September 12, 2025
After a season-opening performance by the New York Giants' offense that was an abject disaster, the team is in search of solutions. While a change under center feels like an inevitability at some point this season, with rookie
Jaxson Dart eventually taking over for
Russell Wilson, some on the team seem to believe that a change in philosophy is also needed. Dating back to last season, multiple Giants players have suggested that an offense funneled entirely through one player, in this case, wide receiver
Malik Nabers, is not sustainable. Nabers saw nine targets on Sunday, resulting in five catches for 71 yards. It was his 14th straight game seeing at least eight targets, and the Giants are 2-12 in those contests. Nabers himself told reporters that the team needs to do a better job of spreading the ball around. Based on the evidence we've seen on the field, fantasy managers should not fear a sudden decrease in targets. They should, however, hope for any change that can make those looks more valuable.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Jordan Raanan
September 12, 2025
Carolina Panthers tight end
Ja'Tavion Sanders failed to make an impact in the Panthers' Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite seeing only three targets, Sanders managed to haul in two for 27 yards. With
Jalen Coker (quad) on the IR and
Xavier Legette underperforming his high draft status, the Panthers would be wise to game-plan their passing game around
Tetairoa McMillan, while also creating more opportunities for Sanders on play-action plays. However, in Week 1, the Panthers fell behind early, forcing them to abandon the run game in the second half. Suppose the Panthers can establish a more effective running game and keep the score close in week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals. Sanders could potentially be more involved in play-action passes. The tight end has solid potential in this offense due to his receiving and athletic abilities. Despite his potential, Sanders remains a risky fantasy option and should not be rostered outside deep leagues until we see more consistent usage. Sanders is a dart throw at best for Week 2 against Arizona.
--Jp SticcoSource: ESPN
September 12, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders kicker
Daniel Carlson kicked off his 2025 campaign with a solid Week 1 performance, tying for the No. 8 kicker spot with 11 fantasy points against the Patriots. The reliable Raiders specialist showcased his impressive leg strength by connecting from both 40 and 51 yards while adding a pair of extra points. Though he missed an ambitious 58-yard attempt before halftime, Carlson's powerful leg remains a valuable fantasy asset. Heading into Week 2, he faces a Chargers defense that surrendered 21 points to the Chiefs ' offense, suggesting ample scoring opportunities should be available. While not an elite option, Carlson's proven accuracy and favorable matchup position him as a dependable low-end starting kicker for managers seeking consistency from their special teams slot this weekend.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Raiders.com
September 12, 2025
Carolina Panthers undrafted rookie kicker
Ryan Fitzgerald had a solid professional debut, going 1-for-1 on field goals and converting his lone extra point in the Panthers' Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 48-yard field goal proved his leg strength, and his successful preseason, where he beat out veteran kicker
Matthew Wright, shows he has the potential to be a fantasy asset. However, the Panthers' inability to consistently move the ball on offense will likely temper his fantasy outlook in Week 2. If the Panthers can find the offensive rhythm they finished the 2024 season with, Fitzgerald could become a great streaming option for fantasy managers down the road.
--Jp SticcoSource: ESPN
September 12, 2025
Outside of the second quarter, the Carolina Panthers' defense didn't play terribly in their Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. They surrendered just nine points in the first, third, and fourth quarters, while giving up 17 in the second. Some of the damage can be attributed to the three turnovers by the Panthers' offense. The defense also had some high points. They recorded one interception and played well on third downs, limiting the Jaguars to just five first-down conversions on 12 attempts. However, they struggled against the run, giving up 200 rushing yards, and failed to generate any pressure on
Trevor Lawrence, recording zero sacks. Stopping the Arizona Cardinals' offense in Week 2 will be tough. The Cardinals could only muster up 278 total yards against the Saints, but they were efficient in the red zone, putting up 20 points. To make things more difficult, the Panthers will be without their veteran defensive tackle, Tershawn Wharton, for 2-4 weeks due to a hamstring injury suffered in Week 1. Given their struggles in Week 1 and a key injury to their defensive front, the Panthers' defense is best left on the waiver wire and not a recommended streamer versus the Cardinals.
