Puka Nacua and
Davante Adams should elevate his game (and his fantasy production) in Week 1.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
New England Patriots kicker
Andy Borregales will make his NFL debut this Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, but he's not a reliable fantasy football option at this time. In addition to the fact that Borregales has never attempted a regular-season kick in the NFL, he also starts his career in a Gillette Stadium environment that could be dealing with light rain and wind on Sunday. Furthermore, while the Patriots' offense is trending upward, they lack the type of firepower that would essentially guarantee Borregales has multiple scoring opportunities every game. For now, the University of Miami product ranks near the bottom of the fantasy kicker rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Miami Dolphins tight end
Julian Hill is in line to get the start against the Colts after offseason acquisition
Darren Waller (hip) was ruled out. Waller's return after a year off has not gone according to plan since he hasn't been able to stay healthy enough to get used to the offense or connect with
Tua Tagovailoa. In his place, Hill will step into the lineup, but the third-year tight end from Campbell has shown limited fantasy potential in his first two years. He has caught a total of 18 passes in two years for 148 yards and no scores. He's off the fantasy radar as the TE46 coming into the week, but since he'll start, he does have a glimmer of touchdown-dependent upside.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
September 6, 2025
The New England Patriots defense/special teams opens the 2025 season this Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, who made a concerted effort to improve their offense this offseason. In addition to upgrading at head coach with Pete Carroll, the Raiders made a couple of splashes by drafting running back
Ashton Jeanty and acquiring quarterback
Geno Smith. They also added rookie receiver
Jack Bech. All of these moves supplement an existing solid offensive core headlined by wide receiver
Jakobi Meyers and last year's rookie sensation, tight end
Brock Bowers. Between Las Vegas having plenty of firepower on offense and the Patriots' defense being average on paper, this is a matchup fantasy managers should look to avoid in Week 1. You can leave the Patriots D/ST on waivers this Sunday.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
New England Patriots tight end
Austin Hooper had a pleasantly surprising 2024 season, but he's not on the fantasy radar for the team's 2025 season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders. After all, Hooper is still the No. 2 tight end in New England and should continue to operate behind
Hunter Henry. There will be two-tight end sets and opportunities for Hooper to get involved, but not enough to justify rostering him in fantasy football, especially when so many other tight ends are healthy and bye weeks haven't started up yet. Despite a matchup against the Raiders, who allowed the third-most fantasy points to tight ends last year, Hooper can be left on waivers.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
New England Patriots tight end
Hunter Henry should be considered as a viable option for your starting lineup in fantasy football. The veteran tight end had arguably the best season of his career last year, setting personal bests with 97 targets, 66 catches, and 674 yards despite sharing some of his volume with
Austin Hooper. His productivity could only increase this year as
Drake Maye gets more comfortable in the offense and potentially looks toward Henry more often, especially in the end zone. In addition to having a favorable season outlook, Henry should benefit right away in Week 1 as the Patriots face the Raiders, who allowed the third-most fantasy points to tight ends in 2024.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Arizona Cardinals quarterback
Kyler Murray is entering his seventh season in the NFL with only one playoff appearance under his belt and a total record of 36-45-1. The two-time Pro Bowler has only led the league in any stat one time, and that was in his rookie year when he led in sacks taken. With those negatives out of the way, Murray has still amassed at least 3,700 yards and 20 touchdowns through the air in each season that he was healthy. He's also compiled 400+ yards and 4+ touchdowns on the ground in four of his six seasons. With that being said, Murray faces off against the New Orleans Saints, who are ranked as the 23rd D/ST in RotoBaller's defense rankings. More time to build chemistry with
Marvin Harrison Jr. should pay off this past offseason, so Murray heads into this game with QB1 upside, especially due to his dual-threat abilities.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Miami Dolphins wide receiver
Malik Washington is set to start the season as the team's third receiver behind
Tyreek Hill and
Jaylen Waddle. The second-year receiver could be in for a more involved role in 2025 after catching just 26 passes for 223 yards as a rookie. Washington was Miami's sixth-round pick out of Virginia and was able to work extensively with starting quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa this training camp and preseason, while Hill and Waddle dealt with injuries. Washington showed his playmaking ability in the return game last year, and offensive coordinator Frank Smith praised his growth and understanding of the offense over the offseason. He's only the WR102 in RotoBaller's Week 1 Rankings, so he shouldn't be starting in any format yet. However, he is definitely a player to keep an eye on and possibly stash from waiver wires since he brings a lot of upside if he secures a big role in Miami's offense.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
September 6, 2025
New England Patriots wide receiver
Kayshon Boutte is technically listed as a starter on the team's unofficial depth chart, but he's expected to be the WR3 and is unlikely to carve out a significant role above
Stefon Diggs,
Hunter Henry, or
DeMario Douglas. Furthermore, the Patriots could throw the football less now that they have a stellar one-two punch of
Rhamondre Stevenson and Tre'Veyon Henderson out of the backfield. While Boutte did show flashes of upside last season, he still finished the year with a modest 589 yards and three touchdowns. With bye weeks still several weeks away and injuries being kept to a minimum for now, fantasy managers should start their studs and leave depth options like Boutte on the bench or waivers.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
New England Patriots wide receiver
DeMario Douglas is not a worthwhile fantasy starter in Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Not only did the Raiders allow the 11th-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers last year, but Douglas is likely headed for a smaller role than last season now that
Stefon Diggs has joined the offense. While Douglas does have experience being a low-yardage target machine, he was still inconsistent in 2024 and could become even less dependable with reduced volume in 2025. Plus, while he projects as a potential streamer later this season, he's not worth starting right now when there are no bye weeks and most top receivers are still healthy.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
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
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.
--Matt TerelleSource: NFL.com
September 6, 2025
Miami Dolphins wide receiver
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.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
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