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
September 6, 2025
The Jacksonville Jaguars face a juicy matchup in the Panthers in Week 1, meaning many players could thrive in fantasy football. That includes likely third WR
Dyami Brown, who signed with the Jaguars this offseason. He seems to be behind
Brian Thomas Jr. and
Travis Hunter on the depth chart, but that doesn't mean he can't be involved in the offense. If the Jaguars throw a lot early to gain the lead, Brown could rack up catches, making him not the worst option at WR in PPR leagues. However, given his expected target competition, he is likely better left on benches this week, although he could be a surprise fantasy option in Week 1 given the matchup and uncertainty surrounding the new-look Jaguars.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
The New York Jets defense/special teams boasts a strong matchup in Week 1 when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers at home. 2024 was a peculiar season for the team's defense. Despite yielding the third-fewest passing yards per game to opponents (192.6), they were a bottom-half unit in points allowed per game (23.8). The Jets' defense was notably worse off after the departure of former head coach Robert Saleh last season, but they look to put that behind them with the hiring of first-time head coach Aaron Glenn. Their defensive core from the previous campaign remains intact, supplemented by free agent signings and a slew of promising draft picks as they prepare to square off against their former quarterback,
Aaron Rodgers. This defense likely knows Rodgers well - as does Glenn - and is in a smash spot as RotoBaller's DST5 ahead of Week 1.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
September 6, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Tee Higgins spent all last season looking for a new contract. He also missed time due to injury. However, the wideout was productive when healthy and finished the year with 911 yards and 10 touchdowns off 73 catches (12 games). Equipped with a new four-year contract, Higgins should be ready to produce when the Bengals meet the Browns in Week 1. He scored in each of his two encounters with Cleveland during the 2024 campaign. With this expected to be one of the highest-scoring games of the week, Higgins has a chance of exceeding expectations for fantasy managers. He's a must-start on Sunday, although most know that already.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
September 6, 2025
The Houston Texans' backfield is in flux, with
Nick Chubb and
Dameon Pierce taking "all the reps" with the first-team offense in practice. They're filling in for starter
Joe Mixon, who remains on the NFI list without a clear timetable for return. Chubb looks like the early favorite for lead-back duties, as he handled every touch alongside
C.J. Stroud and the starters in Houston's second preseason game against Carolina. Still, Pierce is expected to carve out a meaningful role as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. The situation is a setback for rookie
Woody Marks, currently buried as the RB4 on the depth chart. Until Mixon's status clears up, it's tough to trust any Texans running back in fantasy lineups. However, the Week 1 matchup against the Rams will give managers the first real look at how Houston intends to split carries and could quickly shift fantasy value in this backfield.
--Nathan HarveySource: Sam Warren - Houston Chronicle
September 6, 2025
New York Jets running back
Isaiah Davis will operate as the team's third option this Sunday when his team lines up against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers. The South Dakota State product recently dealt with an ankle injury, but avoided the Jets' injury report this week as the organization gears up for their home opener. Before injuring his ankle, Davis briefly appeared with the starting offense during New York's first preseason contest with the Packers before finishing out the game. Head coach Aaron Glenn has noted on numerous occasions that Davis, along with backfield mates
Braelon Allen and
Breece Hall, will all be used in some fashion of a committee. How that shakes out remains to be seen, but Hall and Allen figure to handle most of the work while Davis spells them both. The 21-year-old doesn't forecast to have standalone value, but this backfield is worth monitoring - at least in the early going - until the roles are more defined. He's RotoBaller's RB79 in PPR formats ahead of Week 1.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
September 6, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals running back
Chase Brown had a slow start to the 2024 campaign, at least in the first three games. However, after establishing himself as the clear No. 1 option on the depth chart, there was no looking back. He would go on to finish the year by finding the end zone 11 times while barely missing the 1,000-yard rushing mark. The Bengals will begin the year with a Week 1 matchup versus the Cleveland Browns. Brown didn't play his best in two meetings with the Browns in 2024, combining for 33 carries for 135 yards and only 27 yards off five grabs. To be fair, he had trouble from a consistency standpoint against all of the teams in the AFC North. Although that makes him a risker DFS option, he's still a must-start in season-long fantasy setups.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
September 6, 2025
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
Adam Thielen spent part of the offseason training with quarterback
J.J. McCarthy, logging 6-8 throwing sessions together before his late-August trade back to Minnesota for a fifth-round pick. The 35-year-old veteran is eager to contribute, saying he's "excited to be a part of (McCarthy's) journey." With
Jordan Addison suspended to start the season, Thielen is projected to open as the WR2 in Week 1 against the division-rival Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. It's not the friendliest matchup, as Chicago allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in 2024, but Thielen's expanded role and early chemistry with McCarthy give him a path to targets.
--Nathan HarveySource: Sean Borman - KFAN1003
September 6, 2025
The Arizona Cardinals defense/special teams was very inconsistent last season, which was a common theme amongst the entire squad. They were smack in the middle of the pack at 15th for points against (22.3 per game), and they ranked 20th in takeaways. This past offseason, however, the team focused on bolstering the defense in a big way. They added Josh Sweat, Calais Campbell, and Will Johnson while drafting defensive prospects in each of the first five rounds of the NFL Draft. Their first matchup is against the New Orleans Saints, who are rolling out
Spencer Rattler to start the season. That has huge streaming value written all over it after the Saints' offense looked abysmal last season with Rattler under center.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
The Jacksonville Jaguars start off the season with a fantastic matchup against the Carolina Panthers, which is great news for
Brian Thomas Jr. fantasy managers. The second-year receiver was stellar last year, especially down the stretch, despite catching passes from Mac Jones. With
Trevor Lawrence back at QB and offensive-minded Liam Coen at head coach, Thomas Jr. has a chance to go nuclear in Week 1 against the worst defense in the NFL last season. He does have more target competition with
Travis Hunter and
Dyami Brown at WR, but that shouldn't stop Jacksonville's clear alpha from thriving. Fantasy managers should have no problem starting the LSU product in Week 1, who could be in line for a huge day.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
New York Jets wide receiver
Allen Lazard can't be trusted in fantasy for this week's home tilt with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Lazard enters his third season with the Jets, a member of the team by way of longtime ex-teammate
Aaron Rodgers. He was productive early in 2024, but fell victim to a chest injury and struggled to produce after the team acquired star wide receiver
Davante Adams at the halfway point. Adams is gone, but Lazard still occupies the WR3 role on the team behind
Garrett Wilson and first-year Jet
Josh Reynolds. Furthermore, New York's projected propensity to run the ball could leave targets outside of Wilson sparse, and running back
Breece Hall is a threat through the air, too. The former Green Bay Packer's standing in the pecking order - and an overall smaller passing pie - leave him on the outside looking in regarding the Jets' passing attack for now. He's RotoBaller's PPR WR114 for his outing with the Steelers.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
September 6, 2025
New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback
Tyler Shough missed out on the starting job to second-year quarterback
Spencer Rattler. Shough saw plenty of preseason action, going 36-for-54 for 333 yards with one touchdown and one interception over three games, while adding three carries for 23 yards, one touchdown, and one fumble. The 26-year-old will need to wait for his opportunity, which could come sooner rather than later given Rattler's likely short leash. He isn't worth rostering now but is worth monitoring for future fantasy relevance.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference
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