--Jp SticcoSource: ESPN
September 12, 2025
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Jayden Reed (collarbone) is scheduled for surgery early next week. The hope is that he will be able to return this season, with the team looking at November as a possible timeline. Reed broke his collarbone making a touchdown grab on a play that was negated by a holding penalty. The play came on the Packers' opening drive and was Reed's first look in a game that ultimately saw seven other Green Bay pass catchers targeted. On a day that saw
Jordan Love throw for nearly 300 yards and two scores, only tight end
Tucker Kraft looked like a reliable option moving forward, with
Romeo Doubs' fantasy day kept afloat by an early touchdown. With Reed now sidelined until at least mid-season, the silver lining could be added clarity amongst the Packers' pass catchers, but until rookie
Matthew Golden can demonstrate an established chemistry with Love, Kraft will remain the only weekly start.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Ian Rapoport
September 12, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders running back
Zamir White has secured the No. 2 role behind rookie
Ashton Jeanty, but his Week 1 usage was minimal. White played just 14% of offensive snaps and managed only eight yards on three carries, serving strictly in a relief role. The positive takeaway is that he has clearly distanced himself above
Raheem Mostert on the depth chart, but with Jeanty handling 86% of the snaps and dominating touches, White's value is strictly that of a handcuff. Unless Jeanty misses time, there's little path to standalone fantasy relevance for White this season.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Raiders.com
September 12, 2025
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Kalif Raymond played ahead of rookie wideout
Isaac TeSlaa in Week 1, recording two catches for 16 yards on three targets against the Green Bay Packers. That may not be the case in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears after TeSlaa's highlight-reel touchdown grab against Green Bay. Raymond has worked in a gadget/downfield role for the Lions over the past couple of seasons, which may not be as effective under new Detroit play-caller John Morton as it was under former offensive coordinator and current Bears head coach Ben Johnson. Raymond is an explosive player with the ball in his hands due to his speed, but he's not a fantasy-viable wide receiver unless the Lions suffer multiple injuries at the position.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
September 12, 2025
In his first career NFL game, rookie tight end
Tyler Warren led the Colts in targets and receptions, chipping in 76 yards through the air. Impressively, his impact on Shane Steichen's offense went beyond the numbers he was able to put on the stat sheet.
Michael Pittman Jr.'s 27-yard touchdown in the second quarter was the direct result of space created along the sideline when Dolphins' safety Ifeatu Melifonwu chose to carry Warren down the seam. In the running game, Warren at times looked like a 6th offensive lineman, clearing space for
Jonathan Taylor,
DJ Giddens, and
Daniel Jones on a day where the Colts put up 156 yards on the ground. The Colts invested a first-round draft pick in Warren, and through one week, it appears they have a clear plan to run the offense through him. Week 1 was arguably the most successful game of the Shane Steichen era, and it should not be a surprise to see Warren rewarded for his dirty work with more fantasy-friendly opportunities.
--Patrick McGrathSource: James Boyd - The Athletic
September 12, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders running back
Ashton Jeanty had a tough Week 1 against the Patriots, managing just 40 yards from scrimmage but salvaging his day with a three-yard touchdown run. Encouragingly, Jeanty dominated the backfield workload, logging 86% of snaps and handling 19 of the team's 22 rushing attempts, cementing himself as the clear lead back. Week 2 presents another challenge, as the Chargers limited the Chiefs to just 98 rushing yards in their opener. If Los Angeles sells out to stop the run the way New England did, the Raiders may lean more on
Geno Smith and the passing game, potentially capping Jeanty's ceiling. Still, his elite usage keeps him firmly in the RB2 mix with touchdown upside.
--Shaun AlbinSource: raiders.com
September 12, 2025
Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver
Isaac TeSlaa only saw one target in Week 1, but he made it count with a highlight-reel, one-handed touchdown grab. Lions offensive coordinator John Morton said after the game that the team plans to get TeSlaa more involved going forward, which could start with Detroit's Week 2 matchup against the Chicago Bears. Between wide receivers
Amon-Ra St. Brown and
Jameson Williams, as well as tight end
Sam LaPorta and running back
Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions still have multiple pass-catchers above TeSlaa in the pecking order for targets and touches. That makes TeSlaa more of a long-term stash in deep leagues than a viable fantasy starter at wide receiver in Week 2.
--Will BradySource: Woodward Sports Network
September 12, 2025
Carolina Panthers second-year wide receiver
Xavier Legette was on the field for 78% of the Panthers' offensive plays in their Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, he secured three of his seven targets for a disappointing 10 yards. This was another underwhelming performance for a player the Panthers drafted in 2024 to be their WR1. The good news is that Legette's high snap count and seven targets show he is getting opportunities in the offense. In Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals, he could see an increased target share, as Panthers' WR3
Hunter Renfrow (rib) has been limited at practice due to a rib injury. The Cardinals' pass defense is not one of the league's best, and it's reasonable to expect the Panthers' offense to take a step forward in their second game. Legette is best left on the waiver wire and is mainly an option in deep leagues until he and
Bryce Young can get on the same page and he makes the most of his opportunities.
--Jp SticcoSource: ESPN
September 12, 2025
If Week 1's performance is any indication, Carolina Panthers running back
Rico Dowdle is nothing more than a handcuff for fantasy managers. The 1,000-yard rusher from last season with the Dallas Cowboys, Dowdle, touched the ball just five times in Week 1, while starter
Chuba Hubbard had 19 touches. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect this dynamic to change much for Dowdle in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals. While he is not a starter-level option, Dowdle's high-end skillset makes him a very valuable player to roster. If you have room at the end of your bench, Dowdle is a strong stash candidate. If Hubbard were to miss any time, Dowdle would immediately jump into a workhorse role, making him a decent stash in redraft leagues. However, he should not be started in any format in Week 2 vs. Arizona.
--Jp SticcoSource: ESPN
September 12, 2025
Carolina Panthers running back
Chuba Hubbard rushed for 57 yards on 16 carries and caught a 27-yard touchdown on three receptions against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1. The good news for fantasy managers is that the offseason addition of
Rico Dowdle did not cut into Hubbard's workload, as Dowdle had just five touches. The bad news is that Hubbard averaged a pedestrian 3.6 yards per carry. In Week 2, Hubbard will look to get the ground game going against the Arizona Cardinals, who surrendered 107 rushing yards to the New Orleans Saints in Week 1. While the Cardinals' run defense is far from elite, the Panthers' offensive struggles could limit Hubbard's upside. Hubbard should continue to be treated as an RB2/Flex play in Week 2, with more value in PPR leagues. If the Panthers can figure out their passing game, Hubbard should be able to find more room to run. However, don't expect a top-tier performance unless the offense takes a significant step forward.
--Jp SticcoSource: ESPN
September 12, 2025
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Jameson Williams was quiet in Week 1, hauling in four of five targets for just 23 receiving yards in his team's 27-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Williams will now face the Chicago Bears in Week 2, whom he recorded 10 catches for 171 yards and a touchdown against across two games last season. However, there's reason to think this Sunday could be a struggle for Williams. For one, Chicago is likely to get star corner Jaylon Johnson (calf/groin) back in the lineup after Johnson missed Week 1. Secondly, Detroit could be without starting left tackle Taylor Decker, which could speed up quarterback
Jared Goff's time-to-throw and make it difficult for Williams to earn downfield targets. Williams still has big-play potential, but he profiles as a boom/bust low-end WR3/flex option in Week 2.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
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